National leaders are slamming the Government's refusal to let two Warriors players back into the country.

Pacific Island passport holders  Eliesa Katoa and Selestino Ravutaumada were given an exemption to travel to Australia for the NRL season.

Deputy Gerry Brownlee told Heather Du Plessis-Allan he can't understand why they can't return.

He says they are for all intents and purposes Kiwis.

"It's odd they are denied entry on the basis of their passports rather than their record of contribution to New Zealand, it's ridiculous."

Brownlee says there needs to be greater thinking about our border control.

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