Hangi to attract players

Kiwis' rugby league coach Stephen Kearney wants to entice and capture the hearts of 40 Sydney-based, New Zealand eligible, Under-20 players – by putting down a traditional Maori hangi.

A mixture of players who were either born in New Zealand but live in Australia, or were born in Australia but have New Zealand heritage, were selected.

The scheme 'our identity and what do we represent' is the first one-day Junior Elite Roots Camp which will be held at Paramatta Stadium on Sunday.

Kearney will be assisted in putting down the Maori feast by Kiwis' captain Benji Marshall – who went to school on the Gold Coast - 2008 World Cup-winning captain Nathan Cayless, two other former skippers in world record-holding Ruben Wiki and Roy Asotasi, plus New Zealand Rugby League football manager Tony Kemp, Tawera Nikau, David Kidwell and Mark Horo.

Kemp outlined why these players were important in planning for the future.

"We want them to be really aware of their Kiwi roots and we want them to know that New Zealand has a big interest in them," Kemp said.

"Some of the invited players have played NYC football, while others are playing in junior grades."

Kearney said the aim of the day was to offer the young players 'a glimpse into the world of our elite Kiwi players'.

Asotasi and Cayless will talk about what it means to wear the Kiwi jersey while Marshall and Cayless will also relate their