Author : NSWRL

Auckland enjoy comeback win over Koori U16s

The NSW Koori Under 16s team have gone down 26-16 to an Auckland Development Under 16s team in an entertaining match to end their week-long tour in New Zealand.

After winning the opening game 36-8 against Maori Under 16s on Tuesday the Koori players took a lot of confidence heading into today’s match at the Auckland Rugby League home ground at Cornwall Park in suburban Epsom.

NSW led 12-0 after the first 20 minutes. The 60-minute game was played across three 20-minute quarters.

“But the Auckland boys came out strongly in the second 20 (minutes) to lead 18-12 going into the final quarter,” said NSW Koori team manager, Scott Mieni.

“They continued the momentum they had built to score twice more to our one try.”

NSW points came from two tries to halfback Morgan Carter and one to winger Bailey Pickvance, while No.6 Jaylin Moran kicked two goals. Lock forward Jack Asplett was voted NSW Koori Players’ Player.

Players from the Auckland Development and NSW Koori U16s come together after full-time (Photo – NSWRL)

Conditions were far superior to the wind and rain that plagued Tuesday’s game.

“It was great for Rugby League today with a slight breeze for both sides, running left to right,” Mieni said.

“There was also a good crowd to watch the boys.

“We started the game well but obviously they got the better of us in the second quarter.

“They made a lot of yards up the middle as our marker-defence was well below par. The coach (Jake Foster) spoke about that during the break but the Auckland players continued to steamroll us a bit.

“They were a very physical side with a few bigger bodies in their pack but that’s no excuse.

“It was a really hard-hitting game and pretty electric too, as both sides had speed out wide when the ball got out there.”

The NSW side flies back to Sydney tomorrow (Friday) with conversations already happening around plans for next year’s fixtures.

The 19-member team was selected after the annual Talented Aboriginal Athletic Program (TAAP) camp at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence last December.

In previous years the NSW Koori have played a Queensland Murri side but this time an opportunity arose to play two games in New Zealand.

“It was really good to see the Auckland Development side with great talent and depth,” Mieni said.

“That made this game and Tuesday’s such great tests for us.

“The Koori coaching and support staff are already talking about the possibility of making this an annual event to keep building on the experience and benefits this tour has brought.”

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Author : NZRL

New Zealand Rugby League is pleased to announce the National Youth Tournament returns for 2021, albeit in a revised weekly competition format to cater to Covid gathering restrictions.

The 2021 National Youth Competition will take place over three weekends instead of its usual one-week tournament format, kicking off this Saturday, 2nd October.

Despite pandemic setbacks, the best of New Zealand’s rangatahi talent will be on display as Zones battle it out for the highly contested 16s and 18s age group titles.

Both 16s and 18s competitions for this year will comprise of two pools:

Pool A – South Island Scorpions, Wellington Orcas, Mid Central Vipers, Upper Central Stallions and Northern Swords.

Pool B – Counties Manukau, Akarana Falcons and Auckland Vulcans.

Pool A will kick off this Saturday 2nd October, while Pool B can only begin once Auckland is in Level 2, subject to the October 4 announcement.

The 2021 Youth Competition Final will see the top of Pool A take on top of Pool B, in both 16 and 18 age groups, on Saturday, October 30.

Motu Tony, GM of Football and High Performance at NZRL says, “We were close to having to go two years without the Youth Competition due to Covid disruptions, but to see it ready to kick off in 2021, albeit a new format, is a great accomplishment.

“It’s a really exciting opportunity for these age group players, as it can be a steppingstone to NZ representative teams, our 20s competition and potential professional pathways. The high number of Kiwi NRL debutants this NRL season who have played in our national tournaments and representative teams has been pleasing.

This shows how important it is to hold our national tournaments as it provides our rangatahi with opportunities that can positively impact their lives on and off the field.”

Tony adds, “Thank you to the Zones, Districts and all NZRL staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the Youth Competition was possible. I’m looking forward to seeing the calibre of our young talent on display come October.”

Over the past ten years, the NZRL Youth Tournament has been home to some of the biggest NRL and Kiwi names such as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, James Fisher-Harris, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Dylan Brown and many more.

NZRL will release the full National Youth Competition draws early this week.

No crowds are permitted at National Youth Competition games while at Alert Level 2.

NZRL 

More International Junior Rugby League News 

NZRL National Youth Competition to begin in October

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Author : NZRL

The Eagles Have Landed.

Counties-Manukau Rugby League has been delivering the game to its Asian community since 2013, creating opportunities and pathways for participants not usually renowned for playing rugby league,

As seen on ABS.CBN News

The Ethnic competition and encouraging diversity in the game have always been priorities for Counties-Manukau; therefore the affiliation between Pambansang Ragbi Liga Ng Pilipinasand Auckland based rugby league team, United Eagles, was a natural fit.

The Eagles are the first all-Asian based rugby league team endorsed by Counties Manukau Rugby League (CMRL) and the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) to compete in Auckland’s Ethnic Cup competition.

The team comprises 70% Filipino players with a mix of other players from Japan, Thailand, and Hong Kong.

The Ethnic Rugby League Competition was established in 2013 by NZRL’s Counties Manukau Rugby League General Manager Kasey King. The competition currently accommodates the following teams, the Counties Manukau Piranhas, Auckland Wasps, Onehunga Guardianz, the Eagles, and the Dragons.

It comprises groups of ethnicities, mainly from New Zealand’s increasing Asian community not renowned for playing rugby league. The players gain valuable rugby league experience through the competition each year, leading to players being selected to represent their country of origin through international matches.

The PNRL have longed to establish a partnership with the Eagles for some time now, with talks over the past week confirming the interest on both sides.

With this affiliation, the PNRL will assist in expanding the reach of rugby league to the New Zealand based Filipino players and increase Filipino participation in the six-week Ethnic Cup competition held yearly.

The affiliation will also provide pathway opportunities for players to represent the Philippines at a developmental or national level and provide access to national development programs.

Ex-Tamaraw player Odyssey Laderas and current player Carmilo Manuyag (Head Coach of Eagles) have been actively working with Asian based NZ players of all levels to provide a safe pathway for player representation into the Ethnic Cup competition.

Carmilo has also been the team’s driving force from the start, with a clear vision of where this group could go. He also ensured the transition from Eagles to Dragons to keep the reputational name of Eagles for future use as we had family sabbaticals during this time.

The PNRL will work closely with the pair to help increase their overall participation numbers with the goal of entering more development teams into the Ethnic Cup competition each year.

“The affiliation with the Philippines governing body for the sport of Rugby League (PNRL) will provide pathways for rugby league development and participation of NZ based Filipinos.

This will also ensure a healthy, active club and international membership. Built on family and brotherhood as its foundation, we encourage each other to excel in our talents and abilities with a focus on support at all aspects of the game, whether on or off the field,” says Eagles Manager.

“We look forward to working with Carmilo and Odyssey to promote and develop Philippine Rugby League and share our values to our fellow New Zealand based Filipinos.

We want to be part of the Eagles future successes and share these achievements with the rugby league community. We hope other rugby league associations will follow suit and provide the same opportunities for heritage players across the globe.

Rugby League is a game for everyone, regardless of size, skill, gender, or ethnicity,” PNRL President Reynaldo Nery states.

The Eagles Have Landed

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