Finals Week 1 preview

Nene Macdonald (Photo: roosters.com.au)
Nene Macdonald (Photo: roosters.com.au)


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)

Junior Kiwis train-on squad announced

Jahrome Hughes (Photo: Matt Roberts/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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)

Junior Kangaroos train-on squad announced

Patrick Kaufusi (Photo: Picture: Wesley Monts)
Patrick Kaufusi (Photo: Wesley Monts)

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)

2014 NYC Team of the Year

holmes
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.

1 Jake MAMO (Newcastle Knights)
2 Valentine HOLMES (Cronulla Sharks)
3 Sione MATA’UTIA (Newcastle Knights)
4 Brendan ELLIOT (Sydney Roosters)
5 Nene MACDONALD (Sydney Roosters)
6 Te Maire MARTIN (Wests Tigers)
7 Drew HUTCHISON (St George Illawarra Dragons)
8 Andy SAUNDERS (Penrith Panthers)
9 Manaia CHERRINGTON (Wests Tigers)
10 Sam LISONE (Warriors)
11 Nelson ASOFA-SOLOMONA (Melbourne Storm)
12 Tepai MOEROA (Parramatta Eels)
13 Willis MEEHAN (Sydney Roosters)

14 Danny LEVI (Newcastle Knights)
15 Joseph TAPINE (Newcastle Knights)
16 Addin FONUA-BLAKE (St George Illawarra Dragons)
17 Kane ELGEY (Gold Coast Titans)

Coach: Mick CRAWLEY (Newcastle Knights)

Cowboys sign Tanginoa

Kelepi+Tanginoa+U20s+State+Origin+Am3yDZmsZmnl
Kelepi Tanginoa (Photo: Mark Nolan/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Last week the North Queensland Cowboys announced the signing of Parramatta Eels NRL and NYC forward Kelepi Tanginoa on a two-year contract, starting in 2015.

A Cabramatta junior, Tanginoa played all the way through the Eels’ junior system, making his NRL debut with club last season, at just 19 years of age. Injury limited to the forward to just 9 games in his rookie season.

After playing for the Eels’ Auckland Nines side in the pre-season, Tanginoa returned to first grade in 2014, before again succumbing to injury. He has spent most this season with Parramatta’s Holden Cup team and in the NSW Cup with Wentworthville. The 20-year old will likely feature for the Eels’ NYC side in their finals campaign.

Tanginoa will join the Cowboys first grade squad for pre-season training in November.

Player Profile
Name:
Kelepi Tanginoa (pronounced Kel-eh-pee Toungue-ee-noor)
Born: 01/03/1994 in Auburn, NSW
Junior Club: Cabramatta Two Blues
Position: Second Row
Height: 180cm Weight: 102kg
Rep Honours: Australian Schoolboys (2012), NSW Under 20s (2013), NSW Under 18s (2012), NSW Under 16s (2010)
First Grade Debut: Parramatta v Canterbury, ANZ Stadium, Rd 2, 2013
NRL games: 13 NYC games: 23 (6 tries, 24 points)