The Junior Kiwis side has been announced for their upcoming match against the Junior Kangaroos. The 18-man squad includes two players with NRL experience and seven players who played in last year’s fixture. The side will be coached by Warriors NYC coach Kelvin Wright.
The match takes place on Saturday, May 2, at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast.
Bunty AFOA (Warriors)
Nelson ASOFA-SOLOMONA (Melbourne Storm)
Zach DOCKAR-CLAY (Parramatta Eels)
James FISHER-HARRIS (Penrith Panthers)
Watson HELETA (Wests Tigers)
Jamayne ISAAKO (Cronulla Sharks)
Sione KATOA (Penrith Panthers)
Danny LEVI (Newcastle Knights)
Lamar LIOLEVAVE (Wests Tigers)
Joseph MANU (Sydney Roosters)
Te Maire MARTIN (Wests Tigers)
Taane MILNE (Sydney Roosters)
Marata NIUKORE (Warriors)
Toafofoa SIPLEY (Warriors)
Jazz TEVAGA (Warriors)
Renouf TO’OMAGA (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Tony TUMUSA (Melbourne Storm)
Braden UELE (North Queensland Cowboys)
The Knights finished 2014 as minor premiers but were knocked out in straight sets in the finals. Returning players such as Junior Kiwi Danny Levi, Luke Yates and Joshua Birch will hope to take the Knights futher in 2015. Australian Schoolboys Jack Cogger and Brock Lamb also return to squad. Australian international Sione Mata’utia has moved up to the NRL squad.
Tyrone Amey
Sam Apthorpe Joshua Birch Jack Cogger Bryce Donovan
Noah Easton
Faitotoa Faitotoa
Roman Fepuleai
Ryan Glanville Josh King Brody Lam Brock Lamb Danny Levi Nathan Lo Monaco
Jack Mackin
Dylan Manicaros
Jack McNamara
Jared Nott
Eljen Petersen Pride Petterson-Robati Harry Pondekas Braden Robson
Daniel Saifiti
Jacob Saifiti Bradie Smith
Ben Steven
Timoteo Tofa
Ken Tofilau
Fuiamamao Uta Luke Yates
Last year’s Auckland Nines tournament gave us an early glimpse at a number of talented youngsters who would go onto to make their NRL debut in 2014, including Valentine Holmes, Cameron Munster and Tuimoala Lolohea. Let’s a closer look at the NYC-eligible players who have been selected for the 2015 tournament.
Jack Bird (Cronulla Sharks) Born: 20/3/1995 (Wollongong, NSW) Position: Centre/Second Row Junior Club: Berkeley Eagles Rep Honours: Junior Kangaroos (2014), NSW U20s (2014), NSW U18s (2013), NSW U16s (2011)
An off-season recruit from the Dragons, Bird is coming off a successful 2014, in which he represented Australia and NSW. After playing most off his career so far in the forwards, Bird has favoured a move into the backline in 2015.
Valentine Holmes (Cronulla Sharks) Born: 24/7/1995 (Townsville, Qld) Position: Fullback/Wing Junior Club: Western Lions Rep Honours: Junior Kangaroos (2014), Qld U20s (2014), Qld U18s (2013)
In 2014, the Townsville junior scored 14 tries in 15 games in the NYC before moving up to the NSW Cup, and eventually, the NRL. The elusive fullback started the year at the Nines and ended it by scoring a double for the Junior Kangaroos in October.
Tom Trbojevic (Manly Sea Eagles) Born: 2/10/1996 (Sydney, NSW) Position: Fullback/Centre Junior Club: Mona Vale Raiders Rep Honours: NSW U18s (2014)
Trbojevic turned plenty of heads in 2014 and will look to impress once more at the Auckland Nines. He scored 20 tries in 18 games in the NYC and represented New South Wales under 18’s. He is the younger brother of Manly prop Jake Trbojevic.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm) Born: 29/2/1996 (Wellington, NZ) Position: Lock/Second Row Junior Club: Upper Hutt Tigers Rep Honours: Junior Kiwis (2014)
The Wellington junior was Melbourne’s equal-leading NYC tryscorer in 2014, made the Team of the Year, made the move up to NSW Cup and represented the Junior Kiwis. Standing at 198cm and weighing in at 112kg, Asofa-Solomona won’t be hard to miss at the Nines.
Suliasi Vunivalu (Melbourne Storm) Born: 27/11/1995 (Fiji) Position: Wing Junior Club: St Kentigern College Rep Honours: Nil
Born in Fiji and educated in Auckland, Vunivalu played 8 NYC games in 2014 before moving up to the NSW Cup and is now training with the Storm’s NRL squad. At 192cm and 96kg, Vunivalu is a barnstorming winger who will be looking to make his presence felt at the Nines.
Danny Levi (Newcastle Knights) Born: 5/12/1995 (Wellington, NZ) Position: Hooker Junior Club: Randwick Kingfishers Rep Honours: Junior Kiwis (2014)
Levi captained the Knights to the Minor Premiership in 2014 and was rewarded with a spot in the Team of the Year and a Junior Kiwis jersey. The crafty dummy half may spend time in the NSW Cup in 2015.
Sione Mata’utia (Newcastle Knights) Born: 25/6/1996 (Liverpool, NSW) Position: Centre/Wing/Fullback Junior Club: Raymond Terrace Roosters/South Newcastle Lions Rep Honours: Australia (2014), NSW U20s (2014), NSW U18s (2014-13), NSW U16s (2012)
The youngest of the Mata’utia clan, Sione had a dream season in 2014, in which he went from the Holden Cup to Australia’s youngest ever debutant. Mata’utia should be a regular first grader in 2015 and will be a must watch player at the Nines.
Brisbane 42 def. Wests Tigers 18 The Broncos have fought back from an 18-8 half time deficit to defeat the Tigers in Sydney. The charge was led by the returning Jayden Nikorima, who came off the bench, as the Broncos scored 34 unanswered points in the second half to book a preliminary finals meeting with the Dragons.
Warriors 23 def. Newcastle 16 The Knights have been knocked out in straight sets thanks to a spirited performance by the Warriors. The New Zealanders took an 13-0 lead into half time and never relinquished it as they ended the Minor Premiers’ season. Warriors co-captain Sam Lisone was one of the stand outs for his side. The Warriors will face Parramatta next weekend.
Newcastle Knights centre Sione Mata’utia has been awarded the RLPA NYC Player of the Year award at last night’s RLPA Awards in Sydney.
Mata’utia beat out an impressive field, which included Knights’ team mate Jake Mamo and Sydney Roosters’ back Nene Macdonald, both who have played first grade this season.
The 18-year old started the year in the Holden Cup and finished the regular season with 15 tries in 15 games.
He made his NRL debut later in the year and continued to find the try line, finishing with 7 tries in 7 games.
Earlier this month, Mata’utia was named in the centres in the NYC Team of the Year.
List of winners 2008 Shaun Fensom (Canberra) 2009 Beau Henry (St George Illawarra) 2010 Dylan Farrell (South Sydney) 2011 Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland) 2012 Edrick Lee (Canberra) 2013 Bryce Cartwright (Penrith) 2014 Sione Mata’utia (Newcastle)
Wests Tigers 28 def. South Sydney 24
A returning Mitchell Moses has helped the Tigers to a 28-24 victory over South Sydney, ending the Rabbitohs season. Souths were down by 16 points at one stage but fought back to lead by 2 in the second half. The Tigers were too strong in the end, scoring 2 tries in the final 20 minutes to seal the victory and move on to week 2 of the NYC finals series.
St George Illawarra 30 def. Newcastle 22
The Dragons pulled off the first upset of the finals series, defeating the Knights by 8 points. The Knights were strengthened by the return of Jake Mamo and Sione Mata’utia but will now have to play an elimination game next weekend, while the Dragons get the bye. Jack Bird was the standout for the Dragons, playing in the centres in place of the injured Euan Aitken, scoring a double.
Warriors 44 def. Sydney Roosters 30
An offensive onslaught by the Warriors has seen them knock the Roosters out of the NYC finals. In a high scoring game, the Warriors took a 28-14 lead into half time and never looked back. The highlight of the game was an incredible try to Warriors winger Metia Lisati, who somehow stayed in the field of play to score in the corner.
Parramatta 32 def. Brisbane 26 A double to halfback Zach Dockar-Clay has helped the Eels overcome the Broncos in Townsville. Parramatta took an early lead, but the contest soon became a close, back and forth contest. The Broncos lead by 6 points in the final 20 minutes, before tries to Ryan Matterson and Dockar-Clay sealed the game for the away side.
2nd Elimination Final
Wests Tigers v South Sydney Rabbitohs Friday, September 12, 2014 – Allianz Stadium – 5:15pm (local time) – LIVE on Fox Sports 1
Referees: Chris Sutton, Peter Gough; Sideline Officials: Luke Potter, Belinda Sleeman; Video Referees: Adam Devcich, Steve Folkes
Wests Tigers (6th) 1. Mason Farrell 2. John Tohi 3. Watson Heleta 4. Delouise Hoeter 5. John Ogden 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Eli Levido 8. Dallas Graham 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Jordan Grant 11. Salesi Funaki 12. Lamar Liolevave 13. Andrew Kazzi. Interchange: 14. Hala Masila 15. Tyler Cassell 16. Sione Alofi 19. Matthew Lodge 24. Daniel Ravkin. Coach: Andrew Webster
South Sydney Rabbitohs (7th)
1. Devon Makoare-Boyce 2. Tom Hughes 3. Tevita Cottrell 4. John Olive 5. Sam Manuleleua 6. Jordie Hedges 7. Brad Wall 8. Ofa Felila 9. Aaron Booth 10. Eden Syme 11. Tulsa Saumamao 12. Jack Gosiewski 13. Cheyne Whitelaw. Interchange: 14. Brock Gray 15. Wallace Tangiiti 16. Clayton Williams 17. PJ Los’e 18. Elliot Gorman. Coach: Ben Gardiner.
Head to Head Played 14, Wests Tigers 9, South Sydney 5 2014 Form Wests Tigers – LWWLWWLLWWWWWWWLWLWLDWLW (Steak – 1 win)
South Sydney – WWLLLLWLWWWLWLWLLWLWLWWW (Streak – 3 wins) 2014 Head to Head Rd 14 – Wests Tigers 28 – 18 South Sydney at ANZ Stadium
Rd 3 – Wests Tigers 26 – 16 South Sydne at ANZ Stadium Top Point Scorers
Wests Tigers – John Ogden (84 points, 21 tries)
South Sydney – Irae Simone (136 points, 9 tries, 50 goals) Top Try Scorers
Wests Tigers – John Ogden (21 tries), Watson Heleta (20 tries)
South Sydney – Tom Hughes (14 tries), Irae Simone (9 tries)
1st Qualifying Final Newcastle Knights v St George Illawarra Dragons Saturday, September 13, 2014 – Allianz Stadium – 1:00pm (local time) – LIVE on Fox Sports 1
Referees: Chris Butler, Kasey Badger; Sideline Officials: Anthony Elliott, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski; Video Referees: Adam Devcich, Steve Folkes
Newcastle Knights (1st) 1. Jake Mamo 2. Bryce Donovan 3. Sione Mata’utia 4. Chance Peni 5. Braden Robson 6. Brock Lamb 7. Jaelen Feeney 8. Jah Pakau 9. Danny Levi 10. Luke Yates 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Joseph Tapine 13. Joe Boyce. Interchange: 14. James De Saxe 15. Pride Petterson-Robati 16. Tuiala Togitasi 17. James Taylor. Coach: Mick Crawley.
St George Illawarra Dragons (4th)
1. Matthew Dufty 2. Sitiveni Moceidreke 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brent Anderson 5. Izaac Thompson 6.Shannon Crook 7. Adam Clune 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Hayden McRae 10. Jay Gallagher 11.Wesley Lolo 12. Jack Bird 13. Vincent Stowers. Interchange: 14. Andrew McCarthy 15. Thomas Freebairn 16. Jack Kavanagh 17. Luciano Leilua 18. Jacob Host 20. Hame Sele 22. George Lolo. Coach: Dean Young & Ben Hornby.
Head to Head Played 10, St George Illawarra 5, Newcastle 4, drawn 1 2014 Form Newcastle – WWWWWWDWWLLLWWWDWLWWWLWW (Streak – 2 wins)
St George Illawarra – WWWWWLLWWLWWLWLWLWWLWWWL (Streak – 1 loss) 2014 Head to Head Rd 26 – Newcastle 36 – 26 St George Illawarra at Hunter Stadium Top Point Scorers
Newcastle – Bryce Donovan (228 points, 8 tries, 98 goals)
St George Illawarra – Sitiveni Moceidreke (110 points, 15 tries, 25 goals) Top Try Scorers
Newcastle – Sione Mata’utia (15 tries), Danny Levi, Chance Peni (13 tries)
St George Illawarra – Matthew Dufty (20 tries), Euan Aitken (16 tries)
1st Elimination Final Sydney Roosters v Warriors Saturday, September 13, 2014 – Allianz Stadium – 3:15pm (local time) – LIVE on Fox Sports 1
Referees: Jon Stone, Lawrence McDonnell; Sideline Officials: Adam Reid, David Ryan; Video Referees: Shayne Hayne, Steve Folkes
Sydney Roosters (5th)
1. Joseph Manu 2. Paul Momirovski 3. Brendan Elliott 4. Taane Milne 5. Jack Goodsell 6. Nene Macdonald 7. Tyler Cornish 8. Braeden Uele 9. Alex Thomas 10. Jokatama Dokonivalu 11. Vincent Leuluai 12. Willis Meehan 13. Jake Lewis. Interchange: 14. Grant Garvey 15. Mitchell Mamary 16. Piki Rogers 17. Alex Lyons 18. Harry Vanderhart. Coach: Adam Hartigan.
Warriors (8th) 1. Brad Abbey 2. Ngataua Hukatai 3. Ken Maumalo 4. Solomone Kata 5. Metia Lisati 6 Tuimoala Lolohea 7. Mason Lino (c) 8. Sam Lisone (c) 9. Kurt Robinson 10. Kouma Samson 11. Marata Niukore 12. Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard 13. Jazz Tevaga. Interchange: 14. Ofahiki Ogden 15. Toafofoa Sipley 16. Nathaniel Roache 17. Bunty Afoa 18. James Bell. Coach: Stacey Jones.
Head to Head Played 11, Warriors 6, Sydney Roosters 4, drawn 1 2014 Form
Sydney Roosters – LWLWWWWLLWWWWLLWWWLWDWWL (Streak – 1 loss)
Warriors – LLWWLWWLWLWWLWWLWLWWLLWD (Streak – 1 draw) 2014 Head to Head
Rd 23 – Sydney Roosters 20 – 18 Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium Top Point Scorers
Sydney Roosters – Jackson Hastings (138 points, 2 tries, 65 goals)
Warriors – Mason Lino (170 points, 10 tries, 65 goals) Top Try Scorers
Sydney Roosters – Jack Goodsell (26 tries), Brendan Elliot (22 tries)
Warriors – Brad Abbey (14 tries), Mason Lino (10 tries)
2nd Qualifying Final Brisbane Broncos v Parramatta Eels Saturday, September 13, 2014 – 1300SMILES Stadium – 5:15pm (local time)
Referees: Matt Noyen, Phil Henderson; Sideline Officials: Ricky MacFarlane, Tim Rutherford; Video Referees: Alan Shortall, Luke Phillips
Brisbane Broncos (2nd)
1. Kodi Nikorima 2. Paul Byrnes 3. Tom Opacic 4. Alex Barr 5. Jack Tuttle 6. Duncan Paia’Aua 7.Ashley Taylor 8. Aaron Rockley 9. Jayden Berrell 10. Joe Ofanhengaue 11. Brett Greinke 12. Brendon McBryde 13. Jai Arrow. Interchange: 14. Elijah Alick 15. George Fai 16. Ajuma Adams 17. Brandon Lee. Coach: Craig Hodges.
Parramatta Eels (3rd)
1. Nathan Davis 2. Leva Li 3. Fabian Goodall 4. John Folau 5. Halauafu Lavaka 6. Ryan Matterson 7.Zach Docker-Clay 8. Kelepi Tanginoa 9. Kaysa Pritchard 10. Tui Kamikamica 11. Josh Aloiai 12.Tyrell Fuimaono 13. Jeff Markus. Interchange: 14. Joey Lussick 15. Jordan Muna 16. Alex Twal 17. Fred Junior Mauala. Coach: Justin Holbrook.
Head to Head Played 11, Brisbane 7, Parramatta 4 2014 Form
Brisbane – WWWLLWDWWWLWWWWLLLWWWWLW (Streak – 1 win)
Parramatta- WLWWWLWWWWLWWLLWWLWWWLLW (Streak – 1 win) 2014 Head to Head
Rd 5 – Parramatta 28 – 24 Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium Top Point Scorers
Brisbane – Jayden Nikorima (152 points, 15 tries, 46 goals)
Parramatta- Nathan Davis (220 points, 14 tries, 82 goals) Top Try Scorers
Brisbane – Kodi Nikorima (17 tries), Tom Opacic (16 tries)
Parramatta – Halauafu Lavaka (26 tries), Fabian Goodall (17 tries)
Jahrome Hughes (Photo: Matt Roberts/Getty Images AsiaPac)
The following players have been added to the Junior Kiwis train-on squad for their match against the Junior Kangaroos next month. Each week, players will be added to the squad as teams are eliminated from the Holden Cup finals series, with a final squad to be announced following the Holden Cup Grand Final on October 5. Players from the Parramatta Eels and St George Illawarra Dragons (*) have been added to the squad following their elimination from the finals.
The match will be played on Saturday, October 18 at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland.
Herman ESE’ESE (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Renouf TO’OMAGA (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Jahrome HUGHES (Gold Coast Titans)
Nelson ASOFA-SOLOMONA (Melbourne Storm)
Niua FINAU PUAKA (Melbourne Storm)
Richard KENNAR (Melbourne Storm)*
Una MOHI (Melbourne Storm)
Danny LEVI (Newcastle Knights)
Chance PENI (Newcastle Knights)
Pride PETTERSON-ROBATI (Newcastle Knights)
Joseph TAPINE (Newcastle Knights)
James TAYLOR (Newcastle Knights)
Josh ALOIAI (Parramatta Eels)*
Zach DOCKAR-CLAY (Parramatta Eels)*
Fabian GOODALL (Parramatta Eels)*
Sione KATOA (Penrith Panthers)
Sam MANULELEUA (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Tulsa SAUMAMAO (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Addin FONUA-BLAKE (St George Illawarra Dragons)*
Joseph MANU (Sydney Roosters)
Taane MILNE (Sydney Roosters)
Braden UELE (Sydney Roosters)
Manaia CHERRINGTON (Wests Tigers)
Dallas GRAHAM (Wests Tigers)
Watson HELETA (Wests Tigers)
Delouise HOETER (Wests Tigers)
Lamar LIOLEVAVE (Wests Tigers)
Te Maire MARTIN (Wests Tigers)
Former South Queensland and Parramatta halfback Troy Pezet has been named as the Newcastle Knights NYC head coach for the 2015 season, replacing current coach Mick Crawley.
Pezet, who played 28 first grade games over three seasons in the late 90’s, has spent the last three years as the High Performance coach of Knights’ junior program.
The following players have been added to the Junior Kangaroos train-on squad for their match against the Junior Kiwis next month. Each week, players will be added to the squad as teams are eliminated from the Holden Cup finals series, with a final squad to be announced following the Holden Cup Grand Final on October 5. Players from the Parramatta Eels and St George Illawarra Dragons (*) have been added to the squad following their elimination from the finals.
The match will be played on Saturday, October 18 at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland.
Luke BATEMAN (Canberra Raiders)
Patrick MAGO (Canberra Raiders)
Tevita PANGAI (Canberra Raiders)
Valentine HOLMES (Cronulla Sharks)
Clinton GUTHERSON (Manly Sea Eagles)
Cameron MUNSTER (Melbourne Storm)
Jake MAMO (Newcastle Knights)
Sione MATA’UTIA (Newcastle Knights)
Josh CHUDLEIGH (North Queensland Cowboys)
Patrick KAUFUSI (North Queensland Cowboys)
Ryan MATTERSON (Parramatta Eels)*
Tepai MOEROA (Parramatta Eels)*
Pauli PAULI (Parramatta Eels)*
Kasya PRITCHARD (Parramatta Eels)*
Kelepi TANGINOA (Parramatta Eels)*
Waqa BLAKE (Penrith Panthers)*
Kieran MOSELEY (Penrith Panthers)
Andy SAUNDERS (Penrith Panthers)
Chris SMITH (Penrith Panthers)
Isaah YEO (Penrith Panthers)
Euan AITKEN (St George Illawarra Dragons)*
Jack BIRD (St George Illawarra Dragons)*
Drew HUTCHISON (St George Illawarra Dragons)*
Cameron McINNES (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Jackson HASTINGS (Sydney Roosters)*
Nene MACDONALD (Sydney Roosters)
Willis MEEHAN (Sydney Roosters)
Matthew LODGE (Wests Tigers)
Valentine Holmes (Photo: Grant Trouville, NRL Photos)
The 2014 Holden Cup Team of the Year was announced this morning at Rugby League Central in Sydney. The side features 8 players who have played first grade this season.
14 Danny LEVI (Newcastle Knights)
15 Joseph TAPINE (Newcastle Knights)
16 Addin FONUA-BLAKE (St George Illawarra Dragons)
17 Kane ELGEY (Gold Coast Titans)
18TH MAN 