KEY POINTS:
Strange times indeed, when one of Australia's oldest and grandest league clubs turns to a horde of Kiwis to revive its long downtrodden fortunes.
Even stranger times, when you consider that the club, South Sydney Rabbitohs, will this weekend field more New Zealanders in its starting line-up than
another perennial struggler, our very own Warriors.
What to make of it?
Well, the Warriors aren't exactly breaking new ground by hoping a bit of stiff Aussie resolve will boost their fortunes. Their coach, Ivan Cleary, alongside the likes of Kevin Campion, PJ Marsh, Richard Villisanti and John Carlaw, did exactly that, playing a significant role in taking the club to three years of finals footy, the benchmark of success.
But what of an Australian club turning to Kiwis in such large numbers? The obvious paradox is that, while Kiwis are finding it harder than ever to get a job with this country's only club, they're thriving elsewhere.
The list of New Zealanders who are pivotal to their club's fortunes is impressive.
There's the obvious suspects such as Benji Marshall, Sonny Bill Williams and David "hit of the century" Kidwell but, beyond them, every single NRL club will be depending on at least one Kiwi to make a difference.
Tomorrow, for example, the Eels' go-forward game will be highly dependent on a couple of Kiwis, Nathan Cayless and Fuifui Moimoi.
Penrith's pack has long been based around athletic back-rowers such as the Puletua brothers, Frank Pritchard and Joe Galavao - the latter of whom will be hoping to form a similarly effective combination with Kidwell, Roy Asotasi and David Fa'alogo at the Rabbitohs.
Even at the champion Broncos, Tame Tupou is a key finisher and Greg Eastwood promises to be a fixture in the pack for years to come.
This relatively recent phenomenon of "Kiwis" spread far and wide throughout the NRL galaxy owes plenty to the shrewd approach of Kiwis coach Brian McClennan.
A tireless and so far unrewarded crusader for New Zealand's right to field its strongest team in internationals, McClennan has found himself banging his head against a brick wall in a power struggle with NRL clubs.
But rather than take the clubs' refusal to release marquee players for test matches lying down, McClennan has used the situation to blood - and thus claim international rights over - a host of promising young talent.
Sure, the Kiwis have had to cop some fearful mid-season poundings in the process, but what has emerged is a much wider talent pool for the national selectors to dip their fingers into.
Bulldogs five-eight Ben Roberts is a classic case in point. Australian-born Roberts was effectively a reserve-grader last year and was, ordinarily, a long, long way from test match selection. But McClennan took him to England and gave him a taste of playing the British at the dilapidated but truly intimidating arena of St Helens' Knowlsey Rd. Sure, the Kiwis copped a record beating but, if Roberts develops into the player many think he is capable of, it will have been worth the sacrifice.
Others such as Tupou, Fa'alogo and Iosia Soliola have shown they are already up to, or very close to, test standard.
New Zealand may have lost the battle over Karmichael Hunt but McClennan is out to ensure they don't lose the war.
A side-effect of his wide-ranging selection strategy is an NRL competition bristling with Kiwis.
Super League too, boasts plenty of New Zealanders. The Rabbitohs may be the latest club to try packing its ranks with Kiwis but they are hardly the first. During Bradford's run of five successive grand finals, there were often as many Kiwis in the team as Brits. In 2004, Bradford began the season with Robbie Paul, Joe Vagana, Shontayne Hape, Logan Swann, Lesley Vainikolo, Tevita Vaikona and Toa Kohe-Love on its books.
St Helens' treble-winning team of last season boasted Willie Talau, Jason Cayless, Vinnie Anderson and Francis Meli.
There's no doubting the current influence of New Zealanders on the sport.
The Warriors might still be the flagship of New Zealand league, but the game in this country is hardly dependent on the club to produce players for the national team.
The ancestry of the club's players is barely relevant. If the Warriors win the premiership, it won't matter whether they are Aussies, Germans or card-carrying al Qaeda members. They'll be winners. And that's all that matters.
And if the Rabbitohs win, they'll be well, dreaming.
First Grade Kiwis
* Broncos
Tame Tupou, Greg Eastwood
* Bulldogs
Sonny Bill Williams, Ben Roberts, Matt Utai
* Cowboys
Sione Faumuina
* Eels
Nathan Cayless, Fuifui Moimoi
* Knights
George Carmont
* Panthers
Frank Pritchard, Tony Puletua, Frank Puletua
* Rabbitohs
David Kidwell, Roy Asotasi, Nigel Vagana, David Fa'alogo, Joe Galavao, Jeremy Smith
* Roosters
Iosia Soliola, Vince Mellars
* Sea Eagles
Steve Matai
* Storm
Adam Blair, Matt Rua
* Titans
Jake Webster
* West Tigers
Benji Marshall, Dene Halatau, Paul Whatuira, Bronson Harrison
* Warriors
Louis Anderson, Lance Hohaia, Simon Mannering, Ruben Wiki, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Logan Swann, Wairangi Koopu, Nathan Fien, Patrick Ah Van, Epalahame Lauaki, Sam Rapira, Evarn Tuimavave, Cooper Vuna
* Keep an eye out for
Rangi Chase (Dragons) Hanan Laban, Terrence Seuseu (Knights), Phillip Leuluai (Sharks)