Reading Mericks interview on stuff and extrapolating a bit he want's to sign young New Zealanders but can't because they are called up to the national team and so has to sign young Australians.
Like who?
He is signing Aussies on one year deals
The usual names mentioned: Hudson-Wihongi, De Vries, Adams.
The problem is that they are all in the mix for the AWs and so its a risk signing him. Merrick wants to sign NZ talent and develop them but not at the expense of the Phoenix as a whole.