RLO Newsletter 19/9: Blackhawks go back-to-back
Townsville dominate the Tigers to win the final Colts decider.
The Townsville Blackhawks are the 2023 Colts premiers after a crushing 40-0 win over the Brisbane Tigers last Sunday.
The game was an even contest for all of three minutes until the Tigers failed to find touch from a penalty. From then on it was all Townsville. They scored in the next set through winger Cathane Hill. and then again three minutes later through Jamal Shibasaki to go up 12-0 after 10 minutes.
Not long after, player of the match Ragarive Wavik used his powerful fend to score the Blackhawks’ third. The game was put to bed seven minutes before the break when five-eighth Reece Foley put Wil Sullivan over to make it 22-0. Foley was a late call-up for Matt Hunter who was suspended for a crusher tackle in the prelim.
Anything can happen in Colts footy but the Tigers were completely outworked and outclassed by the Blackhawks and never looked like getting back into it. Townsville got their fifth try ten minutes after halftime when prop Jeremiah Matautia pounced on a Joel Baldwin grubber. Shibasaki got his second in the 63rd minute, powering over three defenders to score. Winger Jesse Yallop was the fitting final try scorer of the game (and the competition), with the Colts’ all-time top try scorer crossing for his 26th of the year in the final minutes.
A completely dominant performance from Townsville, keeping a Tigers’ side that averaged 35 points a game to zero. The 40-point margin is easily the biggest in Colts’ history. Townsville finishes up as the competition’s most decorated side, winning two minor premierships and playing in four of the five Grand Finals, winning two.
🏉 Roosters through to the Flegg Grand Final
The Sydney Roosters have qualified for their first Jersey Flegg Grand Final since 2004 after a 31-18 win over Parramatta at Leichhardt.
The Eels, who were on a six-game winning run, led 16-4 after a tense 23 minutes which saw two players sin-binned. Eels’ prop Jontay Betham-Misa was sat down after two minutes following a swinging arm on the ground. 15 minutes later, Roosters’ prop Corey Ross was sent for 10 after a nasty head slam on Samuel Loizou which led to a melee. Loizou went off for an HIA and looked completely gone but somehow returned later in the game.
The Eels scored twice with Ross in the bin before the Roosters got one back just before halftime. The Roosters ran over the Eels in the second half, something they’ve done to many teams this year, scoring three tries in 20 minutes. A Cassius Tia field goal gave them a seven-point lead with three to play before an Owen Flaherty try following a failed short kickoff from Parramatta sealed the victory for the Tricolours.
The Roosters now head to Sunday’s Grand Final at CommBank Stadium, where they face Canterbury in a semi-final rematch. The Bulldogs will be out for their record-setting 10th Jersey Flegg title, having last won in 2003, while the Roosters most recent win in 2004 was their third. The game will be streamed live on the NSWRL Facebook page and the 9Now app.
🏉 Westfields bring Schoolboy Cup back to NSW
After seven years the NRL Schoolboy Cup is back in New South Wales after Westfields Sports High defeated Palm Beach Currumbin 38-4 in last Wednesday’s national final. The title is Westfields’ second, their first being in 2016 - the last time a NSW school won the competition.
The game was wrapped up by halftime with Westfields taking a 26-0 lead into the sheds. Their five-eighth Lachlan Galvin, contracted to the Wests Tigers, was the star of the day, scoring twice in the opening 30. PBC got one back early in the second through winger Creedence Kelly-Donovan but Westfields added three tries late to blow the score out.
Galvin was named player of the match and also won the Peter Sterling Medal for player of the tournament. It’s the first time since Joey Tramontana in 2014 that a New South Wales-based student has won the medal.
🏉 Mabel Park crowned inaugural Schoolgirl champions
Mabel Park State High got the day underway by defeating Hills Sports High 26-8 to win the first-ever national Schoolgirl Cup.
Mabel Park came out strong, taking a 14-0 lead into halftime with tries to Alice Shannon, Nazlyn Waaka-Rhind and Liliele Vaitolo. Hills got back into after the break through a Manua Moleka try before Amanii Misa got Mabel’s fourth to push the lead back to 14.
Hills scored again late to give themselves a faint chance but a long-range try to Waaka-Rhind sealed the victory for the Queenslanders. Mabel Park backrower Athena Vili was named player of the match.
🏉 Columba and Hallam win Schoolboy Trophies
Columba Catholic College Charters Towers and Hallam Senior College Melbourne took out the second-tier NRL Schoolboy Trophy finals last week.
Columba was too good for Xavier Catholic College Hervey Bay in the Queensland final, running out 26-14 winners at Langlands Park. Fullback Assariah Lenoy-Sam and halfback Mathias Santo-Hero were the standouts for Columba, both scoring tries. Lenoy-Sam recently signed with the Cowboys, while Santo-Hero will join the Dolphins.
In the southern final, Hallam was impressive in a 26-6 win over Kildare Catholic College Wagga Wagga at Allianz Stadium. Kildare led 6-4 at halftime before being overrun by the Victorian side. Jeremiah Neli scored a double, while Storm SG Ball player Rua Ropoama also bagged a try. It’s the first time a Victorian school has won the trophy.
🏉 Junior Kumuls and Orchids named to face Australia
The Junior Kumuls and Junior Orchids sides to face the Australian Schoolboys and Girls were named last week. The two games will take place on Sunday, September 24 in Port Moresby, the day after the Prime Minister’s XIII games.
The Kumuls side features a few familiar faces to junior rep fans, with Ragarive Wavik, Alton Naiyep and Sam Stephenson all named. Port Moresby-born Wavik starred in last weekend’s Colts Grand Final for Townsville. Winger Alton Naiyep is an Ipswich product who won the Schoolboy Cup with Ipswich State High last year and recently signed with Manly. Sam Stephenson, the son of former NRL player Paul Stephenson, played in PBC’s loss to Westfields last week and is contracted to the Titans. Longtime junior coach and former London Broncos boss Joe Grima will coach the side.
The Orchids-Schoolgirls game opens the day at noon local time with the Kumuls-Schoolboys straight after at 2pm.
2023 Junior Kumuls
1 Ragarive Wavik, 2 Alton Naiyep, 3 Sam Stephenson, 4 Kevin Yako, 5 Anda Endaso, 6 Gairo Voro, 7 Felix Beki, 8 Reynolds Tai, 9 Finlay Glare, 10 Gregan Format, 11 Limbi Henry, 12 Sampson Waliling, 13 Smith Pamundi, 14 Maya Tusa, 15 Norman Akunai, 16 Gabriel Kaupa, 17 Bruce Bava, 18 Makas Richard. Coach: Joe Grima.2023 Junior Orchids
1 Belinda Waula, 2 Bennitha Paka, 3 Carrianne Wesly, 4 Deborah Kitipa, 5 Esther Aram, 6 Gail Manove, 7 Golden Bal, 8 Hadassah Jamie Isokali, 9 Jamitha Mathew, 10 Joice Bolkun, 11 Louise Sarr, 12 Melissa Joe, 13 Rayleen Kusir, 14 Rondah Joshep, 15 Rose Malabag, 16 Ruth Gende, 17 Yolanda Taute, 18 Yvonne Pinda. Coach: Solomon Kuliniasi.
🏉 Rivals set for Academy Grand Final
Old foes St Helens and Wigan will meet in the 2023 Super League Academy Grand Final at Totally Wicked Stadium this weekend.
Wigan were first through to the decider after hanging on for an 18-12 win over Warrington. Wolves led 12-0 before Warriors’ bench hooker Tom Ratchford crossed to get his side back in the game. A converted try to halfback Jack Farrimond levelled the scores minutes later, with Ratchford getting the match-winner in the 55th minute.
St Helens did it much easier in their semi-final, running through Hull FC 28-8. Centre Jonathon Vaughan was the standout, scoring a hat trick in the win.
St Helens and Wigan were the two top sides in the regular, both winning 11 and losing one, with Saints finishing as league leaders on points differential. Since 2013, Wigan have won six of the eight Academy Grand Finals, with St Helens winning one in 2016.
The final will kick off at 2pm (local) at St Helens’ Totally Wicked Stadium on Sunday, September 24.
🏉 West named Colts best
Brisbane Tigers’ fullback Lachlan West was named the Colts Player of the Year at the QRL Awards last Friday. 2023 was West’s third season in the competition, scoring 22 tries in 16 games in his team’s run to the Grand Final. The Casino product finished his under-21s career with 43 tries from 47 appearances.
Townsville’s Jamal Shibasaki was also honoured at the awards, winning Mal Meninga Cup Player of the Year. He played eight games for the Blackhawks, captaining the side in their Grand Final loss to Redcliffe in April. With the change to the MM Cup format, he’s eligible again for the competition in 2024 but will more than likely start the year in Cup.
🏉 NRLW Graduates – Round 9
With the finals now upon us, St George Illawarra duo Charlotte Basham and Ellie Williamson might be the last junior rep graduates to debut in the NRLW this season.
Originally from the Sunshine Coast, Williamson started at second row and scored a try 16 minutes into her debut. A five-eighth during her time in the QRL Under-19s competition for Wests and Wynnum Manly, she moved into the forwards for Tweed this year in the BMD Premiership.
Basham, who only recently turned 18, began the season in the Tarsha Gale Cup for Illawarra and was selected in the Australian Schoolgirls in July. A Corrimal junior, she came off the bench and played 43 minutes in her NRLW debut, making 24 tackles.
🏉 Schoolboy signings
The Queensland schoolboy scene has become the place for NRL clubs to sign talent in recent years. Here’s who some of this year’s crop of players are contracted to according to The Courier Mail.
Brisbane: Sam Martin (Ipswich SHS), Coby Black, Saxon Innes, Lewis Symonds, Kylem Vunipola (Marsden SHS), Jett Bryce, Presley Folau, Joseph Tupuse (Keebra Park SHS), Jakob Horne (Wavell SHS), Braithen Scott (St Mary’s Toowoomba), Tom Morcom (Shalom Bundaberg), Preston Cassidy (Kirwan SHS), Cohen Jackson (St Patrick’s Mackay)
Canberra: Keisaia-Iuomalo Su’a, Mahonri Tiotala (Ipswich SHS), Izayah Petricevich (Marsden SHS), Taylor Withington (Keebra Park SHS), Jaycob Kingston-Francis (Mabel Park SHS), Keyarn Pene, Robertson Tusi-Tofu (Wavell SHS)
Canterbury: Shaye Faa’aoga, David Leota, Oliva Smith (Ipswich SHS), Ryan Hutchinson, Isopo Taunuu (Keebra Park SHS), Mason Phillips (Wavell SHS), Brooklenn Mundraby-Grogan, Jack Philp (Caloundra SHS), Jett Day, Jake Durie (St Mary’s Toowoomba)
Cronulla: Will Saunders (Palm Beach Currumbin SHS)
Dolphins: LJ Nonu (Ipswich SHS), Patrick Kailahi (Marsden SHS), Jeremiah Havea (Keebra Park SHS), Lachlan Buchbach, Tyrese Tovao (Mabel Park SHS), Charlie Dickson, John-Paul Donevski, Mereki Warradoo (Wavell SHS), Zac Garton (Caloundra SHS), John Fineanganofo (Redcliffe SHS), Seth Carpenter (Emmaus Rockhampton), Jack Biles, Eli McKay (Cathedral Rockhampton), Carter Ford, Connor Hinds, Braelan Marsh (St Brendan’s Yeppoon)
Gold Coast: Jac Finigan, Zane Harrison, Sunny Kama, Raymond Puru, Sam Stephenson (Palm Beach Currumbin SHS), Javon Andrews, Cory Pearse, Taylon To’a (Marsden SHS), Zac Kumbamong, Jack Schmidt, Ryder Williams (Keebra Park SHS), Alex Leapai (Mabel Park SHS), Bodhi Sharpley (St Mary’s Toowoomba)
Manly: Jett Jackson (Palm Beach Currumbin SHS), Alton Naiyep (Ipswich SHS)
Melbourne: Will Semu (Marsden SHS), Kobi Floro, Keoki Koraba (Wavell SHS), Tulloch McLellan, Chase Paterson (Caloundra SHS), Bailey Anderson (St Patrick’s Mackay)
Newcastle: Kane Self (Ipswich SHS), Wailer Whaiapu (Keebra Park SHS), Zac Herdegen (Wavell SHS), Jake Bryan (St Patrick’s Mackay)
North Queensland: Mason Barber (Keebra Park SHS), Zac Bateman, Mutua Brown (Cathedral Rockhampton), Tyler Melrose (St Brendan’s Yeppoon), Braith Dowson, Marley Helion, Eparama Kikau, Kaiden Lahrs, Aisake Manna, Tavita Penaia, Kanye Pua’avase, Eneliko Savelio (Kirwan SHS), Sitiveni Afu, Wyatt Lourigan, Jonah Raidaveta (Ignatius Park), Xavier Kerrisk, Jaxon Purdue, Kayne Smith, Will Shears (St Patrick’s Mackay)
Parramatta: Elijah Tapau-Taylor (Kirwan SHS)
South Sydney: Cooper Cracknell (Ipswich SHS), Mace Andrew, Markatato Nosa, Braden Teuila, Jacob Tinsley (Marsden SHS), Nazareth Taua (Wavell SHS)
St George Illawarra: Tyler Peckham-Harris (Ipswich SHS)
Sydney Roosters: Lui Lee, Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri (Marsden SHS), Peter Benjamin Uini (Wavell SHS), Aholoka Toia (Redcliffe SHS), Cohen Dittmann (Kirwan SHS)
Warriors: Jesse Soric, Tom Summer (Keebra Park SHS)
🏉 Sea Eagles and Warriors announce schools partnerships
Manly this week confirmed a partnership with Queensland’s St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon. The school, one of the strongest rugby league schools in the region, has produced several NRL players, including Harry Grant, Ben Hunt, Corey Oates and Manly’s head coach Anthony Seibold. Manly will provide the usual coaching and workshops with the school in the hope of creating a pipeline of players to the club.
The Warriors have agreed to a five-year partnership with One Tree Hill College in Penrose, whose facilities will now be home to the club’s under-19 SG Ball squad and their newly introduced under-21 Jersey Flegg and under-17 Harold Matthews sides. One Tree Hill, formerly Penrose High, is located just five minutes from the Warriors’ NRL base of Mt Smart Stadium.
🏉 Rabbitohs name Junior Rep squads
South Sydney has released their SG Ball and Harold Matthews squads for the upcoming season.
In the SG Ball, 10 players from 2023 return, including centre Daniel Wright, who finished as the side’s top point scorer, while 14 will step up from Harold Matthews. New faces include Jason Hallie (Northern Pride), Mark Nosa (Brisbane Tigers), Nazareth Taua (Norths Devils) and Palu Tausala (Illawarra).
Former Irish international Tyrone McCarthy will coach the SG Ball team, with Yoni Charlupski taking over as Harold Matthews coach.
SG Ball Cup (under-19)
Zane Bell, Tylan Berryman, Braethan Bilich, Ryan Casey, Levi Dowling, Dayne Fallon, Tavis Felsch, Jacob Fong, Atticus Fotofili, Jason Hallie, Mateus Heslin, Matthew Humphries, Yasin Kuscu, Max Laing, Fetaiaki Lua, Charlie Mann, Cooper Mclaren, Jonti Morshead-Feildel, Mark Nosa, Kai Organ, Eden Potter, Charlie Poynton, Lennox Risati, Jaii Robertson, Harrison Rooke, Zane Rugless, Salih Saracoglu, Shaq Saunders, Setefano Sele, Bailey Smith, PJ Sosiaete, Nazareth Taua, Palu Tausala, Samuel Taylor, Kynan Toevai, Lancelot Tovio, Daniel Wright. Coach: Tyrone McCarthy.Harold Matthews Cup (under-17)
Dylan Alaalatoa, Keone Anitelea Tsioussis, Taj Aufai-Farani, Joshua Ballard, Tamoko Berryman-Duff, James Davies, Ethan Doak, Kayden Drollett, Tony Fakahau, Max Gioiello, Jack Green, Bailey Grey, Cody Hill, Dayne Jennings, Jacob Khalil, Kingston-Kruz Lake, Sione-Nau Lua, Lisiate Mackay-Filihia, Tanner Mahon, Nikolas Manesis, Clayton McGoon, Lochlin Moses, Soane Naufahu, Thomas O’Callaghan, Christian Pasikala, Christopher Petrus, Asher Pung, Amari-Jay Tangi, Cynseah Tautalafua, Baxter Torrance, Soul Tuiletufuga, Lachlan Walters, Jack Willey. Coach: Yoni Charlupski.
Around the grounds
For more information on all games head to 18thman.com.
Hastings Deering Colts – Grand Final
Townsville 40 (J Shibasaki 2, C Hill, J Matautia, W Sullivan, R Wavik, J Yallop tries; R Wavik 6 goals) def. Brisbane Tigers 0 at Kayo Stadium. Referee: M Gannon. Halftime: TSV 22-0. Tackles: Casey Morgan 39 (BRI), L Jack 33 (TSV). Run metres: G Reedy-Bartlett 129 (BRI), R Wavik 217 (TSV).
Jersey Flegg Cup – Preliminary Final
Sydney 31 (X Chatfield-Mooka 2, O Flaherty, S Foketi, T Henare-Schuster, V Tamati tries; C Tia 2, V Tamati goals; C Tia field goal) def. Parramatta 18 (M Komolafe, E Martin, B Talagi tries; E Sanders 3 goals) at Leichhardt Oval. Referee: K Irons. Halftime: PAR 18-10. Tackles: M McCathie 30 (SYD), M Arthur 32 (PAR). Run metres: O Flaherty 157 (SYD), B Parker 149 (PAR).
NRL Schoolboy Cup – National Final
Westfield Sports High 38 (L Galvin 2, S Finau, S Fuatimau, H Kedzlie, M Ofanoa, D Parathoiene-Williams tries; R Quiroz-Mapusua 5 goals) def. Palm Beach Currumbin SHS 4 (C Kelly-Donovan try) at Allianz Stadium. Referee: S Daley. Halftime: Westfields 26-0.
NRL Schoolgirl Cup – National Final
Mabel Park SHS 26 (N Waaka-Rhind 2, A Misa, A Shannon, L Vaitolo tries; M Su’a 2, D Tutakangahau goals) def. Hills Sports High 8 (M Moleka, E Tuipulotu tries) at Allianz Stadium. Referee: R Abu-Mansour. Halftime: Mabel Park 14-0.
Super League Academy – Semi-Finals
Wigan 18 (Tom Ratchford 2, Jack Farrimond tries; Jack Farrimond 3 goals) def. Warrington 12 (Arron Lindop, Cai Taylor-Wray tries; Noah Booth 2 goals) at Robin Pak Arena. Halftime: 12-all.
St Helens 28 (Jonathon Vaughan 3, Owen Dagnall, Alfie Sinclair, Ben Will tries; Max MGucken 2 goals) def. Hull FC 8 (Roman Dawson, Mackenzie Harman tries) at Totally Wicked Stadium. Halftime: STH 20-4.