New Zealand Rugby League has confirmed a 2016 national high performance calendar that includes a camp for NSW and Queensland-based 18s.The Taurahere programme is designed to identify NZ-eligible players living in Australia and strengthen their loyalty to the black jersey. Two years ago, a New South Wales-based side swept a two-game series against the NZ 18s in Rotorua. This year, NZRL will bring the expats into a five-day camp on the Gold Coast in July, culminating in a trial game between the two states. Other features of the calendar include the Kiwis defence of their Four Nations crown, national tournaments for schools, youth and women and the new-look district-based national senior competition. At the culmination of the national competition, an NZ Residents side will be selected for a possible encounter with NZ Maori. Still unconfirmed are fixtures for NZ 16s, NZ 18s and Secondary Schools national sides. The 2016 NZRL national high performance calendar for youth includes: 7 May - NZ Junior Kiwis v Junior Kangaroos 2-6 June - NSW & Queensland Taurahere Camp 29 August - 2 September - NZRL National Secondary Schools Tournament 26-30 September - NZRL National Youth Tournament Ata Hingano and Josh Uta claim NZRL U18 and U16 player of the year awards. The full list of 2015 NZRL Award winners is: Female Volunteer of the Year – Leanne Anderson (Southern) Male Volunteer of the Year – Simon Itula (Wellington) Grassroots Club of the Year – Glenfield RL (Akarana) Domestic Coach of the Year – Grant Pocklington (Akarana) Match Official of the Year – Adam Burns (Southern) 16s Player of the Year – Josh Uta (Counties Manukau) 18s Player of the Year – Ata Hingano (NZ Warriors) Premier Player of the Year – Raymond Talimalie (Counties Manukau) Junior Player of the Year – Tuimoala Lolohea (NZ Warriors) Women’s Player of the Year – Teuila Fotu-Moala (Counties Manukau) Kiwis Rookie of the Year – Jordan Kahu (Brisbane Broncos) Kiwis Player of the Year – Jesse Bromwich (Melbourne Storm) 19/11/2015 Champion of Champions - Rugby League Top 4
Another sport that does not get the coverage like it should in NZ. There is huge talent in Auckland, but lets not forget the future Kiwis that are grafting away outside of Auckland. Here are our top 4 for 2015...
Rory Ferguson The industrious and skilful second-rower has been compared to Warriors Captain Simon Mannering. The Otago Under-17 and Scorpions player out of John McGlashan College in Dunedin was selected for the New Zealand Under-18 team that toured Australia this year. He was the first Junior Kiwi to come out of Otago, following Sam Williamson in 1954. He was also a member of the First XV that won the Otago First XV competition. They won 14 out of 15 games and Ferguson was the highest try scorer with 11. Phoenix Hunt Otahuhu College won their second National Rugby League title in September, dramatically beating St. Paul's College in the final. St Paul's looked assured of their 16th national title at halftime when they led 13-0. However Otahuhu rallied achieved an 18-17 triumph. Otahuhu won three games by fewer than five points and the performance of hooker Hunt was vital. He won the Player of the Tournament award and later earned selection for the New Zealand Under-18 side. Joshua Uta The Year 11 student from Manurewa High School was named the College Rugby League Player of the Year in Auckland. The lock/loose forward is a Manurewa Marlins junior who has ended up in the Mangere East Hawks Under-16 squad by way of the Otahuhu Leopards. The Manurewa First XIII achieved a top five ranking in Nationals and had more boys selected for the New Zealand Under-18 team than any other school. Tarquinn Alatipi Was offered six NRL contracts and eventually resolved to join the South Sydney Rabbitohs in December. Alatipi was the only Wellington based player selected in the New Zealand Under-18 league team. He was a member of the St Pat’s Silverstream First XIII that won the Wellington title and completed a second year unbeaten. He also coached the Under-15 side. Alatipi was a member of the Silverstream First XV rugby team and a member of the Silverstream W6 crew who won the under-19 250m sprint at the National Waka Ama Secondary Schools Championships. The Silverstream dragon boating team went 60-0 in five years of competition.
14/11/2015
NZRL name 20 U16s paper teamNew Zealand Rugby League has named a NZ 16s "paper" side to celebrate and reward the hard work of players that attended the 2015 national trial and "Got A Trade? Got It Made!" National Youth Tournament. After a selection process, head coach Moehewa Armstrong has named 20 players from across the country. “The selectors were extremely impressed with skills and attitude in an environment that was designed to test and challenge the players, both on and off the field”. Unfortunately, the team doesn’t assemble for a fixture, but each of the players has been given personal profiles outlining their strengths and weakness. As part of the high performance pathway, players will be monitored via zone camps and national academies to ensure they’re continuing to meet national expectations and continue the production line of talent playing for the black-and-white jersey. NZRL national talent manager Dean Watkins' desire is to see the players fulfill their dreams and aspire to play in the Kiwis jumper, but has a clear message that the players must drive themselves to new levels. “For every player in the NR, there are hundreds that miss out," he says. "The challenge for these players is to ensure they stay focused on their dream and continue to set goals to progress on the pathway." The 2015 NZ 16s squad is: Daymon Abbey - Akarana Hitaua Butler - Mid Central Soane Hufanga - Akarana Keanu Laumatia-Paki - Counties Manukau Joseph Los'e - Mid Central Lumafale Lualua - Wellington Etene Nanai-Seturo - Counties Manukau Te Kahu Nathan - Northern Hayze Perham - Upper Central Javvier Pitovao - Akarana Jordan Riki - Southern Sheldon Rogers - Upper Central Alfred Smalley - Counties Manukau Elijah Sufia - Counties Manukau Chanel Tavita-Harris - Akarana Jonty Timoti - Akarana Caleb Uele - Akarana Joshua Uta - Counties Manukau Wesley Veikoso - Mid Central Mikey Williams -Akarana http://www.nzrl.co.nz/fanzone/news/ St. Patrick’s College, Silverstream have become the first school to win the Johnny Lomax/Stephen Kearney Cup double as Wellington Under-15 and senior rugby league champions. Today at Rugby Leauge Park, the Silverstream Under-15′s thrashed St. Pat’s Town 68-10 in the Jonny Lomax Cup final and the senior team beat Bishop Viard College 30-20 in the Stephen Kearney Cup decider. Early on the Stephen Kearney Cup final seemed like it would be a one-sided affair. Silverstream scored three unconverted tries to skip ahead 12-0. Centre and man of the match Sione Uvea was in imperious form scoring two tries. His second effort saw him fend off multiple defenders in a devastating 30-meter burst. Gradually Bishop Viard worked themselves into the game on the back of a few penalties and scored their first try to make it 12-4. New Zealand Schools rugby hooker Asafo Aumua ran 55-meters off the back off a scrum to made it 18-4, before Bishop Viard freighted the defending champions. The Porirua based school scored two converted tries to make it 18-16. Losi Filipo (always threatening with ball in hand), barged over to extend Silverstream’s lead before Aumua settled the result when he burst 65-meters to score. Aumua scored three tries in Wednesday’s semi-final. Tai Manava, Austin Nansen, Raeden Mikara and Daniel Foaese-Fluety scored Bishop Viard’s tries. In the Under-15 game Silverstream scored more than a point a minute as they blitzed a much smaller Town. Silverstream raced out to a 28-0 lead, before Town rallied and scored two tries. The second-half was completely one-sided. Silverstream scored 11 tries eight of which were converted by Cassius Misa. Second-rower Luke Mannix was named man of the match. He scored two tries and impressed with his agressive hit-ups and strong tackling. Centre Maika Fifita was full of running and scored three tries, two over the course of 50-meters. The Under-15 side was coached by South Sydney bound Tarquinn Alatipi who also played in the senior final. Tarquinn Alatipi has had his sights set on a career in rugby league for some time. He started playing at the age of five. In December he will commence a professional contract with the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Alatipi explains how that opportunity arose. “I was spotted at Nationals last year. Wellington got second and I played pretty well. I got six offers, but I liked South Sydney the best. When I went there I felt like I fitted in straight away,” he says. The Warriors, Storm, Dragons and Bulldogs were among the teams vouching for Alatipi’s services. The centre and standoff was a member of the St. Patrick’s College, Silverstream First XIII that won the Wellington competition last year and he was the only capital based player selected in the New Zealand Under-18 league team that toured Australia recently. New Zealand lost both test matches. The first game was won by Australia 70-24, with Ivan Cleary’s son, Nathan, captaining the young Kangaroos. The second game went in favour of the Aussies by 30-6. It was marred by a series of ugly brawls Alatipi says it’s “unfortunate” the fights happened, insists both teams are to blame, but doesn’t want the fighting to be the enduring memory of the tour. “It was a great tour for learning,” he says. “I discovered the Australian game is much quicker than the Kiwi game. The players are fitter and more experienced.” There are no worries about Alatipi’s fitness. He has been active in Union, touch and dragon boating to. He was a member of the Silverstream W6 crew who won the under-19 250m sprint at the National Waka Ama Secondary Schools Championships. The other crew members were Daniel Fiso, Tone Fauolo, Herewini Ammunson, Isaac Fa’alogo and Ivan Fepuleai. He was also a member of the Silverstream crew that won their fifth consecutive Wellington dragon boating title. He achieved a 60-0 record in the sport. Alatipi was extremely busy in the winter. He was a member of the Silverstream First XV and on Sunday would play for the Porirua Vikings who won the local Under-17 club competition. Alatipi had never really played Union before, but he made a huge impression for the First XV. He was highly regarded by the national selectors and was man of the match on Land Rover First XV rugby when Silverstream beat Wellington College 38-27 – Alatipi scored three long-range tries. “I got into rugby because I wanted to be closer to the boys in my last year of school. I really enjoyed the experience and that Wellington game was pretty special,” he says. Alatipi s favourite player is Greg Inglis. His older brother Haize was a member of the Silverstream First XV that won Premier One in 2012. He will be moving with Tarquinn to Sydney. “It will be tough to leave home, but I can’t wait to join the Rabbitohs. It will be tough, but I am grateful for the chance,” Tarquinn concludes.
25/9/2015
Schools heroes added to NZ 18'SContinued playoff success for the Junior Warriors has seen changes in the NZ 18s team to take on Australian Schoolboys in Brisbane next week.
Three players – halves Erin Clark and Ata Hingano, and prop Amoni Tufui – have withdrawn from the national side, as the Warriors prepare for their National Youth Competition preliminary final against Penrith Panthers on Friday. But in their place, NZ coach Rod Ratu has been able to promote two of the heroes of this week’s NZ Secondary Schools 30-22 victory over NSW Combined High Schools, also under his watch. Front rowers Kenese Kenese and Isaiah Papalii follow Ratu across to the 18s programme, joined by Akarana’s Josh Farrant. The age-group side face the Aussie Schools at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, September 27, and again on Thursday, October 1 at Wynnum. The full squad to assemble in Auckland on Wednesday is: Tarquinn Alatipi (Wellington), Whitiroa Davis (Akarana), Keanu Dawson (Upper Central), Josh Farrant (Akarana), Rory Ferguson (Southern), Jackson Ferris (Mid Central), Bostyn Hakaraia (Akarana), Morgan Harper (Upper Central), Phoenix Hunt (Counties Manukau), Kenese Kenese (Counties Manukau), Dean Kouka-Smith (Akarana), Rory Marshall-Barton (Counties Manukau), Tyrone Nathan (Counties Manukau), Fabian Paletua-Kiri (Mid-Central), Isaiah Papalii (Akarana), David Phillips (Counties Manukau), Chris Sio (Akarana), Lewis Soosemea (Counties Manukau), Auzzie Tuwhangai (Akarana)
23/9/2015
COMEBACK CARRIES NZ SCHOOLS TO WINNZ Secondary Schools have produced a 26-point second half to run down the visiting New South Wales Combined High Schools 30-22 at Massey Park, Papakura. In a proverbial game of two halves, the young Kiwis overcame a 22-4 deficit to completely turn the tables on their guests, holding them scoreless after the break . The young New Zealand side opened the scoring through a try from winger Michael Siale-Motu on their first possession, but quickly surrendered the advantage through a series of penalties and handling errors. New South Wales ran in four tries – two from powerful centre Mathew Lyons and three of them converted by half Kieran Hayman – before half-time and the home team seemed to need some kind of inspiration just to keep the score-line respectable. Whatever was discussed over oranges did the trick and the use of a gentle southerly also assisted. New Zealand’s comeback began, when hooker David-John Phillips spun over for a try by the posts, converted by skipper Bostyn Hakaraia. Halfback Zae Wallace set up the next try with a darting run near the line, before finding Josh Uta, and Siale-Motu secured his double, when NZ Schools capitalised on a penalty and set play inside NSW territory. All three tries were converted by Hakaraia and suddenly, the scores were locked at 22-22. By this stage, the Kiwis forwards had simply worn their counterparts down and the Australians could not muster an answer to the onslaught up the middle. Winger Siave Tongoiu crossed in the corner to put New Zealand ahead and with time virtually up, Hakaraia found fullback Adam Wetere Pompey cutting back on an angle to seal the deal. NSW Combined High Schools will now travel to Christchurch for a game against Canterbury Combined Schools, while several of the NZ Schools players will pull on the black jersey again next week, when NZ 18s take on the Australian Schools in a two-test series in Brisbane. NZ Secondary Schools 30 (Michael Siale-Motu 2, David-John Phillips, Josh Uta, Siave Togoiu & Adam Wetere Pompey tries; Bostyn Hakaraia 3 goals) NSW Combined High Schools 22 (Mathew Lyons 2, Haze Dunster & Reece Robson tries; Kieran Hayman 3 goals); HT: 4-22 Starting Monday, NZ Secondary Schools rugby league coach Rod Ratu has a unique opportunity to take a generation of players to the next level of their game. Of his game. In the space of a couple of weeks, Ratu will guide the students side against New South Wales Combined High Schools, then take the NZ 18s across the ditch to face Australian Schools in Brisbane. Five players – Bostyn Hakaraia, Phoenix Hunt, David-John Phillips, Chris Sio and Auzzie Tuwhangai – have been named for both teams. “I’m apprehensive, I’m nervous … but excited that it’s another challenge,” says Ratu. He’s had plenty of experience at club, rep and schools level, and already knows many of his charges through working with the NZ Warriors development programme. But this is his first national team gig, so he isn’t sure how high the bar sits on this assignment, just that it is higher than he’s been before. “There’s a lot of familiarity there, it’s another campaign and we’re preparing for another game. “At the same time, we’ve got to make sure the effort is raised. We can’t sit comfortably on what we already know, we need to challenge ourselves, off the field, as well as on it.” Ratu has had plenty of advice. At the NZRL National Performance Camp, he picked the brains of new NZRL high performance general manager and former Junior Kiwis coach Brent Gemmell, his predecessor and Warriors assistant coach Tony Iro, and Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney. “I took a lot of confidence from that camp, talking to those guys,” says Ratu. “They told me, in these short campaigns, you have to understand what you can manage and keep it simple. “You have to make sure it’s an enjoyable process for yourself and the people concerned … the players.” New South Wales finished stronger than their NZ counterparts in last year’s encounter at Westlake Boys High School, trailing early in the second half, but pulling away 28-16 in the final analysis. Ratu has seen the footage and knows where his team must stamp their authority for a chance to turn the tables tomorrow. “I’m very confident in our middles,” he says. “We are predominantly strong and powerful players, so we’ve selected this side with the intention of winning the battle in the middle of the field. “I expect New South Wales to be highly skilful. They know the game well – they have great game intelligence – and it’s evident they will play the full 80 minutes.” That, effectively, was the difference between the two sides last year, but Ratu is confident his players have the ability to go the distance this time. The process of raising the bar began even before the NZ side entered camp on Friday. With the team’s only non-Aucklander, Dylan Clark, driving north from Tokoroa, they faced the Junior Warriors in an opposed practice run at Mt Smart Stadium last Wednesday. “That’s an opportunity a rep team wouldn’t normally enjoy,” reflects Ratu. “The Warriors boys made a point of shaking their hands and wishing them luck afterwards.” NZ SECONDARY SCHOOLS V NSW COMBINED HIGH SCHOOLS Monday, September 21 Massey Park, Papakura NZ Schools: Dylan Clark (Tokoroa HS), Bostyn Hakaraia (Mt Albert Grammar), Soane Hufunga (St Paul's College), Phoenix Hunt (Otahuhu College), Fine Inisi (Westlake BHS), Kenese Kenese (Manurewa HS), Isaiah Papalii (Mt Albert Grammar), David Phillips (Manurewa HS), Wetere Pompey (Weley College), Jan Sepuloni (Southern Cross Campus), Michael Siali-Motu (Manurewa HS), Chris Sio (St Paul's College), Alfred Smalley (Otahuhu College), Fuiva Takitaki (Southern Cross Campus), Siave Togia (Southern Cross Campus), Auzzie Tuwhanga (Mt Albert Grammar), Josh Uta (Manurewa HS), Zae Wallace (Westlake BHS) Referee - Kiko Puhipi HIbbs Touch - Antoinette Grootjans & Henare Chadwick
8/9/2015
Otahuhu claims 2015 league titleOtahuhu College captain Komiti Vetenotu guided his team to a dramatic comeback victory over St Paul's College to snatch the 2015 NZRL National Secondary Schools crown. With a few moments remaining, St Paul's wing Daymon Abbey crossed in the corner for a try that gave his side a 17-12 lead and seemed to have clinched their 16th title. But Otahuhu were not to be denied, responding in kind at the other end and leaving Vetenotu with a conversion attempt after the buzzer for victory. With both teams huddled in prayer, Vetenotu coolly slotted his kick to send his team-mates into rapture and his opponents to despair. "It was a team effort," he insisted afterwards. "If it wasn't for the boys scoring that try, I wouldn't have had the chance. "No credit for me, all to the boys." St Paul's seemed headed for a walkover, when they reached halftime 13-0 ahead. But their rivals had not given up the ghost and with the ball at their backs after the restart, they piled on two converted tries to close the margin. "I just kept telling the boys we had been in this position before and to have faith that we could come back," said Vetenotu. Earlier this week, Otahuhu drew their final pool game with Westlake Boys High and needed a countback to progress to the semis. "We've been trading points in other games, but this time we dug deep and came out victorious. "I'm really proud of my boys - we stuck together from Day One and showed our full potential in this game." Otahuhu's only previous national title came in 2011, when current Kiwis fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck inspired them to victory over St Paul's in the final. Meanwhile, rugby union breeding ground Wesley College have successfully crossed over to the 13-a-side code, taking out the development final. The South Auckland school have shown their rugby league potential over the past two seasons, storming through pool play at the last two tournaments. They ran up 50 points on each of their pool opponents this week and cruised past Francis Douglas Memorial College 30-4 in yesterday's semi-finals. But after dominating last year's plate competition in similar fashion, Wesley hit the wall in the final, falling to Papatoetoe High School at the last hurdle. This year, they completed their assignment, defeating St Thomas of Canterbury 18-12, but had to dig deep. The southerners jumped out to an early advantage, through tries to Aukilani Tu'au and Klayton Waikato. But Wesley hit back to draw level shortly before halftime and clinched the win, when half Wetere Pompey split the defence for a try, which he then converted. "I guess, for me and the team, it was a matter of having that experience and knowing what to do when the heat came on," said coach Lawrence Lawrence. "Wesley is known for rugby, but a lot of the boys come into the school from a league background and it's a matter of tapping back into that." Management are now resigned to promotion to the big time - the championship grade - next year. Summary Of Results Day 1: Otahuhu College: 22 (Alred Smalley 2, Paletasala Patelesio & Joseph Afemui tries; Komiti Vetemotu 3 goals) Aorere HS: 0 Day 2: Otahuhu College 20 (Henry Pei 2, Pahiva Fonua & Don Seuala tries; Komiti Vetemotu 2 goals) Whangarei BHS 6 (Wiremu Greig try; Dylan Brown goal) Day 3: Otahuhu College: 24 (Phoenix Hunt 2, Alfred Smalley & Paletasala Patelesio tries; Sion Fineisaloi 4 goals) Westlake BHS: 24 (Hemi McCarthy, Moses Leo, Zae Wallace & Ryan Doubell tries; Wallace 4 tries) Semi-final: Otahuhu College 24 (Don Seuala, Alfred Smalley, Phoenix Hunt, Henry Pei & Joseph Afemui tries; Sion Fineisaloi 2 goals) Tamaki College: 18 (George Salu 2, Johnny Tea & Lepa Tua tries; Takerei goal) Final: Otahuhu College: 18 (Pohiva Fonna, Alvin Vaisa & Komiti Vetenotu tries; Vetenotu 3 goals) St Paul's College: 17 (Daymon Abbey, Sione Fakapelea & Sione Ngahe tries; Beau Cordtz two goals, Dylan Tavita one field goal) Credit - NZRL Press Release https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/league/highlights-otahuhu-down-st-paul-s-in-nzrl-national-secondary-schools-final-q09045.html |
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