Author : Andrew McEnallay NSWRL Media

Looking back at the NSW U18s side from 2019

The 2019 NSW Under 18s side features just 92 games of NRL experience with a key core of players from both the Illawarra Steelers and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.

These two sides would eventually battle it out in the SG Ball Cup Grand Final, with the Sea Eagles coming away with the spoils.

Led by coach Michael Ennis, the Young Blues played the curtain raiser for Game One of the 2019 State of Origin series at Suncorp Stadium.

They put in a gallant performance, but came up short against a Queensland side featuring Xavier Coates, Sam Walker, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Reece Walsh.

Two years on, nswrl.com.au looks at some of the players who have started to turn heads with their performances in the NRL.

Read more: NSW U18s: 2011, NSW U18s: 2012, NSW U18s: 2013, NSW U18s: 2014, NSW U18s: 2015, NSW U18s: 2016, NSW U18s: 2017, NSW U18s: 2018

Josh Schuster

Josh Schuster – 2019 NSW Under 18’s (Photo : NSWRL)

A junior representative star, Schuster rose through the ranks at Manly as a silky five-eighth and eventually found his way into the backrow.

Despite leading the Sea Eagles to the SG Ball Grand Final wearing the six jersey, Ennis opted to select Schuster in the backrow due to his skills and ability to carry the ball into contact.

Schuster made his NRL debut in 2020 although he established himself as one of the best young players in the NRL after a stellar year in 2021, earning himself a Dally M Rookie of the Year nomination in the process.

In 2021 Schuster finished with 21 appearances, two tries, eight linebreaks, nine linebreak assists, 21 offloads and 79 running metres per game.

CABE NSW Under 18s v QLD Under 18s Highlights

Jayden Sullivan

Jayden Sullivan 2019 NSW Under 18s (Photo : NSWRL)

Jayden Sullivan led a pack of young stars to victory at the 2019 SG Ball Cup Grand Final that included current NRL players Mathew and Max Feagai, Tyrell Sloan and Junior Amone.

The crafty halfback showed he loves the big moments and his performance would earn him Man of the Match honours.

Since then, Sullivan has played six NRL games for St George Illawarra Dragons with his best performance coming in round 24 against the Cowboys at hooker.

Sullivan finished the match with one try, one try assist, two linebreaks, three tackle busts, one forced drop out, 61 running metres and 32 tackles.

Sullivan will likely be competing with Amone for a spot in the halves alongside Ben Hunt in 2022.

Will Penisini

After making his debut for Parramatta Eels in round 12 against South Sydney Rabbitohs, Will Penisini has proven he is one to watch for the future.

A big body for such a young player, Penisini possesses size, speed, footwork and was more than up to the challenge of defending on an edge in the NRL.

Penisini’s career best performance came in round 26 against the Knights where he finished with one try, one try assist, one linebreak, four tackle busts and 151 running metres.

Will Penisini 2019 NSW Under 18s (Photo : NSWRL)

NSW Under-18s Men’s squad:

Bradman Best (Newcastle Knights)
Mitchell Black (Newcastle Knights)
Oliver Clements (Central Coast Roosters)
Sione Fainu (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
Matthew Feagai (Illawarra Steelers)
Max Feagai (Illawarra Steelers)
Siua Fotu (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
Noah Griffiths (Bathurst Panthers/Melbourne Storm)
David Hollis (Parramatta Eels)
Sam Hughes (Parramatta Eels)
Trey Mooney (Parramatta Eels)
Viliami Penisini (Parramatta Eels)
Joshua Schuster (Manly)
Tyrell Sloan (Illawarra Steelers)
Jayden Sullivan (Illawarra Steelers)
Jackson Topine (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Ben Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
Alec Tuitavake (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
Junior Tupou (Canberra Raiders)
Kaeo Weekes (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)

Coach: Michael Ennis

Full Time NSW U18s 12 – 34 Queeensland Under 18s

New South Wales Under 18s – 12

TRIES : David Hollis, Sione Fainu
GOALS : Jayden Sullivan 2

Queensland Under 18s – 34

Tries : Jake Simpkin, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Fanitesi Niu, Xavier Coates, Fanitesi Niu, Reece Walsh
GOALS : Joshua James 5

Player of the match: Xavier Coates (Queensland)

Queensland Under 18 team

1. Hamiso Tabuai–Fidow
2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira
3. Reece Hoffman
4. Fanitesi Niu
5. Xavier Coates
6. Joshua James
7. Sam Walker
8. Jack Martin
9. Jake Simpkin
10.Tristan Powell
11. Brendan Piakura
12.Trent Loiero
13. Juwan Compain

Bench

14. Reece Walsh
15. Jack Howarth
16. Carsil Vaikai
17. Harrison Graham
18. Toby Sexton

Related Links

Match report

NSW U18s: 2011,

NSW U18s: 2012,

NSW U18s: 2013,

NSW U18s: 2014,

NSW U18s: 2015,

NSW U18s: 2016 

NSW U18s 2017

NSW U18s 2018

NSW U18’s 2019

The post 2019 NSW U18s side appeared first on OurFootyTeam.

Author : Andrew McEnallay NSWRL Media

Looking back at the 2017 NSW U18s side

Payne Haas The NSW Under-18s take on the Queensland Under-18s at ANZ Stadium

The NSW Under 18s side from 2017 featured 263 games of NRL experience, a Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues extended squad member and a promising young half who’s been making a splash in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.

It was Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler’s second year at the helm of the pathways team, with the game played as a curtain raiser for Game Two of the State of Origin series.

Led by an inspirational performance from captain Payne Haas, as well as a hat-trick to Luke Metcalf, NSW would come away 35-28 winners thanks to a late Sebastian Kris try and a Zac Lomax field goal.

The win at ANZ Stadium would give Fittler a perfect 2-0 record coaching the Under 18s side and serve as a perfect audition to take on the top job in 2018.

Four years on, nswrl.com.au looks at some of the players who have gone on to forge great careers and could be destined for higher honours.

Zac Lomax The NSW Under-18s take on the Queensland Under-18s at ANZ Stadium

Zac Lomax

After progressing from Illawarra Steelers’ UNE SG Ball Cup side in 2016 to the St George Illawarra Dragons Under 20s set up in 2017, Lomax was awarded NSWRL’s Under 18s Player of the Year.

It was Lomax’s second year in the NSW Under 18s side in 2017 and he also played back-to-back seasons in the Australian Schoolboys side.

Not long after, Lomax was playing on the big stage. He made his NRL debut in Round 10 of the 2018 season against South Sydney Rabbitohs and capped off his debut year with a spot in the Prime Minister’s XII, NSW Under 18s side and a spot in Fittler’s Emerging Blues camp.

While Lomax showed plenty of promise in his first two seasons, 2020 was a breakout year for the Temora junior and he was rewarded with a spot on the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues extended bench.

Under 18s Highlights

Lomax picked up where he left off in 2021 and was in the conversation for a spot in the NSW squad before he suffered a broken thumb which sidelined him for the entire Origin period.

Luke Metcalf – The NSW Under-18s take on the Queensland Under-18s at ANZ Stadium (Photo : NSWRL)

Luke Metcalf

Metcalf made a name for himself coming through the Sharks’ Harold Matthews, SG Ball and Under 20s systems before signing with Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.

Metcalf returned to the Shire in 2021 and he was rewarded with a total of six NRL appearances, debuting against his former club, the Sea Eagles in Round 20.

Metcalf’s standout performance in the NRL came in Round 23 against the Wests Tigers.

The match saw Metcalf start at five-eighth for the first time in his NRL career and he rewarded the coaching staff with a stellar performance that included two tries, one try assist, one linebreak, five tackle busts and 124 running metres.

With only six NRL games to his name, Metcalf has had plenty of opportunities to impress in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, so much so that True Blue Jamie Soward predicted Metcalf would be crowned the NSW Cup Player of the Year on The Short Side.

Playing for Newtown Jets, Metcalf played nine games in 2021 and added seven tries, 13 goals, five try assists, four linebreak assists, 101 running metres per game to his name.

It was recently announced that Metcalf will be making the jump across the ditch and joining New Zealand Warriors in 2023 on a two-year deal.

Josh Curran

After coming through the Parramatta Eels pathways, Josh Curran joined the Sydney Roosters in 2017 and played in their Under 20s side over the next two seasons before making his way into the NSW Cup competition in 2019.

After playing just one game for the Roosters in 2019, Curran signed with the Warriors and eventually made his club debut in Round 20 of the same year.

This season proved to be Curran’s best yet and after moving around from the bench to second row and lock, Curran appears to have locked down a spot on the right edge after forming a formidable combination with Rookie of the Year Reece Walsh.

With an experienced halfback in Shaun Johnson re-joining the club in 2022, Curran has a great opportunity to continue to improve his game.

Curran’s best performance of his career came in Round 22 against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs where he finished the game with one try, one try assist, three linebreaks, four tackle busts, 175 running metres and 42 tackles.

NSW Under 18s 2017 side

John Fonua – Parramatta Eels
Sebastian Kris – Canberra Raiders (24 NRL Games)
Teig Wilton – Cronulla Sharks (21 NRL Games)
Zac Lomax – St George Illawarra Dragons (49 NRL Games)
Ethan Parry – Parramatta Eels (2 NRL Games)
Jaeman Salmon – Cronulla Sharks (19 NRL Games)
Luke Metcalf – Cronulla Sharks (6 NRL Games)
Oregon Kaufusi – Parramatta Eels (44 NRL Games)
Kyle Schneider – Parramatta Eels
Payne Haas – Brisbane Broncos (61 NRL Games)
Filia Utoikamanu – Parramatta Eels
Alex Seyfarth – Wests Tigers (16 NRL Games)
Lindsay Smith – Penrith Panthers (1 NRL Game)
Noel Aukafolau – Penrith Panthers
Josh Curran – Sydney Roosters (20 NRL Games)
Jake Hazard – Sydney Roosters
Duwayne Fuimaono – Sydney Roosters

NSW Under-18s 35

TRIES : Luke Metcalf 3, Sebastian Kris 2, Ethan Parry
GOALS : Zac Lomax 5
F/GOAL : Lomax

Queensland Under-18s 28

TRIES : Treymain Spry, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Murray Taulagi, Logan Bayliss, Eddie Blacker
GOALS : Travis Turnbull

ANZ Stadium, 21 June, 2017

Related Links

Photo Gallery

NSW U18s: 2011,

NSW U18s: 2012,

NSW U18s: 2013,

NSW U18s: 2014,

NSW U18s: 2015,

NSW U18s: 2016 

NSW U18s 2017

NSW U18s 2018

NSW U18’s 2019

The post 2017 NSW U18s side appeared first on OurFootyTeam.

Author : Andrew McEnallay NSWRL Media

Looking back at the 2016 NSW U18s side

With current Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler taking over the reins from Todd Payten as NSW Under 18s coach in 2016.

Fittler picked a squad that now boasts 631 games of NRL experience, including three players who have won multiple State of Origin series under his tutelage, and another three players who have been part of the extended squad over the past two years.

The Young Blues played the curtain raiser to Game Two of the 2016 series and current Blues forward Cameron Murray captained the side to a resounding 26-0 victory at Suncorp Stadium.

Murray was rewarded for his efforts with a Man of the Match award.

The Blues back three led the way with Zac Lomax scoring a double, Isaac Lumelume scoring a try and setting up two more, and Ryan Papenhuyzen proving a handful at fullback.

Five years on, nswrl.com.au looks back at some of those players who have gone on to forge great NRL careers.

Cameron Murray

After leading the Young Blues to victory in 2016, Murray has established himself as one of the hardest working forwards in the NRL.

At just 23 years of age, Murray already has featured in 103 NRL games, a Grand Final appearance, seven Origin games and one Test match for Australia.

A leader on and off the field, Murray has been touted as a future NSW and Australia captain; a position he only reinforced with his performance in the 2021 NRL Grand Final.

While South Sydney Rabbitohs fell agonisingly short to Penrith Panthers, Murray finished the game with 97 running metres, a linebreak, tackle bust, offload and a game high 53 tackles with none missed.

In 2019, Murray was also awarded the Dally M Lock of the Year.

18s Highlights18s Highlights

Payne Haas

Since making his NRL debut in Round 8 of the 2018 season, Haas has developed into one of the most unstoppable forces on the field.

Standing at 194 cm and weighing in at 117 kg, Haas continues to churn out numbers and minutes rarely seen over the past four seasons which is even more impressive when you consider he is still only 22-years-old.

Haas would eventually debut for NSW in Game One of 2019, and has appeared in a further six Origin games including two series wins. Haas has also made two test appearances for Australia.

The 2021 series was Haas’ career best after he finished with five tackle busts, 124 running metres per game and 86 tackles at an efficiency of 98.8%.

He was awarded his third straight Broncos Player of the Year in 2021 and took home the 2021 Dally M Prop of the Year award.

Nick Cotric

At just 23 years of age, Nick Cotric has 107 NRL Games, an Origin appearance, two Tests for Australia, a Grand Final and a Dally M Rookie of the Year award appearance to his name.

He debuted for his junior club, Canberra Raiders in Round 1 of the 2017 season and made his name as one of the best finishers in the game, scoring 43 tries in 93 games.

The 2019 season provided plenty of career highlights for Cotric, making his Origin debut in Game One, playing in an NRL Grand Final and finishing the year off with two appearances for Australia.

Cotric signed with Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs for the 2021 season although he is now on his way back to the nation’s capital for 2022 on a three-year deal, much to the delight of the Raiders faithful.

Looking back at the 2016 NSW U18s side Photographer – Paul Barkley.

NSW U18s 2016 side

Ryan Papenhuyzen – Wests Tigers (57 NRL Games)
Isaac Lumelume – Cronulla Sharks (6 NRL Games)
Tui Afualo – Parramatta Eels
Nick Cotric – Canberra Raiders (107 NRL Games)
Zac Lomax – Illawarra Steelers (49 NRL Games)
Dean Blore – Penrith Panthers
Sean Sullivan – Penrith Panthers (21 NRL Games)
Emre Guler – South Sydney Rabbitohs (41 NRL Games)
Reece Robson – St George Dragons (24 NRL Games)
Jai Whitbread – Brisbane Broncos (30 NRL Games)
Cameron Murray – South Sydney Rabbitohs (103 NRL Games)
Samuel Radovu – Penrith Panthers
Brodie Jones – Newcastle Knights (42 NRL Games)
Tom Starling – Newcastle Knights (37 NRL Games)
Pasami Saulo – Newcastle Knights (16 NRL Games)
Payne Haas – Gold Coast Titans (61 NRL Games)
Keaon Koloamatangi – South Sydney Rabbitohs (37 NRL Games)

Queensland Under 18’s

1. Corey Allan Brisbane Broncos Souths Logan Magpies
2. David Fauid Brisbane Broncos Norths Devils
3. Enari Tuala NQ Cowboys Townsville Blackhawks
4. Gehamat Shibasaki Brisbane Broncos Norths Devils
5. Michael Carroll NQ Cowboys Townsville Blackhawks
6. Gerome Burns Brisbane Broncos Norths Devils
7. Lachlan Lam Sydney Roosters
8. Thomas Mikaele Wests Tigers Ipswich
9. Brent Woolf Brisbane Broncos Wynnum Manly Seagulls
10. Patrick Carrigan Brisbane Broncos Easts Tigers
11. Emry Pere NQ Cowboys Townsville Blackhawks
12. Duarne Dempsey NQ Cowboys Townsville Blackhawks
13. Corey Horsburgh NQ Cowboys Townsville Blackhawks

14. Julian Christian Brisbane Broncos Townsville Blackhawks
15. Tom Skinner Penrith Panthers
16. Kobe Tararo Gold Coast Titans Gold Coast White
17. Mitipere Tuatai Brisbane Broncos Wynnum Manly Seagulls
18. Tristan Sailor St George Illawarra

Coach: Josh Hannay

Full Time

New South Wales 24

TRIES : Matthew Dufty 2, Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell, Lachlan Croker
GOALS : Jackson Hastings

Queensland 10

TRIES : Lindsay Collins, Kieran Duffin
GOALS : Cooper Bambling

@ ANZ Stadium.

Referee: Liam Nicholls. Touch Judges: Michael Laverty, Jason Higgins.

Related Links

NSWRL.com.au

NSW U18s: 2011,

NSW U18s: 2012,

NSW U18s: 2013,

NSW U18s: 2014,

NSW U18s: 2015,

NSW U18s: 2016 

NSW U18s 2017

NSW U18s 2018

NSW U18’s 2019

The post Looking back at the 2016 NSW U18s side appeared first on OurFootyTeam.

Author : Andrew McEnallay NSWRL Media

Looking back at the 2015 NSW U18s side

Coached by current North Queensland Cowboys coach Todd Payten, the New South Wales Under 18s 2015 side would go on to feature 591 games of NRL experience

A future NRL Premiership winner and Clive Churchill Medallist, a record-breaking point scorer and a NSW Cup miracle man.

The team played the curtain raiser for Game Two of the 2015 Origin series at the MCG.

The Young Blues shot out to an early lead through Ryan Papenhuyzen and Curtis Scott but fell agonisingly short after Queensland fought back for a 22-18 win.

Six years on, nswrl.com.au takes a look back at some of the players who have gone on to forge great careers.

Ryan Papenhuyzen

Ryan Papenhuyzen’s rise to NRL stardom has been nothing short of spectacular.

After leaving Wests Tigers to join Melbourne Storm, Papenhuyzen made his NRL debut in Round 4 of the 2019 season and he has gone on to much greater heights since then.

Papenhuyzen’s breakout performance came just weeks later in a blockbuster magic round clash against Parramatta Eels.

The current Storm fullback played just 32 minutes off the bench and finished the match with a try, 137 running metres, three linebreaks, two linebreak assists, two try assists and six tackle busts in a resounding 64-10 victory.

After starting the year off the bench, Papenhuyzen eventually forced his way into the starting fullback role and has since solidified his position as one of the game’s most electrifying players.

His best year came in 2020, where he played a pivotal role in the Storm’s Grand Final victory over Penrith Panthers. Papenhuyzen would go on to score an impressive solo try and was eventually awarded the Clive Churchill Medal.

Not long after, Papenhuyzen joined the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues extended squad for the 2020 State of Origin series in November but injury affected his chances of selection.

Reuben Garrick

After coming through the Dragons pathways, Reuben Garrick made the switch to the northern beaches of Sydney for the 2019 season.

He has since represented Australia at the Rugby League World Cup Nines, the Prime Minister’s XIII and has gone on to become one of the game’s most prolific point scorers.

Garrick made his NRL debut in Round 1 of the 2019 season and has been a mainstay in the Sea Eagles side ever since.

This season proved to be a record-breaking year for the Gerringong local after he broke several club and NRL records.

Garrick finished the year as the NRL’s top point scorer, was named Dally M Winger of the Year and set a club record for most points in a season with 334 points from 23 tries and 121 goals at a conversion rate of 81.8%.

He also became the first player to score 20 tries and kick 100 goals in a season and he broke the record for most points by a player in a regular NRL season.

After scoring more than 300 points in 2021, Garrick sits second behind another goalkicking winger in Hazem El-Masri as the only players to score more than 300 points in a season.

Billy Magoulias

Blessed with the ability to play anywhere from hooker, five-eighth, and lock, Magoulias has recently signed with Warrington Wolves in the Super League for 2022 after playing 16 NRL games for Cronulla Sharks from 2019-2021.

While Magoulias has plenty of football in front of him, it’s his miracle boot that has captured the attention of Rugby League fans.

In the 2019 NSW Cup Grand Final, Magoulias chipped over the top to set up the winning try for the Newtown Jets in the 88th minute after the game went into extra- time.

Just one week later, Magoulias was the difference yet again after chipping over the Burleigh Bears defensive line for Jackson Ferris to finish with just five seconds left on the clock in the NRL State Championship final.

Magoulias made his NRL debut a few months prior in Round 19 against the Cowboys which the Sharks would go on to win 16-14.

NSW U18s 2015 side

Ryan Papenhuyzen – Balmain Tigers (57 NRL Games)
Reimis Smith – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (74 NRL Games)
Curtis Scott – Cronulla Sharks (72 NRL Games)
Jesse Ramien – Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (74 NRL Games)
Reuben Garrick – St George Dragons (70 NRL Games)
Brock Lamb – Newcastle Knights (33 NRL Games)
Jack Cogger – Newcastle Knights (42 NRL Games)
Daniel Vasquez – Cronulla Sharks (1 NRL Game)
Daniel Peck – Balmain Tigers
Blake Lawrie – St George Dragons (79 NRL Games)
Brodie Jones – Newcastle Knights (42 NRL Games)
Ray Stone – Western Suburbs Magpies (28 NRL Games)
Gabe Hamlin – South Sydney Rabbitohs
Brock Ilett – Cronulla Sharks
Billy Magoulias – Cronulla Sharks (16 NRL Games)
Billy Bainbridge – Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (3 NRL Games)
Sam Elliott – Gold Coast Titans

Queensland Under-18s 22

TRIES : Samuelu Lavea, Ross Bella, Jaydn Su’a, Joshua Fauid
GOALS : Joshua Fauid 3

NSW Under-18s 18

TRIES : Ryan Papenhuyzen, Curtis Scott, Reimis Smith
GOALS : Brock Lamb 3 goals

MCG, 17 June, 2015

Related Links

NSWRL Match Report

NSW U18s: 2011,

NSW U18s: 2012,

NSW U18s: 2013,

NSW U18s: 2014,

NSW U18s: 2015,

NSW U18s: 2016 

NSW U18s 2017

NSW U18s 2018

NSW U18’s 2019

The post 2015 NSW U18s side appeared first on OurFootyTeam.

Author : Andrew McEnallay NSWRL

The 2014 NSW Under 18s side featured several future superstars of the game as well as one of the most dangerous centre combinations in State of Origin history.

With Todd Payten at the helm, they played the curtain raiser for Game II of the 2014 State of Origin series – the same year the NSW Blues broke a lengthy series drought following a Man of the Match performance by captain Paul Gallen.

A double to Matt Dufty and tries to Lachlan Croker, Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic helped NSW to a 24-10 victory to bring up a second consecutive win for the Under 18s.

Returning from the successful 2013 side was Sione Mata’tuia, Jackson Hastings, Tyrell Fuimaono and Tevita Pangai-Junior.

Tyrell Fuimaono charges up the field for the 2014 NSW Under 18s (Photo : NSWRL)

Read more: NSW U18s – 2011, NSW U18s – 2012, NSW U18s – 2013

Tom Trbojevic

Turbo Tom Trbojevic runs up ANZ Stadium for the 2014 NSW U18’s (Photo : NSWRL)

In 2014, two-time premiership winner Brett Stewart helped lead Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles to a minor premiership after falling agonisingly short in the 2013 NRL Grand Final a year earlier.

While Stewart was at the back end of a glittering career, Manly’s next superstar fullback was tearing up opposition defences in the Under 20s competition.

The very next year, Trbojevic marked himself as a genuine star of the future after scoring a double in his NRL debut.

Fast forward to 2021 and Trbojevic produced one of the greatest individual seasons the game has ever seen. After missing the first few months of the season through injury, Trbojevic was simply unstoppable.

Turbo broke several records throughout the year including most tries in a season for a Sea Eagles player, most tries in a season for a fullback as well as winning Fullback of the Year and the Dally M Medal – all from just 18 games.

He finished the year with 28 tries, 28 try assists, 124 tackle breaks and 33 linebreaks.

Turbo also returned to the Origin arena after missing the 2020 series through injury, scoring a hat-trick in Game I and a try in Game II.

He was also awarded the Wally Lewis Medal after helping the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues to their most dominant series victory in Origin history.

Matthew Dufty scores a try for the 2014 NSW U18s (Photo : NSWRL)

Tom Trbojevic is awarded the 2021 Wally Lewis Medal

Latrell Mitchell

Since representing his state in 2014, Mitchell has achieved it all in Rugby League. A two-time premiership winner with the Sydney Roosters, Mitchell has scored six tries from seven State of Origin games and has also represented the Kangaroos and Indigenous All-Stars.

He has a knack for coming up with the big play when his side need it the most. Notably, Mitchell helped set up James Tedesco’s winning try in the 2019 Grand Final and he also came up with an iconic intercept try in Game II of the 2021 State of Origin series.

After missing out on the majority of the 2020 season through injury, Mitchell began to establish himself as one of the best fullbacks in the game, playing a pivotal role in South Sydney’s lethal backline.

Latrell finished the 2021 season with 17 games, 13 tries, 14 try assists, 93 tackle busts, 18 linebreaks and 141 running metres per game.

2014 NSW U 18’s (Photo : NSWRL)

NSW Under 18s 2014 side

Matthew Dufty – St George Dragons (82 NRL Games)
Paul Momirovski – Sydney Roosters (38 NRL Games)
Sione Mata’utia – Newcastle Knights (124 NRL Games)
Tom Trbojevic – Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (114 NRL Games)
Latrell Mitchell – Sydney Roosters (127 NRL Games)
Jackson Hastings – Sydney Roosters (47 NRL Games)
Lachlan Croker – Canberra Raiders (59 NRL Games)
Sione Hala – Penrith Panthers
Grant Garvey – Sydney Roosters (1 NRL Game)
Jacob Host – St George Dragons (72 NRL Games)
Tyrell Fuimaono – Parramatta Eels (60 NRL Games)
Tevita Pangai Junior – Canberra Raiders (100 NRL Games)
Hame Sele – St George Dragons (40 NRL Games)
Tevita Cottrell – South Sydney Rabbitohs
Alex Twal – Parramatta Eels (89 NRL Games)
Luciano Leilua – St George Dragons (87 NRL Games)
Matthew Jurd – St George Dragons

Paul Momirovski, Tyrell Fuimaono and Matthew Dufty celebrate Dufty’s try (Photo : NSWRL)

Related Links

NSWRL.com.au

NSW U18s: 2011,

NSW U18s: 2012,

NSW U18s: 2013,

NSW U18s: 2014,

NSW U18s: 2015,

NSW U18s: 2016 

NSW U18s 2017

NSW U18s 2018

NSW U18’s 2019

Panthers 2022 Jersey Flegg squad confirmed

Knights 2022 SG Ball Summer Squad

Canberra Raiders Junior Rep’s Program 2022

Return to Play update for junior reps

The post Looking back at the 2014 NSW U18s side appeared first on OurFootyTeam.

Author : NSWRL

The 2013 NSW Under 18s side featured players who have gone on to even greater success with one True Blue and experience exceeding 1000 NRL games, with plenty more to come.

Under the guidance of Cowboys head coach Todd Payten, they played as a curtain-raiser for Game Two of the 2013 State of Origin series.

The boys in blue had a resounding 56-6 victory over their Queensland rivals with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scoring a hat-trick and Jackson Hastings, Alex Johnston and Sione Mata’utia all crossing for doubles.

Eight years on, nswrl.com.au looks back at some of the players who have gone on to forge great careers.

Read more: The 2012 NSW U18s side nine years on

Read more: The 2011 NSW U18s side 10 years on

Jack Bird

Jack Bird is the only member of the 2013 NSW Under 18s side who has gone on to represent NSW at State of Origin level.

2016 was undoubtedly Bird’s most successful year to date after making his State of Origin debut in Game Two as well as playing a vital role in breaking the Cronulla Sharks’ 50-year premiership drought.

Bird played off the bench for Games One and Two, after Dylan Walker was shifted to the centres.

The Blues fell short 26-16 in Game Two and won Game Three 18-14. He played all three games in the 2017 series off the bench.

Success found Bird early after he made his NRL debut in round 4 of the 2015 season, with the Sharks winning 15 of 23 games that year and finishing in fourth before being kicked out by the Cowboys who would be eventual premiers.

After struggling with injuries during his time at the Sharks and Broncos, Bird was able to get 22 games under his belt in 2021 with the Dragons, his most since 2016.

Playing mostly at centre, Bird finished the year with four tries, seven try assists, five linebreaks, 83 tackle busts and ran for 122m per game.

Tevita Pangai-Junior

With plenty of natural talent, there’s no surprise that Tevita Pangai-Junior has established himself as one of the most damaging forwards in the game.

Pangai-Junior featured in the Canberra Raiders Under 20s side from 2013-2015 and would eventually make his NRL debut for the Brisbane Broncos in round 12 against Wests Tigers. After having mixed success in Brisbane, Pangai-Junior moved to the Panthers as a mid-season recruit to play a part in their 2021 premiership-winning season. He will join the Bulldogs in 2022.

Drew Hutchison

A talented Dragons junior coming through the ranks, Hutchison managed just four games in two years for the Red V after cruelly missing the entire 2017 season after injuring his ACL during training.

After moving to the Super League in 2018, Hutchison signed with the Roosters from 2019 onwards although it was his performances in an injury-ravaged season in 2021 that earned him plenty of accolades.

Trent Robinson opted for a halves pairing of Lachlan Lam and Luke Keary for the first three rounds of 2021 until both Keary and Lam suffered serious knee injuries in their loss against South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Keary’s season was cut short while Lam later returned in round 10 and would go on to partner Hutchison in the halves throughout the year.

After starting the year in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, Hutchison was brought in alongside Sam Walker to help steady the ship, and he proved a very capable replacement.

While Walker set the competition alight in his rookie year, Hutchison’s experience, kicking game, defensive capabilities and cool headedness proved the ying to Walker’s yang.

Hutchison played in a career best 20 games in 2021, scored three tries and finished with nine try assists, seven linebreaks, 10 linebreak assists, 279.9 kicking metres per game and a tackle efficiency of 91.6 per cent.

Fosio Tatola Balmain TIGERS Co – Captain 2013 SG Ball Cup Grand Final “Man of the Match” (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

2013 NSW Under 18s side

1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak – Penrith Panthers (152 NRL Games)
2. Alex Johnston – South Sydney Rabbitohs (166 NRL Games)
3. Euan Aitken – St George Dragons (135 NRL Games)
4. Sione Mata’utia – Newcastle Knights (124 NRL Games)
5. Michael Morgan – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
6. Drew Hutchison – St George Dragons (33 NRL Games)
7. Jackson Hastings – St George Dragons (47 NRL Games)
8. Oliver Clark – Penrith Panthers (16 NRL Games)
9. Zach Dockar-Clay – Parramatta Eels
10. Fosio Tatola – Wests Tigers
11. Willis Meehan – Sydney Roosters (1 NRL Game)
12. Tevita Pangai-Junior – Canberra Raiders (100 NRL Games)
13. Jack Bird – St George Dragons (105 NRL Games)
14. Cheyne Whitelaw – South Sydney Rabbitohs
15. Tyrell Fuimaono – Parramatta Eels (60 NRL Games)
16. Liam Knight – Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (63 NRL Games)
17. Rhys Armstrong – Wests Tigers

(Suncorp Stadium, 26 June, 2013)

NSW Under-18s 56
TRIES : Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3, Sione Mata’utia 2, Alex Johnston 2, Jackson Hastings 2, Zach Dockar-Clay, Michael Morgan
GOALS : Jackson Hastings 6 goals)

def

Queensland Under-18s 6
TRIES : Elijah Alick
GOALS : Duncan Paiaaua goal)

Related Links

NSWRL 

2013 SG Ball Cup Grand Final

PENRITH PANTHERS v BALMAIN TIGERS
| 1st HALF | 2nd HALF |

Read more: The 2012 NSW U18s side nine years on

Read more: The 2011 NSW U18s side 10 years on 

2013 National u18 Club Championship

Redcliffe Dolphins v Balmain Tigers | 1st HALF | 2nd HALF |

The post Looking back at the 2013 NSW U18s side appeared first on OurFootyTeam.

Author : NSWRL Media Release

True Blues head list of pathways coaching appointments

True Blue and former St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor has been appointed coach of the Men’s Under 19s Origin team with four of the seven head coaching positions for representative pathways teams to be held by former players who have worn the sky blue jumper.

True Blues Beau Scott (Country Open), Brett Kimmorley (City Under 18s) and Trent Hodkinson (City Under 16s) have also been appointed as head coaches, Mark O’Meley (Under 19s) and Terry Campese (Country Open) assistant coaches and Steve Simpson (Country Under 16s) team manager.

“The NSWRL is pleased to announce the coaching appointments for all our Junior Representative teams and it’s great to see several positions being held by True Blues,” NSWRL Head of Football Robert Lowrie said.

“All of those players wore the sky blue jumper with distinction and they will be able to pass on their experience to the next generation of stars coming through. It’s great to see them reinvesting in the game and I’m confident this will set the NSWRL up for future success.”

2021 Men’s Representative Coaching Appointments

Origin Under 19s – Paul McGregor (coach), Mark O’Meley (assistant coach), Dave Skinner (team manager)

City Open – Brett Cook (coach), Frank Pritchard (assistant coach), Jarred Farlow (team manager)

Country Open – Beau Scott (coach), Terry Campese (assistant coach), Matt O’Brien (team manager)

City Under 18s – Brett Kimmorley (coach), Scott Kenna (assistant coach), Stuart Stanton (team manager)

Country Under 18s – Jason Kelly (coach), Kurt Hancock (assistant coach), Paul Strutt (team manager)

City Under 16s – Trent Hodkinson (coach), Adam McEwan (assistant coach), Richard Kelly (team manager)

Country Under 16s – Shaun Davison (coach), Aaron Hersh (assistant coach), Steve Simpson (team manager

The post NSWRL announce NSW & City Junior Rep Coaches appeared first on OurFootyTeam.

Author : NSWRL

The New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) Board today established a plan to work towards a re-start of Rugby League activities from July 2020 to coincide with a common return date for some other winter sports across the state and the commencement of term 3 in the school year.

NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said the decision to work towards a shortened Community Rugby League season and a re-start of other abbreviated senior competitions from 18 July 2020 will be further reviewed and confirmed on 1 June 2020 subject to the existing Government advice available at the time.

Trodden said today’s decision took into consideration the NSW Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020 which is currently preventing sport from being conducted and expires at midnight on 29 June 2020 (unless further extended).

“Accordingly, the earliest possible return date is 30 June 2020, unless the NSW Government decides to lift the Public Health order earlier,” Trodden said.

“Most winter sports favour working towards a return date of 18 July 2020, at the end of the next school holiday period, with a return to training on 1 July 2020, subject to the status of the public health in the interim.

“The Board and Management of NSWRL have been continuing to closely monitor developments with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to strictly follow the Government advice so that we will only return to playing footy when it is deemed safe to do so.

“The NSWRL and everyone in our Rugby League community need to be responsive to the continual changes to the Government advice around risks to public health for the broader community, and if it becomes apparent that a July start date is not feasible, we will adjust and reassess.”

The decision to work towards starting Rugby League competitions from 18 July 2020, and to resume training from 1 July 2020, applies to the following:

Community Football, involving more than 100,000 boys, girls, men and women across the state to commence. The 2020 season was originally due to commence 4 April when it was postponed in March. All Clubs and Leagues are encouraged to continue to take registrations beyond the traditional 30 June registration cut-off date.
Ron Massey Cup, Sydney Shield and Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership to resume. One round had been played when the competitions were suspended on 27 March.

In relation to the nine competitions cancelled by the NSWRL Board on 27 March, the Board has today determined that no premiers and no player of the series awards will be declared for any of those competitions for 2020. This applies to the following:

Major competitions: Canterbury Cup NSW, Jersey Flegg Cup, Women’s Country Championships and Men’s Under 23s Country Championships
Junior Representative competitions: SG Ball Cup, Tarsha Gale Cup, Harold Matthews Cup, Andrew Johns Cup and Laurie Daley Cup.

The post Grassroots Rugby League set to re-start in NSW in July appeared first on OurFootyTeam.

Author : NSWRL

NSWRL Covid-19 Weekly Update For Clubs: Major And Pathways Competitions

COVID-19 Club Response Plan

Click here for a checklist and advice to prepare and assist your club in financially making it through this difficult time for all sports.

Training in Isolation

Rationale – like any skill, time not doing that movement or coordinated activity will result in a decline in your ability to perform that activity autonomously.

In this time of isolation it’s important to focus on maintenance of your current abilities and fitness, while being inventive to replicate the movement and coordinated activities.

One of the best kickers in Rugby League, who had amazing control over the footy at training and in the game, suffered a grade 2 injury preventing him from kicking for three weeks.

His first few kick practice sessions back were awful, in timing and effectiveness – he used the example of golf and tennis saying the difference between elite sport people and others is that last ½ % in timing and execution.

He got back to his usual in a week.

Things to do:

1. Ball in hand (Shape, size, weight doesn’t matter) when doing your running.

When doing your cardio or running drills- carry a footy, keep changing hands with it (practice grip and Bump) NOTE- You don’t look strange

You need to work on your lateral movement too- during warm-ups DON’T jog straight but every 3rd step slightly change your direction and at the same time transfer the ball to the arm in the new direction, a little fend would be good.

Picking the ball up and putting it down, every touch turn run place ball down or pick it up.

Small soccer balls are Great (round balls come back to you against the wall) we all need to practice our D1/2 passing – place a piece of tape against the wall or tie a piece of cloth to the fence and have a focus point for the pass- do lots when you are recovering between cardio.

Remember those individuals carry ball drills you did as a kid at training in warm ups

Rotating the ball around your body as you run.
Passing it through your legs with each step while running.
One hand tap in the air control as you jog.

2. Challenging your Hand/Eye Coordination – (one tennis ball and a Flat Wall)

One hand Ball Catch/throw with alternate hands (throw left catch right- throw right catch left etc) against a wall from 2m away for 30secs. Set your phone to 30secs and do as many as you can.

The ability to soft catch and throw to vital to our game. The movement of eyes and watching the ball into hands will improve your error percentage.

This skill can be improved with REGULAR practice 2-3 times a week along with other catch pass drills at training using two footballs. Standards to measure yourself by:

Age High Score Above Average Average Below Average Low Score
15-16 Years >35 30-35 25-29 20-24 <20

3. Kickers – time to perfect the kick process and timing of the kick – Process NOT result of where ball goes.

Most local parks have a high fence to kick against (little brothers or partners are good too)

Constant drop – Hold ball down over kick foot and you need to do 10 good drops and kick back to hands. If you get to 8 and do a bad one start again, sorry.

Entry to Kick – walking into kick with body weight over ball kick lots against fence. Good drop again.

Exit the Kick- after you kick the footy you need to continue moving forward towards target area.

Don’t worry about kicking it hard – Focus – Consistent Drop, Body over ball, Move through kick.

4. Visualisation and Simulating parts of your game – Playing on your own with purpose, again you don’t look silly.

Tackle Tech – MOST of our good and consistent tacklers tackle with great small feet movement to get body to almost in-front of runner. Between your running drill do 5-10 bounce 3 steps off the line and a little two step lateral with hip drop to set for a tackle – Visualise.

Running Lines – Look in then look up before you start your little sprint work- take 2 steps ‘Off Ball’ and run your little sprints with hands up to receive and run a little curve like you would in a game.

Think about your type of passing for your position in a game and do plenty against a wall or fence.

Contract, Terminations and Player Movements

With regards contracts and portability see below:

New Contracts

At this point any new contracts will not be accepted or processed by NSWRL until further notice. We need to develop a plan and determine if and when competitions will restart.

Current Contracts

Any current contracted player wishing to transfer to another club can only do so by signing and submitting a termination, players will not be permitted to move clubs unless a valid termination is received and accepted by NSWRL.

Any player or club wishing to terminate a contract must do so by using the following “Deed of Termination Release” document. Click Here to access the NSWRL Contract Termination Document. This must be filled in, signed and submitted accordingly for NSWRL to process the termination. This can be submitted by:

Uploading the form to the player’s already submitted contract section on smartabase. There is a section asking if you would like to terminate the player’s contract or not. This is where you upload the Deed of Termination Release.

Submit via email to Liz Callaghan or Melanie Riccio to process and upload into smartabase on behalf of your club
Contract Variations

Where a club wishes to vary a multiyear deal, a contract variation needs to be completed, and submitted via the same process as the termination – Click Here to access the NSWRL Contract Variation Document. Where a player is under a current contract, even though this may be under variation, if the competitions they were signed to play in are cancelled and there is no affiliation with another club (i.e. Ron Massey Cup or Sydney Shield) that player will not be able to play for another club in Major and Pathway Competitions unless a termination is received. Click Here to access the NSWRL Contract Termination Document.

Major and Pathway Competitions:

There has been no update to the below information regarding the status of NSWRL Competitions since last week’s media release. The NSWRL Board, in conjunction with the NRL, continue to meet on a regular basis and will make more announcements when possible. Please note, the decisions being made by the NSWRL Board are done with player and staff safety as the number one consideration.

Canterbury Cup, Jersey Flegg Cup, Women’s Country Championships and Men’s Under 23s Country Championships
These are CANCELLED for the 2020 season.

Junior Reps – SG Ball Cup, Tarsha Gale Cup, Harold Matthews Cup, Andrwe Johns Cup and Laurie Daley Cup.
These are CANCELLED for the 2020 season.

Ron Massey Cup, Sydney Shield and Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership
These are suspended until at least 31 May.
Rugby League activity that is suspended includes all training and playing.

Community Rugby League:

All community competitions are suspended until at least 1 May.
Rugby League activity that is suspended includes training, carnivals and matches.

The post NSWRL Covid-19 Update for Clubs : Major and Pathways Competitions appeared first on OurFootyTeam.

Author : Alicia Newton NRL.com Reporter

Major competitions, including the Intrust Super Cup and Canterbury Cup, for second-tier men’s and women’s rugby league across Australia, along with national representative programs, have officially been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In conjunction with the NSWRL, QRL and Combined Affiliated States, the uncertainty around a return-to-play date and logistical difficulties have forced the game’s state governing bodies to cancel certain competitions for the remainder of the season.

Major competitions cancelled

New South Wales

Canterbury Cup
Jersey Flegg Cup
SG Ball Cup
Harold Matthews Cup
Tarsha Gale Cup
Andrew Johns Cup
Laurie Daley Cup
Men’s under 23s Championships
Women’s Country Championships

Queensland

Intrust Super Cup
BHP Premiership
Hastings Deering Colts
Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup

National Schoolboys Championships

Harvey Norman Women’s National Championships

All Combined Affiliated States representative football

No official decision yet

Harvey Norman Women’s NSW Premiership
Community Rugby League
Ron Massey Cup
Sydney Shield

NRL head of football for participation, pathways and game development Luke Ellis said the decisions confirmed on Friday were made in the best interests for everyone’s health and safety.

“I know this will be a disappointing outcome for those involved in these competitions right across Australia, but the health and safety of those involved with rugby league must always come first,” Ellis said.

“It was essential for us to at least give the players, clubs and staff some certainty going forward so they can focus on themselves and their families during this uncertain time.”

No decisions have yet been made around State of Origin junior and senior representative teams or matches, while a final decision around community rugby league, including Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield will be made in the coming weeks.

Community rugby league in NSW had been placed on hold nine days ago until at least May 1.

A final decision on the Harvey Norman Women’s NSW Premiership is also yet to be confirmed despite Queensland’s equivalent, the inaugural BHP Premiership among the competitions to be cancelled.

While most major competitions across both states started in line with the NRL season just a fortnight ago, NSWRL’s Harold Matthews and SG Ball competition’s were six rounds into their seasons.

NSWRL CEO Dave Trodden said in a statement the uncertain nature of the coronavirus pandemic had taken decisions out of their control.

“It is devastating for everyone involved but the advice has changed dramatically since we suspended these competitions nine days ago,” Trodden said.

We understand the outcome is a heartbreaking one for the rugby league community.

Rob Moore
“We have an obligation to be part of the solution for this pandemic, both for the rugby league community and also for the community more generally. This view was uppermost in the minds of the board.”

QRL managing director Rob Moore added rugby league was a large part of the fabric in Queensland.

“We understand the outcome is a heartbreaking one for the rugby league community, but it’s a call that simply had to be made given the current circumstances,” Moore said.

The news follows after the NRL announced earlier on Friday the second edition of Magic Round, which was pencilled in for round eight in May this year, would no longer go ahead.

The post Major second-tier competitions cancelled across Australia appeared first on OurFootyTeam.