As seen on NRL.com

Issac Luke is on the verge of making a shock comeback with the Māori side in next month’s Harvey Norman NRL All Stars, which would see him take the field on the one-year anniversary of his father’s passing.

Despite not playing in the NRL since 2020, the 36-year-old hooker has just completed a full pre-season with Queensland Cup side Souths Logan, after he returned with them for the back end of last season and appeared in three games.

Luke had just arrived home from his week as an assistant coach with the Māori All Stars last February when he found out his dad, George, had passed away following a slip that occurred during Cyclone Gabrielle in New Zealand.

In the months which followed, Luke decided to give top-level football another go as a way to honour George and in recent times he’s been in regular contact with new Māori coach Adam Blair about a comeback for the event in Townsville on February 16.

“If I was to get the chance, I’d be playing for my dad. The game falls on the day he died last year,” Luke told NRL.com.

“I am the second oldest of his children and I spoke to my dad every week, so not being able to have that, it’s tough.

“If I do get the green light [to play] I don’t know how I will handle the occasion… but I am blessed even to be considered.

“[Physically] I’ll be good, I have got through the pre-season with the Magpies (Souths Logan) and have passed everything I needed to.”

Luke descends from the Ngāruahine iwi in southern Taranaki and previously represented the Māori in 2020 and 2021, at the back end of his 286-game NRL career.

Having played numerous Tests alongside him for the Kiwis, before later linking up with him at the Warriors and with the Māori All Stars, Blair knows better than most what Luke can do for a team.

“’Bully’ [Luke] brings players together; he carries a lot of mana from his experience and what he has done in the game,” Blair told NRL.com.

“He’s someone that wears his heart on his sleeve and understands how much it means to be Māori and what this represents.

“To have someone like him around the camp, whether that be as a player or staff, is invaluable to the group.

“He will never let you down, but he will know if he is ready or not.”

After watching Luke progress throughout the pre-season, Souths Logan coach Karmichael Hunt believes the former Kiwi international still has what it takes to play at an elite level, despite his 37th birthday coming up this May.

“No doubt, if he was given an opportunity, he would be able to still do a job at that level,” Hunt told NRL.com.

“You don’t lose your footy nous and ability to think your way through a contest and Bully still picks our defence apart at training; he is as crafty as can be with the ball.

“He’s in really good condition…. he’s had a full pre-season and is looking really good.”

See the ultimate celebration of culture and showcase of pride at NRL Harvey Norman All Stars. Grab your tickets here.

As seen on NRL.com

A couple of big-name NRLW playmakers face missing out on a spot in the Māori women’s team for next month’s Harvey Norman NRL All Stars, as coach Keith Hanley grapples with several tough decisions at the selection table.

The veteran mentor says the expansion of the NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership from six to 10 teams last season, along with the continued growth of Māori age-group tournaments in New Zealand, have been big factors in his overall player pool growing from around 60 to 150 during his four-year stint in charge of the side.

Ahead of this year’s event in Townsville on February 16, the Māori are also boosted by the availability of frontline stars Raecene McGregor, Corban Baxter, Botille Vette-Welsh and Kennedy Cherrington, who all missed the 2023 game.

That creates a logjam in the halves, with McGregor now competing for a spot against incumbents Zahara Temara and Ashleigh Quinlan.

At fullback the loss of last year’s Trish Hina Medal winner Gayle Broughton, who is recovering from back surgery, will be somewhat softened by having Baxter and Vette-Welsh back in the mix, with Hanley still to decide if or how he fits the latter two into his 17.

“We have got some real quality and depth this year and that part has been mind-blowing,” Hanley told NRL.com.

“The quality of player is rising all the time and it’s been really eye opening for me after coaching All Stars for the last three years.

“We have a notable loss with Gayle which is unfortunate, but we are lucky to have Corban and Bo.

“Corban has had to play her last two games for us (in 2022 and 2021) at centre, which is probably not her best position, so with Gayle out that gives Corban an opportunity to run out the back and do what she does for the Roosters.”

Meanwhile Hanley is also keeping an open mind about blooding some younger players who are yet to appear at NRLW level or earn a cap for the Māori side, with the concept proving a valuable springboard for female players in the past.

Last year interchange hooker Capri Paekau and front-rower Harata Butler went on to debut in the NRLW with the Eels and Sharks respectively after helping their side down the Indigenous 16-12 in Rotorua, while Kahu Cassidy and Aaliyah Paki got their first opportunity to play on such a big stage.

“We have got a couple of new faces in mind, but they are pretty young and with the quality coming back in to our team it might make it hard to fit them in,” Hanley said.

“Within our wider group we have Taleenza Nelson who is at Cronulla and is a strong outside back, along with Tiana-Lee Thorne from the Wests Tigers (both are on development deals for 2024) who is a back that is incredibly fast,” Hanley said.

“The game comes at a good time for players to lift their profile and get their names out there and this is the only elite women’s game between now and Origin [in May].”

See the ultimate celebration of culture and showcase of pride at NRL Harvey Norman All Stars. Grab your tickets here.

The Tuurangawaewae Sports and Cultural club Pat Bennett Memorial 9s Tournament will take place Saturday 2 March 2024 from 8.30 am to 4.00 pm, at Paterson Park in Ngaaruawaahia.

 

The objectives of the tournament are to promote Rugby League, to provide all invited teams with a great day of football to start the season, to promote Turangawaewae Rugby League Club to new members, to provide our schoolboys and junior netball teams with a fundraising opportunity and to host and welcome all supporters and spectators to our tournament and our club.

The Tournament will comprise a day of Hard and Fast 9’s Men’s and Women’s Rugby league and a Netball tournament. There will also be a club sprint race, so pick your fastest sprinter and we’ll see which club will take out the bragging rights for 2024. Join us for a fun filled, action packed day of whaanau day of Rugby League and Netball.

 

The tournament venue is Paterson Park River Road, Ngaaruawaahia. Parking is available at the Ngaamiro Health clinic carpark and around the venue.

 

All you have to do is complete your online player registration form. https://www.eventcreate.com/e/patbennett9s once completed you will receive a registration confirmation.

All teams will be affiliated to a District Body recognized by NZRL.

You can have up to 20 players per team (see tournament rules below).

If your club is out of the Waikato District, you must apply to your local league district seeking approval to participate in an “out of zone” tournament.

Entry fee is $200 per League team and $100 per Netball team . There are 2 payment options;

  1. Internet banking
  2. credit Card
  3. You can pay $200 cash on the day at the admin

 

Just so you know, all registration monies go towards the prize money. No profit is made from this event.

 

DRAW

Depending on the number of teams entered will determine the number of games that will be played. The draw will be issued to each registered club by Wednesday 28 February 2024.

 

Click here for the full tournament information pack

The New Zealand Rugby League community is mourning the loss of one of its greatest-ever players, Kiwi #323 Des White.

 

The NZRL Team of the Century fullback, Auckland Immortal, goalkicker extraordinaire and former Test coach has passed away, aged 96.

 

White played 21 Tests for New Zealand from 1951-56 and scored a then-record 132 points, cementing his legacy with a world record 11 goals in an unprecedented 49-25 thrashing of Australia in Brisbane in 1952 that set the Kiwis on course for a historic series triumph.

 

Breaking into club football with Ponsonby Ponies in 1947, White kicked six goals in Auckland’s 30-9 defeat of the returning 1947-48 Kiwis tourists and slotted five for Auckland Colts in a loss to the visiting Australian side – the first of several individual battles with legendary South Sydney fullback Clive Churchill.

 

The 23-year-old received his maiden Kiwis call-up for the 1950 series against Great Britain. He marked his Test debut in Christchurch by kicking a penalty goal from near halfway in the opening stages and his boot proved the difference in a 16-10 victory, finishing with five goals.

 

White’s attributes as a safe custodian and a fine attacking fullback tended to be overshadowed by his goalkicking prowess in an era where possessing a long-range sharpshooter was a huge asset. He kicked another five goals in New Zealand’s 16-15 eclipse of the famed 1951 French tourists at a muddy Carlaw Park.

 

The 1951-52 Kiwis went winless in five Tests in Britain and France, but White smashed the New Zealand record for most points on a tour with 212 (four tries, 100 goals), displaying remarkable durability to turn out 33 times in a mammoth 40-match schedule.

 

White helped Ponsonby secure all four major Auckland Rugby League trophies – the Fox Memorial Shield, Roope Rooster, Stormont Shield and Rukutai Shield – in 1952 and was a key figure in a halcyon period for the Kiwis.

 

Following his 11-goal spree in the second Test at Lang Park in 1952, he booted another five goals in a series-winning 19-9 win over Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. White’s series tally of 18 goals equalled another world record, while he also became the first New Zealander to top a century of points on a tour of Australia, a trip that included another 11-goal haul against Northern Division.

 

In 1953, White was at the forefront of a home success against Australia with his first Test try and four goals in the 25-5 series-opening rout and a clutch three-goal display as New Zealand clinched the rubber 12-11 in the second clash. White dotted down for his only other Test try in the 18-16 loss in the third clash.

 

White’s seven goals underpinned New Zealand’s 20-14 second-Test victory over the formidable 1954 Great Britain tourists in a 2-1 series loss, but the last match of the tour would have a fateful impact on the last-liner’s career.

 

Auckland’s 5-4 win over the Lions was marred by brawling and violent incidents, the most of infamous of which saw White illegally tackled by rugged British centre Dougie Greenall. The terrible impact of the controversial challenge resulted in White having his spleen removed during a five-week hospital stay.

 

White was ruled out of the inaugural World Cup in France later that year and would not return to international football until 1956, coming back for the Kiwis’ tour of Australia.

 

The 29-year-old’s swansong for New Zealand featured a 3-0 series loss to the green-and-golds but nevertheless included several highlights: seven goals in a tour-opening win over NSW, eight goals in a big victory over Queensland and nine goals against Central Queensland.

 

Fittingly, White landed four goals in his last Test, a 31-14 defeat at the SCG.

 

Settling into retirement, White took over as Auckland coach in 1958. He accepted the New Zealand coaching reins for the 1961 home series against Australia – which finished one-all in his only Kiwis assignment – while his Auckland side upset the tourists 13-8.

 

White’s New Zealand record tally of 132 Test points (two tries, 63 goals) was broken by Matthew Ridge during the 1990s and was subsequently passed by Stacey Jones and Shaun Johnson, but his 467 points (seven tries, 223 goals) in 48 matches for the Kiwis is a mark destined to stand forever. He also continues to hold long-standing records for most points for Ponsonby (794) and Auckland (467).

 

In 1990, White was one of only two sportspeople primarily known for rugby league (with Ces Mountford) among the inaugural inductees to the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, while he was one of the initial batch of 13 NZRL Legends of League in 1995.

 

Centenary celebrations brought further accolades for the universally admired White: he earned the fullback nod in the New Zealand Team of the Century line-up in 2007 and was among the first six Auckland Immortals named in 2008.

 

New Zealand Rugby League offers its sincere condolences to the Ponsonby club, Auckland Rugby League and Des White’s family and friends.

 

13 December 2023

 

After outstanding international seasons, James Fisher-Harris [Kiwi #801] and Georgia Hale [Kiwi Fern #122] have both been awarded the Player of the Year for 2023. The Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns Rookie of the Year award goes to Matthew Timoko and Annessa Biddle, while Rocco Berry has been named the Kiwis A Player of the Year.

 

James Fisher-Harris [Kiwi #801] solidified his position as one of the top front rowers in the game in 2023. Fisher-Harris led the Kiwis to a historic thrashing of the Kangaroos, producing 142 run metres in the team’s effort to win the Pacific Championships. Thanks to his outstanding performances in the Pacific Championships, the Kohukohu star also won the prestigious 2023 IRL Golden Boot award.

 

In her ninth season of International Rugby League, Georgia Hale [Kiwi Fern #122] takes home Kiwi Ferns Player of the Year as well as the 2023 IRL Golden Boot award. Hale’s captaincy heroics helped the Kiwi Ferns break a seven-year drought with their recent win against the Jillaroos. Hale topped the tackle count, producing 130 tackles and 388 run metres over the international season.

 

NZRL GM of Football & High-Performance Motu Tony says, “The impact both Georgia and Fish have not only on their teammates but their communities especially here in New Zealand is inspiring.

 

To have a year where our two New Zealand captains not only led their teams to historic victories over Australia but also both took home their respective Golden Boots is something special.

 

Winning the Golden Boot awards is a testament to their work ethic, dedication to the jersey and ability to lead from the front.”

 

Matthew Timoko had an outstanding international debut, with the 23-year-old producing class performances across all three matches. The Ellerslie Eagles junior recorded one try, 416 run metres, and 14 tackle breaks throughout the Pacific Championships campaign.

 

Annessa Biddle takes home Kiwi Ferns Rookie of the Year after exploding onto the international scene. Biddle displayed her dominant ball-running ability and versatility, initially starting on the wing then moving into second row for the final two matches. The Otara native was instrumental in the victory against Tonga’s women, producing one try, 135 run metres, and 24 tackles.

 

Rocco Berry is the Kiwis A Player of the Year after a stellar test match against the Tonga A men. Berry produced a try-saving tackle and a spectacular try assist using great footwork and an even better flick offload. His feats ignited a late-game surge which saw the Kiwis A side come from behind to claim victory 36-26.

 

NZRL GM of Football & High-Performance Motu Tony says, “In a year where we saw 16 debuts in the Black & White jersey plus the return of the Kiwis A, it was no easy feat for our coaches to choose only one stand-out rookie.

 

The depth of this next generation of Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns is exciting and positions us well for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. I look forward to seeing these young players continue to develop and shine on the international stage

 

 

2023 New Zealand Rugby League Award Winners

 

New Zealand Kiwis Player of the Year – James Fisher-Harris

New Zealand Kiwi Ferns Player of the Year – Georgia Hale

New Zealand Kiwis Rookie of the Year – Matthew Timoko

New Zealand Kiwi Ferns Rookie of the Year – Annessa Biddle

New Zealand Kiwis A Player of the Year – Rocco Berry

 

December 13 2023  

 

In a year of significant growth for rugby league in Aotearoa, historical results were achieved in nationwide domestic competitions, which saw talent emerge across the motu both on and off the field. NZRL would like to congratulate the Domestic Rugby League Award Recipients for 2023.  

The Grassroots Club of the Year was highly contested. NZRL would like to recognise the clubs shortlisted in contention for this award: Dannevirke Tigers (Mid Central), Howick Hornets (Counties Manukau), Manukau Magpies (Counties Manukau), Porirua Vikings (Wellington).  

The Grassroots Club of the Year for 2023 is recognised for both on-field and off-field achievements, but also for implementing NZRL’s “Kiwi Way” values, carrying out community outreach, growing participation, and showing commitment to the development of rugby league in their respective districts and zones. Congratulations to 2023’s Club of the Year, Mid Central’s Dannevirke Tigers.  

The 2023 Men’s and Women’s Domestic Player of the Year awards go to Ōtāhuhu Leopards and Auckland Vulcans duo Sione Feao and Onjeurlina Leiataua Hunt.  

Sione Feao led the charge for the Ōtāhuhu Leopards throughout their season in the Fox Memorial Premiership, which earned him the Auckland Rugby League Player of the Year award. He was then fundamental in the Auckland Vulcans’ inaugural National Premiership campaign, which saw them go all the way to win their first-ever Premiership. The back-rower and prop was named Player of the Match in their grand final against the Counties Manukau Stingrays, before he featured again in the Auckland Invitational team against the Aotearoa New Zealand Maōri side.  

The versatile and powerhouse veteran Onjeurlina Leiataua Hunt takes home the Women’s Player of the Year award. After a stand-out season for the Ōtāhuhu Leopards in the Steele-Shanks Women’s Premiership, she was named Lock of the Year in Auckland Rugby League’s Team of the Year. She was instrumental in the Auckland Vulcans’ maiden Sky Sport Women’s Premiership campaign, which saw them claim a historic first Premiership title to complete a Vulcans double. Leiataua Hunt then laced up for the Auckland Invitational side against the Aotearoa New Zealand Maōri women.  

 The Junior (U19) Boys and Girls Players of the Year are Jacob Laban (Wellington) and Monica Samita (Akarana).    

Wellington native Jacob Laban was an integral player in the One New Zealand Warriors U19 S.G. Ball Cup team, before becoming a mainstay in the semi-finalist Knock On Effect New South Wales Cup team. The back-rower’s stellar performance throughout the season for both Warriors teams earned him selection and a debut for the New Zealand Kiwis A team in their Test match against the Tonga A side.  

Akarana’s Monica Samita co-captained the inaugural Ahi Kā Aotearoa team in the Australian Harvey Norman Women’s National Championship, held in the Gold Coast earlier this year. The skilful hooker steered the spine for City in the Steele-Shanks Women’s Premiership, before taking a lead in the young Akarana side who were Sky Sport Women’s Premiership finalists.  

The Coach of the Year for 2023 is awarded to Akarana’s Phil Gordon. The highly experienced and knowledgeable Gordon coached the Te Atatu Roosters to the Fox Memorial Premiership Plate Final, and the Akarana Falcons men to third place in the National Premiership. He also coached the victorious Aotearoa Whaanui 16s Boys in the National 16s and 18s Tournament.  

Manager of the Year goes to Wellington’s Rachael Leafe. Ever-present in grassroots rugby league, outside of being involved in her local club the Randwick Kingfishers, Rachael managed several teams this year: the champion Orcas 16s Girls in the National 9s Tournament, the finalist Orcas 16s Girls in the National Youth Tournament, the Orcas 20s Boys in the Ruben Wiki Cup, and the victorious National Secondary Schools Girls team for which she was awarded Manager of the Tournament.  

Counties Manukau’s Zachary Moulder is awarded the 2023 Trainer of the Year. Zach provided his expertise and experience as a trainer to the Counties Manukau representative teams throughout the season. Outside of his practical skills and knowledge, Zach earned this award for his outstanding service including consistent efforts and willingness to assist however needed, and his ability to connect with players.  

Paki Parkinson has taken home Match Official of the Year for the fourth consecutive year. In addition to his participation in all significant NZRL national tournaments, Paki was also of service by upskilling and imparting his knowledge to other referees. Most notably in 2023, Paki refereed the National Men’s Premiership Final and New Zealand Universities Test matches, and was a touch judge in the Kiwi Ferns v Tonga international Test match.   

Raukawa Ki Runga’s Nick Hennessy has been awarded Pirtek Volunteer of the Year for his utmost commitment and dedication towards growing female rangatahi participation, in the Ōtaki region. Nick’s focus on developing the girl’s and women’s game as a coach and mentor is outstanding, selflessly volunteering his personal time and resources to aid them however possible. To read Nick’s story, click here.   

NZRL CEO Greg Peters says, “2023 has been a year of significant growth for the game in New Zealand, which has only been possible through the continuous dedication of people across our rugby league communities.   

Thank you for the remarkable work on and off the field to ensure rugby league continues to thrive – thank you for another amazing year.”      

 

2023 NZRL DOMESTIC AWARD WINNERS  

   

Grassroots Club of the Year – Dannevirke Tigers (Mid Central) 

Shortlist: Howick Hornets (Counties Manukau), Manukau Magpies (Counties Manukau), Porirua Vikings (Wellington)  

   

Men’s Domestic Player of the Year – Sione Feao (Auckland)  

Shortlist: Enoch Tautalo (Wellington), Francis Leger (Auckland), Geronimo Doyle (Counties Manukau), Mikaele Mafi (South Island), Phranklyn Mano-Le-Mamea (Counties Manukau),   

   

Women’s Domestic Player of the Year – Onjeurlina Leiataua Hunt (Auckland)  

Shortlist: Florence Toluono Waqa (Counties Manukau), Lydia Quedley-Turua (Akarana), Tamara Ruaporo (Wellington) 

   

Junior Boys (U19) Player of the Year – Jacob Laban (Wellington)  

Shortlist: Te Kaio Cranwell (South Island), Rodney Vea (Counties Manukau), Zyon Maiu’u (Auckland)  

   

Junior Girls (U19) Player of the Year – Monica Samita (Akarana)  

Shortlist: Braxton Sorensen-McGee (Auckland), Seriah Palepale (Auckland)  

   

Coach of the Year – Phil Gordon (Akarana)  

Shortlist: Ake Pereira (Wellington), David Reedy (South Island), Manu Clarkson (South Island), Ruka Loza (Counties Manukau), Sefo (Frank) Fuimaono (Auckland)  

   

Trainer of the Year – Zachary Moulder (Counties Manukau)  

Shortlist: Chris McMillan (Counties Manukau), Lee Mou (South Island), Paul Fisiiahi (Counties Manukau), Sheldon Akavi (Wellington)  

   

Manager of the Year – Rachael Leafe (Wellington)  

Shortlist: Melanie Piri (South Island), Mel Tukapua (South Island), Tania Morunga (Counties Manukau)  

   

Match Official of the Year – Paki Parkinson (Bay of Plenty)  

Shortlist: Jack Feavers (South Island), Jaxon McGowan (Northland), Liam O’Brien (South Island) 

   

Pirtek Volunteer of the Year – Nick Hennessy (Wellington)  

Shortlist: Dylan and Ruscelle Rintoul (Waikato), Michelle Harding (South Island),  

Phylis Latu (Counties Manukau), Scott Tulua (Counties Manukau) 

 

James Fisher-Harris, Georgia Hale and Jérémy Bourson have each created Golden Boot history after being chosen as the respective 2023 men’s, women’s and wheelchair winners.

Fisher-Harris is the first prop to win the prestigious award since its inception in 1984 and will add the IRL Golden Boot to the Pacific Cup medal he received after leading the Kiwis to a record 30-0 defeat of the Kangaroos and his third consecutive NRL premiership ring with Penrith.

The New Zealand captain was presented with the 2023 IRL Golden Boot by 2000 winner and two-times World Cup-winning Kangaroos captain Brad Fittler at an event in Sydney on Wednesday.

Hale, who is the first forward to win the women’s award, and Bourson – France’s first Golden Boot recipient in any discipline of the game – are both based in the Northern Hemisphere and were unable to attend.

The IRL Golden Boot is awarded each year to the best player in sanctioned rugby league international matches.

Fisher-Harris was chosen by a panel comprising of Golden Cap recipients Adam Blair, James Graham, Darren Lockyer, Adrian Morley and Ruben Wiki, who are among just nine players to have played more than 50 internationals for their country.

Previous Golden Boot winners Stacey Jones, Shaun Johnson, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Joey Manu were among the many current and former Kiwis to pay tribute to Fisher-Harris.

Michael Maguire, who had charge of Fisher-Harris in all but one of his 15 appearances for New Zealand, including the Pacific Championships triumph, and members of his coaching staff, also sent messages of congratulations.

“I can’t think of a better bloke to take out such a prestigious award,” Maguire said. “It’s thoroughly deserved.

“In our time together, over the years, I have watched you grow from that young player to winning grand finals and now leading the Kiwis to an emphatic win against Australia, and creating a bit of history.

“You led right from the front, right from the time you walked into the month of the campaign that we had together. You’re an absolute champion and with the way you go about things, and there’s a lot of reasons why you’re such a success in rugby league.

“What an award to have. You have now created a little piece of history for yourself in the international space, along with such a great win.”

Kiwi Ferns coach Ricky Henry was emotional as he told Hale she had been chosen by a panel of Jillaroos great Karyn Murphy, Kiwi dual code superstar Honey Hireme-Smiler and England 2017 World Cup prop turned rugby league commentator Danika Priim.“I don’t think this award could go to a player more deserving than Georgia,” Henry said. “She is a professional on and off the field.

“Georgia does the things that other players don’t want to do on the footy field; the things that people don’t get rewarded for or recognised for.

“We know that she is a really hard worker but the biggest growth in her game has been her football IQ and that has made her the player she is today.

“This is a reward for everything you have done for rugby league, for yourself, for your family and for us in the Kiwi Ferns environment. You are a massive role model for all the young girls playing rugby league in New Zealand and Australia.”

Hale, who helped the Kiwi Ferns to a gritty 12-6 defeat of the Jillaroos, edged team-mate Mele Hufanga and rival fullbacks Tamika Upton and Apii Nicholls to become the second successive New Zealander to win the Golden Boot after Raecene McGregor.

The award caps a year in which the 28-year-old lock played both in the Women’s Super League and NRLW, helping the Gold Coast Titans to the club’s inaugural grand final and the Kiwi Ferns to their first win against the Jillaroos since 2016.

“I play rugby league to win premierships or championships or World Cups, so to receive such an accolade like this is a very proud moment and I think of how proud I am to be a Kiwi Fern and to represent the Ferns before and the Ferns to come,” Hale said.

“It’s been a special year. I started my journey in 2023 here at Leeds Rhinos, which I was so fortunate to be a part of, and then was really excited to be able to return home to the Gold Coast and have such a proud season with our Titans girls.

“Then to finish off my season representing the Kiwi Ferns, breaking a seven-year drought back with the girls from back at home, just really put the icing on the cake but I don’t think you can ever be satisfied with what you have done.

“I am just really excited to see what the next steps are for me personally in my career and also with all the teams that I am so fortunate to take the field with.

Fisher-Harris continued the Kiwis’ recent stranglehold on the Golden Boot after Tuivasa-Sheck won in 2019 and Manu received the award last year, with the trophy not awarded in 2020 and 2021 due to the impact of Covid.

He won the award from Kiwis team-mate Joseph Tapine, Kangaroos prop Payne Haas and English halfback Harry Smith, who were shortlisted by the panel from 20 international players nominated by members of the media in Australia, England, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

The wheelchair 2023 IRL Golden Boot was chosen by Malcolm Kielty (England) and Robert Fassolette (France), the two key figures in establishing the sport, along with another driving force in the game’s development in Martin Coyd, and long serving administrator Niel Wood.

Bourson and England’s Lewis King were shortlisted after two recent internationals between last year’s World Cup finalists, with France triumphing in Leeds and England winning in Marseilles.

The Frenchman received the award in Perpignan from last year’s winner, England’s Seb Bechara, whom he plays alongside at Catalans Dragons.

“It’s a great honour for me,” Bourson said. “There have only been three winners and I am the first Frenchman. It’s important to remember. A lot of people will really like seeing that and I’ll never forget this achievement.

“The next step for the French team is the World Cup, which we have already started preparing for. My singular aim is, very simply, to win the World Cup and the Golden Boot in 2026.”

IRL Chair Troy Grant congratulated Fisher-Harris, Hale and Bourson on their achievements as international player of the year.

“You only need to hear from their coaches and team-mates to know that James, Georgia and Jérémy are deserved winners of the Golden Boot and worthy of having their names alongside some of the greats of our game,” he said.

“Each played a significant role in the achievements of their team at international level this season, in which all three of last year’s World Cup winners were beaten, and they have now created personal history.

“On behalf of the IRL Board, I would like to congratulate the winners, all of the players who were nominated and the members of the judging panels whose status and achievements in the game ensure the Golden Boot remains one of the most prestigious awards in Rugby League.”  

 

IRL Golden Boot Roll of Honour

Men  

1984 Wally Lewis (Australia)1985 Brett Kenny (Australia)1986 Garry Jack (Australia)1987 Hugh McGahan (New Zealand)and Peter Sterling (Australia)1988 Ellery Hanley (England)1989 Mal Meninga (Australia)1990 Garry Schofield (England)1992 Garry Schofield (England)

1991-98 No award given1999 Andrew Johns (Australia)2000 Brad Fittler (Australia)2001 Andrew Johns (Australia)2002 Stacey Jones (New Zealand)2003 Darren Lockyer (Australia)2004 Andrew Farrell (England)2005 Anthony Minichiello (Australia)2006 Darren Lockyer (Australia)2007 Cameron Smith (Australia)2008 Billy Slater (Australia)2009 Greg Inglis (Australia)2010 Benji Marshall (New Zealand)2011 Johnathan Thurston (Australia)2012 Kevin Sinfield (England)2013 Johnathan Thurston (Australia)2014 Shaun Johnson (New Zealand)2015 Johnathan Thurston (Australia)2016 Cooper Cronk (Australia)2017 Cameron Smith (Australia)2018 Tommy Makinson (England)2019 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (New Zealand)2020 No award given2021 No award given2022 Joey Manu (New Zealand)2023 James Fisher-Harris (New Zealand)

     WOMEN  

2018 Isabelle Kelly (Australia)2019 Jess Sergis (Australia)2020 No award given2021 No award given2022 Raecene McGregor (New Zealand)2023 Georgia Hale (New Zealand)

WHEELCHAIR  

2019 Jack Brown (England)2020 No award given2021 No award given2022 Sebastien Bechara (England)2023 Jérémy Bourson (France)

28 November 2023

Kiwis captain James Fisher-Harris, lock Joseph Tapine and Kangaroos prop Payne Haas are in line to become the first running forward to win the IRL Golden Boot in 20 years after being selected on a short list of four nominees for the 2023 award.

Fisher-Harris and Tapine, who helped New Zealand to a record 30-0 defeat of Australia in the inaugural Pacific Cup final, are vying with Haas and England centre Harry Smith for the 2023 IRL Golden Boot as international player of the year.

Kiwi Ferns trio Georgia Hale, Mele Hufanga, Apii Nicholls and Jillaroos fullback Tamika Upton have been shortlisted for the women’s Golden Boot, while Frenchman Jeremy Bourson and England’s Lewis King are the contenders for the wheelchair Golden Boot.

The last running forward to win the Golden Boot was former Great Britain captain Andy Farrell, who played mostly second-row or lock in his 34 international appearances before switching to rugby union, where he now coaches Ireland.

Former Kangaroos captain Cameron Smith, who is one of nine players to have played more than 50 internationals, won the Golden Boot in 2007 and 2017 but he was a dummy half and not a running forward like Fisher-Harris, Tapine and Haas.

The only other forward to have won the Golden Boot was former New Zealand captain Hugh McGahan in 1987, while England’s Kevin Sinfield played halfback when he received the award in 2012.

The men’s 2023 IRL Golden Boot short list of Fisher-Harris, Haas, Smith and Tapine was chosen by a panel comprising of Golden Cap recipients Adam Blair, James Graham, Darren Lockyer, Adrian Morley and Ruben Wiki, who have each played more than 50 internationals.

The quartet were selected from a long list of 20 players nominated by members of the media in Australia, England, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, after the conclusion of the Pacific Championships and the historic England-Tonga series.

The women’s IRL Golden Boot winner short list was chosen from 14 nominees after the Pacific Championships, which featured New Zealand’s first triumph over the Jillaroos since 2016, and internationals in Europe.

Players from England, France, Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Cook Islands were also nominated, before the New Zealand trio of Hale, Hufanga and Nicholls and Australia’s Upton were shortlisted.

The women’s 2023 IRL Golden Boot winner will be selected by Australian Jillaroos great Karyn Murphy, former New Zealand dual code superstar Honey Hireme-Smiler and England 2017 World Cup prop turned rugby league commentator Danika Priim.

The judges of the 2023 Wheelchair IRL Golden Boot are Malcolm Kielty (England) and Robert Fassolette (France), the two key figures in establishing the sport, along with another driving force in the game’s development in Martin Coyd, and long serving administrator Niel Wood, who has been a member of the IRL’s Wheelchair Rugby League advisory committee.

Bourson and King were shortlisted for the Golden Boot after last weekend’s international between World Cup finalists England and France in Marseilles, in which the visitors avenged their defeat in Leeds three weeks earlier.

France’s Lionel Alazard and the England trio of Sebastien Bechara, who is the current Golden Boot holder, Jack Brown and Nathan Collins were also considered.

IRL Chair Troy Grant congratulated the 10 players shortlisted for the Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair Golden Boot awards.

“The IRL Golden Boot is one of the game’s most prestigious awards and any of the nominated players would be a worthy winner,” Mr Grant said.

“In recent weeks we have seen all three of last year’s World Cup winners – the Kangaroos, Jillaroos and England Wheelchair team – beaten, and this shows how closely contested the international game is.

“That is reflected in the nominations for the 2023 Golden Boot and there is no clear-cut candidate for any of the awards.

“On behalf of the IRL, I would like to thank the panels of former greats of our game, and those who have made a significant contribution to the development of Wheelchair Rugby League, for their involvement in helping to choose the 2023 international player of the year.”

The IRL Golden Boot is awarded to the best player in sanctioned rugby league international matches each year.

The 2022 IRL Golden Boot winners were New Zealand’s Joey Manu and Raecene McGregor, and England Wheelchair star Sebastien Bechara.

The winners of the 2023 IRL Golden Boot awards will be announced in early December.

 

IRL Golden Boot Short Lists

Men

James Fisher-Harris (New Zealand)
Payne Haas (Australia)
Harry Smith (England)
Joseph Tapine (New Zealand)

Women

Georgia Hale (New Zealand)
Mele Hufanga (New Zealand)
Apii Nicholls (New Zealand)
Tamika Upton (Australia)

Wheelchair

Jeremy Bourson (France)
Lewis King (England)

Previous IRL Golden Boot Winners

Men  

1984 Wally Lewis (Australia)
1985 Brett Kenny (Australia)
1986 Garry Jack (Australia)
1987 Hugh McGahan (New Zealand)
and Peter Sterling (Australia)
1988 Ellery Hanley (England)
1989 Mal Meninga (Australia)
1990 Garry Schofield (England)
1992 Garry Schofield (England)

1991-98 No award given
1999 Andrew Johns (Australia)
2000 Brad Fittler (Australia)
2001 Andrew Johns (Australia)
2002 Stacey Jones (New Zealand)
2003 Darren Lockyer (Australia)
2004 Andrew Farrell (England)
2005 Anthony Minichiello (Australia)
2006 Darren Lockyer (Australia)
2007 Cameron Smith (Australia)
2008 Billy Slater (Australia)
2009 Greg Inglis (Australia)
2010 Benji Marshall (New Zealand)
2011 Johnathan Thurston (Australia)
2012 Kevin Sinfield (England)
2013 Johnathan Thurston (Australia)
2014 Shaun Johnson (New Zealand)
2015 Johnathan Thurston (Australia)
2016 Cooper Cronk (Australia)
2017 Cameron Smith (Australia)
2018 Tommy Makinson (England)
2019 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (New Zealand)
2020 No award given
2021 No award given
2022 Joey Manu (New Zealand)

WOMEN  

2018 Isabelle Kelly (Australia)
2019 Jess Sergis (Australia)
2020 No award given
2021 No award given
2022 Raecene McGregor (New Zealand)

WHEELCHAIR  

2019 Jack Brown (England)
2020 No award given
2021 No award given
2022 Sebastien Bechara (England)

 

As seen on canterburyrugbyleague.co.nz

Ngā Puna Wai was a hotbed of rugby league education and development for five consecutive days last week as the most significant event of Canterbury Rugby League’s partnership with NRL club Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs to date unfolded.

Led by Craig Wilson (Pathways and Development), Fifita Hala (Recruitment) and Adam Hartigan (General Manager – Pathways), the Bulldogs delivered three coach upskilling sessions and two days of skill development for junior players.

“The feedback’s been really good – it’s only in its infancy, but the first steps have been really positive, the coaches are great and we want to give them access to as much information, video, skills and drills, and support,” Wilson said.

“We’re very lucky in that we’ve got a good league club behind us and a couple of guys who are very passionate about the development of rugby league in Phil Gould and Adam Hartigan.

“We’ve been discussing it for 12 or 18 months how we can benefit this area, but it’s an area rich in rugby league talent, going back to the Brent Todds, and [more recently] Jordan Riki, Slade Griffin, Griffin Neame.

“We’re just hoping that if we can assist and develop the game here, there will be more to come.

“We’re committed for the next two years and hopefully that will form a catalyst for more guys to come through the system and play in the NRL, not just at the Bulldogs but at other clubs.”

Wednesday’s initial seminar was held for national level and pathways coaches, Thursday’s session was for youth club and 13s/14s representative coaches, and on Friday, senior club coaches and 15s grade coaches and older got their opportunity.

On Saturday afternoon, around 100 juniors from the 13s and 14s grades experienced a skill development training day at Ngā Puna Wai. The following day roughly the same number of 15s-18s boys and 15s-23s girls had the same invaluable chance.

“They focused on rugby league’s fundamentals and the Bulldogs’ big thing was effort, so we just wanted everyone listening and putting their best foot forward,” Canterbury Rugby League Director of Football Jamie Lester enthused.

“There were lots of smiling faces and prizes given out by the Bulldogs to players who really showed that effort they were looking for.

“Sunday’s session saw the players split into backs and forwards, so the training was a bit more position specific. Our coaches had been learning the Bulldogs during the week, too, so they were instilling some of the stuff they had learned.

“Both days were mixed gender – that is part of the Bulldogs’ values, that everyone is treated as equals.”

Wilson provided some further insight into the ethos behind the Bulldogs’ methods.

“It’s not so much about the sporting element – because they can learn the skill anywhere – it’s about the little things: the attention to detail, how you approach your training, the preparation you need to do,” Wilson explains.

“Eighty percent of going to that next level is learning and knowing how to train, and perseverance. If they can do that, they get into the mindset of being able to train well … and when you have to perform those skills under pressure and at speed, they become competent and that builds confidence, which builds their game and allows them to grow and develop.

“The first thing that fails under pressure or fatigue [in a game] will be their skill level, so it’s a fine line. Teaching these kids to listen and that discipline doing drills, once they pick that habit up, that’s something they have for the rest of their lives – in footy and in general.”

Lester praised the Bulldogs’ dedication to the club’s burgeoning development and pathways relationship with CRL, formally announced in July.

“The big thing for Canterbury Rugby League was being able to showcase that partnership,” Lester said.

“To be able to have the Bulldogs here for five days just shows the commitment they’re willing to put in. It’s not their first visit either – this is the third time they’ve been over this year. They’re really putting the time and energy into bringing our youth through.

“It was a great opportunity for our community, from a coach and player perspective, to get involved and learn and grow.”

As CRL CEO Malcolm highlights, the Bulldogs’ activities on this trip have not been limited to the Canterbury region.

“We are excited and grateful for the Bulldogs investing their time in being in Christchurch for five days,” Humm said.

“Our intent is to support our coaches with their developmental learning and impart this on female and male players, whether this be through the club system or representative programs.

“We also have a greater purpose through the relationship, and this is to support the wider South Island. Examples of this include CRL and the Bulldogs spending time at St Thomas of Canterbury College – the recent NZRL Secondary Schools Tournament champions – and the Bulldogs travelling to Greymouth to deliver a coaching and player development clinic after their Christchurch visit.

“We aim to spread these opportunities wider for future visits.”

Read the full article on canterburyrugbyleague.co.nz

As seen on canterburyrugbyleague.co.nz

Papanui Tigers and Greymouth Greyhounds have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will see the clubs share players during the 2024-25 seasons, with the Greyhounds competing in the Canterbury Rugby League Men’s Premiership and the Tigers lining up in the Canterbury Cup Premier Reserves.

The MoU, executed on November 20, comes on the back of a motion carried by CRL affiliated clubs to change the senior men’s competition structure. All clubs fielding a Premier grade team will also be required to have a team in the Premier Reserves grade.

Greymouth enjoyed a strong campaign in the 2023 Canterbury Cup – finishing atop the ladder at the end of the regular season before losing its semi-final – while Papanui won the Division One title after making the difficult decision to withdraw from the Premiership. The MoU allows both clubs to fulfil their obligations under the new competition structure.

Under the terms of the MoU, the Greyhounds will be able to call upon players registered with the Tigers and vice versa, while the eventual goal of the arrangement is for both clubs to field standalone teams in both grades.

“It is exciting to have Greymouth Greyhounds included in the Canterbury Men’s Premiership,” Canterbury Rugby League CEO Malcolm Humm enthused.

“Their results in 2023 demonstrated they are on a strong performance trajectory and, combined with Papanui Tigers, the increase in senior men’s numbers provides a real pathway opportunity for both of these clubs and their players.

“Additionally, we believe this will provide a significant boost to rugby league on the West Coast. Canterbury Rugby League views this as our opportunity to support Southern Zone and the West Coast in growing the sport in a traditional rugby league heartland.”

The historic addition of the Greyhounds to the CRL Premiership – a first for a West Coast club – creates seven-team Massetti Cup and Canterbury Cup competitions for 2024.

Teams will play 12 regular season matches (two full rounds) ahead of the four-team finals series format, while discussions are underway to stage a pre-season knockout competition.

The Greyhounds’ six home games will consist of three each at Wingham Park in Greymouth and Papanui Domain.

“It’s really exciting for us – it’s going to be a challenge, but it’s a challenge we’re going to take with open arms and give it our best shot,” West Coast Rugby League chairman Brad Tacons said.

“In 2017 we lost the senior (West Coast) comp, the Greyhounds were established in 2019 to keep the local guys playing footy – and we only had 17 players, so we’ve hung in there till this point and this is by far our most significant step and most exciting one.

“It will be really good for the game on the Coast to be able to play in a meaningful competition.”

Tacons also expressed West Coast Rugby League’s eagerness to simultaneously aid Papanui’s quest to eventually feature at Massetti Cup level again.

“We’re right behind supporting Papanui,” he affirmed.

“We know the struggles that clubs go through, we know when it seems like there’s no coming back – it seems like the world’s ended. But you rally round, you get good people around you and you make it happen.

“They want to get back into Premier football and we’re there to provide support to them, and likewise from their side, they’re there to help us grow the game on the Coast.”

The clubs are far from strangers – they had an MoU in 2022, whereby the Greyhounds effectively served as a Canterbury Cup affiliate for the Tigers, who were then still competing in the top flight.

“We’re really excited to team up with the Greyhounds, who have been playing really well to be at this level and deserve their opportunity as well,” Papanui Tigers president Grant Bond praised.

“The Greyhounds have already had a relationship with us from our previous MoU, so they knew what we were about and what we stood for.

“We were keen to get together and it’s all quite positive.”

As the Tigers’ rebuild continues, the chance to stage Massetti Cup matches at Papanui Domain and for the club’s top players to feature in the Premiership are immediate advantages of the agreement with the Greyhounds.

Forecasting further, the partnership shapes as a vital stepping stone to Papanui’s return to Premier grade status under its own steam.

“Playing premier football back at Papanui will be great, but it’s more about our players and teams competing at the highest level we can, and obviously to get back to a premier grade in our own right,” Bond adds.

“If we do it the right way it will give us more of a sustainable process rather than a ‘hanging on by the skin of our teeth’ type scenario.”

Greymouth’s elevation also means the Thacker Shield will be competed for between Premier clubs in 2024.

Reinvigorated as a challenge trophy this season, the Greyhounds ironically defeated the Tigers in a Canterbury Cup clash to take possession of the Thacker Shield, which they successfully defended in their remaining home games.

The Greyhounds will be required to put up the Thacker Shield at their home games next year, whether at Wingham Park or Papanui Domain.

Read more on canterburyrugbyleague.co.nz

20 November 2023

Members of the New Zealand grassroots rugby league community across the motu get the chance to see their hard mahi recognised through the Pirtek Volunteer of the Month award.

This award is given to a volunteer who displays the core values of NZRL’s Kiwi Way: being family first, innovative, inclusive, respectful, and humble. NZRL is excited to announce that Michelle Harding is the final winner of the Pirtek Volunteer of the Month award for 2023.

Michelle has been at the heart of Christchurch’s Halswell Hornets Rugby League Club for more than 20 years, with her support spanning the club’s landscape and grades throughout this time.

She spent six years managing junior teams, then managed senior teams, including the Premier and Reserves men’s sides, for six more years. Rain or shine, Michelle was there to ensure smooth sailing for the players and all involved. After becoming recognised as an excellent manager, she was given the role of Canterbury Bulls and South Island Scorpions 16s and 18s manager.

Michelle served as the Club Secretary for several crucial years, including rebuilding the clubrooms following the Christchurch earthquakes and through COVID-19. Although Michelle has since retired as Club Secretary, this year she stepped up to organise the annual fundraiser, the club’s event of the year. Pirtek CEO Chris Bourke says, “Michelle’s dedication and commitment has made her an integral part of the Halswell Rugby League club, and they are extremely lucky to have her!”

“Michelle is a well-deserving winner of the Pirtek Volunteer of the Month.”

Congratulations Michelle!

A panel comprising some of the most accomplished players in international rugby league will select the men’s and women’s 2023 IRL Golden Boot winners after nominations were finalised following the recent Pacific Championships and historic England-Tonga series.

Golden Cap recipients Darren Lockyer (Australia), Adrian Morley (England), Ruben Wiki (New Zealand), James Graham (England) and Adam Blair (New Zealand), who are among just nine players to have played 50 internationals for their country, will choose the men’s IRL Golden Boot winner.

The women’s IRL Golden Boot winner will be decided by Australian Jillaroos great Karyn Murphy, former New Zealand dual code superstar Honey Hireme-Smiler and England 2017 World Cup prop turned rugby league commentator Danika Priim.

The judges of the 2023 Wheelchair IRL Golden Boot include Malcolm Kielty (England) and Robert Fassolette (France), the two key figures in establishing the sport, along with another driving force in the game’s development in Martin Coyd, and long serving administrator Niel Wood, who has been a member of the IRL’s Wheelchair Rugby League advisory committee.

IRL Chair Troy Grant said: “The IRL Golden Boot is one of the oldest and most highly regarded awards in rugby league, so it is fitting that some of the giants of the international game decide the winners.

“Having former players of such standing choose the men’s and women’s international player of the year adds to the prestige of the IRL Golden Boot and we thank them for their support of the award.

“There could also be no-one better qualified to determine the winner of the Wheelchair Golden Boot than those who pioneered the sport and the IRL is grateful for their involvement.”

New Zealand players dominate the long lists of men’s and women’s candidates, chosen by members of the media in Australia, England, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, after the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns triumphed against Australia in the Pacific Championships.

Kiwis stars Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Jahrome Hughes, James Fisher-Harris, Joey Tapine and Ronaldo Mulitalo headline the contenders for the men’s Golden Boot, while 2022 winner Raecene McGregor and Kiwis Ferns team-mates Apii Nicholls, Mele Hufanga and Georgia Hale are candidates for the women’s award.

England’s Harry Smith, Mikey Lewis, John Bateman and Matty Ashton have also been nominated after the recent 3-0 series defeat of Tonga, alongside the Kangaroos quartet of Cameron Murray, Harry Grant, Payne Haas and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.

Other players on the long list include Papua New Guinea pair Lachlan Lam and Edwin Ipape, Fiji prop Tui Kamikamica and fullback Jahream Bula, Samoa fullback Su’a Faalogo, Cook Islands playmaker Esan Marsters and Tonga prop Addin Fonua-Blake.

The women’s Golden Boot is just as keenly contested, with Jillaroos stars Tamika Upton and Jess Sergis also vying with England prop Amy Hardcastle and five-eighth Georgia Roche.

Others in contention include France’s Elisa Akpa and Lauréane Biville, Samoa prop Annetta-Claudia Nu’uausala, Tonga centre Tiana Penitani, Papua New Guinea centre Belinda Gwasamun and Cook Islands front-rower Toru Arakua.

The IRL Golden Boot is awarded to the best player in sanctioned rugby league international matches each year.

The 2022 IRL Golden Boot winners were New Zealand’s Joey Manu and Raecene McGregor, and England Wheelchair star Sebastien Bechara.

Short lists for the men’s, women’s and wheelchair 2023 IRL Golden Boot awards will be announced after the second wheelchair international between last year’s World Cup winners England and runners-up France in Carcassonne on November 25.

France triumphed 43-34 in Leeds on November 5 in the first encounter between the two nations since the epic World Cup final.

The winners of the 2023 IRL Golden Boot awards will be announced in early December.

IRL Chair Troy Grant said: “There has been more international rugby league played in recent months than any other period in recent memory outside of a World Cup year and players have again demonstrated their passion for representing their countries of birth or heritage.

“It is a sign of how competitive the game is at international level that the three World Cup champions – the Kangaroos, Jillaroos and England Wheelchair – were all recently beaten in gripping contests that showcased rugby league at its best.”

Nominated Kiwis

James Fisher-Harris

Jahrome Hughes

Ronaldo Mulitalo

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Joseph Tapine

Nominated Kiwi Ferns

Georgia Hale

Mele Hufanga

Raecene McGregor

Apii Nicholls

As seen on nzherald.co.nz

As Kiwis fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad ran on to the field on Saturday against the Kangaroos in Hamilton, he repeated a simple mantra.

It had been on his mind all week, as he promised himself – and his teammates – that he would deliver.

I can, he said quietly. And I will.

But this was more than just motivation, as he was battling the odds.

The 28-year-old produced a man of the match performance, in easily the best game of his international career. And he did it despite a broken rib, which meant he couldn’t train fully over the past two weeks, after the bone was smashed up against Samoa at Eden Park.

“It was really painful in the Samoan game,” Nicoll-Klokstad told the Herald. “It was a bit sore last week. I had to get two separate painkilling jabs and have a huge pad. But it came back to that mentality thing; I missed the mark mentally last week.”

There were many heroes on Saturday as the Kiwis completed a famous victory over the Kangaroos – just their second in 10 clashes since 2016 – with their 30-0 triumph. But Nicoll-Klokstad typified the desire, determination and camaraderie in this squad.

It was only his fourth test at fullback but the kind of performance that will be long remembered, especially given the physical baggage. Three weeks ago, against Samoa, he felt an instant rush of pain as he braced for contact in a tackle. It was a good, legal hit but something wasn’t quite right and it was more than a knock.

”It happened early in the game, 15 minutes in,” said Nicoll-Klokstad. “I ran off the field at halftime to get it jabbed and that’s when they found out.”

It made the following week a challenge, as the Kiwis prepared to play Australia in Melbourne.

”That was the hardest,” said Nicoll-Klokstad. “I had to get my head around moving with it and knowing that, yep, it was broken and I’ve just got to get through the session.”

He didn’t do any contact work but still couldn’t avoid reminders.

”I couldn’t even sneeze, that was a bit painful,” he said, also feeling while it sleeping. It was a compromised preparation and he was far from his best in Melbourne, as the Kiwis were outpointed 36-18.

Nicoll-Klokstad was pinned in his own territory for much of the match, unable to impose himself on the game.

”It was a good learning curve for me personally, I felt I was a little bit too much in my head and missed my assignment,” he said. “I didn’t play the standard I wanted to play and it came back to a mentality thing.”

”I was really looking forward to this week because I knew I could be a lot better, getting back to what I know how to do. It was simple; I just had a phrase in my head the whole week. It was – ‘I can and I will’.”

Before Saturday’s match he had injections in two separate areas to numb the area, popped a couple of painkillers and strapped a large pad over his left chest.

”Then I was good to go.”

And what a display. He made 277 metres from 30 carries, with six tackle busts. He created two line breaks, set up a try with a reflex pass and organised his defence superbly.

”I wanted to make amends,” said Nicoll-Klokstad. “Be better, be my best. Hopefully the boys are proud of the effort.”

With jubilant fans staying on a long time around the final whistle, the magnitude of the victory began to sink in.

”I’m honoured, proud, grateful – so many emotions and feelings,” said Nicoll-Klokstad. “First win against Australia and what a way to do it too.”

His proud coach Maguire summed up the effort.

“He actually wasn’t meant to play,” admitted Maguire. “It just goes to show what players will do when they are playing for their country. He wasn’t quite sure after the Samoan game if he would keep going but he didn’t want to leave [camp] and when you have got things like that going on within your group and then good leadership, you come up with some special performances.”

Read more on nzherald.co.nz

As seen on nzherald.co.nz

Kiwis’ winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has found personal redemption.

Mulitalo capped off a difficult three weeks – revealing he had copped plenty of online abuse and vitriol during the Pacific Championships campaign – with a brilliant display in the Kiwis’ 30-0 win over Australia in Hamilton.

The negativity is nothing new for Mulitalo. For more than two years he has faced questions, jibes and doubts over his commitment to his country of birth, after the controversial State of Origin eligibility drama in 2021.

Mulitalo was born and raised in Auckland, playing for the Ellerslie Eagles, among other clubs, before his family emigrated to Brisbane when he was 13. He represented Queensland at the Under-18 and Under-20 levels and was called up for Origin in 2021, before being dramatically scratched 24 hours before kickoff, as a check of the revised rules found he was ineligible, due to his arrival in the Sunshine State after his 13th birthday.

That caused a media storm at the time – with many questioning the inept administration that led to the blunder – while Mulitalo was devastated.

“Heartbroken and lost for words,” he wrote on social media. “All I wanted to do was don this Maroon jersey and represent this great state.

That led to questions, when he was selected for New Zealand last year, that it was only his fallback option.

But there can’t be any doubts about his commitment now. He was a strong performer at last year’s World Cup, then had his finest match in the black and white V last Saturday, with numerous telling interventions in the stunning victory, also scoring his eighth try in nine tests.

“One of the things that tested me was people questioning my pride in New Zealand and my jersey,” said Mulitalo. “But when I set my mind to something and it means something to me, I go balls-out for it and it definitely feels like that, showing my pride in this jersey and what it means to me. I’m not just here because I’m here, I’m here to bring my game and put some pride in the jersey.

Mulitalo said he had put the “whole saga” of the Queensland episode behind him – ”I’ve moved on with my life” – even if a lot of other people haven’t.

“The whole week I have been getting abused, the whole campaign, from certain people for different things,” the 23-year-old said. “I’ve just been getting hammered, not only online. My family sees stuff like that and I just really wanted to come out with a statement. I know that this game meant so much to New Zealand in general and the game of rugby league in New Zealand. Hopefully there [were] some kids in the crowd or watching on television that saw how proud they could be of New Zealand and be in this jersey one day.”

Mulitalo was electric, particularly in the first half. Two long-range line breaks sparked the Kiwis – and the crowd – as did his celebrations after the first try, his eighth in nine tests. He also soared, AFL-style, to claim a defensive goal-line drop-out – which defused pressure at a crucial stage – and produced one of the hits of the season on Valentine Holmes, flattening the Kangaroos winger.

“I don’t even remember the hit – I just got up,” said Mulitalo. “I don’t normally tackle so it was unfamiliar waters that I was in. I got up, [carried] on like a goose and hopefully [gave] the boys a bit of a lift.”

Though the Kiwis won’t reassemble until next October – due to the NRL’s unfortunate scheduling – the memory of what unfolded last Saturday will last a long time.

“I’m super proud of the whole group,” said Mulitalo. “How we have pulled ourselves together, representing our country like that means the world to us.”

“Whether we made history, nothing mattered more than a win for us and putting pride back in the jersey and making New Zealand so proud of us. Whether we won by one point or 30 points it doesn’t matter, a win was the main thing.”

Read more on nzherald.co.nz

As seen on NRL.com

The New Zealand Kiwis have taken out the inaugural Pacific Cup final after keeping the Kangaroos scoreless 30-0 to orchestrate an international upset in Hamilton on Saturday.

A 12-0 scoreline had the New Zealand faithful daring to dream at halftime and the fairytale final continued as the Kiwis ran in another 18 unanswered points to hand the Kangaroos for the first time since 2018.

Seven days after going down to their Tasman rivals 36-18 in Melbourne, Michael Maguire’s side were all class with halves Jahrome Hughes and Dylan Brown steering the ship and wingers Ronaldo Mulitalo and Jamayne Isaako dazzling on the edges.

Held scoreless for the first time since their 2005 Tri-Nations final defeat to New Zealand, the Kangaroos costs themselves any chance to break down the Kiwis’ early momentum with 50 missed tackles and 11 errors leading to their heaviest-ever international defeat.

After several Kangaroos errors gifted his side early possession, winger Mulitalo started and finished it for the Kiwis opening try, making a long-range break before finishing a left side sweep later in the set. Isaako’s conversion made it 6-0 after 16 minutes.

The Kangaroos looked to strike back in the 25th minute when Daly Cherry-Evans looped a long ball to the right but Mulitalo produced an incredible shot to deny Valentine Holmes an opportunity to cross the line.

The Kiwis continued with their early momentum and were rewarded in the 35th minute, with their star-studded spine linking up to set up an airborne Isaako on the right and extend their lead 12-0 at the break.

Some early mistakes in the second half heaped more pressure on the Kangaroos and the Kiwi wingers pounced again with a Hughes cut out pass opening the door for Isaako to bag a double after another aerial finish in the corner.

New Zealand were on their way to a Pacific Championship trophy with Brown’s quick hands putting Timoko in space to score his first international try.

With eight minutes remaining New Zealand were able to put the game away with Griffin Neame tearing through the Kangaroos line to score under the posts and put the finishing touches on their Pacific Cup victory.

Match Snapshot

  • Kangaroos forward Cameron Murray was ruled out of the match on game day with Rueben Cotter starting in the backrow and Nicho Hynes joining the bench.
  • In a dominant first half showing the Kiwis enjoyed 59 per cent of possession to keep the Kangaroos scoreless at half time for the first time since 2005.
  • Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad had 277 running metres and six tackle breaks to go in a player of the match performance.
  • The Kangaroos missed 38 tackles in the first half, 21 more than the Kiwis (17).
  • Australia recorded their biggest Test losing margin after going down to New Zealand by 24 points in 1952 and 2005.
  • Last time Kiwis beat Kangaroos was in 2018.
  • New Zealand had lost seven of their past eight Tests against Australia.

Play of the Game

With the Kiwis boasting a 6-0 lead, the Kangaroos looked to strike back early but winger Ronaldo Mulitalo produced a monster shot to deny Valentine Holmes an early opportunity on the line in a crucial momentum shifter for New Zealand.

As seen on nrl.com

The Kiwis have the home-ground advantage while the Kangaroos have the momentum heading into Saturday’s Pacific Cup Final in Hamilton.

With Val Holmes contributing 16 points and Lindsay Collins grabbing the first try double of his career, the Kangaroos proved too strong for the Kiwis in a 36-18 triumph in Melbourne last weekend.

The Kangaroos have now won all 12 Test matches played in Australia since Mal Meninga took the helm but they will face a hostile reception from the fans at Waikato’s FMG Stadium and also from a fired up Kiwi forward pack seeking redemption.

Both sides are set to be at full strength for the decider and nothing will be left in the tank in the final match of another long and testing season for the game’s superstars.

The Kiwis have proven countless times during the past 20 years that lead-up form goes out the window when the silverware is on the line and the likes of James Fisher-Harris and Joe Tapine are sure to bring the heat to the early exchanges.

Team News

Kiwis: Coach Michael Maguire sticks with the same 17-man squad that went down to the Kangaroos in Melbourne with Joey Manu remaining in the centres and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad staying at fullback. Roosters youngster Naufahu Whyte is 18th Man once again.

Kangaroos: Props Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui return to the side after being rested last weekend so Jake Trbojevic and Tom Flegler make way. Liam Martin is also back in the starting side so Reuben Cotter reverts to the bench and last week’s debutant Nicho Hynes goes to 18th Man.

Stat Attack

  • This will be the first time since the Four Nations final in Wellington in 2014 that NZ has hosted a championship decider
  • This will be only the second time since 2014 that the Kiwis have played the Kangaroos in NZ
  • The last Trans-Tasman clash on New Zealand soil was the one-off Test at Go Media Stadium in 2018 when the Kiwis triumphed 26-24.
  • Both sides completed at 82 per cent in their clash in Melbourne last weekend. The Kangaroos completed 32 of 39 sets and the Kiwis completed 28 of 34.
  • Adam Blair and Ruben Wiki hold the record for most appearances for NZ against Australia with 24.

Read the full article on nrl.com

Auckland, New Zealand, October 31, 2023 – For the third week running the New Zealand Kiwis will have the same side when they face the Kangaroos in Saturday’s Pacific Championships final at FMG Stadium in Hamilton (5.00pm kick-off).

The competition decider pits the Trans-Tasman foes against each other on New Zealand soil for only the third time in 11 years.

The most recent was the one-off international at Go Media Stadium in Auckland in 2018 when the Kiwis stunned the Australians 26-24.

Five years on only centre Joseph Manu – who debuted that night – and captain James Fisher-Harris remain in the line-up playing this week.

In the only other Trans-Tasman battle in New Zealand since 2012, the Kiwis beat the Kangaroos 22-18 in the Four Nations final in Wellington in 2014.

The only survivor from the New Zealand side that night is the 33-year-old Kieran Foran who’s set for his 31st Test this week after making his debut as a 19-year-old in 2009.

The Kiwis go into Saturday’s final on the back of last Saturday’s 18-36 loss to Australia in Melbourne but are buoyed by having a rare opportunity to meet them at home.

“The players are excited about playing in such an important Test and doing so in front of a passionate home crowd,” said Kiwi head coach Michael Maguire.

“We’ve got great belief in our side and I’ve got a lot on confidence in where we’re going.

“We’ve had a good look at where we need to be better from last week and the boys will take those lessons into Saturday’s match in Hamilton.”

Jahrome Hughes and Dylan Brown are paired in the halves for the sixth consecutive Test while Penrith’s premiership-winning props James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota again lead the Kiwis’ charge in the middle of the park.

In the past 26 years, New Zealand and Australia have clashed only 15 times on this side of the Tasman with the Kiwis claiming six wins to Australia’s eight with one draw.

 

PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS FINAL

 

NZ KIWIS v KANGAROOS

FMG STADIUM, HAMILTON

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2023

 

 

NO. PLAYERS NAME HERITAGE NUMBER
1 CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD #820
2 RONALDO MULITALO #824
3 MATTHEW TIMOKO #832
4 JOSEPH MANU #815
5 JAMAYNE ISAAKO #808
6 DYLAN BROWN #826
7 JAHROME HUGHES #819
8 JAMES FISHER-HARRIS (c) #801
9 KIERAN FORAN #757
10 MOSES LEOTA #827
11 ISAIAH PAPALI’I #817
12 BRITON NIKORA #818
13 JOSEPH TAPINE #800
14 FA’AMANU BROWN #835
15 NELSON ASOFA-SOLOMONA #804
16 GRIFFIN NEAME #834
17 LEO THOMPSON #833
18 NAUFAHU WHYTE –
19 WIREMU GREIG –
20 KEANO KINI –

 

As seen on nrl.com

Two weeks after going to head-to-head in Townsville the Australian Jillaroos and Kiwi Ferns will meet again to round out the inaugural Women’s Pacific Championships.

It was the Jillaroos who came out on top in Week 1 with debutant Tamika Upton showing her class on the international stage to get the green and gold home 16-10 in a thrilling battle at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

The Ferns were straight back on the training paddock last week and looked to have built on their combinations, with halfback Raecene McGregor and centres Abigail Roache and Mele Hufanga sparking a 28-10 win over Mate Ma’a Tonga on Saturday.

After losing to their arch-rivals by 50 points in last year’s World Cup Final, Ricky Henry’s side will have taken plenty of heart from the six-point loss in Townsville and will be desperate to get their first win over the Jillaroos since 2016.

Meanwhile, Brad Donald’s Jillaroos will head to Melbourne well-rested and well-prepared to face the Ferns after a weekend off.

Donald fields a similar side to the that got the job done against the Ferns a fortnight ago and the Aussies will be buoyed by the inclusion of debutant Jakiya Whitfeld, who stole the show with four tries at the Australian Prime Ministers XIII’s clash last month.

Kiwi Ferns: Co-captain Shanice Parker is set to play her third different position in as many weeks after being named on the wing, following stints at centre and fullback against the Jillaroos and Mate Ma’a Tonga respectively. Her move is triggered by the return of Raiders flyer Apii Nicholls at fullback, with Cheyelle Robins-Reti the player to make way. The forward pack is unchanged from last week’s win over Tonga, while on the bench Ash Quinlan replaces Capri Paekau and Jasmine Fogavini comes in for the injured Amelia Pasikala.

Jillaroos: Wests Tigers star Jakiya Whitfeld will make her Test debut in place of  Julia Robinson (personal reasons). Lauren Brown is the new hooker with Keeley Davis going to the reserves. Cowboys hooker Emma Manzelmann makes her international debut off the bench while Yasmin Clydsdale has also been added to the interchange with Caitlan Johnston out due to injury.

Kiwis v Kangaroos – Saturday 28th October 8:00pm AAMI Park Melbourne

Available to watch on Sky Sport

Read the full article on nrl.com

As seen on nrl.com

The Kangaroos and Kiwis meet in a preview of the Pacific Championships final with both sides having already qualified for next week’s decider in Hamilton.

The last time the great Trans-Tasman rivals met was last year’s World Cup semi-final with the Kangaroos getting home 16-14 on the back of tries to Josh Addo-Carr, Val Holmes and Cam Murray.

Every contest between the Kangaroos and Kiwis offers the chance to make a statement and claim bragging rights so nothing will be left in the tank, particularly in the early exchanges when James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota lock horns with debutant Flegler and Cowboys hard nut Cotter.

Kiwis: An unchanged 17 from last week’s 50-0 hammering of Toa Samoa. After being a late addition to the starting side at hooker in week two, Kieran Foran will wear the No.9 jersey against Australia with Fa’amanu Brown reverting to the bench. Brown joins centre Matthew Timoko and fellow bench men Griffin Neame and Leo Thompson in making his second Test appearance for New Zealand. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Joey Manu are expected to again share time at fullback.

 

Kiwis v Kangaroos – Saturday 28th October 10:10pm AAMI Park Melbourne

Available to watch on Sky Sport

See full article on nrl.com

Auckland, New Zealand, October 24, 2023 – An unchanged squad has been named for the New Zealand Kiwis’ Pacific Championships contest against the Kangaroos at AAMI Park in Melbourne on Saturday night (8.10pm kick-off local time).

Kieran Foran is listed in the #9 jersey this week after being selected in the #14 shirt but starting at dummy half in the Kiwis’ commanding 50-0 victory over Toa Samoa at Eden Park last Saturday.

The 33-year-old 282-game NRL veteran is set for his 30th Test since his debut as a 19-year-old against England in the 2009 Four Nations in Huddersfield.

With frontline hookers unavailable, Kiwi head coach Michael Maguire called on halfback Foran to fill the void at dummy half.

He responded with a courageous display in an unbroken 58-minuter shift, finishing the encounter with 52 metres from eight runs and 31 tackles as he fronted up to the Samoans in the middle of the park.

“Kieran put his head in the middle against Samoa and did such a great job for the team,” said Kiwi head coach Michael Maguire.

“He’s a hugely passionate Kiwi who has been in this space for 14 years and he’d die for his teammates. He loves the jersey.”

The Kiwis’ win over Samoa followed Australia’s 38-12 victory over the beaten Rugby League World Cup finalist on October 14 ensuring the Trans-Tasman neighbours will meet in the final at FMG Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on November 4.

First they face off in just the fourth Test between the two countries in the Victorian capital.

The first was in 1991 when the New Zealanders famously stunned the Australians 24-8 at Olympic Park.

They met at Melbourne’s Telstra Dome in the 2006 Tri Nations, the Kiwis leading 15-14 before Australia scored late to win 20-15.

Their last meeting was at AAMI Park in the 2006 Anzac Test when the Kangaroos held on for 12-8 triumph.

 

NZ KIWIS v KANGAROOS

AAMI PARK, MELBOURNE

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2023

 

 

NO. PLAYERS NAME HERITAGE NUMBER
1 CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD #820
2 RONALDO MULITALO #824
3 MATTHEW TIMOKO #832
4 JOSEPH MANU #815
5 JAMAYNE ISAAKO #808
6 DYLAN BROWN #826
7 JAHROME HUGHES #819
8 JAMES FISHER-HARRIS (C) #801
9 KIERAN FORAN #757
10 MOSES LEOTA #827
11 ISAIAH PAPALI’I #817
12 BRITON NIKORA #818
13 JOSEPH TAPINE #800
14 FA’AMANU BROWN #835
15 NELSON ASOFA-SOLOMONA #804
16 GRIFFIN NEAME #834
17 LEO THOMPSON #833
18 NAUFAHU WHYTE Debutant
19 DANNY LEVI #806
20 WIREMU GREIG Debutant
21 KEANO KINI Debutant

 

 

October 23 2023

The 2023 16s and 18s boys and girls national representative fixtures showcased some of the best young rugby league talent throughout the four matches held at Auckland’s Bruce Pulman Park. Both Aotearoa Whaanui boys and girls teams produced wins over the Auckland invitational sides, while the Clubs v Schools matches saw the boys Clubs and girls Schools teams emerge as winners.

 

Aotearoa Whaanui 16s Girls v Auckland Invitational Girls

Aotearoa Whaanui 38-0

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.

 

Aotearoa Whaanui 16s Boys v Auckland Invitational Boys

Aotearoa Whaanui 20-10

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.

 

New Zealand Resident Clubs Boys v National Secondary Schools Boys

New Zealand Resident Clubs Boys 30-22

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 v National Secondary Schools Girls

National Secondary Schools Girls 32-28

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.

A double to Jamayne Isaako in first game for the Kiwis since 2019 has helped New Zealand to a dominant 50-0 win over Samoa in their Pacific Championships clash at Eden Park on Saturday.

Named the Ken Irvine Medallist following his 24 tries during the Telstra Premiership season, Isaako’s 25th and 26th tries of 2023 gave Michael Maguire’s side a commanding early lead that they wouldn’t look back from, running away with the contest to secure their first shut-out win on home soil in over two decades.

Playing their first game since a narrow defeat to Australia in last year’s World Cup semi final, New Zealand’s combination of power through the middle and quality work from their outside backs was simply irrepressible as Samoa struggled to generate sustained attacking pressure or go-forward.

Captain James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota and Joseph Tapine all starred early on for the Kiwis – along with a try-scoring Nelson Asofa-Solomona off the bench – with a blockbuster clash against the likes of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Payne Haas on the cards next week when they face Australia in Melbourne.

Named at fullback ahead of Golden Boot winner Joseph Manu, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad made an impact early for the Kiwis with his clever cut-out sending Isaako over for the first points of the game after 13 minutes.

The 2023 Ken Irvine Medallist was streaking away down the sideline not long after following a mazy run from Matt Timoko, with his Canberra teammate in Tapine sending Jahrome Hughes over at the end of the set to extend the lead to 12-0.

New Zealand’s third try in 11 minutes threatened to open the floodgates, with Isaako the beneficiary again of some clever work in the build-up – wrestling his way past Storm young gun Sua Fa’alogo to push the lead out to 18-0, which is how it would remain at the interval despite a number of close calls for the Kiwis.

Asofa-Solomona would make it a perfect start to the second half for New Zealand when he crashed over from close range before Isaiah Papali’i made it 28-0 with half an hour still to play after racing through to collect a Hughes grubber to score.

Denied a try in the first half when his arm grazed the sideline as he put the ball down, Ronaldo Mulitalo would eventually have his four-pointer when he crossed in the 60th minute – doubling up late on for the first brace of his international career – with late tries to Briton Nikora and Fisher-Harris took the winning margin to 50.

An obstruction denied Tommy Talau Samoa’s best points-scoring opportunity of the game when Daejarn Asi was ruled to have taken an advantage behind the lead runner, with the Kiwis posting a shut-out win in an international fixture for the first time since a 48-0 win over France at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.

Match Snapshot

  • The Kiwis had a very late change to their team list as the game began with Fa’amanu Brown going to the bench and Kieran Foran starting at hooker.
  • With the first try of the game, Jamayne Isaako registered his 25th four-pointer for the season after scoring an NRL-leading 24 tries during the season, before doubling up with his 26th try to extend the Kiwis’ lead later on.
  • New Zealand came up with eight first half errors compared to Samoa’s two, but came up with five linebreaks from their 12 completed sets.
  • Isaako had a game high 178 metres and four tackle breaks in the first half, finishing the game with a personal tally of 22 points (two tries, seven goals).
  • Joseph Manu finished the game playing in jersey 20 after having his initial jersey (#4) heavily torn during a first half tackle.
  • Matt Timoko had an impressive 11 tackle breaks on his international debut.
  • New Zealand halves Jahrome Hughes and Dylan Brown finished with more than 250 running metres between them along with nine tackle breaks.
  • The 50-point victory is New Zealand’s biggest winning margin against Samoa.
Joey Manu doesn't let the lack of a playing jersey hold him back.
Joey Manu doesn’t let the lack of a playing jersey hold him back.©NRL Photos

Play of the Game

Having already crossed for the first try of the game, Jamayne Isaako showed a clean pair of heels to cap off a sweeping move to the right – racing clear of his opposite number in Murray Taulagi before spinning through several tackle attempts by Sua Fa’alogo to extend the Kiwis lead out to three converted tries.

A hat-trick from centre Abigail Roache led the Kiwi Ferns to a 28-10 victory over a Tonga side who played the final half hour a player down following a send off.

Interchange forward Ilaisaane Taufa was marched by referee Wyatt Raymond following a hip-drop style tackle, which saw Roosters and Kiwi Ferns forward Amelia Pasikala taken from the field at Eden Park with a suspected broken leg.

While New Zealand were up 16-6 at the time and looking in control, the incident ended Tonga’s faint hopes of getting up for an upset victory, after they had trailed just 10-6 at half-time.

From there the Kiwi Ferns ran away with it, running in another three tries to claim a comfortable win, although Tonga will take heart from a drastically improved performance compared to past showings.

After Roache dotted down twice in the opening 11 minutes, it was looking like being a cake walk for the home side, before a spate of errors and penalties allowed Tonga back into the game.

It was one of those errors on 26 minutes – with Shanice Parker clean missing a loose ball when she attempted to kick it clear of the in-goal area – that gifted Tiana Penitani a try, which after Cassey Tohi-Hiku’s conversion reduced the gap to four at the break.

But New Zealand made a commanding start to the second period, with Pasikala scoring a try just after the restart of play, before her injury minutes later saw proceedings stopped for several minutes.

Another for Roache, followed by Annessa Biddle’s second try in as many games, and a Mele Hufanga try out wide stretched the gap to 18, with only Penitani’s try in the middle of it halting the Kiwi Ferns’ momentum.

If not for poor goalkicking – with Raecene McGregor converting just two of her side’s six tries – the final scoreline would have looked even better for Ricky Henry’s side.

Match Snapshot

  • The Kiwi Ferns made nine line breaks and broke 46 tackles in the win.
  • New Zealand centre Abigail Roache scored three tries and ran for 172 metres.
  • Kiwi Ferns and Roosters forward Amelia Pasikala suffered a serious lower leg injury on 41 minutes following a hip-drop style tackle which saw Ilaisaane Taufa sent off.
  • Tonga trailed by just four at the break despite only completing 60 percent of their first half sets.
  • Former Jillaroos forward Vanessa Foliaki topped the tackle count for Tonga with 33.

Play of the Game

After a torrid run with injuries, this was arguably Abigail Roache’s best performance in top-flight rugby league. Her unique mix of pace and power was on full display in this try, in which she made light work of the would-be Tongan defenders.

What’s Next

The Kiwi Ferns now prepare to face the Jillaroos in Melbourne, having lost to them by six points when they met earlier this month. Tonga don’t have another game scheduled in 2023, but will now look to build on what was a mostly positive match from their point of view, with Tiana Penitani and co no doubt having their eyes set on bringing a few more Tongan eligible players into the red jersey going forward.

New Zealand Kiwis A and Mate Ma’a Tonga A added another vibrant chapter to the nations’ burgeoning rugby league rivalry, getting the Eden Park triple-header underway with an 11-try thriller.

The Nathan Cayless-coached Kiwis A side ultimately prevailed 36-26 in a match characterised by big momentum swings. Kiwis A were ahead of the clock in storming to a 12-0 advantage, but Tonga A dominated the majority of the first half with the next three tries.

Three unanswered tries after the break put Kiwis A on course for victory, though a late flurry from Tonga A ensured the result was in the balance until the latter stages.

Following stirring pre-match Sipi Tau and haka challenges that would have done any Tonga or Kiwis side that has graced the international arena proud, the home side needed just two minutes to post the opening try after Tonga A’s kick-off sailed dead on the full.

Kiwis A halfback Zach Dockar-Clay and fullback Keano Kini combined superbly to give Melbourne Storm wing sensation Will Warbrick a path to the corner. Warriors livewire Taine Tuaupiki – lining up in the No.6 jersey – bounced the sideline conversion off the crossbar and over for an early 6-0 lead.

Tonga A successfully withstood another dangerous attacking raid, but an ill-conceived offload 10 metres out from their own line under strong defensive pressure gifted a try to Kiwis A second-rower Jack Howarth, a former Australian Schoolboys rep who made his NRL debut with the Storm in August.

After narrowly avoiding further scoreboard damage, Tonga A’s first genuine attacking set came unstuck when a deflected kick saw imposing Warriors NSW Cup tyro Jacob Laban charge 30 metres upfield for Kiwis A. Another chance slipped through the visitors’ fingers when fullback Delouise Hoeter couldn’t grasp a brilliant chip kick with no defenders in front of him.

The errors kept flowing from Kiwis A midway through the first half, but stout goal-line defence compensated for the drop-off in ball control.

The torrent of possession finally told in the 29th minute, however, when a barnstorming dummy-half run from ex-Warriors hooker Temple Koloamatangi-Kalepo opened Tonga A’s account. Naati Teaupa’s conversion pulled the scores back to 12-6.

Tonga A squared the ledger soon afterwards on the back of a magnificent charge from North Queensland-bound centre Viliami Vailea. Auckland-born 19-year-old second-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki – who played 12 NRL games for the Cowboys this season – busted the Kiwis A defence a couple of plays later and plunged over for his side’s second try.

The red wave continued to wash over a shellshocked Kiwis A outfit as Salesi Foketi won the race to a deft grubber two minutes out from the break, giving Tonga A a stunning 18-12 halftime lead.

Cayless’ charges returned from the sheds with far greater impetus. Kiwis A forced an early line dropout before Warriors top-grade regular Rocco Berry was held up over the line, but the centre’s incisive run and quick play-the-ball during the hosts’ next set laid the platform for an equalising try.

Hooker Danny Levi, a New Zealand Test rep at the 2017 World Cup and part of the current Kiwis squad, sliced up the Tongan defence and found quicksilver Titans teenager Kini backing up to finish off a 50-metre try under the posts.

Kiwis A regained the lead in the 53rd minute through recent Warriors NRL debutant Paul Roache, who took an offload from Dockar-Clay and made a beeline for the in-goal from 10 metres out.

Multiple errors from Tonga A proved costly as Kiwis A carved out a 12-point advantage at the hour mark.

Kini’s exquisite tip-on of a Tuaupiki pass from a scrum win gave fellow 2023 NRL newcomer, winger Ali Leiataua, a saloon passage to score out wide. Tuaupiki nailed another conversion from touch, his fifth of the afternoon.

Tonga A struck back with 14 minutes remaining – and in their first genuine visit to the opposition’s 20-metre zone in the second half. Classy backline hands opened up some space for big Burleigh Bears winger Tony Francis, who produced a sensational finish to slam the ball on the goal-line. But the missed conversion kept the scoreline at 30-22.

The result was effectively sealed soon after the restart, with Tonga A unable to clean up the kick-off. Great footwork and an even better flick offload from Berry sent Warbrick crashing in for his second try, while another superb sideline goal from Tuaupiki provided Kiwis A with a vital 14-point buffer.

A scoring chance fell by the wayside for Tonga A when Vailea’s long-range run from a Kiwis A mistake was foiled by a magnificent chase and cover tackle from former clubmate Berry. But with three minutes on the clock, excellent vision from Koloamatangi-Kalepo put left winger Sione Hopoate over untouched for the last try of a highly entertaining encounter.

New Zealand A captain Kalani Going, a revelation for the Warriors’ NSW Cup side and an NRL debutant in the final round of 2023, looked every bit the leader on both sides of the ball. Young Kiwis A forwards Howarth, Wiremu Greig, Pasami Saulo, and twin towers Benjamin Te Kura and Joe Chan grabbed their representative opportunity with both hands, while Dockar-Clay, Tuaupiki and Kini consistently provided offensive spark.

New Zealand Kiwis A 36 (Will Warbrick 2, Jack Howarth, Keano Kini, Paul Roache, Ali Leiataua tries; Taine Tuaupiki 6 goals) defeated Tonga A 26 (Temple Koloamatangi-Kalepo, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Salesi Foketi, Tony Francis tries; Naati Teaupa 3 goals) at Eden Park, Auckland on Saturday, October 21.

October 19, 2023

 

Kalani Going has become the second Northlander in a week to be named to lead a national team after being chosen as captain of the New Zealand Kiwis A side to face Mate Ma’a Tonga A at Eden Park on Saturday.

The 26-year-old follows in the footsteps of Kohukohu-raised James Fisher-Harris who was unveiled on Sunday as the Kiwis’ new captain for their Pacific Championships campaign starting against Toa Samoa on Saturday.

The proud Northlanders were both opponents and teammates in their younger years when Going was at Kamo High School and Fisher-Harris attended Whangarei Boys’ High School.

This week they have been brought together as brothers in arms alongside 35 other players in a camp that’s the first of its kind in New Zealand rugby league history.

For Going the appointment as captain adds another layer to an extraordinary past 12 months.

It has seen him go from mliking cows on the family farm to making his NRL debut with the One New Zealand Warriors, selection in the New Zealand Kiwis A squad and now the captain’s job as well.

A standout as his club’s captain in the New South Wales Cup, he finished the season by being named the One New Zealand Warriors’ NSW Cup Player of the Year and also made the NSW Cup Team of the Year.

Going will lead a Kiwis A side which boasts players with solid NRL experience and a host of the country’s most promising prospects.

He has been named at loose forward in a pack which includes Canberra’s former Kiwi hooker Danny Levi and Māori All Stars front rowers Pasami Saulo (Canberra) and Wiremu Greig (Parramatta). Halfback Zach Dockar-Clay (Sydney Roosters) and utility Asu Kepoaa also bank significant experience.

Named in the centres are 2019 Kiwi World Nines representative Bailey Simonsson (Parramatta) and Rocco Berry (One New Zealand Warriors), who has just come off his best NRL season so far; their fathers are both former All Blacks (Paul Simonsson and Marty Berry).

The side is packed with NRL rookies.

Apart from Going, winger and former All Black Sevens player Will Warbrick established himself in his debut season with Melbourne while others to make their maiden appearances this year have been fullback Keano Kini (Gold Coast), winger Ali Leiataua (One New Zealand Warriors), standoff Taine Tuaupiki (One New Zealand Warriors), second rower Jack Howarth (Melbourne) and bench forwards Paul Roache (One New Zealand Warriors) and Jack Chan (Melbourne). Canberra’s Trey Mooney, listed as 18th man, is also a rookie, his debut last year being his sole appearance before had added four games this season.

Second rower Jacob Laban (One New Zealand Warriors) is yet to make his first-grade debut as is giant bench forward Benjamin Te Kura (Brisbane) and 19th man Tanner Stowers-Smith (One New Zealand Warriors).

 

NZ KIWIS A v MATE MA’A TONGA A

EDEN PARK, AUCKLAND

1.30PM, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2023

  

NO. PLAYERS NAME CLUB
1 KEANO KINI Gold Coast
2 WILLIAM WARBRICK Melbourne
3 ROCCO BERRY One New Zealand Warriors
4 BAILEY SIMONSSON Parramatta
5 ALI LEIATAUA One New Zealand Warriors
6 TAINE TUAUPIKI One New Zealand Warriors
7 ZACH DOCKAR-CLAY Sydney Roosters
8 PASAMI SAULO Canberra
9 DANNY LEVI Canberra
10 WIREMU GREIG Parramatta
11 JACK HOWARTH Melbourne
12 JACOB LABAN One New Zealand Warriors
13 KALANI GOING One New Zealand Warriors
14 PAUL ROACHE One New Zealand Warriors
15 JOE CHAN Melbourne
16 BENJAMIN TE KURA Brisbane
17 ASU KEPAOA Wests Tigers
18 TREY MOONEY Canberra
19 TANNER STOWERS-SMITH One New Zealand Warriors
COACH NATHAN CAYLESS

October 19 2023

The 2023 16s and 18s boys and girls 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 as well as the return of Aotearoa Whaanui vs Auckland Invitational. 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 from both the NZRL National Secondary Schools and National Youth Tournaments. All matches are set to take place at Auckland’s Bruce Pulman Park on Monday 23 October.

NZRL General Manager of Football & High-Performance Motu Tony stated, “Another successful year of the National Secondary Schools and NZRL National Youth Tournaments 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 expanded 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 another representative opportunity.”

All games are free to attend at Bruce Pulman Park, Takanini, and will be live-streamed on the NZRL YouTube channel: youtube.com/playlist

 

Aotearoa Whaanui 16s Girls v Auckland Invitational 16s Girls

Monday 23 October Bruce Pulman Park 10:05 am

2023 NZRL AOTEAROA WHAANUI 16S GIRLS SQUAD

  • Manaia Blake-Thompson – Mid Central Vipers
  • Olive Connolly – South Island Scorpions
  • Lahnayah Daniel – Waikato
  • Bailey-Rae Edwards – Bay of Plenty
  • Mihikorama Kerr – Waikato
  • Charley Lahmert – Mid Central Vipers
  • Dormay Laufiso – South Island Scorpions
  • Riana Le’afa-Paki – Wellington Orcas
  • Hera Maihi – Wellington Orcas
  • Te Waikaukau Mathieson-Julian – Mid Central Vipers
  • Ava-Lea Maxwell-Ogilvy – South Island Scorpions
  • Sophie Parker-Cornelius – Mid Central Vipers
  • Prayer Playle – Mid Central Vipers
  • Kayshana Rapana-Phillips – South Island Scorpions
  • Te Ngaroahiahi Rimoni (Fanua) – Wellington Orcas
  • Celine Russell – South Island Scorpions
  • Lei Sipaia – Wellington Orcas
  • Te Maia Sweetman – Mid Central Vipers
  • Courtney Tyrell – Wellington Orcas

 

Aotearoa Whaanui 16s Boys v Auckland Invitational 16s Boys

Monday 23 October Bruce Pulman Park 11:35 am

2023 NZRL AOTEAROA WHAANUI 16S BOYS SQUAD

  • Huritetaha Barlow – Waikato
  • Kairus Booth – South Island Scorpions
  • Kaea Cribb – Waikato
  • Fine Fale – Waikato
  • Ezekiel Hammond-Siolo – South Island Scorpions
  • Rico Lemalie – South Island Scorpions
  • Torino Jackson – South Island Scorpions
  • Bishop Neal – South Island Scorpions
  • PJ Palamo – South Island Scorpions
  • Turama Paranihi – Waikato
  • Tavita Pomale – Bay of Plenty
  • Azaniah Roebeck – South Island Scorpions
  • Isaiah Savea – South Island Scorpions
  • Lorenz-Markel Strickland Rere – Wellington Orcas
  • Micah Sula – South Island Scorpions
  • Shae TeKauri Taitua – Wellington Orcas
  • Delahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi – South Island Scorpions
  • Timau Utiaro – Waikato
  • Romana Brent Whitiora – Waikato

 

 NZRL National Secondary Schools Boys v NZRL New Zealand Resident Clubs Boys

Monday 23 October Bruce Pulman Park 1:05 pm

2023 NZRL NATIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS BOYS SQUAD

  • Malakai Cama – Rotorua Boys’ High School
  • Zeke Faga-Ieti – St. Thomas of Canterbury College
  • Quiann Feterika-Mafoe – St. Paul’s College
  • Jeriko Filipi-Talisau – St. Paul’s College
  • Malachi Filipo – St. Paul’s College
  • Noah Harmer-Campbell – St. Thomas of Canterbury College
  • Chelden Hayward – St. Thomas of Canterbury College
  • Mikaele Ilaiu – Rotorua Boys’ High School
  • Maretino Kaloudau – St. Thomas of Canterbury College
  • Sosaia Latu – Otahuhu College
  • Tepatasi Laumalili – De La Salle College
  • Meihana Pauling – St. Thomas of Canterbury College
  • Elijah Paea – De La Salle College
  • Ezekiel Paulo – St. Thomas of Canterbury College
  • Kalani Peyroux-Donaldson – De La Salle College
  • Jason Salalilo – St. Thomas of Canterbury College
  • Junior Sikuvea – De La Salle College
  • Jackson Stewart – St. Thomas of Canterbury College
  • Lennox Tuiloma – St. Thomas of Canterbury College

2023 NZRL NEW ZEALAND RESIDENT CLUBS BOYS SQUAD

  • Te Kaio Cranwell – South Island Scorpions
  • Carlos Davis – Akarana Falcons
  • Atelea Filo – Counties Manukau Stingrays
  • Joshua Grewe – South Island Scorpions
  • Jaydyn Hoeta – South Island Scorpions
  • Hirini Holmes – Counties Manukau Stingrays
  • Psalms Iosua – Akarana Falcons
  • Dakota Kakoi – South Island Scorpions
  • Matiasi Lolesio – Auckland Vulcans
  • Xavier Lynch – South Island Scorpions
  • Allan Malama-Talataina – Auckland Vulcans
  • Lyrakai-Layke Posimani – Akarana Falcons
  • Raphael Sio – Akarana Falcons
  • Eteuati Jeremiah Tatupu – Counties Manukau Stingrays
  • Jamie Junior Te Whata
  • Francis Tuimauga – Counties Manukau Stingrays
  • Rodney Vea – Counties Manukau Stingrays
  • Maui Winitana-Patelesio – Wellington Orcas
  • Caleb Wright – Waikato

 

 NZRL National Secondary Schools Girls v NZRL New Zealand Resident Clubs Girls

Monday 23 October Bruce Pulman Park 2:45 pm

2023 NZRL NATIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS GIRLS SQUAD

  • Danii-Nicole Gray – Auckland Girls Grammar School
  • Riley Fruean-Otineru – McAuley High School
  • Ivana Lauitiiti – McAuley High School
  • Te Raukura Leafe – St. Mary’s College
  • Shafenior Lui – Southern Cross Campus
  • Shanthie Lui – Southern Cross Campus
  • Latesha Mitchener – Auckland Girls Grammar School
  • Luca-Bella Ngatuere-Ongley – St. Mary’s College
  • Seriah Palepale – Auckland Girls Grammar School
  • Evelyn Roberts – McAuley High School
  • Indiana Russell-Lia – St. Mary’s College
  • Giovanna Suani – Auckland Girls Grammar School
  • Josinah Filisi Tauliiili – Southern Cross Campus
  • Faith Tavita – Auckland Girls Grammar School
  • Alianna Tonu’u – McAuley High School
  • Jemma Tonu’u – McAuley High School
  • Tonga Toutai – Southern Cross Campus
  • Billie Va’a – St. Mary’s College
  • Paea Uilou – Auckland Girls Grammar School

2023 NZRL NEW ZEALAND RESIDENT CLUBS GIRLS SQUAD

  • Dorothy Brunt – Akarana Falcons
  • Maia Davis – Wellington Orcas
  • Gillian Fa’aumu – Auckland Vulcans
  • Tiaane Tavita Fesolai – Akarana Falcons
  • Dallas Flasza-Taupau – Wellington Orcas
  • Elenoa Havea – Auckland Vulcans
  • Milahn Ieremia – Akarana Falcons
  • Mele Kaufusi – Counties Manukau Stingrays
  • Tyler Limmer – South Island Scorpions
  • Leaony Macdonald-Tuimauga – Counties Manukau Stingrays
  • Danii Mafoe – Akarana Falcons
  • Tayla-Benét Masoe – Counties Manukau Stingrays
  • Ashlee Matapo – Akarana Falcons
  • Lialanie Muamua – South Island Scorpions
  • Jessica Patea – Wellington Orcas
  • Amiria Ranapia – Wellington Orcas
  • Marewakiterangi Samson – Akarana Falcons
  • Braxton Sorensen-McGee – Auckland Vulcans
  • Pasikalia Tuiatua – Wellington Orcas

The promising batch of players chosen to represent New Zealand Kiwis A in the opening match of Saturday’s triple-header at Eden Park will be eyeing the clash with Tonga A as a stepping stone to full Test honours.  

A 15-strong Kiwis A squad laced with experienced first-graders, emerging fringe NRL players and gun teenagers was named last week; they will be joined by three members of Michael Maguire’s Kiwis group not selected for the Pacific Championships Test against Toa Samoa.  

The selection of four Kiwis A tyros – Wests Tigers’ Asu Kepaoa, and Warriors trio Ali Leiataua, Jacob Laban and Tanner Stowers-Smith – in particular is a ringing endorsement of New Zealand Rugby League’s representative pathways.  

Versatile 23-year-old Kepaoa has already racked up 40 NRL appearances for the Tigers after being lured to Sydney by the Roosters aged just 17 and earning his NSW Cup spurs with North Sydney Bears.  

The Auckland junior represented Akarana Falcons and Counties Manukau Stingrays at age-group level, winning selection in the New Zealand Under-16s Merit Team, the New Zealand Residents 18s and – after linking with the Roosters – the 2019 Junior Kiwis side that featured the likes of Griffin Neame and Jordan Riki.  

Snapped up by the then-Maguire-coached Tigers midway through 2020, Kepaoa played five top-grade games on the wing and crossed for four tries. He had an extended NRL stint in the centres at the back end of 2022, while this year his 19 matches (in which he scored five tries) included starts in the second-row, in the centres and on the wing.  

Leiataua made his NRL debut in June as the Warriors memorably spoiled Canberra centre Jarrod Croker’s 300th game celebrations in a blistering 36-14 victory. The 20-year-old produced a superb display on both sides of the ball opposite the milestone man to announce himself as a star of the future.  

A hamstring injury suffered during that match sidelined Leiataua for more than two months, but he returned in time to play a standout role in the Warriors’ NSW Cup playoffs charge that ended at the preliminary final stage. In 16 NSW Cup appearances in 2023, Leiataua scored 10 tries, made 13 line-breaks, chalked up 77 tackle-breaks and six try assists, and averaged 137 running metres.  

The nephew of Warriors and Kiwis great Ali Lautiiti and the brother of Kiwi Ferns rep Onjeurlina Leiataua, the athletic outside back is a Papatoetoe Panthers junior whose representative achievements include New Zealand Residents 16s selection in 2019 (from Counties Manukau Stingrays) and New Zealand 18s Schools selection (from King’s College). A member of the Warriors’ inaugural SG Ball squad in 2020, Leiataua played for Auckland Blue in the 2021 NZRL Under-20s tournament before outlining his potential for Redcliffe Dolphins in the 2022 QRL Colts competition.  

Randwick Kingfishers (Wellington) product Jacob Laban – born in Moto’otua, Samoa – represented New Zealand Residents 16s in 2020 before finishing his secondary school studies in Auckland at Kelston Boys’ High. He was named College Sport Wellington’s rugby league player of the year in 2019 and earned the same award under the College Sport Auckland banner in 2021.  

Signed by the Warriors, Laban played in Redcliffe Dolphins’ under-18 and under-20 teams in 2022 and began this year in the Warriors’ SG Ball line-up. The 19-year-old second-rower’s rapid progress continued via 17 appearances at NSW Cup level – scoring five tries, and averaging 74 metres and 24 tackles a game – while he received a call-up to the Warriors’ extended bench for the final-round clash with the Dolphins.  

Tanner Stowers-Smith, also 19, capped a stunning 2023 rise with a late call-up to join six Warriors clubmates in the Kiwis A squad.  

The highly impressive middle forward hails from Canterbury Rugby League club Halswell Hornets and attended St Bede’s College, while he was briefly contracted to Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. A staple of Canterbury and South Island Scorpions age-group tournament teams, Stowers-Smith kicked off this season by captaining the Warriors’ SG Ball side.  

Stowers-Smith eventually made 13 NSW Cup appearances – including all three of the Warriors’ finals matches – and made a mighty impression in his five starts at prop or lock and eight interchange outings.  

An industrious worker on attack and defence with a dash of X-factor, Stowers-Smith comes from esteemed rugby league stock. His great-grandfather, Pat Smith, is a Canterbury legend and has the rare distinction of captaining the Kiwis in all 36 matches (including 10 Tests) he played for his country from 1947-49. CRL’s premier clubs vie for the Pat Smith Challenge Trophy on grand final day.  

New Zealand Kiwis A’s showdown with Tonga A kicks off at Eden Park at 1.30pm on Saturday, October 21. 

October 18, 2023

Four debutants have been named for the New Zealand Kiwis’ opening Pacific Championships match against Toa Samoa at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday (6.00pm kick-off).

Auckland-born Canberra centre Matthew Timoko is the only newcomer in the backline while Christchurch-born former Toa Samoa international Fa’amanu Brown (Newcastle) is set for his Kiwi debut at hooker.

The other two newcomers are West Coaster Griffin Neame (North Queensland) and Gisborne-born Leo Thompson (Newcastle) on the interchange.

Head coach Michael Maguire’s first selection of the year features 12 players who lined up for the Kiwis in their last international, the 14-16 loss to the Kangaroos in the Rugby League World Cup semifinal in Leeds on November 12 last year.

Winger Jamayne Isaako is recalled to the New Zealand team after last playing in the 2-0 series win against the touring Great Britain side in 2019.

“The core of the side is built around players who have shown the passion they have for the Kiwi jersey in the past,” said Maguire.

“Joining them are four players who are about to represent their country at this level for the first time. That’s hugely exciting for them and their families as it is for our whole group.”

The well-travelled Brown (28) provides significant international experience having represented Samoa since 2016 including at last year’s Rugby League World Cup in England.

Greymouth-raised Neame (22), who has made 43 NRL appearances for the Cowboys since 2021, was a non-playing member of the Kiwis’ squad for their mid-season Test against Mate Ma’a Tonga in Auckland last year.

The 23-year-old Thompson started the season by representing the Māori All Stars side against the Indigenous All Stars in Rotorua in February before making 25 appearances for the Knights to boost his NRL career tally to 41 since his debut last year.

Timoko (23) has made 62 appearances for the Raiders in the past four years, playing all 25 of their matches in 2023 when he finished with 11 tries, 118 tackle breaks and averaged 158 metres a game.

 

 

NZ KIWIS v TOA SAMOA

EDEN PARK, AUCKLAND

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2023

 

NO. PLAYERS NAME HERITAGE NUMBER
1 CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD #820
2 RONALDO MULITALO #824
3 MATTHEW TIMOKO Debutant
4 JOSEPH MANU #815
5 JAMAYNE ISAAKO #808
6 DYLAN BROWN #826
7 JAHROME HUGHES #819
8 JAMES FISHER-HARRIS (C) #801
9 FA’AMANU BROWN Debutant
10 MOSES LEOTA #827
11 ISAIAH PAPALI’I #817
12 BRITON NIKORA #818
13 JOSEPH TAPINE #800
14 KIERAN FORAN #757
15 NELSON ASOFA-SOLOMONA #804
16 GRIFFIN NEAME Debutant
17 LEO THOMPSON Debutant
18 NAUFAHU WHYTE Debutant
19 WIREMU GREIG Debutant
20 DANNY LEVI #806
21 KEANO KINI Debutant

 

 

 

Written by Suzanne McFadden as seen here on newsroom

Explosive Kiwi Ferns centre Shanice Parker never met her Kiwi dad until her teens. Now the Aussie-born multi-code star is embracing new whānau and giving her son what she missed out on.

Each time Shanice Parker pulls on the Kiwi Ferns jersey, it’s as if she’s adding another layer to a journey of discovery – finding out who she is.

“So, my story’s a little different,” 25-year-old Parker, one of the most exciting outside backs in rugby league, says.

“I didn’t know my dad until a bit later in my life. For a big part of my teenage years, I had a bit of an identity crisis.”

But now Parker, who’s spent all her life in Australia, is filling the gaps in her story – learning her whakapapa and connecting with her whānau in the Waikato. And becoming a true-blue Kiwi Fern.

Born in the Perth suburb of Yangebup, the daughter of former Jillaroo league star Danielle Parker, Shanice always knew she was Māori. But she knew nothing of her New Zealand dad until she was 11, and didn’t meet him for the first time till she was 16.

At first, she played footy for her country of birth – but in rugby, for both the Australian Sevens, then the Wallaroos 15s.

But as she began to connect with her Kiwi whānau (she’s Tainui, Ngāti Korokī Kahukura) and switched codes to rugby league, Parker realised she wanted to play for the Māori All Stars, and then for New Zealand. To represent this other half of her life she was unearthing.

Now she’s a mother, to 22-month-old Jakari, Parker says the journey is even more special. “It’s really ignited a drive to give my son what I never had,” she says. A new language, a new culture, a new family.

Sitting next to a pool in Townsville, where she’ll line up for the Kiwi Ferns in the Pacific Championship opener against the Jillaroos tonight, Parker is missing her little boy.

When she made her debut for the Kiwi Ferns a year ago, at the World Cup in England, she was able to take Jakari – then 10 months old – with her. Along with fullback Apii Nicholls and her one-year-old, Felix, they were part of a ground-breaking policy introduced by coach Ricky Henry – encouraging young mums to keep their babies with them on tour.

This past week, Jakari has been at home in Newcastle with Parker’s partner, former league player Kiah Cooper. But Cooper’s mum will fly to Townsville today with Jakari, so he can travel with Parker to Auckland, where the Kiwi Ferns play Tonga at Eden Park next Saturday.

There’s no shortage of “aunties” in the Kiwi Ferns offering to look after Kari. “In fact, he’s going to spend the week with my dad going to the kohanga reo where my dad works,” Parker says.

“My son is really lucky because he’s got two of the best cultures in the world – he’s Aboriginal on his dad’s side, and Māori on mine.

“That’s why I really love immersing myself in these Kiwi Ferns camps because I’m on my own journey as well. It started once my dad came into my life. So being in these camps really just feels so cup-filling.”

When she first met her dad, Robin White, and his wife, Holly, Parker was unsure whether they would begin a relationship. “It’s been kind of a weird feeling, because as soon as we connected, it was just like they’d always been there,” she says.

“It just felt so natural and everything made sense in that moment. Now I have extended whānau everywhere I go. It’s pretty cool.”

The Newcastle Knights scoring star – who’s also a youth worker, studying for a health degree – feels blessed to have a support network in two countries now. “I know it takes a village to raise a child. The girls I play with are a big part of that, but also my partner and his family back home,” she says.

“Kiah has held it down for us and been so supportive for me to come back into the elite space after having Kari. I wouldn’t be here without him, and all of them.”

Parker hopes her son will one day look back and appreciate growing up on league sidelines around the world.

“Obviously he won’t remember going on all these trips, which are a luxury my mum never had in her playing career,” says Parker, who was two when her mum played for the Jillaroos at the 2000 World Cup in England, while she stayed in Perth with her mum’s family. “Mum had to pay her own way, and it would have been expensive to take a baby and a carer with her.

“So it’s really cool how the game has evolved in that sense of supporting women if they have kids, or whatever they do career-wise. I know we’re very fortunate, and we really respect and honour the women who’ve come before us to create this pathway.”

Being a kid watching her mother play moulded the multi-talented player Parker has become.

“Mum obviously played a massive part in the player and the person that I am today. Six days a week, my siblings and I were at the footy fields – whether it was union, tag or league,” says Parker, who started playing league at five.

“There were other people in my life – like my aunty and my nana on my mum’s side – who were really important influences around my sport. My aunty [Melanie Wallis] played league for a Prime Minister’s squad, and even my Nana played. Well, not very well, but she jumped on the field with my aunty and mum.”

Mum Danielle is still playing club league in Perth: “She tries, she hobbles along,” Parker laughs.

It was her mum who encouraged her to leave home at 18 and move across the continent to take up a rugby union contract with the Australian Sevens – turning down a place in the Jillaroos training squad. Having taken up rugby at 15, she could see the professional opportunities sevens would give her.

Multi-code legend Honey Hireme-Smiler remembers seeing the young Aussie bolter playing sevens (it turns out they’re related by marriage).

“Shanice seems so chill and shy off the field, but when she’s on it, she’s a real competitor,” say Hireme-Smiler, now a Kiwi Ferns selector. “She has a massive game face, and she’s right in there. She’s such a dynamic and powerful player – she’s got speed and height, and amazing skills to play anywhere. She’s the full package.”

Parker started playing league again in 2018, and the next year made her NRLW debut with the title-winning Sydney Roosters. This year she collected her third NRLW crown, but with the defending champions Newcastle Knights, scoring an early try in their 24-18 win over the Gold Coast Titans.

“Back-to-back championship victories don’t happen that often, so we’re in a very privileged position,” she says. “It’s just so good to be surrounded by elite players like [NRLW Player of the Year] Tamika Upton, and Jesse and Hannah Southwell. And I’m fortunate enough to have that here with the Kiwi Ferns as well.”

Though some believe Parker is now playing some of her best football, she feels as though she’s just hitting her stride. “When I look back at where I’ve been, my confidence since having my son has just sprouted,” she says.

“I feel like I’m paying good footy because I’m having fun and I’m loving what I do. But there’s always little areas that I feel like I can tweak and improve on.”

But at 25, she reckons she won’t have long to make any modifications. She calls herself an “old girl” now and see her retirement only a few years away.

“When you become a mum, your priorities change. I love having my time away and keeping that little piece of yourself alive which is so important. So I’ll play maybe another three to four years and then I’ll be moving on,” she says. “Well, I say that now.”

The next World Cup in 2026 stands as a beacon in her career after last year’s disappointment, when a serious knee injury in a “weird, ugly tackle” in the second game against the Cook Islands ruled her out for the rest of the tournament.

Parker wouldn’t mind another shot at rugby – specifically with Chiefs Manawa in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition. “If I had the chance to play a season with the Chiefs, it’d be good for me to be around my Kiwi family,” she says.

“But I love league, I love the space. We’re all very supportive of each other and the sport has come from a long history of women getting nothing, to now being able to provide a bit more for our families and for ourselves.”

In the meantime, she wants to make her mark as a Kiwi Fern starter and establish herself as a leader; she’s just been named in a support role for new co-captains Georgia Hale and Raecene McGregor.

“Honestly, when Ricky asked me to be involved in the leadership group, I was a bit taken aback – but I guess I’m ready to step into that role now,” she says. “I’ve been a part of the game for a long time and I’m one of the older heads – and older bodies –in this very youthful side. So I’m really privileged to be part of the leadership squad.”

There are 11 debutants in the Kiwi Ferns line-up for this series, including Annessa Biddle, the NRLW Rookie of the Year and Players Player of the Year, who’ll combine with Parker in the centres tonight.

“I watched all of our debutants – but Annessa in particular – through the whole NRLW campaign. She came over and started off so hard, like one of the strongest outside backs in the game. Hopefully we’ll see a bit more of that on Saturday,” Parker says.

“We’ve got so much talent that’s being unearthed. I’m excited for the future of the Kiwi Ferns. It’s like the beginning of a new era.”

Away from the field, Parker has become a master of multi-tasking. On top of her league training, she works four days a week as a youth worker coordinating wellbeing programmes in schools. And she’s studying for a Bachelor of Health and Movement degree to eventually become a teacher.

“It’s all self-inflicted stress really,” she laughs. “My day usually starts by dropping off my son to daycare, going to work from seven till three, then driving an hour to get straight into training. Everything’s go go go – it’s like I don’t really have time to breathe sometimes.

“But being a parent is the hardest job of all. Sometimes I miss out on a lot of the cool things, as I get home from training like around 9pm and Kari’s in bed.”

But she hopes her son will one day understand.

“Having Kari reignited a spark and gave me more purpose – not just in footy but in life,” Parker says. “I love what I’m doing and I hope one day he can look back at this and say ‘My mum was so cool’. It’s cool to be able to be that female role model in his life.”

 October 15, 2023

Penrith’s three-times NRL premiership-winning prop James Fisher-Harris has been named to lead the New Zealand Kiwis in their Pacific Championships campaign.

The 27-year-old Northlander’s captaincy appointment was announced last night as the Kiwis and the New Zealand Kiwis A squads assembled in Auckland ahead of the Labour Weekend triple-header at Eden Park next Saturday.

The Kiwis take on Toa Samoa while the New Zealand A side will face Mate Ma’a Tonga A on a day when the Kiwis Ferns meet Mate Ma’a Tonga.

Fisher-Harris takes over the captaincy from veteran Kiwi Jesse Bromwich who has called time on his international career.

The 37 players selected for the two New Zealand teams gathered with staff and an array of Kiwi greats for last night’s announcement.

Ruben Wiki, Tawera Nikau, Stacey Jones, Stephen Kearney, Adam Blair and Nathan Cayless all spoke passionately about what the Kiwi jersey meant to them.

“It’s such a privilege and honour to be named to lead my country,” said Fisher-Harris.

“I’m proud to represent my family and the people from where I’m from (in Northland). It’ll be a special moment leading my teammates out against Toa Samoa at Eden Park.”

It won’t be Fisher-Harris’ first experience leading the Kiwis having filled the role for Bromwich in last year’s Rugby League World Cup clash against Jamaica in Hull.

“James has grown into a wonderful leader during my time with the Kiwis,” said Kiwi head coach Michael Maguire.

“He was a natural choice to become captain for this campaign. He’s so respected by all our players and staff alike, very much a leader whose actions do the talking.”

Fisher-Harris leads a Kiwi squad which includes 12 players who lined up in the 14-16 semi-final loss to the Kangaroos at the Rugby League World Cup last November.

 

JAMES FISHER-HARRIS

(Penrith Panthers)

Born: January 5, 1996

Birthplace: Rawene, NZ

Position: Second Row/Prop/Loose Forward

Height: 187cm

Weight: 103kg

Junior Club: Marist Brothers (Whangarei)

Other NRL Clubs: Nil

Kiwi Number: 801

Kiwi Test Debut: v Scotland, Workington, 2016

Tests: 12 for Kiwis (2016-2019)

Test Points: 4 (1 try)

NRL Games: 180 (2016-2023)

NRL Points: 48 (12 tries)

Auckland, New Zealand, October 10, 2023

 

Teenaged prop Tanner Stowers-Smith has added another chapter to his remarkable rugby league year after being called into the New Zealand Kiwis A squad for the Labour Weekend Triple-header encounter with Toa Samoa at Eden Park.

The Christchurch born and raised 19-year-old will go into camp in Auckland on Sunday alongside the rest of the A squad as well as the New Zealand Kiwis who are preparing to face Toa Samoa in their Pacific Championships international on October 21.

Stowers-Smith becomes the seventh One New Zealand Warriors player in the line-up joining clubmates Rocco Berry, Taine Tuaupiki, Ali Leiataua, Kalani Going, Paul Roache and Jacob Laban while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will also be in camp with the Kiwis’ Test squad. He’s one of three teenagers in the A squad, the others being Laban (19) and Brisbane’s Benjamin Te Kura (18).

The call-up caps an extraordinary season for the Halswell Hornets and St Bede’s College product.

The great grandson of legendary former Kiwi captain Pat Smith, Stowers-Smith excelled in both rugby league and rugby union as a schoolboy but opted for rugby league after finishing his schooling last year.

Signing a two-year deal with the Warriors, he started the 2023 season captaining the club’s under-19 side in the New South Wales Rugby League’s SG Ball Cup competition.

He appeared in all nine of the team’s games before being promoted to the New South Wales Cup side once the SG Ball season was over.

Playing alongside and against experienced campaigners, Stowers-Smith made his NSW Cup debut against the Sydney Roosters on April 30 and ended the season with 13 appearances including six starts.

 

NZ KIWIS A SQUAD 

 

NEW ZEALAND KIWIS A v  TONGA A
NAME CLUB
ROCCO BERRY One New Zealand Warriors
JOE CHAN Melbourne Storm
ZACH DOCKAR-CLAY Sydney Roosters
KALANI GOING One New Zealand Warriors
JACK HOWARTH Melbourne Storm
ASU KEPAOA Wests Tigers
JACOB LABAN One New Zealand Warriors
ALI LEIATAUA One New Zealand Warriors
TREY MOONEY Canberra Raiders
PAUL ROACHE One New Zealand Warriors
PASAMI SAULO Canberra Raiders
BAILEY SIMONSSON Parramatta Eels
TANNER STOWERS-SMITH One New Zealand Warriors
TAINE TUAUPIKI One New Zealand Warriors
BENJAMIN TE KURA Brisbane Broncos
WILLIAM WARBRICK Melbourne Storm

 

As seen on 1news.co.nz

Even Tyla Nathan-Wong admits she’s still coming to grips wearing the Kiwi Ferns jersey.

But it could soon become a regular occurrence, named in the New Zealand women’s squad for the upcoming Pacific Championship against Australia and Tonga.

“Obviously I’ve always been a big supporter and follower of Rugby League in general especially NRL and NRLW since it started from a far,” says Nathan-Wong.

“But never did I think I’d be pulling on the Kiwi Ferns jersey obviously you think far out how cool would that be one day if I ever could.”

“To think in my first year of ever playing league in the NRLW and be able to potentially pull on this jersey for what’s my fifth sport at an international level I’ll be pulling the black jersey on for.”

And it’s that wealth of experience that’s made her adjustment to the NRLW so easy.

While her side St George Illawarra Dragons haven’t fared as well as she would have hoped, Nathan-Wong still managed to form a strong halves partnership with fellow Kiwi Fern Raecene McGregor.

“She might be new to rugby league but as a professional athlete Tyla’s done it all really so she’ll call on a lot of experience to help her play well against the Australians and Tongans,” says Kiwi Ferns coach Ricky Henry.

The decision to switch codes, a “now or never” moment for the sevens Olympic gold medallist.

“In general playing contact sport your window is limited your body can only handle so much.

“But then being female too there’s that time where you do want to settle down and start a family and unfortunately out of the two you’re the one who becomes pregnant and has to hold the baby which is incredible in of itself.

“That’s why I knew, I just felt I was at a point in my career where I achieved everything I wanted to,” says Nathan-Wong.

Whānau was ultimately the determining factor for the 29-year-old especially considering her grandfather, David Wong, was the first Chinese-New Zealander to play for Auckland’s provincial rugby league team.

“He’s that proud person who will tell the supermarket check out person that I’m his granddaughter and to watch me on TV.”

No doubt grandad or gung gung as he’s affectionately called in the family, will be watching next weekend when the Kiwi Ferns kick the Pacific Champions off against the Jillaroos in Townsville.

Auckland, New Zealand, October 9, 2023

Eight NRL rookies and two teenagers yet to play a first-grade match feature in the New Zealand Kiwis A squad to face Tonga A in the Labour Weekend triple-header at Eden Park on Saturday, October 21.

With their eye firmly focused on the future, the national selectors have also included a mix of more established NRL players in a group of 15 players named today.

They will go into camp with the 21-man New Zealand Kiwis squad announced last week for the Pacific Championships encounter with beaten 2022 Rugby League World Cup finalists Toa Samoa.

Three of the 21 players in the Kiwi squad will be added to the New Zealand A line-up next week.

The eight NRL rookies named are Storm second rower Joe Chan (21), Warriors back rower Kalani Going (26), Storm back rower Jack Howarth (20), Warriors centre Ali Leiataua (20), Raiders middle forward Trey Mooney (21), Warriors hooker Paul Roache (24), Warriors fullback Taine Tuaupiki (24) and Storm winger William Warbrick (25).

Yet to play in the NRL are Warriors second rower Jacob Laban (19) and Broncos front rower Benjamin Te Kura (18). Both filled the 18th man role for their NRL sides in the final round of the 2023 regular season but didn’t make it onto the field.

The squad’s most experienced player is Eels centre Bailey Simonsson (25), who played the first of his 85 NRL matches for Canberra in 2019, the year he represented the Kiwis at the World Nines in Sydney.

Prop Pasami Saulo (25) has made 49 appearances for the Knights and the Raiders while centre Asu Kepaoa (23) has played 40 times for Wests Tigers and fellow centre Rocco Berry (22) has 31 appearances for the Warriors.

Also included is Roosters and Māori All Stars utility Zach Dockar-Clay (28), who played 14 times in his NRL debut season for the Bulldogs in 2022.

“It’s really exciting for New Zealand Rugby League being able to bring so many players together at the same time,” said New Zealand Kiwis head coach Michael Maguire.

“The players brought into the New Zealand A squad will all have the opportunity to be in camp with the Kiwis, to train alongside them and to show their potential as future Kiwi internationals.

“It’s really important for us to have an opportunity like this, not just for players striving to become Kiwis but also for coaches.”

Coached by former Kiwi captain Nathan Cayless, the New Zealand Kiwis A team faces Tonga A in the first game of the Labour Weekend triple-header (1.30pm kick-off) at Eden Park followed by the Kiwis Ferns taking on Tonga Women’s (3.45pm kick-off) and the New Zealand Kiwis against in their Pacific Championships encounter (6.00pm).

 

New Zealand Kiwis A Squad v Tonga A

NAME

CLUB

ROCCO BERRY

One NZ Warriors

JOE CHAN

Melbourne Storm

ZACH DOCKAR-CLAY

Sydney Roosters

KALANI GOING

One NZ Warriors

JACK HOWARTH

Melbourne Storm

ASU KEPAOA

Wests Tigers

JACOB LABAN

One NZ Warriors

ALI LEIATAUA

One NZ Warriors

TREY MOONEY

Canberra Raiders

PAUL ROACHE

One NZ Warriors

PASAMI SAULO

Canberra Raiders

BAILEY SIMONSSON

Parramatta Eels

TAINE TUAUPIKI

One NZ Warriors

BENJAMIN TE KURA

Brisbane Broncos

WILLIAM WARBRICK

Melbourne Storm

7th October 2023

 

The Sky Sport Women’s Premiership finals between the defending champions Akarana Falcons, and the Auckland Vulcans took place at Trusts Arena in West Auckland today. After an intense 70 minutes that saw both sides leave it all on the field, the Auckland Vulcans women claimed their first-ever Premiership title in the teams inaugural season in the competition. This completes a Vulcans double as the men’s side claimed the National Men’s Premiership title against Counties Manukau last week.

 

Sky Sport Women’s Premiership final – Auckland Vulcans v Akarana Falcons

Final score: Auckland Vulcans 14-6

As both teams battled against not only each other but also wet and windy conditions, outstanding and hearty efforts were shown in this match-up of the Auckland sides. The Auckland Vulcans were steered by veteran Krystal Rota at hooker and bolstered by strong runners including Onjeurlina Leiataua Hunt and Ngatokotoru Arakua. The Akarana Falcons were up to the challenge putting in tough and physical defence, with second-rower Ilaisaane Taufa standing out, aggressively asserting her strength in all tackles she was involved in. An excellent try-saving tackle by Paulina Morris-Ponga and Summer van Gelder of the Falcons kept the Vulcans from putting points on the board early. The game was scoreless up until 30 minutes in, when Moanekah Vaai placed a cross-field kick that was scored by Christyl Stowers under the posts. Makayla Eli successfully converted, bringing the score to just 6-0 in favour of the Vulcans at halftime.

The intensity did not die down in the second half as the poor weather conditions continued to cause trouble for both sides. A textbook tackle by Saphire Abraham caused the ball to come loose only 20 metres out from the Falcons try line, and the Vulcans wasted no opportunity spreading the ball wide for winger Sarah Filimoeatu to score. Not discouraged, the Falcons fought their way into good-ball area and a fine long-ball from Ronise Matini to Marewa Samson on the edge, saw Samson finish and put points on the board for Akarana. A Vulcans penalty on Samson while she dove for the try line warranted an extra conversion right in front of the sticks, successfully kicked by Taufa which brought the score to 10-6 with under 15 minutes remaining. The formidable Vulcans forward pack barged their way down the field, creating an opportunity for centre Leio Fotu-Moala to find space on the edge and find her winger Filimoeatu who crossed for her second. With mere minutes left on the clock, this ultimately sealed a hard-earned victory for the Vulcans.

7th October 2023

The Men’s and Women’s Championship finals for 2023 took place today at West Auckland’s Trusts Arena. The Bay of Plenty Lakers faced off against the Aoraki Eels for a shot at the National Men’s Championship title and promotion to the National Premiership for 2024. The Lakers female counterparts then faced off against the Waikato women in the women’s finals.

 

National Men’s Championship Final – Bay of Plenty Lakers v Aorangi Eels

Final score: Bay of Plenty Lakers 62-16

The Lakers dominated the men’s match-up after opening scoring with the first two tries in the game from Saxzon Ngaheu and Connor Hohepa. Aoraki replied with a try of their own right under the posts, with Robertson James effectively dummying the defence to put the Eels on the board. Not discouraged, the men from the Bay hit back, with their forward pack charging up the middle of the field and spreading the ball to the right edge for winger Ethan Stuart to score. Although the Aoraki District team struggled to keep the Lakers out, the Eels scored once more before halftime after centre King David Paulo took on 4 defenders to score, bringing it to 28-10 at the half. The second half saw the Bay of Plenty side maintain their scoring momentum, Ethan Stuart scoring a double and Te Mana Te Maari completing a hat-trick. Aoraki’s George Hufanga managed to score once more for the South Islanders just before the full-time whistle, bringing the final score to 62-16. The Bay of Plenty Lakers men claimed the National Championship title and promotion to the Premiership for 2024.

 

National Women’s Championship Final – Bay of Plenty Lakers v Waikato

Final score: Waikato 22-8

In the subsequent women’s match, the Waikato side came out firing creating an opportunity for winger Katie Corbett to cross for a try on the left edge. In quick succession, her centre Leah-Rhys Toka strong-armed her way through three Bay of Plenty defenders to score another. A third Waikato try by Manirewa Howell put them further in the lead, but the Lakers women successfully put points on the board through Jayleigh Tamati, bringing it to 18-4 halftime. The second half saw a closer contest as strong defensive efforts from the Lakers kept Waikato from scoring until late in the half. The Bay of Plenty women did well to score a second through Kjahn Senior, however Waikato maintained their lead from the first half and scored again, bringing the full-time score to 22-8 in their favour. The Waikato women are now the National Women’s Championship victors and have earned promotion to compete in the Sky Sport Women’s Premiership in 2024.

6th October

The NZRL Sky Sport Women’s Premiership finals take place this Saturday, 7th October 2:00 pm at West Auckland’s Trusts Arena, between the Auckland Vulcans and the Akarana Falcons.

The Auckland Vulcans enter the final contending to claim their first Women’s Premiership title, having earned promotion after winning the 2022 Women’s Championship. Akarana will defend their 2022 title, the side’s first premiership title since 2011.

The sides faced off earlier in Round 2, which saw the Vulcans make a comeback to narrowly win 22-16. Both teams will feature veterans and international representatives alongside up-and-coming young talent.

Most notably for the Vulcans are prominent former Kiwi Ferns Krystal Rota and Shontelle Woodman, who will steer the side as they have throughout the team’s undefeated campaign. Fellow former Kiwi Ferns Onjeurlina Leiataua Hunt and Ngatokotoru Arakua have also had stellar performances for the team thus far, and are ones to watch for.

For the opposing Falcons outfit, former Kiwi Fern and Tonga international Lavinia Tauhalaliku brings her experience and strength. Ahi Kā representatives Ilaisaane Taufa, Ronise Matini, Marewa Samson, Monica Samita, and Summer van Gelder will also feature for Akarana.

The Premiership final will be hotly contested as Akarana looks to defend their title from the formidable undefeated Vulcans side.

The National Men’s and Women’s Championship finals will also be played at 10:00 am and 12:00 pm before the Women’s Premiership finals.

Head down to Trusts Arena Henderson, or catch all the action live on Sky Sport!

 

MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

BAY OF PLENTY LAKERS v AORAKI EELS – 10:00 am

 

WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

WAIKATO v BAY OF PLENTY – 12:00 pm

 

SKY SPORT WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP FINAL

AUCKLAND VULCANS v COUNTIES MANUKAU STINGRAYS – 2:00 pm

 

Auckland, New Zealand, October 4, 2023

Seven players are in line to make their New Zealand debuts after being named in the Kiwis’ 21-man squad for the inaugural Pacific Championships. 

The potential debutants are led by North Queensland prop Griffin Neame, a non-playing member of the New Zealand squad for last year’s mid-season Test against Mate Ma’a Tonga. 

Also named is Christchurch-born Newcastle utility Fa’amanu Brown, who comes into the New Zealand squad for the first time after representing Toa Samoa at last year’s Rugby League World Cup. 

Joining Neame and Brown are Parramatta and Māori All Stars front rower Wiremu Greig, 19-year-old Gold Coast NRL rookie fullback Keano Kini, Newcastle and Māori All Stars prop Leo Thompson, Canberra centre Matthew Timoko and Sydney Roosters middle forward Naufahu Whyte. 

Two former Kiwis who have also played for Samoa have been recalled. 

Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako finished the 2023 NRL season as both the leading try scorer and the top points scorer. He last represented the Kiwis against Great Britain in 2019 as well as representing Samoa earlier that season. 

And experienced Canberra and Māori All Stars hooker Danny Levi returns after last playing for New Zealand at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. He has represented Toa Samoa since 2019 including at the World Cup last year.  

The remaining 12 players named were all in the Kiwis’ line-up for their World Cup semi-final against the Kangaroos when they were denied 16-14 in an epic battle at Elland Road in Leeds. 

Returning from the backline that night are 2022 Golden Boot winner Joseph Manu, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dylan Brown and Jahrome Hughes. 

Penrith’s premiership-winning props James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota are back along with Isaiah Papali’i, Briton Nikora, Joseph Tapine, Kieran Foran and Nelson Asofa Solomona. 

“It’s always a real thrill being able to bring new players into the Kiwi camp,” said New Zealand Kiwis head coach Michael Maguire.  

“It’s a special place and these men have earned the opportunity. They’ll benefit so much from being around players who have done the jersey proud. 

“This series is exciting for the game in New Zealand and also a chance for us to start our journey to the next World Cup in 2025.” 

The Kiwis begin their campaign against Toa Samoa in a Labour Weekend triple header at Eden Park on Saturday, October 21 before facing the Kangaroos in Melbourne a week later. 

The series final will be played in Hamilton on November 4.  

  

2023 Kiwis Pacific Championship Squad:  

NELSON ASOFA-SOLOMONA   Melbourne Storm  
DYLAN BROWN   Parramatta Eels  
*FA’AMANU BROWN   Newcastle Knights  
JAMES FISHER-HARRIS   Penrith Panthers  
KIERAN FORAN   Gold Coast Titans  
*WIREMU GREIG   Parramatta Eels  
JAHROME HUGHES   Melbourne Storm  
JAMAYNE ISAAKO   The Dolphins  
*KEANO KINI   Gold Coast Titans  
MOSES LEOTA   Penrith Panthers  
DANNY LEVI   Canberra Raiders  
JOSEPH MANU   Sydney Roosters  
RONALDO MULITALO   Cronulla Sharks  
*GRIFFIN NEAME   North Queensland Cowboys  
CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD   One NZ Warriors  
BRITON NIKORA   Cronulla Sharks  
ISAIAH PAPALI’I   Wests Tigers  
JOSEPH TAPINE   Canberra Raiders  
*LEO THOMPSON   Newcastle Knights  
*MATTHEW TIMOKO   Canberra Raiders  
*NAUFAHU WHYTE   Sydney Roosters  

 

* denotes potential debut

Auckland, New Zealand, October 4, 2023

Kiwi Ferns head coach Ricky Henry has confirmed his squad for the 2023 Pacific Championship, which features 11 potential Kiwi Ferns debutantes. 

Following their World Cup final loss to the Jillaroos last year, Henry calls on a fresh crop of NRLW talent set to stamp their mark on the international scene after impressive 2023 seasons.  

Among the new debutantes is NRLW rookie of the year medallist Annessa Biddle, who took the NRLW by storm, earning two tries, 1366 running metres and 33 tackle breaks. After being voted the Rugby League Players’ Association NRLW Rookie of the Year, Biddle looks to continue her flying form in Black and White colours. 

Joining Biddle in the squad is Sharks teammate and hooker Brooke Anderson. Anderson is no stranger to representative rugby league, having represented the Māori All-Stars and NSW Sky Blues in 2023. 

Olympic gold medallist and dual code star Tyla Nathan-Wong gets her first Kiwi Ferns selection after an impressive debut NRLW season alongside halves partner and Golden Boot winner Raecene McGregor. Dragon’s teammate Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa also gets her maiden call-up. 

Wests Tigers duo Leianne Tufuga and Najvada George join the squad after they combined for 2163 running metres this season, with Tufuga scoring five tries in nine appearances. 

Newcomers Jasmine Fogavini of the Brisbane Broncos and Amelia Pasikala of the Sydney Roosters help strengthen an already dominant forward pack. While Auckland and Taupō natives, Cheyelle Robins-Reti and Ashleigh Quinlan are named after stand-out seasons for the Canberra Raiders. 

Dally M Centre of the Year Mele Hufanga returns to the Kiwi Ferns after a break-out NRLW season with the Broncos. Veterans Georgia Hale, Apii Nicholls and Mya Hill-Moana also return, while 2023 NRLW champions Shanice Parker, Laishon Albert-Jones and Abigail Roache look to carry on their winning momentum. 

“We’ve listed an impressive group of players who have rightfully earned their spots, and we acknowledge them for their form in the NRLW competition,” Henry said. 

“The depth we have and the new generation of players coming through is exciting. I’m confident our newcomers will flourish alongside our World Cup campaigners and veteran leaders who set an excellent foundation for us last year. 

“The Jillaroos are world-class, and Tonga is no easy feat, but I’m confident in this playing group. I know everyone can’t wait to get out there.” 

 

2023 Kiwi Ferns Pacific Championship Squad:  

Abigail Roache  Newcastle Knights 
Amelia Pasikala*  Sydney Roosters 
Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa*  St George Illawarra Dragons 
Annessa Biddle*  Cronulla Sharks 
Apii Nicholls  Canberra Raiders 
Ashleigh Quinlan*  Canberra Raiders 
Brooke Anderson*  Cronulla Sharks 
Capri Paekau*  Parramatta Eels 
Cheyelle Robins-Reti*  Canberra Raiders 
Georgia Hale  Gold Coast Titans 
Jasmine Fogavini*  Brisbane Broncos 
Laishon Albert Jones  Newcastle Knights 
Leianne Tufuga*  Wests Tigers 
Mele Hufanga  Brisbane Broncos 
Mya Hill-Moana  Sydney Roosters 
Najvada George*  Wests Tigers 
Otesa Pule  Sydney Roosters 
Raecene McGregor  St George Illawarra Dragons 
Shanice Parker  Newcastle Knights 
Tiana Davison*  Newcastle Knights 
Tyla Nathan-Wong*  St George Illawarra Dragons 

 

* denotes potential debut

01 October 2023

The Auckland Vulcans and Counties Manukau Stingrays battled it out for the NZRL National Premiership title at Pukekohes’ Navigation Homes this Sunday afternoon.

However, it was the Vulcans that steamrolled the first forty minutes with nine consecutive tries in a clinical attacking display that never wavered.

The Vulcans scored five quick tries in the first 15 minutes of the half through co-captain Francis Leger, Levi Atiga, Samuel Desmond and other co-captain Simone Feao, who earned a double.

The Counties’ defence struggled to keep up with the Vulcans attacking momentum. Fullback Sefanaia Cowley-Lupo went over for Auckland’s fifth with consecutive tries shortly after to Freedom Vahaakolo and Patrick Sipley.

With a 38-0 score line in the 30th minute, Counties finally found possession. However, a lost ball over the try line saw points go begging. The Vulcans answered back quickly with a try to centre Fiohiva Faingaa, making it 44-0 at the break, a tough hill to climb for the depleted Stingrays.

The Vulcans opened the second half with a try to Levi Atiga, but the Stingrays’ second-rower, Ngarima Pita, finally put Counties on the board through a barging run up the middle, making it 50-6.

Vulcans co-captain Sione Feao answered back quickly with his hattrick as the Auckland dominance continued. Further tries to Sam Ngati, Makaia Tafua and a fourth to Sione Feao sealed the win 70-6.

The Auckland Vulcans were crowned NZRL National Premiers in a clinical 14-try display over Counties Manukau.

1st October

 

2023 Men’s National Premiership, final round

Canterbury Bulls v Waikato 12:00 pm, Navigation Homes Stadium Pukekohe

 

Final score: Waikato 34-22

In this North Island v South Island match-up, the Waikato men shot out of the gates first, scoring in their first attacking set in only the second minute. A well-placed kick, followed by a remarkable offload by Semisi Moala, put winger Thompson Karena over for a try in the corner. The South Islanders responded quickly with a try of their own produced by veteran left winger Penitito Ilalio, then successfully converted by Daniel Hartley. Capitalising off a repeat set and a Canterbury penalty, Waikato skilfully spread the ball right for Taylor Leef to score. The Cantabrians struggled to keep Waikato out, as Kena Rangi darted from dummy-half to crash over for the side’s third try. To close out the half, a line break by the powerful prop Samiuela Matangi created an opportunity for Mahuta Ngataki to score, bringing it to 20-6 to Waikato at halftime.

 

In the second half’s opening, the Waikato men continued their momentum, scoring early as Leef crossed for his second. Continuing to dominate through the middle of the park, an excellent kick was collected and scored by Karena in his second of the day. The South Islanders refused to go down without a fight, with #15 Jimmy Wihongi showing his skill and agility in an individual try. This seemingly energised the Bulls as their attacking efforts improved, with some deceptive ball play putting prop Matthew Black in for a try. On the game’s very last play, a pin-point kick put Ilalio in good position to score his second, closing the match. Despite the hearty late efforts by the Canterbury Bulls, the dominance of the Waikato men in the late first half and early second half could not be topped.

 

Canterbury Bulls try scorers

#5 Penitito Ilalio – 2 tries

#8 Matthew Black

#15 Jimmy Wihongi

Conversions:

#16 Daniel Hartley – 3/3

 

Waikato try scorers

#1 Mahuta Ngataki

#3 Taylor Leef – 2 tries

#5 Thompson Karena – 2 tries

#14 Kena Rangi

#23 Samiuela Matangi

Conversions:

#6 Evaan Reihana 2/5

#13 Jordan Grace 1/1

 

1st October

The NZRL Men’s National Premiership finals take place today 2:00 pm at Pukekohe’s Navigation Homes Stadium, between the Auckland Vulcans and Counties Manukau Stingrays.

The Auckland Vulcans enter the final, contending to claim their first National Premiership title, having earned promotion after winning the 2022 Men’s Championship. Counties Manukau will play in their first Premiership final since 2020, when they narrowly lost to the Akarana Falcons. Both teams enter the final unbeaten and will feature National Championship and Premiership veterans, alongside young talent in their debut men’s representative seasons.

Most notably for the Vulcans, prominent former Junior Warriors Dylan Tavita and Francis Leger will steer the side as they have skillfully done throughout the team’s campaign. Young Warriors SG Ball and NSW Cup players Sefanaia Cowley-Lupo and Makaia Tafua have had stellar performances for the Vulcans thus far and are ones to keep an eye out for.

For the opposing Singrays outfit, their formidable forward pack is bolstered by hardy ball-runners, including brothers Manu and Robert-Alan Fatialofa. The former Cook Island International Reece Joyce will take his position at halfback, while young up-and-comer, Warriors SG Ball player Phranklyn Mano-le-Mamea also laces up for the Counties side.

The Premiership final will be hotly contested as Counties secured their spot in the match-up by beating out the 2022 champions the Akarana Falcons last week. They will look to take that momentum into this contest against an experienced and talented Vulcans side.

The Canterbury Bulls and Waikato men will also play at Navigation Homes Stadium at 12:00 pm in a relegation match to determine who will move into the National Championship for 2024.

Head down to Navigation Homes Stadium Pukekohe, or catch all the action live on Sky Sport!

 

CANTERBURY BULLS v WAIKATO – 12:00 pm

PREMIERSHIP FINAL

AUCKLAND VULCANS v COUNTIES MANUKAU STINGRAYS – 2:00 pm

A number of Kiwis, Kiwi Ferns, and fellow New Zealanders are set to take the field in the NRL and NRLW Grand Finals this Sunday October 1st. The games will be played at Sydney’s Accor Stadium, featuring defending champions the Newcastle Knights women and two-time consecutive NRL Premiers, the Penrith Panthers, looking to achieve a three-peat.

 

NRLW Grand Final – Newcastle Knights v Gold Coast Titans, Sunday 1st October, 5:55 pm NZST

Newcastle Knights:

#3 Shanice Parker (Kiwi Fern #163)

#4 Abigail Roache (Kiwi Fern #168)

#11 Laishon Albert-Jones (Kiwi Fern #161)

#14 Nita Maynard (Kiwi Fern #137)

The Newcastle Knights look to defend their 2022 title and are touted as favourites to win, having only lost once during the regular season. Kiwi Ferns bolster the Newcastle side across the pitch, with Roache and Parker in the centres, Albert-Jones inside Parker at second row, and Maynard to come off the bench as a substitute hooker. The Knights secured their spot in the Grand Final after a thrilling Preliminary Final which saw them narrowly outlast the Brisbane Broncos.

 

Gold Coast Titans:

#4 Niall Williams-Guthrie

#13 Georgia Hale, Captain (Kiwi Fern #122)

The Gold Coast Titans women enter their first Grand Final as underdogs after finishing the 2022 competition in last place. In an outstanding turnaround, the Queensland side finished fourth on the table and then went on to beat the formidable Sydney Roosters outfit in the Preliminary Finals. Kiwi Fern veteran Georgia Hale will lead the team onto the park as they aim to win their first NRLW Premiership. Niall Williams-Guthrie will take her place in the centres after only her first season of rugby league, having made the code-switch from New Zealand rugby sevens.

 

NRL Grand Final – Penrith Panthers v Brisbane Broncos, Sunday 1st October, 9:30 pm NZST

Penrith Panthers:

#8 Moses Leota (Kiwi #827)

#10 James Fisher-Harris (Kiwi #801)

#11 Scott Sorensen (Kiwi #831)

Moses Leota and James Fisher-Harris line up as the starting props in Penrith’s daunting forward pack, while Scott Sorensen will appear on the left edge at second-row. The Panthers will look to complete the first three-peat since the Eels 1981-1983 Premierships, but were beaten by the Broncos once during the regular season. Penrith enter their fourth consecutive Grand Final, following a dominant 38-4 win over the Melbourne Storm in their Preliminary Final.

 

Brisbane Broncos:

#2 Jesse Arthars

#12 Jordan Riki

Young Jesse Arthars and Jordan Riki will lace up for the Brisbane Broncos after consistently exceptional seasons. Both have been in the Broncos squad since the club’s infamous last-place season in 2020. The fiery Brisbane side has since become a force to be reckoned with, due to their powerful forward pack and explosive backs. They enter the Grand Final looking to win their first Premiership since 2006.

29th September

The National Boys Youth Tournament Grand Finals today saw new victors South Island Scorpions crowned as the 16s grade champions, while the Counties Manukau Stingrays went back-to-back as 2022 and now 2023 18s title-holders. The Auckland Invitational 16s, Aotearoa Whaanui 16s, and New Zealand Resident Clubs 18s representative teams were named in the prizegiving ceremony, with selection having taken place throughout the tournament.

 

National Boys Youth Tournament Grand Finals recap:

 

16s Boys

Grand Final – South Island Scorpions v Waikato

Final score: South Island Scorpions 26-10

In this thrilling Grand Final, the South Islanders shot out of the gates first, scoring twice and converting once within the first 15. Momentum swung the other way as the young Waikato men fought back hard to regain their footing in the game. Tries by Walker and Whitiora and a successful conversion from Cowan equalised, bringing the score to 10-all halftime. In the second half’s opening, the Scorpions capitalised off a Waikato penalty for Roebeck to cross for his second try. Although the Waikato side continued to show great physical strength and speed in this contest, the Scorpions proved too strong, scoring twice more and claiming the title 26-10.

 

South Island Scorpions try scorers

#2 Azaniah Roebeck – 2 tries

#3 Ezekiel Hammond-Siolo

#4 Luciano Felise

#24 Bryce Hauraki-Carle

Conversions: #1 Kairus Booth – 3/5

 

Waikato try scorers

#13 Romana Brent Whitiora

#17 Mairangiatea Walker 

Conversions: #6 Te Kororangi Joshua Cowan – 1/2

 

18s Boys

Grand Final – South Island Scorpions v Counties Manukau Stingrays

Final score: Counties Manukau Stingrays 24-12

A repeat of the 2022 Grand Final, the returning champions Counties Manukau held majority of the possession and dominance in the first half. Francis Tuimauga and Sosaia Latu scored, with Latu successfully converting both, putting them in the lead 12-0 at halftime. The South Islanders were finally rewarded with two tries in the second half, both to Te Kaio Cranwell, as they refused to go down without a fight. Despite tough efforts and skilful play from the Scorpions, Counties Manukau were too formidable and claimed a back-to-back victory of the 18s grade.

 

South Island Scorpions try scorers

#12 Te Kaio Cranwell – 2 tries

Conversions: #6 Eli Bijl-Kakoi – 2/2

 

Counties Manukau Stingrays try scorers

#5 Sosaia Latu

#7 Cameron Tuipulotu

#10 Francis Tuimauga

#21 Eteuati Jeremiah Tatupu

Conversions: #5 Sosaia Latu – 4/4

 

2023 NZRL AOTEAROA WHAANUI 16S SQUAD

  1. Kaea Cribb – Waikato
  2. Kairus Booth – South Island Scorpions
  3. Ezekiel Hammond-Siolo – South Island Scorpions
  4. Fine Fale – Waikato
  5. Tavita Pomale – Bay of Plenty
  6. Lorenz-Markel Strickland Rere – Wellington Orcas
  7. Delahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi – South Island Scorpions
  8. Timau Utiaro – Waikato
  9. Turama Paranihi – Waikato
  10. Torino Jackson – South Island Scorpions
  11. Pj Palamo – South Island Scorpions
  12. Bishop Neal – South Island Scorpions
  13. Romana Brent Whitiora – Waikato
  14. Isaiah Savea – South Island Scorpions
  15. Micah Sula – South Island Scorpions
  16. Huritetaha Barlow – Waikato
  17. Shae TeKauri Taitua – Wellington Orcas
  18. Rico Lemalie – South Island Scorpions
  19. Azaniah Roebeck – South Island Scorpions

Emerging Player: Tevita Kilisimasi-Ioane – Mid Central Vipers

Tournament MVP: Fine Fale – Waikato

 

2023 NZRL NEW ZEALAND RESIDENT CLUBS BOYS 18S SQUAD

  1. Caleb Wright – Waikato
  2. Raphael Sio – Akarana Falcons
  3. Hirini Holmes – Counties Manukau Stingrays
  4. Dakota Kakoi – South Island Scorpions
  5. Xavier Lynch – South Island Scorpions
  6. Eli Bijl-Kakoi – South Island Scorpions
  7. Maui Winitana-Patelesio – Wellington Orcas
  8. Rodney Vea – Counties Manukau Stingrays
  9. Atelea Filo – Counties Manukau Stingrays
  10. Francis Tuimauga – Counties Manukau Stingrays
  11. Lyrakai-Layke Posimani – Akarana Falcons
  12. Te Kaio Cranwell – South Island Scorpions
  13. Carlos Davis – Akarana Falcons
  14. Psalms Iosua – Akarana Falcons
  15. Joshua Grewe – South Island Scorpions
  16. Jaydyn Hoeta – South Island Scorpions
  17. Eteuati Jeremiah Tatupu – Counties Manukau Stingrays
  18. Matiasi Lolesio – Auckland Vulcans
  19. Allan Malama-Talataina – Auckland Vulcans

Emerging Player: Jarod Cook – Northland Swords

Tournament MVP: Rodney Vea – Counties Manukau Stingrays

 

For past live streams, results of all Boys Youth Day 3 games, and all tournament content, visit linktr.ee/nzrlgrassroots.

29th September

The 2023 National Boys Youth Tournament has not disappointed, with the stage now set for the Grand Finals. In their first tournament stint as a District, Waikato 16s have exceeded expectations by making it all the way to the big dance to face a strong Scorpions outfit. In a massive campaign for the Southern Zone, both their 16s and 18s teams have earned title contention, with the 18s set for a 2022 Grand Final rematch against the Counties Manukau Stingrays.

The 16s Boys Grand Final match-up was set after a dominating victory by the South Island Scorpions and a hard-earned win by the Waikato young men. The Scorpions outfit put the Auckland Vulcans to the sword, winning 24-0, while Waikato fought and outlasted the Akarana Falcons 22-14. The 16s Grand Final between the Scorpions and Waikato will be played on Puketawhero Park Field 1 at 11:00 am, scheduled for live-stream on the NZRL YouTube page. In this match-up, players to watch out for include Lennox Tuiloma, Turama Paranihi, and Te Kororangi Joshua Cowan. The final to determine 3rd place of the 16s Boys grade will be played prior between the Auckland Vulcans and Akarana Falcons at 9:00 am on Puketawhero Park Field 2.

The Grand Final in the 18s grade sees an exciting rematch of the 2022 Grand Final between the South Island Scorpions and Counties Manukau Stingrays. In 2022, the Counties side dominated, comfortably claiming the title 28-12. In their semi-final, the Stingrays secured their spot in the final after beating the Akarana Falcons 16-8. Meanwhile, the Scorpions showed their dominance in their semi-final against the Vulcans, winning 22-4. The Grand Final will be played at 12:30 pm on Puketawhero Park Field 1, to be live-streamed on the NZRL YouTube page. This final will feature several recognisable standout players taking the field, including 2022 MVP Rodney Vea-Tuipulotu, Meihana Pauling, and Te Kaio Cranwell. The 3rd place final will be played earlier between the Auckland Vulcans and Akarana Falcons boys at 10:15 am on Puketawhero Park Field 4.

 

National Boys Youth Tournament Finals Draw  – Friday 27th September

16s Boys

Grand Final – South Island Scorpions v Waikato 11:00 am (Puketawhero Park Field 1*)

3rd/4th place final – Auckland Vulcans v Akarana Falcons 9:00 am (Puketawhero Park Field 2)

 

18s Boys

Grand Final – South Island Scorpions v Counties Manukau Stingrays 12:30 pm (Puketawhero Park Field 1*)

3rd/4th place final – Auckland Vulcans v Akarana Falcons 10:15 am (Puketawhero Park Field 4)

 

*live-streamed game on youtube.com/@NZRugbyLeague

For the entire National Boys Youth Tournament finals day draw and to keep up with all the action, visit linktr.ee/nzrlgrassroots

28th September

The highly anticipated 2023 NZRL National Boys Youth Tournament has been full-on, as teams of the best young men from throughout the country have battled for victory on the field. This year has seen an expansion as the Coastline, Bay of Plenty, and Waikato Districts entered the tournament. Day one saw some thrilling pool games, and day two produced closely-contested semi-finals across both 16s and 18s age-grades, with Grand Finals now set to be played tomorrow.

 

National Boys Youth Tournament Major Semi-Finals recap:

16s Boys

Semi-Final 1 – Auckland Vulcans v South Island Scorpions

Final score: South Island Scorpions 24-0

The South Islanders came strong out of the gates, scoring and converting twice within the first ten minutes. Scorpions kicker Kairus Booth then successfully notched a penalty kick while the Vulcans side struggled to score, bringing it to 14-0 at halftime in favour of the Scorpions. In the second half the South Island Zone boys continued to dominate and keep the Aucklanders from scoring, comfortably securing their place in the 16s Grand Final. #9 Rico Lemalie finished the match one try short of a hat trick.

 

Semi-Final 2 – Waikato v Akarana Falcons

Final score: Waikato 22-14

Akarana were the first to put points on the board after #12 Quinn Opuariki crossed for a try. Not to be outdone, the young men from the Waikato returned with some fiery attack to score twice and put them in the lead before halftime, 10-4. An intense second half saw the Aucklanders strike back, scoring quickly after kick-off to equalise. The two sides continued to battle going try for try, but ultimately it was Waikato who came out victorious 22-14. Waikato #9 Turama Paranihi finished with a double that helped his team take the win.

 

18s Boys

Semi-Final 1 – Counties Manukau Stingrays v Akarana Falcons

Final score: Counties Manukau Stingrays 16-8

In this battle of the Aucklanders, the Counties Stingrays produced a more dominant performance but the Falcons refused to quit, fighting right up until the final whistle was blown. The South Aucklanders kept Akarana scoreless to 16-0 up until the 43rd minute, but spirited gameplay was seen as both sides put their bodies on the line under heavy contact. Akarana centre #4 Isaiah Fale impressively scored a double  to put his team on the board, but Counties Manukau claimed the victory and will feature in tomorrow’s 18s Grand Final.

 

Semi-Final 2 – South Island Scorpions v Auckland Vulcans

Final score: South Island Scorpions 22-4

The South Islanders came out firing, scoring twice and converting once within the first ten minutes. The Scorpions side continued to dominate the Auckland side in the first half, scoring again while keeping the Vulcans out, 16-0 at the half. After several close attempts, the Vulcans were finally rewarded with a try in the 37th minute, but the Southern Zone team were too strong and comfortably took the win 22-4. Scorpions #6 Eli Bijl-Kakoi performed his kicking duties well, scoring six points with three successful conversions from four attempts.

 

National Boys Youth Tournament Finals Draw  – Friday 27th September

16s Boys

Grand Final – South Island Scorpions v Waikato 11:00 am (Puketawhero Park Field 1*)

3rd/4th place final – Auckland Vulcans v Akarana Falcons 9:00 am (Puketawhero Park Field 2)

 

18s Boys

Grand Final – South Island Scorpions v Counties Manukau Stingrays 12:30 pm (Puketawhero Park Field 1*)

3rd/4th place final – Auckland Vulcans v Akarana Falcons 10:15 am (Puketawhero Park Field 4)

 

*live-streamed game on youtube.com/@NZRugbyLeague

For the entire National Boys Youth Tournament finals day draw and to keep up with all the action, visit linktr.ee/nzrlgrassroots

 

Sports coaches play an important role in creating an environment of support, trust and open communication. By creating a culture that values hauora and waiora, the sense of winning goes beyond the scoreboard – the ultimate prize is the collective support, strength and spirit to overcome challenges on every front, whether in sport, or in life.

The ‘wellbeing wins’ is what Healthy Families Hutt Valley Practice Lead, George Lajpold saw as the gold from this year’s rugby league season, after having the opportunity to return to Randwick Rugby League Club, his origin club, to coach the Premier team and to mentor a new group of coaches that will look after senior grade teams. One of the key focuses was to adopt a hauora and waiora approach with the players and putting the person first before the athlete. To support the players, the team took part in a Find Your Front wellbeing wānanga with New Zealand Rugby League just prior to the start of the season.

Now that the club season has come to an end, George shares his reflections on the season after embedding NZ Rugby League’s mental wellness approach, Find Your Front, across the senior men’s and women’s teams at Randwick.

This season wasn’t an easy journey. At times we found ourselves having discussions with members of our community because our measurement of success conflicted with the traditional line of ‘wins on the board’, but these discussions were an opportunity to share our approach and raise the awareness and importance of hauora and waiora and Find Your Front.

Our motto was ‘One Team – One Club’.

George Lajpold (pictured left) with the Randwick Premier Squad Leadership Team.

What I suspected and was later affirmed was that our people are very busy and operate on limited time because life outside of sports has to take priority. Commitments to other sports, whānau, work, church, injury, illness, tangi, personal issues, holidays and personal wellness were some of the key factors that limited the availability of players.

As the premier squad, from our first week of the competition to the end, we had:

  • 57 training sessions, totalling to 6,840 minutes of training

  • a total of 41 players playing for the premier team

  • 17 of these players making their premier debut

  • 275 absences

  • and we did not field the same team twice during the season.

For me, our season this year did not focus on the number of wins but instead, and more importantly, it focused on ensuring our players normalised conversations around wellness and letting them know that they were well supported in this area.

When I reflect on what I observed with the players and what I was a part of in the application of hauroa waiora, our season was a huge success. I saw players conversing in matters around their hauora waiora, players checking with one another on their wellness, players holding each other to account and the bonds of the brotherhood that come from playing sport strengthen across the squad and on the board we were only 2 wins away from playing in the grand final.

More information about Find your Front

New Zealand Rugby League Wellbeing services

Find your Front podcast

As seen on nrl.com

Cronulla centre Annessa Biddle has claimed the 2023 Dally M NRLW Rookie of the Year Award after a superb debut season for the Sharks.

Spotted by Sharks recruiters playing for the Otara Scorpions in the Auckland rugby league competition, Biddle began her NRLW career on the Sharks’ edge before coach Tony Herman shifted the 21-year-old to right centre due to her strength and speed.

Biddle took her game to new heights on Cronulla’s right side and went on to score two tries, lay two assists and make 26 tackle breaks in her six games at centre.

“What a season it’s been for me and I’m just so honoured and privileged to receive this award especially with the amount of outstanding rookies there were,” Biddle said.

The Kiwi rookie also finished second in the competition for post-contact metres (620), only 83 metres behind star Titans prop Shannon Mato at the end of the regular season.

Biddle was also voted by the players as the Rugby League Players’ Association NRLW Rookie of the Year earlier in the week.

The other finalists for Dally M rookie of the year were China Polata from the Cowboys and Rilee Jorgensen from the Titans.

The 2023 Dally M Awards at Sydney’s Royal Randwick racecourse saw several Kiwi men and women take home some of the most prestigious awards at the NRL level.

The NRL and NRLW Dally M Teams of the Year recognises the best player in each position across all regular season rounds. Judges regularly vote on the best player in each position throughout the year, with a further vote conducted at the end of the regular season.

Significant changes to the Dally M voting process for both the NRL and NRLW competitions were introduced for the 2023 season. This season, two independent judges each gave out votes on a 3,2,1 basis for every game, meaning players could earn a maximum of six votes per game compared to three in previous years. The decision to add a second judge to assess each game in 2023 will increase the final total of points to players, but also the level of fairness in further removing potential variances arising from a single judge voting on a game.

First-class wingers Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Jamayne Isaako were named Wingers of the Year, with Jamayne also the NRL’s top point scorer this season. Watene-Zelezniak achieved the New Zealand Warriors club record for most tries in a season, while fellow teammate Shaun Johnson rightfully earned Halfback of the Year. Johnson had an outstanding comeback season that helped his side reach the NRL Preliminary Final for the first time in 12 years. He was only beaten by 1 point to narrowly miss out on the prestigious Dally M Medal.

Having only made their NRLW debuts at the beginning of the season, Mele Hufanga and Annessa Biddle took home the Centre and Rookie of the Year awards after consistently outstanding performances week in and week out. Hufanga starred for the semi-finalist Brisbane Broncos after debuting for the Kiwi Ferns at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup. The 21-year-old Biddle also finished second in the competition for post-contact metres (620). “What a season it’s been for me and I’m just so honoured and privileged to receive this award especially with the amount of outstanding rookies there were,” Biddle said.

 

2023 NRL DALLY M AWARDS, KIWI WINNERS

Winger of the Year – Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (New Zealand Warriors, Kiwi #794), Jamayne Isaako (Redcliffe Dolphins, Kiwi #808)

Halfback of the Year – Shaun Johnson (New Zealand Warriors, Kiwi #774)

 

2023 NRLW DALLY M AWARDS, KIWI WINNERS

Centre of the Year – Mele Hufanga (Brisbane Broncos, Kiwi Fern #166)

Rookie of the Year – Annessa Biddle (Cronulla Sharks)

 

For the full Team of the Year lists see here: NRL, NRLW

 

As seen on Sydney Morning Herald smh.com

Niall Williams-Guthrie remembers the intensity and the excitement of the 2004 NRL grand final.

She’d flown over from New Zealand to watch her 19-year-old brother, Sonny Bill Williams, play for the premiership in front of 80,000 people in just his first year in the NRL.

Nineteen years later, Williams-Guthrie is poised to experience those emotions all over again – but this time she’ll be on the field, rather than in the stands, when she runs out for the Titans in Sunday’s NRLW grand final.

“That was unreal, that was crazy [2004 final]. I remember sitting in the stands watching with all of our family, there was like 50 of us … it was a cool moment for our family,” Williams-Guthrie said.

“For me to even be a part of the Titans is massive, but hopefully be a part of a first premiership winning team, in any sport on the Gold Coast, is massive,” she said.

“We said we wanted to bring gold to the Gold [Coast]. We’ve never shied away that that was our end goal, but we knew we had to tick all the boxes to get there.

“To be able to put ourselves in the position where we are only one game away from doing that is just credit to the girls and our management.”

Williams-Guthrie is playing her first season in rugby league at the age of 35, after switching from rugby sevens where she won an Olympic silver and Commonwealth Games gold and bronze for New Zealand.

“Sometimes people talk to me like I’m a seasoned veteran because I’ve played sports for so long, but I’m pretty much 9-10 games deep in my league career,” she said.

And when she needs a bit of extra advice, her brother isn’t afraid to give some feedback.

“I get voice messages from him [Sonny], the whole debrief, after every game,” she said.

The Titans have been the surprise package of the NRLW season. Karyn Murphy’s team is made up of a mix of veterans like Stephanie Hancock (41) and Karina Brown (34), and a handful of teenagers fresh out of the Titans junior pathways such as Rilee Jorgensen and Destiny Mino-Sinapati.

One thing that Williams-Guthrie has that a lot of the younger players don’t is big game experience.

“One more set, that’s all we got. The next tackle, that’s all we got right now, right here and then,” she tells them.

“You can’t go too far ahead of yourself, or you don’t stay in the moment, and you’re thinking about the grand final, but you’re missing the tackle here.

“Whether it’s a good moment or a bad moment, you learn from it and you move on to the next one, and that’s what I’ve been drilling into some of the young girls.”

Just as she flew over to support Williams 2004, her family is flying across the ditch this weekend to cheer her on.

“The club helped me to get my daughters and Tama [husband] over for the grand final, so we just had to have that faith that we were going to be in the grand final,” she said. “They’re flying in the day before, and it’s been two and a half months since I last saw them, so it’s going to be a big reunion.”

September 27 2023

Tanaia-Aroha Herniman and Maia Crutcher featured in the inaugural U19 Ahi Kā Aotearoa team, who competed in the Harvey Norman Women’s Championship in the Gold Coast earlier this year. Now, the girls are preparing to move to Sydney together in the coming months, having signed on with the Manly Sea Eagles for their 2024 U19 Tarsha Gale Cup squad.

The Ahi Kā Aotearoa representative team Tanaia and Maia were part of comprised U19 players who participated in the ‘RISE’ Talent Development Programme, delivered in partnership with the NRL. The programme aims to better prepare young players for the rigours of high-performance environments such as the NRLW, targeting female players aged 17-19.

With the Ahi Kā team, Tanaia and Maia faced the First Nation’s Gems, QLD Ruby’s, NSW Country Women, and South Australia in the Championship. The Harvey Norman Women’s National Championship is an elite pathways tournament allowing players across Australia and now New Zealand to showcase their skills in the representative arena. “There’s a lot more opportunities for us as girls to get out there”, shared Tanaia.

Tanaia hails from Whangaparaoa, while Maia proudly comes from Whakapara, north of Whāngarei. Maia was part of the Northern Swords Wāhine Squad for the 2022 National Women’s North Island Championship. The 18-year-old has come up through the grades for the last three seasons at the Hibiscus Coast Raiders, and previously participated in NZ Māori Rugby League kōtiro tournaments. “The game has definitely grown ever since I first started playing, it’s good to see”, she reflected. Having previously played rugby union for Whangaparaoa College, Tanaia made the code switch to league and although only in her second year of playing she has already made a name for herself to earn sought-after recognition and opportunities.

As newcomers competing in their first National Girls Youth Tournament, Maia and Tanaia featured in the squad of 2022 champions and 2023 finalists, the Akarana Falcons. The girls earned selection for the Falcons after stellar seasons for the Hibiscus Coast Raiders in the Auckland Rugby League 18s competition this year. The pair shared much anticipation for the next step in their rugby league journey, which takes them to join the Manly Sea Eagles for the 2024 NSWRL U19 Tarsha Gale Cup season. As she now prepares to make the move to Sydney with her teammate and friend, Tanaia shared, “We’re super excited to be able to have this opportunity.”

“It’s a massive opportunity; we’re super humble and truly grateful,” said Maia.

 

26 September 2023

The 2023 National Girls Youth Tournament did not disappoint, as some of the best rugby league wāhine from around the country represented their Zones and Districts over three days. Following the successful inaugural tournament in 2022, 2023 saw an expansion as the Waikato and Bay of Plenty Districts joined the fold to field their best female talent. Spectators were treated to some exhilarating football, as returning players alongside new up-and-comers left it all on the field. The Grand Finals saw Counties Manukau Stingrays successfully defend their claim to the 16s Girls title, while the Auckland Vulcans dominantly took the victory of the 18s Girls grade. The very best young women from the tournament earned selection for the NZRL Aotearoa Whaanui and Resident Clubs representative squads to play in October.

 

NZRL 2023 National Girls Youth Tournament Grand Finals recap:

16s Girls

Grand Final – Counties Manukau Stingrays v Wellington Orcas

Final score: Counties Manukau 18-4

The Counties Manukau side put points on the board first after the ball was excellently spread wide for their left winger #2 Tiare-Anne Leuaga to score. Leuaga crossed again shortly after for her second, to bring the score to a modest 8-0 at halftime. As the second half kicked off, the Wellingtonians fought hard to regain some momentum, producing some excellent defensive work followed by Kyla Pasene scoring to put them on the board. Not to be outdone, the Stingrays outfit replied with a try by winger Shafenior Lui, then successfully converted through Limilaiti Paea. To seal Counties’ second title and complete her hat trick, Leuaga scored again, bringing it to 18-4 full-time.

 

18s Girls

Grand Final – Akarana Falcons v Auckland Vulcans

Final score: Auckland Vulcans 38-0

In this battle of Tāmaki Makaurau, a formidable Vulcans side dominated 2022 champions the Akarana Falcons, who saw losses to their squad throughout the tournament due to injuries. The Vulcans lineup featured several seasoned players, including Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Seriah Palepale, and Latesha Mitchener, while Claudia Finau captained the Falcons. Winger Angelica Vahai opened up scoring for the Auckland Rugby League side, followed quickly by Gillian Fa’aumu, who put another four points on the board. The side was relentless, scoring twice more and keeping the Akarana girls scoreless, 20-0 at halftime. The second half saw courageous play by the Akarana Falcons, including multiple close scoring attempts and a line break by fullback Malita Tapu. Ultimately, the Vulcans proved too dominant, claiming the 18s Girls title and finishing the game 38-0.

 

2023 NZRL Aotearoa Whaanui 16s Girls Squad:

  1. Celine Russell – South Island Scorpions
  2. Lei Sipaia – Wellington Orcas
  3. Te Maia Sweetman – Mid Central Vipers
  4. Courtney Tyrell – Wellington Orcas
  5. Prayer Playle – Mid Central Vipers
  6. Manaia Blake-Thompson – Mid Central Vipers
  7. Hera Maihi – Wellington Orcas
  8. Te Ngaroahiahi Rimoni – Wellington Orcas
  9. Riana Le’afa-Paki – Wellington Orcas
  10. Olive Connolly – South Island Scorpions
  11. Mihikorama Kerr – Waikato
  12. Lahnayah Daniel – Waikato
  13. Kayshana Rapana-Phillips – South Island Scorpions
  14. Charley Lahmert – Mid Central Vipers
  15. Dormay Laufiso – South Island Scorpions
  16. Sophie Parker-Cornelius – Mid Central Vipers
  17. Te Waikaukau Mathieson-Julian – Mid Central Vipers
  18. Bailey Edwards – Bay of Plenty
  19. Ava-Lea Maxwell-Ogilvy – South Island Scorpions

Tournament MVP: Mary-Jane Taito – Counties Manukau Stingrays

 

2023 NZRL New Zealand Resident Girls Clubs 18s Squad:

  1. Angelica Vahai – Auckland Vulcans
  2. Elenoa Havea – Auckland Vulcans
  3. Marewa Samson – Akarana Falcons
  4. Tiaane Tavita Fesolai – Akarana Falcons
  5. Danii Mafoe – Akarana Falcons
  6. Braxton Sorensen-McGee – Auckland Vulcans
  7. Maia Davis – Wellington Orcas
  8. Mele Kaufusi – Counties Manukau Stingrays
  9. Dallas Taupau – Wellington Orcas
  10. Leaony Macdonald Tuimauga – Counties Manukau Stingrays
  11. Ashlee Matapo – Akarana Falcons
  12. Claudia Finau – Akarana Falcons
  13. Tayla Masoe – Counties Manukau Stingrays
  14. Lialanie Muamua – South Island Scorpions
  15. Pasikalia Tuiatua – Wellington Orcas
  16. Dorothy Brunt – Akarana Falcons
  17. Jessica Patea – Wellington Orcas
  18. Milahn Ieremia – Akarana Falcons
  19. Amiria Ranapia – Wellington Orcas

Tournament MVP: Claudia Finau – Akarana Falcons

 

For past live streams, results of all Girls Youth Day 3 games, and all tournament content, visit linktr.ee/nzrlgrassroots.

26th September 2023

 

After a long and esteemed international Test career, with almost a decade of service to the Black and White jersey, Kiwi Fern #124 Krystal Rota has called time on her international career.

Former Manurewa Marlin and Papakura Sea Eagle, Krystal Rota developed into one of the most prominent players in women’s rugby league and one of New Zealand’s great captains in recent years. She went on to win seven NZRL National Championship titles with the Counties Manukau Stingrays, to which she captained the team to victory in four.

Krystal earned her Kiwi Ferns call-up in 2015 for the Kiwi Ferns v Jillaroos 9s match before later debuting off the bench in the Anzac Test.

Rota earned a promotion to the No. 9 jersey for the corresponding Anzac Test in 2016, then retained her spot for the following 2017 Anzac clash. By then, the dynamic dummy half had cemented her place in the Kiwi Ferns, soon joining the 2017 Rugby League World Cup team. Rota was a mainstay during the tournament and in the Ferns’ gallant defeat to the Jillaroos in the final.

After being crowned ARL Player of the Year in 2017, Krystal went on to feature in the 2018, 2019, and 2022 NRLW seasons for the New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle Knights, earning an NRL Dally M nomination for Women’s Player of the Year in 2018.

Back in Black and White colours, Krystal played a crucial role in the 2019 World Cup Nines campaign, which saw the Kiwi Ferns make history, upsetting Australia in the final, 17-15.

Rota also received captain honours in both 2019 and 2020 to lead the Māori All-Stars against the Indigenous All-Stars.

The veteran’s leadership qualities continued to be recognised in 2020 when she was named Kiwi Ferns’ captain for the end-of-season Test against Fetū Samoa. She subsequently earned Kiwi Ferns’ Player of the Year.

Most recently, Krystal led New Zealand in the mid-2022 Test against Tonga and was among the Kiwi Ferns’ most experienced campaigners at the England World Cup later that year. She played all five matches to ultimately finish her international career with 15 Test caps gained over seven years.

GM of High-Performance and Football at NZRL Motu Tony reflects on Rota’s illustrious career, “Krystal’s retirement from the Kiwi Ferns marks the end of an era, but her impact on the team and rugby league will remain.

“Her dedication and talent have inspired many players, particularly our young up-and-coming female participants. We are grateful for all she has done for the Kiwi Ferns and rugby league in New Zealand. We wish her the best in her future endeavours.”

New Zealand fans have had the privilege of seeing Krystal in the #9 jersey and leading the team by example for the past seven years.

Rota fondly reflects on her accomplished time as a Kiwi Fern and Kiwi Ferns captain,

“An absolute honour & privilege it’s been to wear the Kiwi Fern.
Worn with passion & pride, but now it’s someone else’s turn.
Memories I’ll forever cherish with lifelong friendships made,
The vision of playing at the pinnacle with many legends will never fade.
To represent our beautiful country in the code that I adore,
It’s been a dream come true, signing out Kiwi Fern #124.”

As seen on nrl.com

The National Rugby League (NRL) has announced the nominees for the 2023 NRL Dally M Team of the Year as well as several individual Dally M awards for the NRL Telstra Premiership.

The Dally M Awards recognise the game’s most outstanding performers from both the NRL Telstra Premiership and NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership each year, with this year’s awards to be presented on Wednesday, September 27 in Sydney.

Significant changes to the Dally M voting process for both the NRL and NRLW competitions were introduced for the 2023 season.

This season, two independent judges each gave out votes on a 3,2,1 basis for every game, meaning players were able to earn a maximum of six votes per game compared to three in previous years.

The decision to add in a second judge to assess each game in 2023 will increase the final total of points to players, but also the level of fairness in further removing potential variances that arise from a single judge voting on a game.

Any player suspended for a total of two NRL regular season games becomes ineligible to claim any Dally M award, while a one-game suspension brings with it a deduction of six points this year (compared to a deduction of three points in past seasons). Players who become ineligible for awards due to suspension are still able to pick up points in subsequent games so as not to distort the voting process throughout the regular season.

However, players who are suspended for two games will be ineligible to collect any awards, deeming Kiwi players such as Jeremy Marshall-King, Jahrome Hughes, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Marata Niukore, and Annetta-Claudia Nuuausala not available.

The NRL Dally M Team of the Year recognises the best player in each position across all rounds of the regular season. Judges vote on the best player in each position at regular intervals throughout the year with a further vote conducted at the end of the regular season.

The player who polls the highest number of votes in each position is included in the Team of the Year, while players who finish in the top three of the overall Dally M Medal leaderboard receive their respective position in the Team of the Year if available.

 

2023 NRL Dally M Awards, Kiwi nominees

Winger of the Year (two winners) – Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (New Zealand Warriors), Jamayne Isaako (Redcliffe Dolphins), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Cronulla Sharks)

Halfback of the Year – Shaun Johnson (New Zealand Warriors)

Prop of the Year (two winners) – James Fisher-Harris (Panthers), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm)

Second Row of the Year (two winners) – Briton Nikora (Cronulla Sharks)

Lock of the Year – Tohu Harris (New Zealand Warriors)

Captain of the Year – Tohu Harris (New Zealand Warriors)

Rookie of the Year – William Warbrick (Melbourne Storm)

YOUI Tackle of the Year – Joseph Tapine (Canberra Raiders)

 

2023 NRLW Dally M Awards, Kiwi nominees

Centre of the Year (two winners) – Annessa Biddle (Cronulla Sharks), Mele Hufanga (Brisbane Broncos), Shanice Parker (Newcastle Knights)

Five-Eighth of the Year – Gayle Broughton (Brisbane Broncos)

Halfback of the Year – Raecene McGregor (St George Illawarra Dragons)

Second Row of the Year (two winners) – Otesa Pule (Sydney Roosters)

Lock of the Year – Georgia Hale (Gold Coast Titans)

Captain of the Year – Georgia Hale (Gold Coast Titans)

Rookie of the Year – Annessa Biddle (Cronulla Sharks)

Try of the Year – Leianne Tufuga (Wests Tigers)

 

Read more on nrl.com

25th September

The 16s Girls Grand Final match-up was set after a dominating victory by the Counties Manukau Stingrays and a late comeback by the Wellington Orcas girls. The Stingrays outfit put Mid Central to the sword, winning 22-6, while the Orcas were able to fight back and outlast the Scorpions 16-10. The 16s Grand Final will be played on Owen Delaney Park Field 1 at 11:00 am, also scheduled to be live-streamed on the NZRL YouTube page. In this match-up, players to watch out for include sisters Shanthie and Shafenior Lui, Billie Va’a, and Te Ngaroahiahi Rimoni. The final to determine 3rd place of the 16s Girls grade will be played prior between the Mid Central Vipers and South Island Scorpions at 9:00 am on Owen Delaney Park Field 5.

The Grand Final in the 18s grade sees a rematch between the two Auckland sides, the Akarana Falcons and the Auckland Vulcans. The teams were in the same pool faced off earlier in the tournament, with the Vulcans side modestly winning 14-4. After significant losses to their squad from injury, the Falcons narrowly beat the Counties Manukau Stingrays in their semi-final 12-10. Vulcans secured their place in the final after beating a strong Wellington side 14-4. This Auckland derby Grand Final will be played at 12:30 pm on Owen Delaney Park Field 1, to be live-streamed on the NZRL YouTube page. This final will feature several formidable 2022 Tournament Team players, including Milahn Ieremia, Claudia Finau, and MVP Seriah Palepale. The 3rd place final will be played earlier between the Counties Manukau Stingrays and the Wellington Orcas 18s girls at 10:15 am on Owen Delaney Park Field 5.

 

National Girls Youth Tournament Finals Draw  – Tuesday 26th September

16s Girls

Grand Final – Counties Manukau Stingrays v Wellington Orcas 11:00 am (Owen Delaney Park Field 1*)

3rd/4th place final – Mid Central Vipers v South Island Scorpions 9:00 am (Owen Delaney Park Field 5)

 

18s Girls

Grand Final – Akarana Falcons v Auckland Vulcans 12:30 pm (Owen Delaney Park Field 1*)

3rd/4th place final – Counties Manukau Stingrays v Wellington Orcas 10:15 am (Owen Delaney Park Field 5)

 

*live-streamed game on youtube.com/@NZRugbyLeague

For the entire National Girls Youth Tournament finals day draw and to keep up with all the action, visit linktr.ee/nzrlgrassroots

 

25th September

The much anticipated 2023 NZRL National Girls Youth Tournament has been jam-packed, as teams of the best young girls from throughout the country have battled for victory on the field. Day one saw some thrilling pool games, and day two produced intense semi-finals across both 16s and 18s age-grades, with Grand Finals now set to be played tomorrow.

 

National Girls Youth Tournament Major Semi-Finals recap:

16s Girls

Semi-Final 1 – Counties Manukau Stingrays v Mid Central Vipers

Final score: Counties Manukau Stingrays 22-6

The first half of the match saw some outstanding attacking play from both sides, with the Vipers only narrowly down 12-6 at halftime. In the second half, the Stingrays kept the Vipers from scoring and eventually proved too dominant for the Mid Central Zone team, chalking up two more unanswered tries. The final whistle blew with the score at 22-6, five tries to one in favour of the Counties Manukau Stingrays girls.

 

Semi-Final 2 – Wellington Orcas v South Island Scorpions

Final score: Wellington Orcas 16-10

In this close match-up, the Southern Zone girls got off to a strong start, leading by two tries to none with the score line at 10-0 at halftime. Upon the second-half kick-off, Watene of the Orcas quickly scored initiating a shift in momentum. The team from the Capital continued to fight back into the game, scoring twice more to take the lead 12-10. Another Orcas try by Maihi with only 6 minutes left on the clock sealed the win for the Wellingtonians, securing their place in the Grand Final.

 

18s Girls

Semi-Final 1 – Auckland Vulcans v Wellington Orcas

Final score: Auckland Vulcans 14-4

The first half of this match was a back-and-forth contest, with the halftime score tied up at only 4-4 in a physical game. In the second half, the Aucklanders kept the Orcas out and scored twice more, with one successful conversion by Sorensen-McGee, to take the win 14-4.

 

Semi-Final 2 – Counties Manukau Stingrays v Akarana Falcons

Final score: Akarana Falcons 12-10

In a battle between the two Auckland sides, this semi-final came down to conversions. The Falcons did well to score first, but Counties were quick to reply with one of their own, followed shortly by another. The halftime score was 10-6 in favour of the Stingrays. An intense second half saw the reigning champions, Akarana, fight hard to keep Counties out, with the Falcons eventually scoring and successfully converting the try to take the win by two points.

 

NZRL National Girls Youth Tournament Finals Draw  – Tuesday 26th September

16s Girls

Grand Final – Counties Manukau Stingrays v Wellington Orcas 11:00 am (Owen Delaney Park Field 1*)

3rd/4th place final – Mid Central Vipers v South Island Scorpions 9:00 am (Owen Delaney Park Field 5)

 

18s Girls

Grand Final – Akarana Falcons v Auckland Vulcans 12:30 pm (Owen Delaney Park Field 1*)

3rd/4th place final – Counties Manukau Stingrays v Wellington Orcas 10:15 am (Owen Delaney Park Field 5)

 

*live-streamed game on youtube.com/@NZRugbyLeague

For the entire National Girls Youth Tournament finals day draw and to keep up with all the action, visit linktr.ee/nzrlgrassroots

25th September

The best female rugby league talent from all across the motu have converged on Taupō’s Owen Delaney Park for three days of football, representing their Districts and Zones. With all pool matches wrapped up and semi-finalists determined, new teams have emerged as front runners. In just the second iteration of the NZRL National Girls Youth Tournament since its introduction in 2022, the tournament has showcased the exciting development of young female players, Districts, and Zones.

 

South Island Scorpions 16s Girls

The Scorpions finished second in the 16s Girls Section A pool, closely behind Counties Manukau. With six Districts within the Southern Zone, there was no lack of talent for Head Coach Tyrone Rapana to select his squad from. Captain and utility player Sydelle Samuelu leads the girls, who also featured for Canterbury in the National District 9s Competition earlier this year. Samuelu shared that her goal for their campaign is to become the first Scorpions 16s Girls team to win the Tournament title. Forwards Olive Connolly and Dormay Laufiso have garnered attention, leading the team up the pitch with strong carries and tough defence. The girls are now preparing for their semi-final against the Wellington 16s Girls, which will be played at 1:00 p.m today.

 

Wellington Orcas 16s Girls

The Wellingtonians finished their round-robin matches undefeated, topping the 16s Girls Pool B ahead of Mid Central, Auckland, and Waikato. The squad features a number of girls named in the recent New Zealand Secondary Schools Tournament Squad, including co-captains Te Raukura Leafe and Luca-Bella Ngatuere-Ongley. The duo have had exceptional performances for the team from the capital and look to lead the girls out for their semi-final against the South Island 16s Girls.

 

Counties Manukau Stingrays 18s Girls

Entering the Tournament with a strong squad of girls from the Auckland Rugby League Secondary School and club competitions, the Counties Manukau Stingrays are confident and looking to go all the way. Coached by Sefuluai Bella Tamotu, the squad is bolstered by Ivana Lauitiiti, Alianna Tonu’u, and Danii-Nicole Gray from the New Zealand Secondary Schools Tournament Squad. Going undefeated in Pool B of the 18s grade, Counties look to face off against fellow Aucklanders, the Vulcans 18s Girls, in the semi-final at 2:00 pm.

 

For the National Youth Competition live streams, complete draws, and results, and to keep up with all the rugby league action visit linktr.ee/nzrlgrassroots.

As seen on nrl.com

Reimis Smith is hoping his role in the Storm’s finals campaign and the combination he has developed with wing sensation Will Warbrick can help earn him a place in the Kiwis squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships.

Smith, who missed last year’s World Cup after suffering back-to-back pectoral injuries, has played for the Junior Kiwis, represented Maori All Stars and was chosen in an extended New Zealand squad in 2018 but is yet to make his Test debut.

The 26-year-old lined up on the left wing for the Storm in Friday night’s preliminary final against Penrith, but 18 of his 22 NRL appearances this season have been at right centre alongside Warbrick who is also in contention for Kiwis selection.

Warbrick, an Olympic silver medallist with the All Blacks Sevens team, is vying with the likes of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Ronaldo Mulitalo, and Jamayne Isaako for a wing berth, but the Kiwis don’t have as many options in the centres.

“I missed out on the World Cup last year because of my injuries so I would love to get another opportunity to represent New Zealand,” Smith said.

“To share that stage with Will would be special. We are good mates, as well, so to achieve something like that with him would be unreal.”

“We played a lot of games together this year, with me at centre and him on the wing, so we have got that connection and I have seen how far he has come because I have been beside him most weeks.”

The pair have become good mates off the field and Smith, who first two seasons with the Bulldogs were on the wing, said he had tried to help Warbrick with his transition to the NRL.

“He is very professional, and I am sure they have similar values to the Melbourne Storm in the All Blacks system,” Smith said.

“He has asked for advice about things he can do better, and we have had those chats. He has really taken everything on board, and we have learned a lot of each other.”

Switching to the wing was a relatively smooth transition for Smith, who was just pleased to be playing after fearing the worst when he suffered a groin injury in Round 18.

A pec injury last year limited him to just nine NRL appearances after he was forced to undergo surgery for a second time following a mishap in the gym.

“I have been through quite a bit the last 18 months, particularly last year, so it is great to be back in this position and playing in a preliminary final,” Smith said.

“The first time I did it was hard but the second time it was more mentally tough than physically tough.”

“There is a very small percentage of people who do that injury again and especially to do in the gym – it made it even harder that it didn’t happen on the field.”

“It has been a long road for myself so to be back where I am I have to give myself a little pat on the back because it was tough.”

Read more on nrl.com

As seen on stoppress.co.nz

Following the launch a new Go Media site on the corner of Church and Neilson St in Penrose, Auckland, in time for the sold-out Warriors’ last home game in the finals series, New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) has named Go Media as its official Outdoor Media Partner.

Greg Peters, CEO of NZRL, says the organisation has been working with Go Media for several years but this move solidifies this long term relationship “where they can help to amplify our sport in general and future test series, starting with the triple header on October 21st at Eden Park”.

“It was great to see a record 28,000 crowd at the weekend walk up passed our advertising.”

Dae Chun, Go Media’s Auckland Sales Manager, says the Warriors performance this season means that “Rugby League is red hot right now, so it’s great to get behind NZRL to help build on that momentum for the Pacific Championship”.

“We created Up the Wahs packs for last weekend, which targeted all the sites we have going to and from the stadium, which sold out, and we will continue to create packs around every event at Go Media Stadium with our new site front and centre.”

Read the full article on stoppress.co.nz

September 22nd

2022 saw one of the most significant events in the grassroots rugby league calendar introduce the inaugural National Girls Youth Tournament. Now back for 2023, the Boys and Girls National Youth Tournaments will each spread over three days, kicking off with the Girls Tournament at Taupo’s Owen Delaney Park. Both tournaments will feature 16s and 18s grades.

Throughout the competition, the Aotearoa Whaanui and New Zealand Clubs teams will be chosen by selectors to play on October 23rd, at Bruce Pulman Park in Auckland. The Aotearoa Whaanui teams will be chosen from the 16s tournaments to face the Auckland Invitational sides. The New Zealand Clubs teams will be selected from the 18s tournaments to play against the New Zealand Schools teams.

 

National Girls Youth Tournament

Sunday 24 – Tuesday 26 September 

Owen Delaney Park, Taupo

Returning to Taupo, the National Girls Youth Tournament will see talented rugby league wāhine from throughout the country competing for their Districts and Zones over three days. The inaugural Girls Youth Tournament in 2022 had a spectacle ending with two narrow finals in both the 16s and 18s grades.

This tournament continues to enhance NZ’s female game, with Alexis Tauaneai completing her journey from the inaugural 2022 National Youth Tournament to becoming a part of the St. George Illawarra Dragons NRLW team. Additionally, Taleenza Nelson secured a Development contract with the Cronulla Sharks. The 2023 tournament will undoubtedly feature wāhine looking to complete the same journey.

 

National Boys Youth Tournament

Wednesday 27 – Friday 29 September

Puketawhero Park, Rotorua

The National Boys Youth Tournament will close off grassroots footy for September, returning to Rotorua’s Puketawhero Park to be held over three days. This tournament will see the best young tama toa compete across the 16s and 18s grades from Zones and Districts, including; Northland, Auckland, Akarana, Counties, Waikato, Hauraki, Bay of Plenty, Coastline, Mid Central, Wellington, and South Island.

 

Girls Youth Tournament Live Stream Schedule 

Sunday 24/09

10:00 am Wellington v Waikato 16 Girls (Pool B)

11:00 am South Island v Wellington 18 Girls (Pool B)

1:00 pm Counties Manukau v Akarana 16 Girls (Section A)

2:00pm Akarana v Waikato 18 Girls (Pool A)

 

Monday 25/09

10:00 am Mid Central v Waikato 16 Girls (Pool B)

11:00am Akarana v Auckland 18 Girls (Pool A)

1:00 pm 16 Girls Semi-Final

2:00 pm 18 Girls Semi-Final

 

Tuesday 26/09

11:00 am 16 Girls Finals

12:30 pm 18 Girls Finals

 

 

Boys Youth Tournament Live Stream Schedule

Wednesday 27/09

10:00 am Akarana v Wellington 16 Boys (Pool B & C)

11:00 am South Island v Bay of Plenty 18 Boys (Pool B & C)

12:00 pm Auckland v Waikato 18 Boys (Pool A)

1:00 pm South Island v Mid Central 16 Boys (Pool B & C)

2:00 pm Bay of Plenty v Mid Central 16 Boys (Pool B & C)

3:00 pm Counties Manukau v Northland 16 Boys (Section A)

 

Thursday 28/09

10:00 am Counties Manukau v Auckland 16 Boys (Section A)

11:00 am Wellington v Mid Central 18 Boys (Pool A)

1:00 pm 16 Boys Semi-Final

2:15 pm 18 Boys Semi-Final

 

Friday 29/09

11:00 am 16 Boys Finals

12:30 pm 18 Boys Finals

 

For the National Youth Competition live streams, complete draws, results, and to keep up with all the rugby league action visit linktr.ee/nzrlgrassroots.

As seen on dragons.com

Alexis was recognised for her excellent campaign at the club’s NRLW Awards in Wollongong, earning honours of the Coach’s Award.

Young Tauaneai proved to be a workhorse middle forward early on in her rookie season averaging 148 run metres per game and making 213 tackles at 96 per cent efficiency in her seven starts before unfortunately succumbing to a season-ending knee injury.

“I got a chance to meet her this year, it took some convincing to tell her how good she was but she’s been a star on our team,” Coach Jamie Soward said of the hard-working lock.

“When I watch her play I see a leader every single week. I’ve asked her to do different things, get different stuff in her game and she’s been able to do that. She’s quickly becoming a person everyone loves to play with.”

In a season which saw 15 players make their NRLW debuts for the Red V, 18-year-old Tauaneai proved a valuable contributor to Soward’s new-look squad.

Read the full article on dragons.com

As seen on sharks.com

In her debut season at an NRL level Annessa Biddle caught the eye and earnt the respect of her coaches, teammates and many across the women’s game, with the strong running Kiwi centre/winger winning both the NRLW Players Player and the NRLW Rookie of the Year awards.

The first Sharks captain, Tiana Penitani edged out Biddle and star five eighth Emma Tonegato in taking out the major NRLW award.

The Sharks NRLW awards were presented at the Porter Gallen Medal Night, held at Doltone House in Sylvania.

Porter-Gallen Medal Night Award Winners

NRLW Players Player
Annessa Biddle

NRLW Rookie of the Year
Annessa Biddle

Read the full article on sharks.com

As seen on nzherald

FMG Stadium Waikato will host the Pacific Cup grand final on Saturday, November 4, as part of the newly announced Pacific Championships in partnership with New Zealand Rugby League.

The 2023 Pacific Championships is a two-tiered competition with six men’s teams and seven women’s teams taking part in the tournament across two pools.

“I firmly believe the Pacific Cup will be the biggest international rugby league event on home soil since the 2017 World Cup,” said NZRL chief executive Greg Peters.

Hamilton City Council’s General Manager of Venues, Tourism and Major Events, Sean Murray, said: “We’re working hard to deliver an exceptional Pacific Championship final at FMG Stadium Waikato. The team looks forward to passionate fans and the exposure this game will bring to our city and region.”

“How special to bring the best players in the world back home to play in front of their communities,” Peters said.

“We’re excited to work with these Pacific teams to bring our rugby league heroes back home and unite fans across New Zealand and the Pacific.

“No other code can produce such a celebration of culture and passion; the atmosphere will be unmissable.”

Full schedule below:

Week One – October 14-15

  • Australia v Samoa (men) and Australia v New Zealand (women) at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
  • PNG v Cook Islands (men) and Samoa v Fiji (women) at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby

Week Two – October 21-22

  • New Zealand v Samoa (men), New Zealand v Tonga (women), and NZ Kiwis A v Tonga A (men) at Eden Park, Auckland
  • Fiji v Cook Islands (men) and PNG v Cook Islands (women) at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby

Week Three – October 28-29

  • Australia v New Zealand (men and women) at AAMI Park, Melbourne
  • PNG v Fiji (men) at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby

Week Four – November 4-5

  • The final of the men’s Pacific Cup tournament on November 4 at FMG Stadium Waikato, New Zealand
  • The final of the men’s Pacific Bowl tournament on November 5 at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby

Tickets for the Pacific Championships grand final are on sale to the public now from Ticketek.

As seen on nrl.com

Sharks captain Tiana Penitani reckons rookie Annessa Biddle is a centre in a back rower’s body.

“She could play in the middle easily. We’re really grateful to have someone like her in our side,” Penitani said.

Biddle believes Penitani is the role model to show her the way to a successful NRLW career.

The New Zealander comes of age next week when she turns 21 – but her display in the 16-8 win over St George Illawarra on Thursday night at PointsBet Stadium might mean she’s already there.

Biddle topped her Sharks teammates with 202 metres off 15 runs, having averaged more than 153 per game this year.

“Are you serious? That far?” Biddle told NRL.com in the dressing rooms post-game.

Considering all five members of the Sharks back-five ran for 110 metres or more against the Dragons, it’s no mean feat to come out on top.

She’s played all but one game for the Sharks this year – missing Round Seven due to a one-week suspension for a dangerous tackle.

Biddle was plucked by Sharks recruiters from the Otara Scorpions in the local Auckland rugby league competition to make her debut in the NRLW in 2023.

She opened her Sharks career playing on the wing outside Penitani but was then moved by coach Tony Herman to right centre due to her strength and speed.

“So coming from a winger to centre I just look at Tiana and all that she does – her work rate, her communication.”

“I kind of aspire to do the same but then I was put on the other side so I’m trying my best to learn what I did from her into practice. She is amazing.”

“A lot of people say I could go into the forwards but I like being in the outside backs and doing the hard yards and finding ways to split the line.”

She is managing fine in that department too with 23 tackle-breaks and four line-breaks in seven games. Defensively against the Dragons she was the only Sharks outside back to reach double figures in tackles making 18 and missing just one.

“I just love gathering knowledge as much as I can – from my teammates, players from different teams, my coaches and managers. I’m so eager to learn,” Biddle said.

“I’m Auckland born-and-bred but made my way over here this year and I’m loving it. We have a great culture here. We are close on and off the field.”

“But I’m still a Kiwi girl.”

That means she has her eyes on a black-and-white Ferns jersey one day.

It could be as soon as later next month when the Jillaroos play a two-Test series against New Zealand in Townsville and then Melbourne.

“Whatever happens, happens. If it’s not my year this year then I’ll try hard again next year. My aim is to get to the Kiwi team,” she said.

Read more on nrl.com

6 September 2023

 

Members of the New Zealand grassroots rugby league community across the motu get the chance to see their hard mahi recognised through the Pirtek Volunteer of the Month award.

 

This award is given to a volunteer who displays the core values of NZRL’s Kiwi Way: being family first, innovative, inclusive, respectful, and humble. NZRL is excited to announce that the winner of Volunteer of the Month for August 2023 is Nick Hennessy.

 

Nick is a proud member and coach of the kōtiro (young girls) at the Raukawa Ki Runga club in Ōtaki where over the past 2 years he has encouraged new girls to join the club and become involved in rugby league. He has always made sure that players and their families feel warmly welcomed.

 

Pirtek CEO Chris Bourke says, “Nick welcomes and appreciates new players regardless of their skill level”.

 

As a coach Nick goes above and beyond to help the kōtiro and their whānau overcome any barriers to their participation in the team and rugby league. This includes 3-hour round trips transporting girls to and from training, providing financial assistance, offering individual training sessions for players in need, and bringing in others with special skill sets to assist with coaching.

 

“Nick has also created an environment outside of league to help the girls form bonds with each other.”

 

With the young Raukawa girls being involved in multiple sports teams, Nick communicates with other coaches regarding trainings and games to make sure his players aren’t becoming overloaded. He welcomes the opinions of parents to ensure the girl’s well-being and safety are at the forefront and will adjust player positions so the girls feel comfortable on the field.

 

Behind every good man, is a great wife and that is Nick’s wife Taramea. They make a phenomenal team and the Raukawa whānau are extremely appreciative of everything they do, every opportunity they provide, and the overwhelming support they give to the kōtiro and whānau.

 

“Congratulations Nick for being Pirtek Volunteer of the Month.”

 

As seen on raiders.com

Canberra Raiders forward Joe Tapine has capped off another wonderful season in green, by taking home the Meninga Medal as the club’s best player in 2023, at the Raiders Presentation night at the National Convention Centre.

It’s Tapine’s second Meninga Medal in as many seasons, after winning the award last season.

It was a tightly contested affair this year with fellow Kiwis following closely as Sebastian Kris finished just two votes behind Tapine, while Matt Timoko rounded out the top three of voting.

Sebastian Kris was rewarded for his wonderful season with the NRL Coaches award. With the NRLW season having two matches remaining the Player of the Year was not awarded on the night and will be awarded at the end of their regular season.

Read the full article on raiders.com

As seen on stuff.co.nz

Jamayne Isaako is being tipped for a test recall after becoming the first player in 33 years since Rugby League Immortal Mal Meninga to lead the NRL for most points and most tries.

The Dolphins wing – who is eligible to play for the Kiwis and Samoa – celebrated a double last achieved by Meninga at the Canberra Raiders in 1990.

Meninga – now the Kangaroos coach – scored 15 tries and got 212 points in a 22-game New South Wales Rugby League premiership 33 years ago. Isaako dotted down 24 times and reaped 244 points in 24 appearances this year.

Yet, in many ways, Isaako’s feat is more outstanding. Canberra were the minor premiers and grand final champions in Meninga’s banner year, whereas the Dolphins finished 13th in their maiden season.

Isaako got as many tries in 2023 as he mustered in five years with the Brisbane Broncos.

“It’s a wonderful achievement for him,’’ Dolphins assistant coach Kristian Woolf said of the tries and points double after watching Isaako score a try and kick five goals in a 34-10 win over the Warriors in Brisbane last Saturday.

“For him to do that in a side that have not made the top-eight makes it even more special.

“He’s outstanding, and we’re very lucky to have him.’’

Dolphins and Kiwis captain Jesse Bromwich wouldn’t be surprised to see a national coach dialling Isaako’s number for upcoming tests.

“He’s been one of our best players all year,” Bromwich said. “He can do it all, his backfield carries are really strong and he’s finished really well.

“He should be expecting a call, for sure, he’s been outstanding.”

Christchurch-born Isaako made his NRL debut for the Broncos in 2017 but left them in 2022 for an 11-game stint with the Titans before taking up his three-year deal with the Dolphins.

Woolf said Isaako had been “very professional on and off the field”.

“Whenever he gets the ball, he’s got the ability to do something and make something happen.

“He doesn’t miss too many times when he gets the opportunity for a try, he’s been great in that department, and he’s been great with his goalkicking.

“He certainly deserves all the accolades.”

Isaako made his Kiwis test debut in 2019. He won the last of his five caps in 2019, and also had a test for Samoa that year to honour his father, Taai, who was fighting brain cancer.

He got the chance to play in front of his dad in Christchurch for the Kiwis against Great Britain in November 2019.

Isaako was regularly returning home to Christchurch to be with his family before his father died in 2020.

He wears the name ‘Dad’ on his wrist strapping when he plays.

After a standout start for the Broncos – he was the NRL’s top points scorer and rookie of the year in 2018 – Isaako played just one game in 2022 before his temporary shift to the Titans.

Now he’s made every post a winner at the Redcliffe-based Dolphins under veteran master coach Wayne Bennett in the company of a clutch of Kiwis, including Jesse and Kenny Bromwich, Kodi Nikorima, Jeremy Marshall-King and exciting rookie Valynce Te Whare.

Read more on stuff.co.nz

As seen on nrl.com

Shaun Johnson’s stellar 2023 season has been capped with three awards including the One New Zealand Warriors’ highest accolade – the Simon Mannering Medal – at the club’s 29th annual awards at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland tonight.

In a season of singular achievement he was also judged by his peers as the players’ player of the year and won the One New Zealand People’s Choice award voted by the public.

The triple sweep comes five days out from Johnson celebrating his 33rd birthday on the same day the One New Zealand Warriors meet Penrith in their first NRL finals match in five years.

In winning the premier award, Johnson emulates the great Stacey Jones, the only other halfback to receive the accolade in the club’s history when he was honoured in 1997.

Also rated as a strong chance to win the prestigious Dally M Medal as the NRL’s player of the year, Johnson has been in sublime form throughout his first season back home since the 2018 season.

He was on the field for all but 22 minutes of a possible 1842 minutes in the first 23 games of the campaign before being rested for Saturday’s final regular season match against the Dolphins.

He’s the competition’s fifth highest points-scorer this year with 176 including eight tries, his best season tally since he scored 10 tries in 2016.

Johnson has more try assists than any other player with a career-best 27 plus 24 line break assists, 16 line break involvements, 10 line breaks and 38 tackles breaks.

He has dominated kicking statistics with the most kick metres (11,866) and most kicks (383) while he is a close second for most attacking kicks (190) and one off the top for most short drop-outs with 25.

Yet it was Johnson’s defensive efforts including his kick-chase which won plaudits from his teammates and coaching staff alike. He has made a career-high 433 tackles so far at an effective tackling rate of 92 per cent, the best he has ever achieved.

3 September 2023

 

The 2023 NZRL National Secondary School Tournament did not disappoint, as some of the best rugby league youth from around the country represented their schools over 3 days. Spectators were treated to some exhilarating football, as NZSST veterans alongside new up-and-comers left it all on the field. New champions were crowned across all 4 grades in this history-making year of the NZRL NZSS Tournament. The best of the best were then selected for the NZSS representative squads to play in October.

 

NZRL NZSST 2023 Grand Finals recap:

 

U15s Boys Carnival

Grand Final – St. Paul’s College v Western Heights High School

Final score: St. Paul’s College 26-10

With 2023 being their inaugural year of entering a team in this grade, St. Paul’s College displayed their depth of rugby league talent as their U15 boys impressed all tournament. They opened up the scoring in this final match but Western Heights showed great defensive effort, keeping the score to only 10-4 to St. Paul’s at halftime. In the second half, St. Paul’s proved too strong for the Rotorua side with skilful ball-playing and speed, going on to claim the title of U15s Boys Carnival champions.

 

Boys Championship

Grand Final – Aorere College v Wesley College

Final score: Aorere College 16-12

This battle of South Auckland came down to the wire, with the scoreboard tied up until the last 5 minutes. Aorere were first to score crossing for 2 tries, but the Wesleyans replied with 2 of their own successfully converted, bringing the halftime score to 12-8 in their favour. In the second half, Aorere did well to score but were again unsuccessful in converting, bringing the game to 12-12. An intense half saw many close but unsuccessful attempts at scoring from both sides until Aorere scored the winning try with only 5 to go.

 

Girls Championship

Grand final – Auckland Girls Grammar School v Southern Cross Campus

Final score: Auckland Girls Grammar School 30-12

In this grand final between the two Auckland colleges, Southern Cross put up a valiant effort against the dominant Auckland champions, who entered the tournament finals undefeated. AGGS scored early down their left edge but Southern Cross quickly equalised with a try of their own. AGGS went on to score 3 more in the half and Southern Cross scored once more, bringing it to 18-8 at halftime. Although Southern Cross skilfully scored first in the opening minutes of the second half, AGGS hit back with a vengeance going on to score 3 more tries and comfortably win the game and title of NZSST Girls champions.

 

Boys Premiership 

Grand Final – St. Paul’s College v St. Thomas of Canterbury College

Final score: St. Thomas of Canterbury College 12-6

The final game of the day produced a large turnout of supporters who came down to Bruce Pulman Park to witness this contest for the Boys Premiership title. The young men from Canterbury came firing out of the gates to score first followed quickly by a second. Not to be dominated, St. Paul’s scored one of their own just before the halftime whistle bringing it to 10-6 to the Cantabrians. The second half featured heavy contact, tough carries, and nifty ball-play by both sides however neither were able to score as they both defended their lines fearlessly. A high tackle by St. Paul’s led to a successful St. Thomas penalty kick as the only points scored in the half, with this epic contest ending in a historic win for St. Thomas. The South Island team claimed their first-ever NZSST victory, in their first year of ever making the tournament finals.

 

 

2023 NZRL National Secondary Schools Boys Squad:

 

1. Sio Kali – St. Paul’s College

2. Maretino Kaloudau – St. Thomas of Canterbury College

3. Chelden Hayward – St. Thomas of Canterbury College

4. Jackson Stewart – St. Thomas of Canterbury College

5. Malakai Cama – Rotorua Boys’ High School

6. Quiann Feterika-Mafoe – St. Paul’s College

7. Meihana Pauling – St. Thomas of Canterbury College

8. Malachi Filipo – St. Paul’s College

9. Noah Harmer-Campbell – St. Thomas of Canterbury College

10. Jason Salalilo – St. Thomas of Canterbury College

11. Tepatasi Laumalili – De La Salle College

12. Mikaele Ilaiu – Rotorua Boys’ High School

13. Junior Sikuvea – De La Salle College

14. Sosaia Latu – Otahuhu College

15. Kalani Peyroux-Donaldson – De La Salle College

16. Jeriko Filipi-Talisau – St. Paul’s College

17. Zeke Faga-Ieti – St Thomas of Canterbury College

18. Ezekiel Paulo – St. Thomas of Canterbury College

19. Lennox Tuiloma – St. Thomas of Canterbury College

 

Emerging Player of the Tournament: Phillip Lavakeiaho – Wesley College

Tournament MVP: Sio Kali – St. Paul’s College

 

 

2023 NZRL National Secondary Schools Girls Squad:

 

1. Billie Va’a – St Mary’s College

2. Shafenior Lui – Southern Cross Campus

3. Faith Tavita – Auckland Girls Grammar School

4. Jemma Tonu’u – McAuley High School

5. Shanthie Lui – Southern Cross Campus

6. Paea Uilou – Auckland Girls Grammar School

7. Danii-Nicole Gray – Auckland Girls Grammar School

8. Seriah Palepale – Auckland Girls Grammar School

9. Evelyn Roberts – McAuley High School

10. Indiana Russell-Lia – St Mary’s College

11. Te Raukura Leafe – St Mary’s College

12. Riley Fruean-Otineru – McAuley High School

13. Alianna Tonu’u – McAuley High School

14. Ivana Lauitiiti – McAuley High School

15. Josinah Filisi Tauliiili – Southern Cross Campus

16. Latesha Mitchener – Auckland Girls Grammar School

17. Luca-Bella Ngatuere-Ongley – St Mary’s College

18. Tonga Toutai – Southern Cross Campus

19. Giovanna Suani – Auckland Girls Grammar School

 

Emerging Player of the Tournament: Shakira Lui – Southern Cross Campus

Tournament MVP: Seriah Palepale – Auckland Girls Grammar School

 

For livestreams and results of all NZSST Day 3 games, and all tournament content, visit linktr.ee/nzrlgrassroots

2 September 2023

The much anticipated 2023 NZRL National Secondary School Tournament has been full-on as schools from throughout the country gathered at Bruce Pulman Park, for three days of rugby league action. Day 1 saw some thrilling pool games and Day 2 produced intense semi finals across all 4 grades, with finals set to be played tomorrow.

 

NZSST Day 2 Major Semi Finals recap:

Boys Premiership

Semi Final 1 – St. Thomas of Canterbury College v Southern Cross Campus 

Final score: St. Thomas of Canterbury College 30-6

The Cantabrians showed dominance in the first half of the game, chalking up 4 unanswered tries to put them in the lead 20-0 at halftime. Southern Cross fought hard to stay in the game with Emosi Ravosai crossing the line to put the team on the board, followed by a successful conversion. Jackson Stewart of St. Thomas finished the game with a hat-trick as the team proved too strong for the Aucklanders, booking their ticket to the finals.

 

Semi Final 2 – St. Paul’s College v De La Salle College

Final score: St. Paul’s College 6-0

In a re-match of the Auckland College Premier Boys finals, the two heavyweight rugby league schools battled for a spot in the NZSST finals. The game was a highly physical match-up with players putting their bodies on the line in an intense back-and-forth, all 40 minutes. Ultimately, a first-half try by John Matini successfully converted by Sio Kali was all the difference to put reigning St. Paul’s College, through to the finals.

 

Girls Championship

Semi Final 1 – Auckland Girls Grammar School v Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Kaikohe

Final score: Auckland Girls Grammar School 32-0

Reigning Auckland championships Auckland Girls Grammar School displayed their skill and strength, keeping the Kaikohe side from scoring. Seriah Palepale finished with a hat-trick, as the Aucklanders comfortably secured their place in the Girls Championship grand finals. 

 

Semi Final 2 – Southern Cross Campus v McAuley High School

Final score: Southern Cross Campus 26-10

This game between the two Auckland girl’s schools featured heavy contact and speed to match, tying the score up to 10-all at halftime. An outstanding second half of rugby league was played by Southern Cross, with Shanthie Lui scoring a double and converting 3 tries as her team claimed the victory.

 

In the Boys Championship grade, Aorere College and Wesley College topped the two pools qualifying them for grade’s grand finals. Also in Pool A, Ngā Kura ā Iwi o Aotearoa Taikura finished with equal total points to Aorere, however, Aorere finished the round robin games with a better points difference. Taikura will instead face Westlake Boys High School in contention for 3rd place.

 

The U15s Boys Carnival grade will feature St. Paul’s College and Western Heights High School from Rotorua going head-to-head for 1st place. Tamaki College finished with equal total points to the Rotorua side but were beaten by points difference. Tamaki will instead see Manurewa High School in the 3rd place final.

 

NZRL NZSST Major Finals – Sunday 3rd September

 

U15s Boys Carnival

Grand Final – St. Paul’s College v Western Heights High School 10:00 am (Pulman Park Field 1)

3rd/4th place final – Tamaki College v Manurewa High School 9:00 am (Pulman Park Field 2)

Boys Championship

Grand Final – Aorere College v Wesley College 11:15 am (Pulman Park Field 1*)

3rd/4th place final – Westlake Boys High School v Ngā Kura ā iwi o Aotearoa Taikura 10:15 am (Pulman Park Field 2)

Girls Championship

Grand final – Auckland Girls Grammar School v Southern Cross Campus 12:30 pm (Pulman Park Field 1*)

3rd/4th place final – McAuley High School v Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Kaikohe 11:30am (Pulman Park Field 2)

Boys Premiership 

Grand Final – St. Paul’s College v St. Thomas of Canterbury College 1:45 pm (Pulman Park Field 1*) 

3rd/4th place final – De La Salle College v Southern Cross Campus 11:30 am (Pulman Park Field 5)

 

*live-streamed game on NZ Rugby League youtube.com/playlist

 

For the entire NZSST finals day draw and to keep up with all the tournament action, visit linktr.ee/nzrlgrassroots

 

 

25th August 2023

 

The NZRL men’s and women’s National Premierships and Championships are set for another huge year, with all the action kicking off in the first weekend of September. The competitions will see the return of regular rivalries, newly-promoted teams, and new venues.

 

National Men’s and Sky Sport Women’s Premierships

Every weekend from Saturday 2nd September – Sunday 1st October 

 

The National Men’s Premiership is scheduled to take place over five consecutive weekends, while the Sky Sport Women’s Premiership will span across six weekends, with various host venues located throughout the country.

 

The upcoming season will see the Akarana Falcons, reigning champions in both the men’s and women’s divisions, defending their titles against familiar opponents as well as new entrants into the competition. These include the Auckland Vulcans in both the men’s and women’s divisions, the Otago Whalers in the men’s division, and the Wellington Orcas in the women’s division.

 

Otago has been promoted to the 2023 National Premiership and will play their two home games at the prestigious Forsyth Barr Stadium. The Vulcans and Wellington Orcas women’s teams also aim to make a strong impact in the Premiership.

 

National Men’s and Women’s Championship

Every weekend from Saturday 2 – Saturday 7th October 

 

The 2023 National Championship will be held over six weekends at different venues across New Zealand. With the promotion of last year’s finalists in both men’s and women’s categories, the remaining teams will battle it out to crown new champions and secure a place in the Premiership.

 

This year’s competition will have two pools in the North Island and one in the South Island to determine the champions for both men and women. The finals will take place on Saturday, October 7th, when the North Island and South Island champions will compete to be crowned the winners of the 2023 National Championship.

 

Refer to Sporty for full schedule and Kick-off times

 

Catch all National Men’s and Women’s Premiership games broadcasted live on Sky Sport!

 

NZRL will release broadcast and streaming information for the National Men’s and Women’s Championship games; keep an eye out for more details over the coming weeks to ensure you don’t miss out.

As seen on nrl.com

If you’ve watched him play this season then you’ll struggle to believe it, but confidence has never really been a strong point for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

Humility was central in his upbringing as part of a Māori whānau (family) in Hamilton, New Zealand, and it’s a big reason why he’s become one of the most popular members of the Warriors’ squad since joining mid-season in 2021.

But as he’s learned in the more recent part of his now 12-year professional career, it’s also a trait which has at times held him back on the rugby league field and meant he hasn’t always backed himself.

“It’s something I have lacked in the past for sure. I am not a very confident person and that is something I have worked on,” Watene-Zelezniak told NRL.com.

“I never grew up talking about my achievements and things like that.

“I have had a mind coach now for a few years and I am just trying to believe in myself and the things I can do. That goes a long way to performing out on the field.

“Also knowing that I have been around a long time and you don’t lose things, you gain things, and most of it is in my head.”

The results are hard to argue with so far in 2023.

Following his stunning hat-trick to help his side past the Sea Eagles 29-22 last Friday, the veteran has shot up to 21 tries for the year and is equal with Jamayne Isaako and Alex Johnston as the NRL’s top try-scorer, despite playing six less games than the former and five fewer than Johnston.

It also puts him on track to become the most prolific Warrior of all time across a single season, with the mark of 23 tries achieved by both Francis Meli and David Fusitu’a in the past set to be crushed if the 28-year-old remains fit.

He has failed to score a four-pointer just once in his past 12 games and has just four games this year without at least one try to his name.

But ask him how he’s doing it and those old habits creep back, with his teammates, coaches and whānau all listed as reasons before he takes any credit himself.

“I am a lot of things before I’m a footy player and being a husband and father are my most treasured things… what my wife and kids are doing for me at home has been so important,” he said.

I have got a lot of clarity in what I am doing, thanks to Webby [coach Andrew Webster] and his game plan and what he has been talking to me about, the way he has narrowed my role.

“What Shaun [Johnson], Marata [Niukore] and Rocco [Berry] and Charnze [Nicoll-Kolkstad] are doing, I am reaping the rewards for that. They are doing the tough stuff, I get to do the pretty stuff.”

Meanwhile the impact of the Warriors’ remarkable rise to prominence this year continues to be felt across the NRL, with ticket sales for the club’s clash against the Dragons this Friday at Go Media Stadium reaching capacity within hours of their win in Round 25.

Read more on nrl.com/news/2023/08/21/dwz-embracing-the-swagger-as-club-record-nears/

As seen on nrl.com

Apii Nicholls knew something might’ve been wrong when her dreams turned to nightmares and took over her reality two years ago.

A quiet achiever on the field who kept out of the limelight and off social media, Nicholls stayed silent for months until after more than a year and a half of struggle, she started to speak up about what she was experiencing.

Nicholls, a police officer in New Zealand for almost six years, is also a mother of two who uses rugby league as an outlet to release any negativity in her life that can sometimes come with her day job.

The worst of it came when the Raiders fullback was forced to deal with a traumatic experience that saw her unsuccessfully try and save another person’s life.

“You think you’re the strongest person and I thought mentally I could handle anything,” Nicholls shared.

“I’ve had to do things like taser people and I don’t like it but if it means you have to protect others then it’s something you can live with, so I had become used to it.”

“But with this particular incident I really became affected mentally and I couldn’t get what happened out of my head.”

“I thought I was fine but from the next day I started seeing visuals in my dream of the person involved and I’d go to bed and re-live over and over what I had witnessed.”

“I saw the person’s face in my sleep constantly and for the first couple of months I wasn’t sleeping at all. I couldn’t watch a movie with a similar moment in it.”

“You don’t really know you need help at the time when there’s a trauma. It was hard and affects people differently.”

“It took me over 18 months to come out of that. I’m glad I got help when I did especially now with my son born after, I wanted to get myself right.”

Post-traumatic stress disorder affects people all around the world at various stages of their life and Nicholls isn’t afraid to concede it got the better of her before she sought professional advice.

Nicholls, who spent two seasons at the Warriors at the beginning of the NRLW, opted not to travel to Australia and continue her career when the COVID-19 pandemic closed borders.

Her employers were supportive of her relocating for the 2020 season but were worried around when she may have been able to return with strict restrictions in place.

It allowed her to have a two-year break and reassess her time in rugby league – a sporting journey that started in Rarotonga in the Cook Islands before she moved to New Zealand.

“Contact sport wasn’t big for women growing up in Rarotonga,” Nicholls said.

“I played netball and had dreams of becoming a Silver Fern. My biggest sports were netball, touch, soccer and volleyball. Only the men were playing rugby at the time.”

“But when I moved to New Zealand that’s when I believe they started to implement rugby sevens and put a women’s team together.”

The two-year break for Nicholls, an 11-Test veteran for the Kiwi Ferns, also enabled her to have a second child – son Felix – as the world went into lockdown.0

A little sibling for older brother Siona, who Nicholls had when she was a teenager, the pair have been the inspirations behind her return to the NRLW in the last 12 months.

Siona has followed his mum around for more than a decade as she represented her country while Felix travelled to England last year with the NZRL supporting Nicholls and motherhood during the World Cup.

“I wasn’t sure if I was going to come back after having Felix,” Nicholls said.

“I thought that I’d have my family and that was it but I really love playing.”

“It helps me, it’s like a release. It helps me mentally and physically come out of any struggles that I go through at work or home.”

“My older boy loves watching me play and he’s the real reason I’ve come back because he begged me for two years to do it.”

“I enjoy seeing him happy. I’m showing him this is a pathway if he wants to take it or he can do whatever he puts his mind to.”

For now Siona watches his mum from back home in New Zealand as she plays a big role for the Canberra Raiders in the NRLW this season.

Felix is alongside her in the nation’s capital and has ‘Nana’, Nicholls’ mother, and 27 other Raiders players as his babysitters during the week to give further support.

“Initially I wanted to go back to the Titans because I wanted to give back to them after they gave me an opportunity to return to NRLW after having Felix.”

“Obviously it did not turn out that way this year but I will forever be thankful for them.”

“Borth (Raiders coach Darrin Borthwick) contacted me and I really loved how genuine he was.”

“I didn’t have to ask much, he had it all planned with what he could help my family with and all the things a mother would need. I really appreciate the person he is and how much thought he put into having me in his team.”

It’s been a remarkable opening month for the Green Machine, who are making a big impression in the nation’s capital with the likes of Nicholls, Zahara Temara and Simaima Taufa, who have plenty of international experience, firing on all cylinders.

“It’s a very supportive and awesome group of girls,” Nicholls said.

“We’ve come together really naturally and are clicking on the field with every game we play.”

“There’s a lot we want to work on and having talented girls who are always keen to learn, we can only get better. Our start has been really good and we’re really driven to do well.”

Read more on www.nrl.com/news

As seen on nrl.com

Kiwi Ferns star Raecene McGregor believes the end-of-season Pacific Championships may help convince her Dragons halves partner Tyla Nathan-Wong and other rugby union converts to stick with league.

Nathan-Wong, who was a member of New Zealand’s gold medal winning rugby sevens team at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, is among a host of NRLW newcomers set to bolster the depth of the Kiwi Ferns.

16 August 2023

Tickets for the rugby league triple-header at Eden Park are on sale now | https://bit.ly/BuyRLTickets

Tamaki Makaurau Auckland’s Eden Park will host a blockbuster rugby league triple-header between New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga on Saturday, October 21st, as part of the newly announced Pacific Championships in partnership with the NRL.

The Kiwis will face Samoa, igniting a new Pacific rivalry hot off last year’s World Cup momentum; the Kiwi Ferns will line up against Tonga, and an NZ Kiwi A team will assemble for the first time in 17 years.

Thanks to the current depth of the New Zealand talent pool, the NZ Kiwis A team will consist of current and future Kiwi-committed NRL stars who will take on a Tonga A team as the opening match of the rugby league triple-header.

“How special to bring the best players in the world back home to play in front of their communities. Without the support from Tātaki Auckland Unlimited this series wouldn’t have happened,” says NZRL CEO Greg Peters.

“We’re excited to work with Samoa to bring their rugby league heroes back home and unite fans across New Zealand and the Pacific.

“No other code can produce such a celebration of culture and passion; the atmosphere will be unmissable.”

The 2023 Pacific Championships is a two-tiered competition with six men’s teams and seven women’s teams taking part in the tournament across two pools.

Waikato’s FMG Stadium will host the Pacific Cup grand final on November 4th.

“I firmly believe the Tamaki Makaurau Auckland triple-header and Waikato final will be the biggest international rugby league events on home soil since the 2017 World Cup,” adds NZRL CEO Greg Peters.

Hamilton City Council’s General Manager of Venues, Tourism and Major Events, Sean Murray says, “We’re working hard to deliver an exceptional Pacific Championship Final at FMG Stadium Waikato. The team looks forward to passionate fans and the exposure this game will bring to our city and region.”

 

Full schedule below:

Week One – October 14-15

  • Australia v Samoa (men) and Australia v New Zealand (women) at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
  • PNG v Cook Islands (men) and Samoa v Fiji (women) at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby

Week Two – October 21-22

  • New Zealand v Samoa (men), New Zealand v Tonga (women), and NZ Kiwis A v Tonga A (men) at Eden Park, Auckland
  • Fiji v Cook Islands (men) and PNG v Cook Islands (women) at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby

Week Three – October 28-29

  • Australia v New Zealand (men and women) at AAMI Park, Melbourne
  • PNG v Fiji (men) at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby

Week Four – November 4-5

  • The Final of the men’s Pacific Cup tournament on November 4 in Hamilton, New Zealand
  • The Final of the men’s Pacific Bowl tournament on November 5 at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby

The Pacific Championships will be staged in 2023 and 2024, after the NRL and NRLW Premiership seasons, and will include men’s and women’s teams from Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Cook Islands.

Tickets for the rugby league triple-header at Eden Park are on sale now | https://bit.ly/BuyRLTickets

 

As seen on nrl.com

Despite falling short in his bid to sign Shaun Johnson earlier this year, Wests Tigers assistant coach Benji Marshall is backing the veteran No.7 to cap off a brilliant season by claiming the Dally M Medal.

Prior to Johnson inking a one-year extension with the Warriors last month, the Wests Tigers were in negotiations to sign the 32-year-old who in 2023 has rediscovered career-best form to help the Warriors sit third on the Telstra Premiership ladder.

Ahead of facing the Warriors and his former Kiwis halves partner at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday night, Marshall shared his admiration for Johnson and said he deserves to take home the game’s biggest individual honour this year.

“It’s no secret we tried to lure Shaun Johnson over the ditch… the way he is playing inside that team, I’ll be very surprised if he doesn’t win the Dally M,” Marshall said.

“Shaun has always been one of my favourite players to watch and when he gets criticised, at times I find it hard to hear, because it’s unfair a lot of the time.

“If you watch his game closely this year he is putting his body on the line defensively – I think he’s got 92 percent tackle efficiency – for a half that is phenomenal.

“He is definitely their go-to guy and that’s why we tried to sign him.

“The way he is going, and given the Warriors results, he will be a big chance [to win the Dally M Medal]. He would be the second Warrior ever to do it, it’d be awesome.”

At the time of Dally M Medal voting going behind closed doors after Round 12, Johnson sat eight points back from leader Payne Haas.

Since then he has played a key role in the Warriors winning seven of nine games, setting up 12 tries and scoring six himself.

Johnson heads into Round 24 trailing only Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater in terms of try assists with 22, while he leads the NRL in kick metres.

Marshall meanwhile said the Warriors’ rapid rise this season under rookie head coach Andrew Webster comes as little surprise to him, after he experienced first-hand Webster’s style while he was an assistant coach at the Wests Tigers when Marshall was still playing.

“I’ve never seen a coach be able to talk and explain rugby league and put it in a way where players understand it [like he can], he has a knack,” Marshall said.

“I think you can see with the Warriors, the way they are playing with resilience, their defence is outstanding, all the little effort areas they are really good at and that’s Webby.

“To see what he has done with that team, it’s been a massive turnaround. I think when the Warriors are good rugby league in New Zealand is generally good.”

 

Read more on https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/08/11/surprised-if-he-doesnt-win-marshall-backs-sj-for-dally-m/

August 9th 2023 

 

Preparations for New Zealand’s most significant grassroots events are now well underway, with a jam-packed calendar throughout September and October that is not to be missed. The next generation of rangatahi will look to make their mark in the rugby league world.

 

National Secondary Schools Tournament

Friday 1 – Sunday 3rd September

Bruce Pulman Park, Auckland 

 

First up on the calendar, is the highly anticipated New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) National Secondary Schools tournament. 2022 saw this significant event in the rugby league calendar return after a three-year hiatus, with two new grades – the U15 Boys Carnival and the inaugural Girls Championship.

As schools from across the motu converge on Auckland’s Bruce Pulman Park, 2023 brings a fresh look for several tournament regulars. Teams have anticipated the tournament’s return and will be excited to test themselves against the best rugby league talent nationwide.

41 teams across all grades have been invited to attend this year’s tournament, which will span over three days, kicking off on Friday, 1st September, at Bruce Pulman Park. Schools have quailed through zonal and regional events or nomination.

 

National Men’s and Sky Sport Women’s Premiership

Every weekend from Saturday 2nd September – Sunday 1st October 

 

Also kicking off in the first weekend of September, the National Men’s and Sky Sport Women’s Premiership competitions, playing over five weekends, across various host venues nationwide.

The Akarana men’s and women’s teams will look to defend their 2022 titles with the exciting introduction of both the Auckland Vulcans men and women, Otago Whalers men and Wellington Orcas women teams being promoted into the premiership for 2023.

The National Premiership sees the inclusion of the Auckland Vulcans for the first time in both the men’s and women’s competitions. Both teams won their respective National Championship tournaments in 2022, gaining long-sought-after promotion.

With the new promotion in the premiership, Otago has secured a world-class facility in Forsyth Barr Stadium to play their two home games, whilst the Wellington Orcas women’s team looks to make their mark in the women’s premiership after lifting their game in 2022.

 

National Men’s and Women’s Championship

Every weekend from Saturday 2 – Saturday 7th October 

 

The National Men’s and Women’s Championship kicks off with Southland taking on Aoraki at Elles Road in Invercargill on Saturday, 2nd September, in the South Island Men’s Championship. The Championship matches will be played nationwide in a new format over six weekends. The Men’s and Women’s Championships will conclude on Saturday, 7th October, with the North and South Island Champions meeting to be crowned the National Championship winners and for their chance to gain promotion to the Premiership for 2024.

With last year’s tournament champions in both men’s and women’s grades now promoted to the Premiership, the remaining teams will battle it out to find new victors.

 

National Girls Youth Tournament

Sunday 24 – Tuesday 26th September

Owen Delaney Park, Taupo

 

Returning to Taupo, the National Girls Youth Tournament will see talented rugby league wāhine from throughout the country competing for their District and Zones over three days. The inaugural Girls Youth Tournament in 2022 had a spectacle ending with two narrow finals in both the 16s and 18s grades.

This tournament continues to enhance NZ’s female game, with Alexis Tauaneai completing her journey from the inaugural 2022 National Youth Tournament to becoming a part of the St. George Illawarra Dragons NRLW team. Additionally, Taleenza Nelson has secured a Development contract with the Cronulla Sharks. The 2023 tournament will undoubtedly feature wāhine looking to complete the same journey.

 

National Boys Youth Tournament

Wednesday 27 – Friday 29th September

Puketawhero Park, Rotorua

 

Closing off grassroots footy for September is the National Boys Youth Tournament, returning to Rotorua’s Puketawhero Park to be held over three days. This tournament will see the best young tama toa compete across the 16s and 18s grades from both Zone and Districts, including; Northland, Auckland, Akarana, Counties, Waikato, Hauraki, Bay of Plenty, Coastline, Mid Central, Wellington and South Island.

 

NZ 16s & 18s

Monday 23rd October

Bruce Pulman Park, Auckland

 

Rounding off the grassroots football calendar for the year are the NZ 16s and NZ 18s representative games, all to be played on Monday, 23rd October (Labour Day). These games will all be played at Auckland’s Bruce Pulman Park and consist of the best young talent across the motu. Many young players are selected for these New Zealand representative teams from the NZRL National Secondary Schools and Youth Tournaments.

 

NZ 16s 

Aotearoa Whaanui v Auckland Invitational (Girls)

Aotearoa Whaanui v Auckland Invitational (Boys)

 

The 16s age group will feature the Auckland Invitational versus the Aotearoa Whaanui for both boys and girls. The 16s Auckland teams will consist of players from the ARL competition, Region of Origin development programme, and representative teams that include; Akarana, Counties-Manukau, and Auckland. The Aotearoa Whaanui’ Rest of New Zealand’ squads will be selected from Zonal teams that consist of Northland, Upper Central, Mid Central, Wellington, and South Island.

 

NZ 18s

New Zealand Schools v New Zealand Clubs (Girls)

New Zealand Schools v New Zealand Clubs (Boys)

 

For their 18s counterparts, the ‘Clubs vs Schools’ match-up returns, including a girl’s match after the highly successful inaugural game in 2022. NZRL General Manager of Football and High-Performance Motu Tony added;

“A plethora of young talent have found homes in NRL and NRLW clubs from the previous contests, showing a genuine pathway rangatahi can take towards the professional game.

We look forward to seeing more develop and take their game to the next level.”

 

NZRL will release broadcast and streaming information for all the upcoming rugby league action in due course; keep an eye out for more details over the coming weeks to ensure you don’t miss out.

 

As seen on foxsports.com

With the 2023 NRLW season having just kicked off, Dragons NRLW coach Jamie Soward has opened up on why his halves pairing have the potential to be the “best ever.”

One of the 24 players proud to don the Red V for this season is the reigning Dally M medallist and Kiwi Fern, Raecene McGregor. The 25-year-old halfback steered the Roosters to a premiership in the rescheduled 2021 season and then backed it up with the Dally M the following season as well as claiming 2022 Golden Boot honours. McGregor has been appointed captain this season, but there’s so much more than her experience and leadership that has impressed Soward.

“I love the fact that she’s a competitor. She’s always wanting the ball and always wanting to pull the trigger on a play. Rae is so well-organised around what she wants to do I don’t have to over-coach her too much in terms of what she needs to do,” he said.

Another major coup for the Dragons is the signing of New Zealand Rugby Sevens star Tyla Nathan-Wong, who is set to partner McGregor in the halves. It’s that combination that Soward believes “has the potential to be the best ever.”

Nathan-Wong wasn’t on the Dragons’ radar until her manager reached out to the club. The 29-year-old is a two-time winner of the New Zealand Sevens Player of the Year and has represented her country at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and Sevens Rugby World Cups. She played a big part in the Black Ferns claiming gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Besides her obvious skill, it was important that Nathan-Wong could fit in with the Dragons and Soward’s — culture.

“Players were getting shopped around and we interviewed players on whether we felt like it was going to be a fit or not. It’s not just about coming across to get a pay cheque — she probably could’ve gotten paid more back in the Sevens system. She wanted to test herself on the biggest stage,” he said.

Soward said Nathan-Wong who will be McGregor’s vice-captain this season, “has been a fantastic addition” and she “commands so much respect.”

“Her game awareness, being able to execute a skill at high speed I think is something I was surprised with how quickly she picked it up,” he added.

“I feel like that halves pairing in Rae and Tyla has the potential to be the best ever.”

 

Read more on foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrlw

As seen on warriors.kiwi

Taine Tuaupiki’s inclusion for unavailable first-choice fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is the only change to the One New Zealand Warriors’ line-up for their 24th-round clash against the Wests Tigers at FMG Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday night (7.30pm kick-off).

Nicoll-Klokstad is subject to NRL concussion protocols after being forced off the field following a high tackle from Gold Coast prop Moeaki Fotuaika early in last Friday night’s encounter in Robina.

The 23-year-old Tuaupiki was activated as 18th man to replace Nicoll-Klokstad after Fotuaika was sent off and will start this week in what will be his fourth NRL appearance. He was impressive in his 63 minutes against Gold Coast making 165 metres from 17 runs with six tackle breaks and five tackles.

The rest of the starting line-up and interchange is the same as the combination used in the 28-18 victory over the Titans, a result which kept the Warriors in third place on the ladder.

The away game at a sold out FMG Waikato Stadium will be the 700th in the One New Zealand Warriors’ history and the 248th career appearance for halfback Shaun Johnson. Hamilton-raised Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will be looking to extend a stunning try-scoring streak which has seen him score 15 tries in his last 10 outings, failing to score only in the home loss to South Sydney.

 

Read more here – https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2023/08/08/rd-24-team-list-tuaupiki-starts/

08 August 2023

 

Our rugby league community gets a chance to see their hard mahi recognised across the motu through the Pirtek Volunteer of the Month award.

 

This award is gifted to a volunteer who displays the core values of NZRL’s Kiwi Way: being family first, innovative, inclusive, respectful, respectful, and humble. NZRL is excited to announce that couple Dylan and Ruscelle Rintoul are the winners of the 2023 Volunteer of the Month for July.

 

Pirtek CEO Chris Bourke says, “It is refreshing to hear about an amazing husband and wife team that work tirelessly for their club and the game of Rugby League. ”

 

Dylan and Ruscelle are proud members of the Ngaruawahia Panthers Rugby League Club and community, with Dylan taking on the role of club chairman this year, supported by his wife.

 

The Panthers have been proudly established as a club for over 110 years, but due to COVID-19, the number of junior players and teams at the club took a hit. Since Dylan was appointed chairman, the club has welcomed over 100 new junior players due to hours of hard mahi by Dylan and Ruscelle.

 

From sourcing sponsors to travelling to Auckland to purchase gear and equipment for the club and organising discos for the children, the couple has made all the difference in the revival of the Panthers club and community.

 

The couple also coach and manage the Panthers U7 team, which they have nurtured through the grades for the last three years, with Ruscelle also managing three additional teams. Somehow Dylan also finds the time to fulfil his role as co-chair of the Waikato Junior Rugby League.

 

Pirtek CEO Chris Bourke says, “Volunteering for Rugby League is what this award is about. Dylan and Ruscelle put in the effort and give up considerable time and resources to support the club. The increased number of kids registered at the club is an amazing result.”

 

“Dylan and Ruscelle Rintoul are worthy winners of Pirtek Volunteer of the Month. Congratulations, Dylan and Ruscelle.”

 

As seen on newshub.co.nz

Read more here – https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2023/08/rugby-league-mackenzie-wiki-following-in-footsteps-of-kiwi-nrl-icon-father-ruben.html?

 

While NZ Warriors are riding high in the men’s NRL, a big group of Kiwi women hope to make a similar impact in the NRLW.

One of them is quite literally creating history, with Mackenzie Wiki following in the footsteps of her father, representing the ‘Green Machine’ of the Canberra Raiders.

Whenever Wiki works out, there are reminders that rugby league is in her DNA – working out underneath a poster of dad Ruben.

“The old man up there in the top corner,” she told Newshub. “Looking down on me, making sure I’m doing it right.”

 

As seen on stuff.co.nz

Read more here – https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/132603954/former-kiwis-star-shaun-kennydowall-leads-hull-kr-to-wembley-dream-challenge-cup-final

 

Hull Kingston Rover’s Kiwi captain Shaun Kenny-Dowall claimed it was “every kid’s dream’’ to play at Wembley – and now he has achieved his goal.

Kenny-Dowall – dubbed SKD during his long NRL career – captained Hull KR to a 11-10 golden point win over Wigan in the Challenge Cup semifinal in Leeds on Sunday (Monday NZ time).

Brad Schneider’s 82nd minute field goal put Hull KR into the August 12 Wembley final against promoted Super League rivals Leigh Leopards.

Kenny-Dowall – set to retire at the end of the season – leapt onto a throng of players congratulating Schneider, who was playing his second game for Hull KR after a mid-season move from the Canberra Raiders.

As seen on nrl.com

Read more here – https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/07/26/nrlw-showdown-awaits-star-converts/

 

After years of teaming up together for New Zealand in a different code, Niall Williams-Guthrie and Gayle Broughton face each other for the first time as NRLW players on Thursday night.

The former rugby sevens stars clash at The Gabba, with Broughton’s Broncos playing host to Williams-Guthrie and the Titans – who also have Evania Pelite, a long-time opponent of the pair on the sevens circuit while playing for Australia – in Round 2 of the expanded 10-team competition.

Last year it was Broughton who started the trend of New Zealand sevens players coming across to the NRLW when she signed with the Eels, and since then Williams-Guthrie and Tyla Nathan-Wong (Dragons) have followed.

 

As seen on nrl.com

Read more here – https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/07/20/so-much-joy-sj-reflects-on-a-week-like-no-other/

 

Looking into his daughter’s eyes as she scanned the 24,000 screaming fans who filled Go Media Stadium last Sunday, Shaun Johnson experienced a new career highlight.

Days on from inking a new one-year deal with the Warriors, Johnson had the chance to carry two-year-old Millah out onto the field with him ahead of the 44-12 victory over the Sharks in Round 20, as he was recognised for reaching 200 games for the club a week prior.

 

As seen on nzherald.co.nz

Read more here – https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/one-of-the-greatest-underdog-makes-it-big-stories-briton-nikora/ZRCWAKIIXZGJDHDYMUNBWRYU7M/

 

NRL player Briton Nikora (Ngāti Maniapoto, Te Arawa, Ngāti Awa) might just possess one of the greatest underdog-makes-it-big stories.

“I remember a couple of teachers who said: ‘You’d better listen because you’ll never play in the NRL’,” he said in an interview with Te Ao With Moana’s Hikurangi Kimiora Jackson.

“There would’ve been heaps of people that doubted me. Just coming up in the grades, just obviously not making like teams.”

It might shock some but Nikora, who was selected for the Kiwis after just 12 games in the NRL and just recently hit the 100 games milestone, almost gave up on his NRL dream.

 

As seen on thecoconet.tv

In the NRL, every club has at least one Welfare and Education Manager who looks after the wellbeing of the players in their charge and in New Zealand, the NRL funds not only the One NZ Warriors wellbeing officers at a club level but also the New Zealand Rugby League wellbeing team at a national level (Elite Pathways).

Suicides of young men in the rugby league community have underlined the urgency to normalise conversations around mental health and the NRL have recognised that it can be a challenging experience to leave home at a young age, or simply to face the responsibilities of playing the sport they love at a high level.

After first being led by former NRL star Nigel Vagana who was the GM of Wellbeing and Community for the NZRL, Carmen Taplin took over in 2019.

 

Carmen Taplin. Photo credit: Cliff Thompson

 

Carmen Taplin. Photo credit: Cliff Thompson

 

Carmen who is of Maori heritage had, had extensive and first hand experience caring for Rugby League players from her time as a Team Manager for the NZ Kiwis squad from 2010 – 2014 to being house parents with her husband Spencer for both the Sydney Roosters in 2013 and the NZ Warriors from 2015 until she transitioned to the Warriors wellbeing team in 2018.

During her time in Sydney with the Roosters it heightened her awareness regarding the absolute need for wellbeing especially for Pasifika and Maori athletes in the NRL.

She realised that due to the NRL ony funding the NZRL for the Elite Pathways there was a lack of support provided to clubs and zones at a community level and that there was an immense need for the same care and assistance.

 

 

When she moved over from the Warriors to the NZRL as the Wellbeing Manager there, she created the Wellbeing Waka which is a framework that allows the NZRL to engage in the communities in partnership with Le Va as well as deliver messages to their key stakeholders regarding Mental Wealth and ultimately try to reduce the stigma attached to Mental Health in the sport.

“I’m sure it’s in every sport, but with our sport, it’s supposed to be a hard, tough game, and our men aren’t very good at being vulnerable,” Carmen says.

“We wanted to try and start breaking down some barriers there. The biggest thing for us was to get our people comfortable talking about it.”

 

 

Carmen brought on former rugby league legend Ali Lauitiiti who had played in both the NRL and Super League with a career spanning 19 years and had a real desire to give back to the Rugby League communities “to look after the person first in sports and in life” 

Cliff Thompson who had spent many years in the Department of Corrections and is both the Franklin Bulls & One NZ Warriors chaplain, as well as being the Lead Pastor at The Render Gathering, supported Carmen and Ali from a chaplaincy perspective and became a huge driving force in everything Carmen and Ali did.

 

Ali Lauitiiti Photo Credit: Cliff Thompson
Cliff Thompson. Photo supplied

 

 

Ali Lauitiiti Photo Credit: Cliff Thompson

 

Eventually Carmen moved over to the Gold Coast where she is currently based and continues her work with the NZRL in a part time capacity looking after the Kiwi Ferns.  She is also in the wellbeing space at club level, currently employed by the Gold Coast Titans as the NRLW Wellbeing and Logistics Manager supporting their female programmes and is a member of the NRL Pasifika Wellbeing Advisory Group.

When Carmen and her husband Spencer moved during Covid, Cliff took over the practical delivery of the Wellbeing Waka workshops.  Former NRL player Jerry Seuseu moved into Carmen’s NZRL wellbeing role while the Warriors were based overseas, before heading back to the Warriors when the team returned to their home base at Mt Smart.

From this point, Cliff was a perfect fit to take over the reins from Jerry with Ali still onboard and Carmen supporting from afar.

 

Ali, Carmen and Cliff with David Solomona and ladies from Queensland Rugby League. Photo supplied
L-R Ali, Shontayne Hape and Jerry Seuseu
L-R Ali Lauitiiti, Dallin Watene-Zalezniak & Cliff Thompson. Photo supplied
Ali speaking at the Wellington Hauora round. Photo Credit: Cliff Thompson
L-R David Solomona, George Dansey, Ali and Isaiah Papali'i

 

 

Ali, Carmen and Cliff with David Solomona and ladies from Queensland Rugby League. Photo supplied

 

“We have the same love and passion for our rugby league communities and were rewarded with the most amazing friendships and strong relationships built on trust and aroha.”  said Carmen.

Since taking over as the Wellbeing Manager for the NZRL, Cliff and Ali have rolled out the ‘Finding Your Front’ podcast which takes a deep dive into wellbeing conversations with past and present players discussing success, challenges and tools used to combat life and career pressures.

Check out their most recent chat with NZRL and Sydney Roosters Centre Joey Manu below and catch up on the full season on the NZRL youtube page.

 

 

And it’s not just in Rugby League that athletes Wellness and Mental Health is of utmost importance – earlier this year, High Performance Sport New Zealand released a recent summary of athletes’ mental health in Aotearoa.

A whopping 21% of New Zealand elite athletes were found to be experiencing depressive symptoms, with more than half of them experiencing a severe level of symptoms rather than a moderate level, an increase since the last study back in 2015.

Furthermore, it is our younger athletes under the age of 25 who have been found to have higher numbers of depressive symptoms overall.  The rates of our athletes that are struggling aren’t getting any lower and the athletes suffering the most are getting younger.

 

Next Gen Basketball. Photo credit: Cliff Thompson

 

Next Gen Basketball. Photo credit: Cliff Thompson

 

On the 26th of June 2023, Cliff, Ali and Carmen came together again to put on the inaugural NZRL hui after identifying the need for support and connection between not only wellbeing and support staff with athletes and the community but support and training for those in wellbeing roles from volunteers in the community to those working with high performance athletes.

Volunteers, Coaches, sports psychologists, athletes, and administrators flew in from across the motu to attend. The 3 day event saw the Wellbeing team and guest speakers come together to be re-inspired and share their journey thus far as well as ensuring that everyone who attended, received wrap-around support because when you’re dealing with mental health and well-being, it can be quite taxing.

“Wellbeing exists and functions because people care enough about their fellow human being, and that’s a beautiful thing, but the reality is, you can’t give what you don’t have, and if you pour out of an empty vessel, wellbeing is compromised on all levels and for many people.” Cliff explained

 

Wellbeing officers from around NZ at the inaugural NZRL wellbeing hui. Photo credit: Cliff Thompson

 

 

Wellbeing officers from around NZ at the inaugural NZRL wellbeing hui. Photo credit: Cliff Thompson

 

Carmen was one of the first speakers and shared her own journey as well as personal tips on what had worked for her while her and her husband Spencer were house parents to a number of Maori, Pasifika and Indigenous players, some who are current household names in the NRL today like Latrell Mitchell, Joey Manu, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Payne Haas, Jazz Tevaga and more.

She also talked about how her own move to Australia was tough, and that even with her husband and children close, the move from home to a new place was a struggle even for her.  So imagine how hard it must be for young athletes moving away from home to a strange place with no friends or family … and then have to perform at an elite level in their sport: the pressure would be unimaginable.

Carmen was inspired to ensure that these players who had made that big move had the right support around them during these tough transitions.

“It all comes down to caring” she stated in her presentation. “And ensuring that when you say you’re going to be there (for a player) that you follow through and build that trust and are there for them”

 

Carmen presenting at the inaugural NZRL Wellbeing hui. Photo credit: Cliff Thompson

 

Carmen presenting at the inaugural NZRL Wellbeing hui. Photo credit: Cliff Thompson

 

Fellow guest speaker Dr Toni Minniti  (Wellbeing and Engagement lead at High Performance Sports NZ) echoed Carmen’s sentiment about consistency and shared that HPSNZ are also committed to supporting athletes across Aotearoa.

Among the star studded list of speakers was International Weightlifter Meghan Signal who had been through a number of struggles and challenges both personally and professionally throughout her professional career.  She shared that as a professional athlete it was important to her in her darkest times after she injured herself right before the Tokyo Olympics, that there were people close to her who allowed her the space to feel how she felt in any given moment.

She highlighted the importance of creating a safe space for athletes to just be.

 

Megan Signal sharing her journey at the inaugural NZRL wellbeing hui. Photo Credit: Cliff Thompson
Dr Toni Minniti speaking at the inaugural NZRL Wellbeing hui. Photo Credit: Cliff Thompson

 

 

Megan Signal sharing her journey at the inaugural NZRL wellbeing hui. Photo Credit: Cliff Thompson

 

Over the course of the 3 day hui many shared their stories and their “Why’s”

Wellbeing team member and Rugby League Legend Ali Lauitiiti shared “I was once that kid, so that’s the main reason why I do this because I know what these kids go through.”

The star second rower stated that he’s inspired to give our young athletes support not just when they hit NRL, but well before “So by the time they reach the professional realm, they’re in a better place to navigate through it” he added

 

Ali Lauitiiti Photo Credit: Cliff Thompson

 

Ali Lauitiiti Photo Credit: Cliff Thompson

 

For this team of unsung heroes who are dedicated to seeing our athletes are treated as humans and not just a money making commodity, this is just the beginning, and the dream of creating a more sustainable ‘well’ industry for our athletes is looking up!

“We’ve had great speakers, guests, sessions to teach, inspire and encourage us forward in our work, but the greatest achievement over the past few days, has been the connection, the support and the depth of relationship nurtured between those who care for their Rugby League communities around our beautiful country.

Just like putting on a playing Jersey, we are only stewards of the role while we are in it, and it’s our duty to honor that, always seeking outcomes over accolades.” Cliff reiterated

 

Ali, Cliff and Wellbeing champions & ambassadors from the Otara Scorpions Rugby League Club. Photo Supplied

 

Ali, Cliff and Wellbeing champions & ambassadors from the Otara Scorpions Rugby League Club. Photo Supplied

 

The team offer support all across Aotearoa so if you would like to book a session for your club or school, you can get in touch by emailing wellbeing@nzrl.co.nz

–

Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air 

 

13 July 2023

The 2023 NRLW season is set to introduce a wave of talented Kiwi rookies eager to make their mark in the competition. Fans can expect thrilling performances and the emergence of future Kiwi Ferns stars as these up-and-comers embark on their NRLW journey.

 

Mele Hufanga (Broncos)

After a breakout Kiwi Ferns debut at the 2021 RLWC, Mele Hufanga is set to make her NRLW debut with the Brisbane Broncos. Her impressive performances for the Kiwi Ferns, scoring three tries in four games, earned her a spot in the Women’s Team of the Tournament. Hufanga’s power and skill make her a formidable presence on the field and a player to watch in the upcoming season.

 

Niall Williams-Guthrie (Titans)

A decorated athlete with experience representing NZ in rugby sevens and touch rugby, Niall Williams-Guthrie is ready to make her impact felt in the NRLW. Her remarkable collection of medals, including an Olympic silver medal, two Commonwealth Games medals, and two Rugby World Cup Sevens medals, speaks to her talent and versatility. Williams-Guthrie’s addition as the Titans centre brings a wealth of experience and skill to the team.

 

Tyla Nathan-Wong (Dragons)

A veteran of both the Black Ferns and Black Ferns Sevens, Tyla Nathan-Wong is set to make her NRLW debut with the St George Illawarra Dragons. Nathan-Wong is a skilled playmaker known for her success in rugby sevens, including multiple Olympic and Commonwealth Games medals. Teaming up with McGregor in the halves, she will bring her experience and leadership to the Dragons’ lineup.

 

Alexis Tauaneai (Dragons)

Highly anticipated in her NRLW debut, Alexis Tauaneai is a young prop forward with immense potential. Having earned recognition for her outstanding performances in the Tarsha Gale Cup and Harvey Norman Women’s National Championships, Tauaneai’s inclusion in the Dragons’ squad is well-deserved. Her physicality and skill in the forward pack will undoubtedly make an impact.

 

Abigail Roache (Knights)

After an impressive Kiwi Ferns debut campaign at the 2021 RLWC, Abigail Roache is set to make her NRLW debut with the Newcastle Knights. Her versatility across multiple positions, including centre, fullback, and five-eighth, adds depth to the Knights’ lineup. Roache’s recognition as the Auckland Rugby League Cathy Friend, Women’s Player of the Year, makes her one to watch.

 

Mackenzie Wiki (Raiders)

Following in the footsteps of her father, Kiwi legend Ruben Wiki, Mackenzie Wiki is ready to make her mark in the rugby league world. Representing the Cook Islands at the 2021 RLWC, Wiki showcased her skills and scored two tries in her three matches. Her move to the Canberra Raiders NRLW team provides her with a platform to further develop and shine.

 

Laishon Albert-Jones (Knights)

The Knights have signed rising star Laishon Albert-Jones, a versatile Kiwi Ferns international who made her test debut in June 2022 against Mate Ma’a Tonga and was part of the Rugby League World Cup campaign. Coming from a rugby league family with legendary uncle Stacey Jones, she brings exceptional skills and dedication. Recognised as the Cathy Friend Women’s Player of the Year in 2021, Albert-Jones adds international experience and a winning mindset to the Knights. Fans can anticipate her crucial contributions as the Knights strive for success in the NRLW.

 

Anessa Biddle (Sharks)

Anessa Biddle, the talented winger, is set to leave her mark on the NRLW as she joins the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks for the upcoming season. With a background as a former Counties Manukau representative and playing for the Otara Scorpions, Biddle has honed her skills in the New Zealand rugby league system. Now, she embarks on a new chapter with the Sharks, eager to showcase her talent and contribute to the team’s success. Fans can look forward to seeing Biddle’s speed, agility, and try-scoring ability on full display in the NRLW.

 

As the 2023 NRLW season unfolds, all eyes will be on these talented Kiwi rookies poised to make their mark in the competition.

July 12, 2023

Canterbury Rugby League’s newly established partnership with Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs is set to provide players and coaches from the region with unprecedented development opportunities and pathways to progress to Australia’s elite age-group and senior men’s and women’s competitions.

Rubberstamped in recent weeks, the agreement between the two organisations promises to be an invaluable and mutually beneficial initiative.

CRL’s ongoing responsibility to player and coach development, combined with the Bulldogs’ commitment to provide support for local coaches – which in turn helps players’ ability to improve – and training camp opportunities for promising players, will potentially lead to positions with the Sydney-based club.

“This is a substantial development for Canterbury Rugby League,” CRL CEO Malcolm Humm says.

“As part of our 2023-26 Strategic Plan, a key goal is that ‘pathway opportunities are fostered through strategic partnerships’. We believe this agreement with Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs is going to have a significant impact on the development of players and coaches in Canterbury, as well as the wider South Island region.

“To have access to the knowledge and experience of such a quality and successful club such as the Bulldogs is both exciting and one hell of a privilege.”

Ultimately, Canterbury Rugby League’s aim is to support players that have been identified by Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs to transition to an Australian competition, whether it be their Harold Matthews Cup (under-17s), SG Ball Cup (under-19s), Jersey Flegg (under-21s) and Tarsha Gale Cup (women’s under-18s) teams, or their Harvey Norman Women’s, NSW Cup, NRL and future NRLW premiership squads.

As well as winning eight premierships since joining the competition in 1935, Canterbury-Bankstown has an impressive reputation as a development club. The Bulldogs have won six NSW Cup titles since 1998 and were grand finalists in 2022, boast a record nine Jersey Flegg Cup titles, won the 2023 Harold Matthews Cup, reached the 2023 Tarsha Gale Cup and Harvey Norman Women’s grand finals and have their sights set on entering an NRLW team for the first time in 2025.

“Although some of the detail is still to be worked through, we have agreed that Canterbury-based coaches and players will be recipients of coaching clinics led by Bulldogs coaching personnel, whilst both entities want to ensure that identified players and coaches from the Canterbury region have the opportunity to be immersed within the club’s environment in camp scenarios,” Humm explains.

“There are numerous ways in which we can benefit each other, and we are just excited to get to this point and commence the operational plan.”

Canterbury Rugby League harbours strong links with the Bulldogs stretching back more than half a century. Linwood, Canterbury and New Zealand Test prop Bill Noonan famously became the first major signing made by legendary Canterbury-Bankstown secretary Peter ‘Bullfrog’ Moore in 1970.

Noonan was the first Kiwi (along with teammate Henry Tatana) to feature in a NSWRL premiership grand final – Canterbury-Bankstown’s loss to Eastern Suburbs in the 1974 decider – and played 161 games in the blue-and-white jersey before linking with Newtown in 1979.

Hornby Kiwi Marty Crequer turned out for the Bulldogs in 1991, while elusive winger Jason Williams played in the 1994-95 grand finals – winning a premiership medal in the latter year – during a 73-game tenure with the club. More recently, former Hornby junior Fa’amanu Brown is currently enjoying his second NRL stint with the Bulldogs (he was also part of their NSW Cup-winning side in 2018), Halswell product Montel Lisala has played for their Jersey Flegg and Ron Massey Cup sides in 2023, and Northern’s Bronson Reuben and Hornby’s Sosaia Alatini starred in the Bulldogs’ recent Harold Matthews Cup title success in a team that was coached by former Halswell stalwart Shannon Rushworth.

“The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs has long been known as a development club,” said Bulldogs General Manager of Pathways, Adam Hartigan.

“We are committed to investing time into coach and player development through our growing satellite Academy programs – and partnerships such as this new venture with Canterbury Rugby League can only further benefit the game. We are extremely proud to be able to offer our support to the region.

“CRL has a strong track record of development and by partnering together, we feel we can provide even more young talent with the skills and resources they need to unlock their potential, and flourish both on and off the field.”

Linwood’s Chelden Hayward, a member of the Canterbury 18s team that competed in the recent South Island Boys Youth Tournament, is already benefiting from the Bulldogs’ pathways program while being able to remain in the region.

“Importantly, kids can be afforded the opportunity to develop their talent without needing to be relocated at an early age, and away from their home, schooling life and families,” Hartigan explains.

“Rather, this partnership will support coach development so that Canterbury junior league players can access premier coaching and programs at home, whilst still being afforded a clear and visible pathway to the NRL or NRLW.

“Chelden Hayward is a great example of how this pathway model works. With the upskilling of CRL coaches Chelden can stay at home, complete his schooling, and mature before the need to move Australia.”

 

July 11, 2023

All remaining general admission tickets are now available for just $15.00 each after the One New Zealand Warriors today launched a special 48-hour sale ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster against in-form Cronulla Sutherland at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart (4.00pm kick-off).

Launched through Ticketmaster at 10.00am today, the offer runs through until 10.00am on Thursday. With ticket sales already beyond the 22,000 mark by yesterday, a fifth consecutive 20,000-plus crowd is assured, a feat not achieved since the heady days when the Warriors debuted in 1995.

It leaves the club on track to match the 1995 record of eight straight crowds of more than 20,000. The stadium’s capacity has been increased to 31,000 with extra seating installed for the rugby union Test between the All Blacks and South Africa being played on Saturday night. With the additional seats available, it gives the One New Zealand Warriors a chance to attract their biggest crowd at Go Media Stadium outside the 1995 campaign.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for everyone to get on board and pack the place out with an enormous crowd,” said One New Zealand Warriors CEO Cameron George. “The support from members and fans has been exceptional all season no matter what the weather. The players have been blown away by the experience of playing in front of such passionate crowds. They love it. “We’ve got a team which is playing with real determination and pride, pushing hard each week to make their supporters proud. “If you don’t have tickets yet, we’d urge you to jump on board and take advantage of this 48-hour sale. It’s going to be another huge day at our home on Sunday and we want as many people as possible to be part of it.”

George also encouraged supporters to make plans for the three remaining games at Go Media Stadium this season against Canberra (July 21), Manly Warringah (August 18) and St George Illawarra (August 25). “With the level of support we’ve seen, we’d recommend getting in now to buy tickets for the rest of the season,” he said. “Outside 1995, this has been the biggest season we’ve seen at Go Media Stadium so let’s keep it going and push the team all the way.”

The club record attendance at Go Media Stadium is 32,174 for the sixth-round match against the Illawarra Steelers at the then-named Ericsson Stadium in 1995 when the ground’s capacity was much bigger than it has been for many years. Outside 1995, the biggest attendance for all matches including finals was 28,745 for the week one play-off final against Parramatta in 2007.

The highest regular season crowd post-1995 was for last year’s homecoming against the Wests Tigers when a crowd of 26,009 packed the venue. If the One New Zealand Warriors post 20,000-plus crowds in the remaining home games they’ll equal the record set in 1995 when the original Warriors attracted crowds of more than 20,000 in their first eight home games of the season.

So far this season the total attendance for the first five home games has been 108,983 (an average crowd of 21,796 a game), the best numbers since 1995. The last four crowds have been 23,695 (Cowboys), 20,395 (Roosters), 23,686 (Dolphins) and 22,612 (Rabbitohs).

As seen on NRL.com

Read more here – https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/07/11/a-tale-of-two-sjs-the-legacy-of-johnson–jones/

Few outside the club knew it at the time, but in the final months of 2008, when Stacey Jones answered an SOS call from Ivan Cleary to come out of retirement, the Little General was making a crucial contribution to the career of his heir apparent.

Aged just 18 at the time, a scrawny touch player named Shaun Johnson was well and truly on the club’s radar as the possible long-term answer to their halves puzzle, something which had eluded them since Jones left the club for the south of France at the end of 2005.

30 June 2023

 

The prestigious Pirtek Volunteer of the Month award returns this month, where our rugby league community gets a chance to see their hard mahi recognised across the motu.

The winner chosen for this award displays the core values of NZRL’s Kiwi Way: being family first, innovative, inclusive, respectful, respectful and humble. NZRL is excited to announce that Scott Tulua is the 2023 Volunteer of the Month winner for June.

People like Scott from the Papatoetoe Panthers are hard to find. He dedicates his time and effort to coaching the club’s U18 boys’ side and assisting with the Otahuhu Leopards Premier Women’s team. Somehow Scott also finds the time to help with the Tangaroa College U14 rugby team; those involved with these teams undoubtedly appreciate all that Scott does.

From supplying team gear and equipment to washing uniforms and providing transport for young players, Scott selflessly serves however possible to ensure tamariki and rangatahi can enjoy playing Rugby League without obstacles.

Outside of Rugby League, Scott is also a dedicated community member, committing his spare time to helping others by repairing bikes.

Pirtek CEO says, “Having a person willing to dedicate so much of their time on a volunteer basis to the great game of Rugby League is rare.

“Scott is a very deserving Pirtek Volunteer of the Month.

“Thank you, Scott, for what you do for Rugby League.”

 

Primary Sponsors

View all