New Zealand Resident Clubs Boys (30) v National Secondary Schools Boys (22)
This intense clash saw heavy contact and excellent ball play from both 18s boys sides as they battled for the full 70 minutes. The Clubs team came out firing, with Captain Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea scoring first after an opportunity created by a kick from half Maui Winitana-Patelesio. Winitana-Patelesio was also successful for three conversions in the match. The NZ Resident Clubs side continued to dominate the first half, scoring three more tries bringing the score to 20-0 at halftime. The Schools side made a resurgence in the second half after prop forward Malachi Filipo crossed to put their first points on the board. They maintained momentum scoring two more consecutive tries but were ultimately outlasted by the Clubs boys, who went on to win the game 30-22.
New Zealand Resident Clubs Girls (32) v National Secondary Schools Girls (28)
Fullback Jessica Patea put first points on the board for NZ Clubs, but NZ Schools had the upper hand for most of the first half. Containing the Schools’ middles proved challenging as field position swayed heavily in favour of the Secondary Schools side. Schools led 20-6 at the break through tries to Shafenior Lui, Evelyn Roberts, Danii-Nicole Gray and Josinah Filisi Tauilili. Filisi Tauilili scored a double to kick off the final forty before Schools’ hooker Evelyn Roberts barged over for her second shortly after. NZ Club captain Braxton Sorensen-McGee cleverly found space on the line, injecting momentum into her side as they bridged the gap 32-12. That momentum carried as the return set saw winger Danii Mafoe crash over after a full-field effort from NZ Clubs with the deficit now 16. The Clubs began to find space as their comeback edged closer and closer. Consecutive line breaks saw winger Elenoa Havea barge over, making it a ten-point game with ten to go. More metres down the middle from an inspired Schools side saw it become a four point game with two minutes to go. A powerful kick-off from NZ Schools kept their lead alive as they got the ball back on the return set, but a knock-on soon after gave Clubs one final shot. A last-ditch attempt from Clubs to score a 100m try fell agonisingly short as the full-time hooter rang; NZ Schools held on to victory, 32-28.
The 18s Clubs vs Schools did not disappoint as they put on a stellar afternoon of rugby league. Clubs were the first to strike as Kayliss Fatialofa created a half chance for Phranklyn Mano-Le-Mamea to finish off. Schools however hit right back through lock Elijah Leaumoana as he crashed over from dummy half to even the scores. Both teams hung in the wrestle before winger Raphael Sio gave the Clubs side the advantage again, going into the sheds up ten points to six. Sio carried his scoring form into the second half as he crossed over two minutes into the stanza. The teal outfit then went on a tear, as Mano-Le-Mamea put his edge rower into a hole and backing up to score under the posts. With Schools under the pump Rotorua Boys winger Malakai Cama popped up with the ball, beat two defenders and set up centre Kesaia Su’a to reduce the margin to eight. An obstruction by Fatialofa gave the Schools some attacking position and St Paul’s Sio Kali made his way over to put the game within two. Sensing the moment, a looping pass from MVP Phranklyn Mano-Le-Mamea connected with Kayliss Fatialofa to once again extend the Clubs lead. Although Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea crossed late it wasn’t enough as Clubs ran out 26-22 winners.
NZ Clubs flawless in their victory over NZ Schools at North Harbour’s QBE Stadium. Both teams got into the wrestle early but a costly penalty allowed left side centre Paris Pickering to open the games account on the next set. Clubs winger Kyla Lynch Brown then buffed the advantage as Clubs went up 10-0. Youth Tournament MVP and Counties fullback Tamisha Tulua then found herself in some space as she went under the post, Clubs owning all the ascendency in the first half. Another set on the School’s line saw Akarana’s Tatiana Finau crash over on the right edge before Paris Pickering finished off a left hand shift to dummy the fullback and put the Clubs side up 28-0 going into the sheds. Tulua continued where they left off scoring from within a minute of the second half and the Clubs side didn’t look back. Lynch Brown added to her tally as well as Claudia Finau, Ronise Matini and Kimoana Niupalau as they recorded a famous 50-0 victory.
NZ CLUBS 50
Tries: Pickering, Lynch Brown x2, Tulua x2, T Finau, C Finau, Matini, Niupala
Conversions: T Finau 7/9
NZ SCHOOLS 0
8 November 2020
Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
The inaugural U18s New Zealand Club vs Schools kicked off at Mt Smart Stadium in what was an inspired and hotly contested matchup. Coming out of the gates strongly, initial pressure from the clubs’ side saw captain Sam McIntyre break the deadlock. Clubs were unable to convert to leave the score at 4-0 after six minutes. A mistake off the kick-off allowed a set on the Clubs’ line and the Schools team did not fail to level. Tome Poona executing a pin point cross field kick for Matua Robinson to leap and score. Poona converted to give the Schools a two point lead. The Clubs team regained the lead in the 17th minute, this time taking advantage of a Schools’ mistake, number four Daeon Amituanai crashed over the line to make it 8-6. Half Sebastyan Jack again unable to add the extras. Two minutes later, the Clubs left edge centre bulldozed his way over the line. Salesi Ataata capping off a great set of brilliance by the Clubs side. Jack again unable to convert as the score stayed at 12 points to six. A barnstorming effort from Elam Payne set up Daeon Amituanai for his second, as the Clubs team further their advantage 18-6. Schools hit back after receiving two penalties, a right side shift saw Eric Vaafusuaga grab his first of the afternoon to close the gap. Poona kicked wide to leave the score at 18-10 with 10 remaining in the half. A sneaky kick in behind from hooker Jarney Proctor-Harwood was enough to gift his captain a second try of the half, McIntyre latching on to make it 22-10 for the Clubs outfit. On the stroke of half time Austin Anderson grabbed his first try from dummy-half, Poona was unable add the conversion as Clubs took a 24-14 lead into the sheds. Eric Vaafusuaga scored his second try of the afternoon to kick off the second forty, crashing over after a sharp set move by the Schools. Poona was unable to convert as the Clubs lead was reduced back to six, Daeon Amituanai completed his hat trick, as he crashed over from dummy-half in the 54th minute. Sebstyan Jack converted from the right touchline to take the Clubs to a 30-18 buffer. A grubber rebounded back into the clutches of Austin Anderson saw the Schools keep the pressure on the Clubs side, with Poona unable to convert as the score remained 30-22 with a quarter left to play. Trading scores, the Club side hit back when five eight Josiah Karapani crashed over after a brilliant show of footwork. TJ Devery took over the kicking duties for the injured Sebastyan Jack but was unable to convert his first attempt. Clubs go up 34-22 with just over 15 minutes to play. Clubs held on a late flurry from the Schools side to capture victory in the first-ever U18s Clubs vs Schools clash. Final Score Clubs 34 – Schools 22.
Thursday 3 October 2019
International Stadium, Rotorua
The NZ Resident 18s had a spectacular 2019 season with two back to back wins against France U19s and TOA Samoa 18s. The undefeated 18s campaign was an impressive display of what is to come of the next era of Kiwi talent. The 18s travelled to Rotorua International Stadium to take on an eager France U19s squad who were coming off two wins against Waikato and Canterbury as part of their inaugural tour of New Zealand. A passionate rendition of Te Iwi Kiwi from the New Zealand Resident 18s set the bar for what would be a tough battle between two high-quality sides. The Kiwis found their dominance early on scoring back to back tries as the NZ 18s capitalised on impressive attacking momentum. The Residents attack proved too much for France with six tries to one during the first half. The NZ18s opened the scoring in the second half with tries to Feao Tongia and Caleb Pese to make it 44 – 4. However, any inkling this would be a one-sided 80 minutes was quickly put to bed as France mounted an impressive comeback scoring 22 unanswered points in the second half. Unfortunately for France, the comeback was too late as the Resident 18s came away with the 44 – 26 victory.
TRIES: Caius Fa’atili (2), Tukimihia Simpkins, Jordan Coleman, Taniela Otukolo, Semisi Tapa, Feao Tongia and Caleb Pese. Conversions: Caius Fa’atili (2) and Jordan Coleman (4).
Sunday 6 October 2019
Pulman Park, Auckland
Fresh off the back of their win against France, the New Zealand Resident 18s then took on TOA Samoa 18s at Auckland’s Pulman Park as the Kiwis aimed to finish their campaign undefeated. Both teams came out firing with momentum throughout the half switching evenly between the two sides. The Kiwis were first to score yet Samoa took the lead with consecutive tries towards the back end of the half making it 18-8 at the break. The NZ18s had no choice but to come out firing if they were to remain in the game, and that they did. The NZ forward pack proved hard to handle continuously breaking the Samoan defensive line which saw the Kiwis skilfully capitalise on possession over the remaining 40. Feao Tongia crossed for the Kiwis eighth, and final try making it 36 – 18 at full time. An impressive second-half performance by the NZ18s concluded an entertaining day of rugby league at Auckland’s Pulman Park and a successful NZ Resident 18s campaign for 2019.
TRIES: Semisi Sikei (2), Taniela Otukolo, Vaka Sikahele, Otukinekina Kepu, Jordan Coleman, William Fakatoumafi and Feao Tongia. Conversions: Brooklyn Herewini and Sione Moala.
Thursday 12 July 2018
Puketawhero Park, Rotorua
Akarana: Isaiah Vagana, Aiden Aue, Caleb Pese, Deighton Ieriko, Emmanuel Tuimavavae Gerrard, Kayal Iro, Tyler Slade, Temple Kalepo; Counties: Antonio Aufai, Antonio Poua, Christian Tuipulotu, Junior Pua, Potusa Fuilala, Semisi Tapa, Tevita Mikaele; Mid Central: Brooklyn Herewini; Northland: Paul Turner; South Island: Patrick Elia; Upper Central Zone: Tukimihia Simpkins
TRIES: (Christian Tuipulotu, Emmanuel Tuimavave-Gerrard, Paul Turner – 2, Temple Kalepo tries; Emmanuel Tuimavave-Gerrard – 2 goals).
23 September 2017
New Zealand Resident 18s team:
Upper Central: Hayze Perham, Sheldon Rogers; Akarana: Mikey Williams, Matt Timoko, Emanuel Gerard Tuimavave,
Soane Hufanga, Lewis Sio, Javvier Pitovao, Tyler Slade, Kayal Iro; Mid Central: Awatere Kiwara, Wesley Veikoso;
Counties Manukau: Dylan Tavita, Dredin Sorenson-McGee; Southern: Seth Tauamiti, Jordan Riki, Daniel Sakisi;
Northland: Paul Turner
Head Coach: Moehewa Armstrong, Assistant coach: Alan Ettles, Manager: Ben Vaipaata,
Taurahere team:
Brisbane Broncos: Dre Ngatui-Woe; Cronulla Sharks: Fine Kula; Gold Coast Titans: Darius Farmer, Jackson Paulo;
Manly Sea Eagles: Zaane Weatherall, Mark Tepu-Smith; North Queensland Cowboys: Peter Hola, Sean Mullany;
Parramatta Eels: Joseph Taipari, Vallance Harris; South Sydney Rabbitohs: Mawene Hiroti; St. George Illawarra
Dragons: Steven Marsters; Melbourne Storm: Kelma Tuilagi, Kea Pere; Sydney Roosters: Baylee Bentley-Hape,
Phillip Makatoa; Canberra Raiders: Ranapiri Baker, Aublix Kaharoa-Tawha
Head Coach: Rangi Hiroti; Assistant Coach: Tim McIntyre; Manager: Antony Bosley
26 September 2017
New Zealand 18s Select:
Upper Central: Sheldon Rogers; Akarana: Mikey Williams, Emanuel Gerard Tuimavave, Lewis Sio, Javvier Pitovao,
Kayal Iro; Mid Central: Awatere Kiwara, Wesley Veikoso; Counties Manukau: Dredin Sorenson-McGee;
Southern: Seth Tauamiti, Daniel Sakisi; Brisbane Broncos: Dre Ngatui-Woe; Manly Sea Eagles: Zaane Weatherall,
Mark Tepu-Smith; South Sydney Rabbitohs: Kea Pere; Sydney Roosters: Baylee Bentley-Hape; Canberra Raiders:
Ranapiri Baker, Aublix Kaharoa-Tawha
30 September 2017
Trust Arena, Auckland
New Zealand 18s:
Upper Central: Hayze Perham; Akarana: Matt Timoko, Tyler Slade, Soane Hufanga; Northland: Paul Turner;
Southern: Jordan Riki; Counties Manukau: Dylan Tavita; St George Illawarra Dragons: Steven Marsters;
Gold Coast Titans: Jackson Paulo, Darius Farmer; South Sydney Rabbitohs: Mawene Hiroti; Parramatta Eels:
Joseph Taipari, Vallance Harris; Cronulla Sharks: Fine Kula; North Queensland Cowboys: Peter Hola, Sean Mullany;
Melbourne Storm: Kelma Tuilagi; Sydney Roosters: Phillip Makatoa
27 September 2015
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
1 October 2015
BMD Kougari Oval, Wynnum
TEAM: 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)
2014
