While aiming to showcase their playing ability, the series is propelled by the players' varied back stories, with many facing their last shot at a professional league career.
"The Kiwis are very well represented," said Geyer. "In particular, two young blokes, Reece Joyce and Roydon Gillett. One [Joyce] was a prodigy union player who was basically caught up on the wrong side of the tracks, had a couple of kids at a young age, and now at 24 he decided to have another go.
"He's a good young man who has admitted his faults and got on with life and was very impressive. Gillett was another one who was like the father figure of the group. They were both extremely talented.
"Gary-John Hill, a Kiwi boy living in Perth, is a front-rower and they all acquitted themselves brilliantly."
Long-time fans of the game will also recognise some familiar surnames with Jesse Shearer, son of former Queensland and Kangaroos wing Dale, and Jordan Martin, son of ex-Canberra Raiders winger Paul, also among the rookie squad.
The first episode of The NRL Rookie airs on TVNZ's Duke channel tonight at 9.45.
