KEY POINTS:
Kiwis captain Ruben Wiki says weekly kava-drinking sessions have the team primed for their Tri-Nations league title defence against Australia tomorrow, and are a big factor in his defying the ageing process.
The traditional Pacific Island drink with medicinal qualities has become an important weekly ritual for the Kiwis in the Tri-Nations at Wiki's behest, as team spirit and pride loom as one of their key strengths tomorrow.
Forget all the latest technology sports drinks -- Wiki swears by kava with the New Zealand Warriors and the Kiwis and insists on a session after every game to rehydrate, ease sore muscles and help the recovery process.
Ahead of his New Zealand record 55th test tomorrow night, Wiki, 33, said he wouldn't now do without it as he braces for another season with the Warriors in 2007.
He hasn't publicly indicated any looming retirement from international league.
"I believe in (kava). If it's going to help me get on the field the next week, I'll do it," he told NZPA.
"We brought it in last year to get the boys together after a game, sit down and have a bonding session together.
"It's also about rehydrating after a game, you lose a few kilos in the game."
Kava, which is related to the black pepper plant, is produced as a drink by straining a mixture of water and the shredded, pounded, or dried root of the plant.
Wiki sources it from "any dairy in South Auckland" or Fijian/Indian stores, where it can be purchased in powdered form.
Results of scientific studies this year in Scotland and Luxembourg showed kava may be effective in the treatment of ovarian cancer and leukaemia.
Wiki, who doesn't drink alcohol, researched it last year on the internet and after learning of its healing powers, brought it into his weekly routine.
It's compulsory after every Warriors away game and has been a regular Saturday night session for the Kiwis in recent weeks, the latest last weekend as they watched on television at their Sydney hotel as the Kangaroos beat Great Britain.
"It just makes you nice and relaxed. I did some research on it last year, there's an anti-inflammatory ingredient. It's good for soreness, stress, bumps and bruises so that works out pretty well for me.
"The boys have brought into it, it relaxes them, then off to bed.
"There's a few of the boys that are 'churchies' and don't drink it, but they still sit in the room."
So how much is consumed in one sitting?
"It depends how good the music is. The boys enjoy each other's company, there's music there and everyone's happy."
Word spread around Australian league circles this year about the powers of kava and Melbourne Storm forward Michael Crocker contacted Wiki to source some as he battled to make the grand final after suffering a serious knee injury.
Wiki, who shares the same manager as Crocker, telephoned his mother in Melbourne who found some powdered kava. It was gratefully received by Crocker, but not quite enough for a miracle recovery in the space of a week.
"If you want to be hardcore you can get the root from the islands and put it in the bowl, that's pretty strong. I haven't tried that yet...maybe next year," Wiki said.
If it helps spur the Kiwis to victory tomorrow there may not be enough to go around.
- NZPA
