Aotearoa Whaanui Boys (20) v Auckland Invitational Boys (10)
Spine-tingling hakas set the scene for the Auckland v Aotearoaa Whaanui 16s Boys clash at Auckland’s Pulman Park. However, the first forty was one-way traffic for the Aotearoa side. South Island’s Azaniah Roebeck opened the scoring, followed by consecutive tries to South Island’s Torino Jackson, Waikato’s Fine Fale and Wellington’s Shae TeKauri Taitua. The half-time hooter worked wonders for the Auckland side as they regrouped to find their comeback form. Auckland’s Charleston Te Rore set the scene for the second half, earning the 09’s first points through a barging run up the middle. Consecutive Auckland tries to Peter Faaleaga, and Steven Moala followed, but the clock rang full-time, and the comeback was cut short. An impressive second-half Auckland effort wasn’t enough for Whaanui’s first-half dominance, final score 20-10.
Aotearoa Whaanui Girls (38) v Auckland Invitational Girls (0)
The Aotearoa Whaanui girls team portrayed much skill and strength in their convincing win over the Auckland Invitational girls side. Scoring for the match was opened by Whaanui winger Prayer Playle who crossed the white line off the back of an expert long ball by halfback Hera Maihi. Maihi was dependable with kicking duties throughout the match, successfully kicking four conversions and one penalty goal. The Whaanui side proved too strong for the Aucklanders going on to score eight unanswered tries, finishing the game as victors 38-0. Centre Te Maia Sweetman finished the match with a double, with her teammates Prayer Playle, Bailey Edwards, Ava-Lea Maxwell Ogilvy, Kayshana Rapana, and captain Mihikorama Kerr all crossing for tries.
Auckland Invitational sneak away with the victory with two minutes left in the game. The 16’s boys Auckland invitational squad played the Aotearoa Whaanui 16’s in the opening game of the Boys Rep Weekend on Sunday at North Harbour stadium. Aotearoa Whaanui started the game hot scoring a try within the first 10 minutes of the game. From there they continued to build momentum by way of quick play the balls and forcing errors. However, Auckland invitational with backs against the wall begun to mount a comeback as playmaker Haami Loza dotted down twice to make the score 12-8 to Aoatearoa Whaanui at the half. With their halves providing opportunities out wide for their outside backs to score two tries, Aotearoa Whaanui continued to rule the second half as they did the first. A determined Auckland Invitational team scored three tries in the game’s last 10 minutes to win 24-20 after it appeared that all hope was lost.
QBE Stadium hosted the first-ever 16s Girls representative clash between Auckland Invitation and Aotearoa Whaanui. The Auckland side started strong as Youth Tournament Finals MVP Josinah Filisi Tauiliili opened Auckland’s account, taking an early 4-0 lead. Moments later half Danii-Nicole Gray picked up an offload and split two defenders, barging her way over to extend Auckland’s advantage. The Aotearoa side got a much-needed reply, fighting their way back into the game through Arlia Maccarthy, as she swept out the back into some space. This try put the sides at 8-4 heading into the sheds. With the game in the balance, Glenora’s Tiare-Anne Leauga gave the Auckland side a eight point buffer, scoring in the right hand corner. Aotearoa hit back with a try through substitute Bailey Rae Edwards but Auckland found the line twice, through Elizabeth Ngahe and Milahn Ieremia to put the game beyond doubt. Final score 22-8
AUCKLAND INVITATIONAL 22
Tries: Filisi Tauliili, Gray, Leauga, Ngahe, Ieremia
Conversions: Pasese 1/5
AOTEAROA WHAANUI 8
Tries: Maccarthy, Edwards
Saturday 24 October 2020
Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
New Zealand’s future Kiwi talent was on display at the New Zealand Māori Rugby League Tuakana Tournament yesterday where the NZ Resident 16s came away with a convincing 42 – 6 victory over the NZ Māori Resident 16s at Rotorua International Stadium. Two spine-tingling hakas echoed throughout the stadium setting the tone for what would be a tough and passionate affair. The game commenced with an even match up the middle, but it was the NZ Resident side that scored themselves an early 10 – 0 lead. Kyson Kingi for the NZ Maori side scored what would be their only four-pointer of the night which kept the game within six points, but the NZ Residents were too classy running away with a 22-point lead at half time. The second forty saw the NZ Resident 16s mount an extra 14 points but an improved defensive performance by the NZ Māori went astray as the 22 point half time lead proved too costly. The NZ Resident 16s too good for the NZ Māori 16s with a 42 – 6 victory at Rotorua International Stadium. NZ 16s five-eight Cassius Tia earned 14 of the Residents 42 points with five conversions and a try and NZ Resident centre Tre Fotu earned himself a double.
TEAM: Akarana; Benaiah Ioelu, Cassius Tia, Henry Teutau, Jayden Harris, Nathaniel Tangimataiti, Tre Fotu. Auckland; Dickie Terepo. Counties Manukau; Ben Peni, Demitric Sifaukula, Francis Manuleleua, Jeremia Matautia, Selesi Foketi. Wellington; Jacob Laban. Upper Central; Tamakaimoana Whareaorere, Te Hurinui Apanui Twidle, Xavi Taele. Southern; Alesana Mailei, Felix Fa’atili, Matthew Logopati.
TRIES: Dickie Terepo, Nathaniel Tangimataiti, Tre Fotu (2), Cassius Tia, Te Hurinui Apanui Twidle, Jacob Laban, Demitric Sifakula.
Sunday 6 October 2019
Pulman Park, Auckland
New Zealand Resident 16s were matched up against TOA Samoa 16s in the first of three games at Pulman Park. A tight contest between the two nations proved Samoa was more than prepared to take on their big brother counterpart. New Zealand looked to be in the game after a decent first half, with tries across the field from the boys in white. Cassius Cowley and New Zealand Captain Jaedon Wellington would put the Kiwis in front going into the second half 14 – 10. Samoa went into the sheds trailing by four, but complacency from the New Zealand team and pure passion from the Samoan’s lead them to take the win over the hosts in the end with the final score, 26 – 20. An upset victory for TOA Samoa to which the NZ Residents16s will look to rectify the next time these two squads meet. Samoa went into the sheds trailing by four, but complacency, a lack of discipline from the New Zealand team and pure passion from the Samoans lead them to take the win over the hosts in the end 26 – 20.
TEAM: Akarana; Keano Kini, Nathaniel Tangimataiti, Zyon Maiu’u. Auckland; Filipo Whitehouse-Opetaia Tovio, Sione Vaihu, Stanley Iongi. Counties Manukau; Ali Leiataua, Ben Peni, Carlos Tarawhiti, Francis Manuleleua, Heneli Luani. Mid Central; Arama Kite, Fatiauma Moeahu-Leota. Northland; Tea-Rani Woodman Tuhoro. Southern; Ethan Faitaua, Felix Fa’atili, Jaeden Wellington, Uriah Tuli. Upper Central; Cassius Cowley, Manaia Ngataki-Matthews.
TRIES: Francis Manuleleua, Felix Fa’atili, Zyon Maiu’u and Cassius Cowley. Conversions: Francis Manuleleua and Keano Kini.
Thursday 12th July 2018
Puketawhero Park, Rotorua
TEAM: Akarana: Asolelei Fretton, Lani Graham-Taufa, Lleyton Finau, Luani Tavake Naufahu Whyte, Samuel McIntyre, T.J. Devery, Moala Graham-Taufa; Counties Manukau: Quinnlan Tupou, Sione Moala, Mase Carson, Jarney Proctor-Harwood, Jeremiah Margraff, Otukinekina Kepu, Taniela Otukolo, Valingi Kepu. Upper Central Zone: Dayna Bidois, Legacy Katene; Wellington: Blaine Betham-Taape.
TRIES: (Lani Graham-Taufa, Moala GrahamTaufa, Jarney Proctor-Harwood, Mase Carson tries; Sione Moala three goals; Sione Moala Penalty Goal)
