October 14 2022

The 2022 Boys representative fixtures boast an extreme amount of top talent from across the motu. New Zealand Rugby League is proud to announce the return of the Clubs vs Schools match-up and the inaugural 16s Boys Auckland Invitational vs Aotearoa Whaanui. This 16s clash puts the top talent from around Aotearoa up against the melting pot that is Tāmaki Makaurau, whilst the 18s Clubs vs Schools fixture is a combination of the best players in both the NZRL Secondary Schools (SS) and Youth (YT) Tournaments.

The 16s Auckland Invitation is headlined by Akarana Falcon and Youth Tournament MVP Kaawyn Patterson. A team that possesses strike across the park, centre Taipari Wikitera and winger Ezekiel Tavita were electric for their sides in the Youth Tournament. The Aotearoa Whaanui outfit is one dominated by the South Island Scorpions. Exciting young talent Ezekiel Faga’ieti leads the Southern side, whilst Wellington Orca Maui Winitana-Patelesio directs them around the park.

Auckland Rugby League’s Thaine Ashford said, “The quality of rugby league across the Secondary Schools and Youth Tournaments has been exceptional.

Plenty of players outside the Auckland Invitational 18 were unlucky to miss out, but that shows the quality of talent in the ARL competitions and pathways.”

The Clubs vs Schools fixture is littered with outstanding talent across both teams. NZRL SS MVP Waisake Salabiau returns to the rugby league field alongside teammate Malakai Cama; they are joined by St Paul’s Sio Kali and South Island half Oliver Lawry. Not to be outdone, the School’s pack includes Malachi Tony, Elijah Salesa Leaumoana and YT Final MVP Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea. After a strong Youth Tournament, Counties contingent Kayliss Fatialofa, Phranklyn Mano-Le-Mamea, Jarome Falemoe and Ben Peni lead a versatile Clubs side. Scorpion Makaia Taufa slots in at dummy-half, and Team of the Tournament half Afaese Fa’avae leads the squad around the park.

NZRL General Manager of Football & High-Performance Motu Tony stated, “The return of the National Secondary Schools and NZRL National Youth Tournaments, after a Covid-19 enforced hiatus, gave our rangatahi and rugby league community a fantastic opportunity to come together.

“The tournaments showcased the enormous talent we have playing and participating in rugby league, and our inaugural female National Youth Tournament showed that the future of the Kiwi Ferns is bright and exciting.

“The efforts of those who performed exceptionally well in our tournaments have been recognised. They will get another opportunity to connect and compete with the rugby league talent throughout the motu.

I am excited about the talent we have that will compete in these fixtures and also proud that we can offer our young female players a representative opportunity for the first time.”

All games are free to attend and live on Sky Sport!

Auckland Invitational Boys 16s versus Aotearoa Whaanui Boys 16s; Monday 24 October, 2 pm. North Harbour Stadium

SQUADS

16s AUCKLAND INVITATIONAL VS AOTEAROA WHAANUI

AOTEAROA WHAANUI 16 BOYS

1. Meihana Pauling (South Island Scorpions)
2. Xavier Lynch (South Island Scorpions)
3. Chelden Hayward (South Island Scorpions)
4. Jackson Stewart (South Island Scorpions)
5. Genesis Sherlock (South Island Scorpions)
6. Eli Bijl-Kakoi (South Island Scorpions)
7. Maui Winitana-Patelesio (Wellington Orcas)
8. Ezekiel Faga’ieti (South Island Scorpions)
9. Mangaroa Mark (Upper Central Stallions)
10. Jake Rabarts (Upper Central Stallions)
11. Ezekiel Paulo (South Island Scorpions)
12. Sosaia Alatini (South Island Scorpions)
13. Marley Igasan (Upper Central Stallions)
14. Kyan Rosie (South Island Scorpions)
15. Reihana Timms (Upper Central Stallions)
16. Toby Gibson (South Island Scorpions)
17. Adam Lawrence (Upper Central Stallions)
18. Ryder Crosswell (Mid Central Vipers)

AUCKLAND INVITATIONAL 16 BOYS

1. Ernie Mahu-Delamere [Counties Manukau Stingrays]
2. Vitaliano-Roache [Counties Manukau Stingrays]
3. Taipari Wikitera [Akarana Falcons]
4. Sosaia Antony Fatani Latu [Counties Manukau Stingrays]
5. Ezekiel Tavita [Auckland Vulcans]
6. Tyrone Hurt-Pickering [Akarana Falcons]
7. Haami Loza [Counties Manukau Stingrays]
8. Noah Hetutu-Davis [Counties Manukau Stingrays]
9. Kaawyn Patterson [Akarana Falcons]
10. Joshua Totara Kopua [Counties Manukau Stingrays]
11. Te Paeroa Wi-Neera [Akarana Falcons]
12. Dezman Laban [Akarana Falcons]
13. Augustino Filipo [Counties Manukau Stingrays]
14. Austyn Ah Toon-Hotene [Counties Manukau Stingrays]
15. Joey Upoko [Akarana Falcons]
16. Kanaan Talia Magele [Akarana Falcons]
17. Eteuate Leilua [Counties Manukau Stingrays]
18. Compton Purcell [Akarana Falcons]

18S CLUBS V SCHOOLS

New Zealand Schools Boys versus New Zealand Clubs Boys; Monday 24 October, 4 pm. North Harbour Stadium

18 BOYS NZ CLUBS SQUAD:

1. Kyan Alo [Akarana Falcons]
2. Raphael Sio [Akarana Falcons]
3. Leka Halasima [Auckland Vulcans]
4. Kayliss – Jess Fatialofa [Counties Manukau Stingrays]
5. Jarome Falemoe [Counties Manukau Stingrays]
6. Phranklyn Mano-Le-Mamea [Counties Manukau Stingrays]
7. Afaese Fa’avae [Wellington Orcas]
8. Ben Peni [Counties Manukau Stingrays]
9. Makaia Tafua [South Island Scorpions]
10. Jordan Chapman [Wellington Orcas]
11. Devante Mihinui [Auckland Vulcans]
12. Te Kaio Cranwell [South Island Scorpions]
13. Tanner Stowers Smith [South Island Scorpions]
14. Khalan Clyde [Akarana Falcons]
15. Bob Iosefo [Auckland Vulcans]
16. Francis Tuimauga [Counties Manukau Stingrays]
17. Samuela Vakadula [Mid Central Vipers]
18. Alvin Chong Nee [Counties Manukau Stingrays]
19. Sitana Loamanu [Auckland Vulcans]

18 BOYS NZ SCHOOLS SQUAD:

1. Ngaheke Nepata (St Thomas of Canterbury)
2. Malakai Cama (Rotorua Boys High School)
3. Sio Kali (St Pauls College)
4. Keisaia Su’a (St Pauls College)
5. Waisake Salabiau (Rotorua Boys High School)
6. William Piliu (St Pauls College)
7. Oliver Lawry (St Thomas of Canterbury)
8. Lamonye Matu (Southern Cross Campus)
9. Malachi Tony (De La Salle College)
10. Sione Tupou (Rotorua Boys High School)
11. Alekolasimi Jones (St Pauls College)
12. Jason Salalilo (St Thomas of Canterbury)
13. Rodney Tuipolotu – Vea (De La Salle College)
14. Allan Talataina-Malama (De La Salle College)
15. Elijah Salesa Leaumoana (Southern Cross Campus)
16. Zachariah Stephenson (St Pauls College)
17. Noah Harmer – Campbell (St Thomas of Canterbury)
18. Cooper Te Hau (St Thomas of Canterbury)
19. Maraki Aumua (Rotorua Boys High School)

NZRL would like to acknowledge the selection of Leti Jeff Samuela (De La Salle College) who, after an awesome Secondary Schools tournament was named in the NZ Schools team but has unfortunately been to withdraw due to injury.