Junior Kiwis v Junior Kangaroos preview

[caption id="attachment_4664" align="aligncenter" width="500"] David Nofoaluma playing for the Junior Kangaroos in 2013 (Photo: Gregg Porteous)[/caption]


Junior Kiwis v Junior Kangaroos
Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
Live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 2, 7:00pm
Live in Australia on Fox Sports 2 (Press red), 5:00pm (NSW)/4:00pm (Qld)

The Junior Kangaroos will be aiming for their third straight victory over the Junior Kiwis, as they venture to New Zealand for the first time since 2010.

When the sides last met in New Zealand, they played a two game series, with both teams grabbing a victory.

On Saturday night, the Kangaroos will head into the clash as favourites, with 9 of their 18 man squad playing first grade in 2014. On the other side, second rower Joseph Tapine is the only Junior Kiwi to play in the NRL.

Last year, the Junior Kangaroos fought back from 10 points down to defeat the Junior Kiwis 38-26 in Sydney. Patrick Mago and Willis Meehan are the only returning players for the Kangaroos, while Manaia Cherrington, Zach Dockar-Clay and Tapine.

Team lists
Junior Kiwis: (in alphabetical order) Josh Ailoai (Eels), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Storm), Manaia Cherrington (captain) (Tigers), Zach Docker-Clay (Eels), Addin Fonua-Blake (Dragons), Watson Heleta (Tigers), Sione Katoa (Panthers), Danny Levi (Knights), Lamar Liolevave (Tigers), Sam Lisone (Warriors), Sam Manulelua (Rabbitohs), Te Maire Martin (Tigers), Taane Milne (Roosters), Kodi Nikorima (Broncos), Chance Peni (Knights), Joseph Tapine (Knights), Adam Tuimavave-Gerard (Warriors), Braden Uele (Roosters). Coach: Brent Gemmell.

Junior Kangaroos: Clint Gutherson (Sea Eagles), Valentine Holmes (Sharks), Jack Bird (Dragons), Euan Aitken (Dragons), Jake Mamo (Knights), Drew Hutchison (Dragons), Ryan Matterson (Eels), Matthew Lodge (Wests Tigers), Cameron McInnes (captain) (Rabbitohs), Joe Ofahengaue (Broncos), Patrick Mago (Raiders), Tevita Pangai (Raiders), Kelepi Tanginoa (Eels). Interchange: Brett Greinke (Broncos), Willis Meehan (Roosters), Cameron Munster (Storm), Andy Saunders (Panthers), Jackson Hastings (Roosters). Coach: Kelly Egan.

UPDATED: Junior Kangaroos side named

[caption id="attachment_4549" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Joe Ofahengaue (Photo: Daily Telegraph)[/caption]

Queensland Under 20's representatives Valentine Holmes and Brett Greinke have been called into the Junior Kangaroos side following the withdrawals of Nene Macdonald and Waqa Blake.

The match will be played on Saturday, October 18 at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland.

1 Clint Gutherson (Sea Eagles)
2 Valentine Holmes (Sharks)
3 Brett Greinke (Broncos)
4 Euan Aitken (Dragons)
5 Jake Mamo (Knights)
6 Drew Hutchison (Dragons)
7 Ryan Matterson (Eels)
8 Matthew Lodge (Tigers)
9 Cameron McInnes (Rabbitohs)
10 Joe Ofahengaue (Broncos)
11 Patrick Mago (Raiders)
12 Tevita Pangai (Raiders)
13 Kelepi Tanginoa (Eels)

14 Jack Bird (Dragons)
15 Willis Meehan (Roosters)
16 Cameron Munster (Storm)
17 Andy Saunders (Panthers)
18 Jackson Hastings (Roosters)

Coach Kelly Egan (Bulldogs)

Junior Kiwis side named

[caption id="attachment_4466" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Sam Lisone (Photo: Photosport)[/caption]

The following players have been named to play for the Junior Kiwis in their match against the Junior Kangaroos this month.

The match will be played on Saturday, October 18 at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland.

Junior Kiwis: Josh Ailoai (Parramatta Eels), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm), Manaia Cherrington (Wests Tigers), Zach Docker-Clay (Parramatta Eels), Addin Fonua-Blake (St George Illawarra Dragons), Watson Heleta (Wests Tigers), Sione Katoa (Penrith Panthers), Danny Levi (Newcastle Knights), Lamar Liolevave (Wests Tigers), Sam Lisone (Vodafone Warriors), Sam Manulelua (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Te Maire Martin (Wests Tigers), Taane Milne (Sydney Roosters), Kodi Nikorima (Brisbane Broncos), Chance Peni (Newcastle Knights), Joseph Tapine (Newcastle Knights), Adam Tuimavave-Gerard (Vodafone Warriors), Braden Uele (Sydney Roosters)

Coach: Brent Gemmell

Assistant coach: Kelvin Wright

Stacey Jones named Warriors NSW Cup coach

[caption id="attachment_4545" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Stacey Jones (middle), with Mason Lino and Sam Lisone (Photo: warriors.co.nz)[/caption]

Premiership winning coach Stacey Jones has been announced as the new Warriors NSW Cup head coach for 2015.

2014 coach Rohan Smith is headed to the Titans next season, opening up the spot for Jones.

In Jones first year coaching in the NYC, he took the Warriors from 8th place to the Grand Final, where they defeated Brisbane 34-32.

“We’ve always seen a big future for Stacey as a coach,” said Vodafone Warriors general manager football Dean Bell.

“He has done a brilliant job winning the premiership with our NYC side, coming from eighth to first in a season when he didn’t have the use of many of our best juniors for most of the season.

“Due to our philosophy of developing NRL players, many who were eligible to play in the NYC this year were used the next level up in the New South Wales Cup and also the NRL in the case of David Fusitu’a and Tuimoala Lolohea.

“This resulted in Stacey having a very young group of players for most of the year with a number of 17-year-olds making their debuts. Despite that he has taken us to success in the NYC. It’s a huge achievement.”

McFadden said he wanted Jones to not only move up to the NSW Cup level but to also have a heavier involvement with the club’s NRL players.

“He has been really impressive coaching our young players and coming through our pathway,” he said.

“I’m excited about having him involved around our NRL players and bringing the expertise and knowledge he has to help them.

“Stacey also has an unrivalled understanding of and attachment to the club. It has been such a big part of his life.”

Read more here: http://www.warriors.co.nz/news/2014/10/05/jones_confirmed_as_2015_nsw_cup_coach.html

Warriors win 3rd NYC premiership

[caption id="attachment_4541" align="aligncenter" width="500"] 2014 NYC Premiers (Photo: warriors.co.nz)[/caption]

The Warriors have held off a spirited come back by the Brisbane Broncos to win the 2014 Holden Cup.

A first half hat trick, the first in an NYC Grand Final, by centre Solomone Kata saw the Warriors take a commanding 22-6 lead into half time.

Two more tries after the break got the Junior Warriors out to a 34-6 lead with 30 minutes to play.

The Broncos fought back though thanks in part to a double to winger Paul Byrnes.

Jayden Nikorima scored near the sideline with three minutes to play and brought the Broncos within two points, with a conversion to take the game into golden point.

The 18-year old missed the kick and the Warriors captured their third NYC premiership, winning 34-32.

Kata was awarded the Jack Gibson Medal for man of the match thanks to his three try effort.

Full match details available HERE.