After a highly successful 2020 Talent Development Programme held in Cambridge last month, New Zealand Rugby League wishes to announce and congratulate those players who have been selected in the New Zealand Resident 16s and 18s, 26-man squads.
80 of the best 16s and 18s players in the country were put through their paces both on and off the field at the three-day camp, with everything they learnt culminating in two trial matches on the final day. The talent on display left selectors with some difficult decisions to make as players battled it out in hopes of catching the coaches’ eyes.
These squads will assemble on the first Monday of the school holidays, 15 April and 8 July, with a game in October to be announced in the coming months.
New Zealand Resident 16s Wider Squad 2020
AKARANA; Benaiah Ioelu, Zion Maiu’u, Paaua Papuni-Abbott: AUCKLAND; Nathaniel Tangimataiti, Nathaniel Cama, Stanley Iongi, Heneli Luani, Sione Vaihu, Filipo Whitehouse-Opetaia Tovio, Sione Fotuaika: COUNTIES MANUKAU; Ali Leiataua, Ben Peni, Carlos Tarawhiti, Salesi Ataata, Francis Manulelua. MID CENTRAL; Arama Kite, Fatiauma Moeahu-Leota: NORTHLAND; Tea-Rani Woodman-Tuhoro: SOUTHERN; Felix Fa’atili, Jaedon Wellington, Ethan Faitaua, Nikau Waikato, Uriah Tuli: UPPER CENTRAL; Manaia Ngataki-Matthews, Cassius Cowley: WELLINGTON; Joshua Williams.
Head Coach: Bejay Hewitt
Assistant Coaches: Eugene Davis and Chris Langley
Trainers: Sean Witanga
New Zealand Resident 18s Wider Squad 2020
AKARANA; Caleb Pese, Luani Tavake Naufahu Whyte, Moala Graham-Taufa, Jyris Glamuzina, Lani Graham-Taufa, Matthew Palu, Temple Kalepo, Totive Junior Tuileisu: AUCKLAND; Eteru Ropati: COUNTIES MANUKAU; Otukinekina Kepu, Peesi Vailangi Kepu, Semisi Sikei, Taniela Otukolo, Paea Fotu, Quinnlan Tupou, Semisi Tapa, Sione Moala, William Fakatoumafi: MID CENTRAL; Brooklyn Herewini, Tyson Chase: SOUTHERN; Jordan Coleman, Levi Pascoe, Caius Fa’atili. UPPER CENTRAL; Sean Field, Tukimihia Simpkins. WELLINGTON; Dallas McEwan.
Head Coach: Tusa Lafaele
Assistant Coaches: Cody Walker and Daniel McEwan
Trainers: Lee Paru and Jasen McCarthy
Manager: Tania Harris
Physio: Allan Horn
The New Zealand 16s put the Bay of Plenty 14s through their paces in a training session the players constructed to pass on their knowledge and values.
NZ 16s captain Quinnlan Tupou and Dayna Bidois, Pikiao local talk about what it means to give back to the local community and their thoughts going into tomorrow’s match against the Toa Resident 16s, 6pm Thursday 12 July (livestream available on NZRL Facebook page).
This Thursday (12 July, 6pm kick-off) the NZ Resident 16s go head-to-head with the Toa Resident 16s at Puketawhero Park, Rotorua.
Eight players from the Counties Manukau 16s team that took out the National Talent Development Final in March and seven players from the runners-up Northern side will be putting their best foot forward in the black and white jersey.
The side will look to bag their second win in as many years after the cliffhanger against the New Zealand Maori 17s which they narrowly won 32-28.
Catch the livestream for this game on the NZRL Facebook page.
Note: There will be no gate charge for any spectators who wish to attend.
New Zealand Resident 16s v Toa Resident 16s
Thursday, 12 July – 6pm
Puketawhero Park, Rotorua
2018 New Zealand Resident 16s listed by Zone/District:
Akarana: Asolelei Fretton, Lani Graham-Taufa, Lleyton Finau, Naufahu Whyte, Samuel McIntyre, T.J. Devery, Moala Graham-Taufa; Counties Manukau: Quinnlan Tupou, Sione Moala, Mase Carson, Jarney Proctor-Harwood, Jeremiah Margraff, Otukinekina Kepu, Taniela Otukolo, Valingi Kepu; Bay of Plenty (Upper Central Zone): Dayna Bidois, Legacy Katene; Wellington: Blaine Betham-Taape.
Assistant Coach: Chris Langley
Assistant Coach: Eugene Davis
Manager: Wayne Boyes
Trainer: Sean Witanga
NZRL are now open to receiving applications of interest for the roles of Head Coach for the New Zealand Resident 16s and the Kiwi Ferns.
Applications close for the NZ RESIDENT 16S MANAGER, ASSISTANT COACH and TRAINER roles at 5pm on Thursday 10 May 2018.
Successful shortlisted applicants must be available to interview on Thursday 17 May 2018
Applications close for the KIWI FERNS MANAGER, ASSISTANT COACH and TRAINER roles at 5pm on Thursday 17 May 2018.
Successful shortlisted applicants must be available to interview on Thursday 24 May 2018
To view job descriptions for all of these roles, please see the NZRL Careers page here.
If you are interested in the roles please send your covering letter and coaching CV to: admin@nzrl.co.nz before the allocated time and date.
If you have any questions of queries please contact Gary Peacham: 021 274 6975 or email: gary.p@nzrl.co.nz
