After a gruelling six-month off-season the newsletter is back with a monster preview of the 2024 Jersey Flegg Cup season, which kicks off this weekend. Plus some updates on the Queensland and New South Wales junior rep seasons and some other goings on in the world of age-group rugby league.
🏉 Silktails and Warriors join 14-team Jersey Flegg
In keeping with their decision to focus on player development, Fiji's Kaiviti Silktails will make their Jersey Flegg Cup debut this season. The Lautoka-based side will make a little bit of history as they become the first club from outside of Australia or New Zealand to play in the competition in its 50+ year history.
The Silktails entered the Ron Massey Cup at the worst possible time, playing just one game in 2020 before the season was cancelled and then having to spend 2021 based in Sydney, for a season that was also later cancelled. In 2022, based in Sydney again, they moved to a predominately under-23 team before becoming under-23 only the following year. In 2023, the Silktails finally returned to playing in Fiji, where they finished sixth, with seven wins and nine losses.
The Warriors return to the competition in 2024, having last played in 2019. This means the club now features in all three men's age group competitions for the first in their history, as they also joined the under-17 Harold Matthews Cup this season. The Warriors were a force in the old NRL Under 20s competition, winning three premierships. In their two Flegg seasons in 2018-19, they finished 10th twice, opting to play younger sides, consisting of predominately 18 and 19-year-olds.
With the axing of Queensland's Colts competition (boo), the Jersey Flegg will become a main focus of the newsletter each week. As usual, the opening rounds of the season will showcase the "older" talent of each club before the usual influx of 18 and 19-year-olds when the SG Ball Cup begins to wrap from early April onward. For most clubs, the lineups named for the opening weekend will be very different by May, let alone August. Who will win it? Does it matter? Not really. But probably either the Roosters, Bulldogs, Panthers or Knights.
Canberra Raiders
Coach: Jordan Macey
Key returning players: Jake Clydsdale (middle), Mitch Henderson (halfback), Peyton Jenkins (fullback), Noah Martin (edge), Vena Patuki-Case (middle), Mitchell Prest (middle)
Key recruits: Caleb Garvie (middle - Newcastle), Declan Ryan (fullback - Western Clydesdales)
SG Ball – Expect to see: Ethan Alaia (five-eighth), Xavier Cacciotti (hooker), Owen Hromow (middle), Samuel Hyne (middle), Bailey Nash (centre), Keahn Skipps (halfback)
The Raiders finished 7th in 2023, missing the Top 5 by two points. In recent seasons they've used 40-50 players, with numerous SG Ball players stepping up and many others elevated to the NSW Cup. Chevy Stewart, Ethan Strange and Utuloa Asomua are a few examples. Jordan Macey, who was contracted to the Wests Tigers and Manly in the 2000s, steps up as head coach after being an assistant in 2023. He is a former Australian rugby sevens representative.
Canterbury Bulldogs
Coach: Josh Jackson
Key returning players: Danny Gabrael (centre), Damon Marshall (middle), Reuben Moyle (hooker), Joseph O'Neill (five-eighth), Luke Smith (edge), Jack Underhill (middle)
Key recruits: Larry Muagututia (middle - Parramatta), Cassius Tia (halfback - Sydney Roosters), Ragarive Wavik (fullback - Townsville)
SG Ball – Expect to see: Sosefo Finau (edge), Zaidas Muagututia (hooker), Mitchell Rogers (hooker), Fanafou Seve (middle), Bud Smith (middle), Logan Spinks (edge), Mitchell Woods (halfback), Patrick Young (middle)
The reigning premiers, like Canberra, have also tended to use 40+ players during the season. Expect to see the same this year with a strong SG Ball squad ready to move up. They should be their abouts again at the end of the season with several returning premiership players and some good recruiting. Club legend Josh Jackson takes over from Luke Vella as head coach for his first major coaching role.
Cronulla Sharks
Coach: Andrew Dallalana
Key returning players: Max Bradbury (middle), Lachlan Crouch (middle), Kristian Dixon (wing), Felix Fa'atili (middle), Max Riolo (halfback), Siteni Taukamo (centre)
Key recruits: Moustafa Dirani (hooker - Penrith), Michael Gabrael (centre - Canterbury), Liam Ison (fullback - Penrith), Riley Pollard (halfback - Penrith)
SG Ball – Expect to see: Max McCarthy (edge), Riley Pollard (halfback), Bryce Sait (five-eighth), Nikora Williams (wing)
A consistently strong Flegg side, the 2018 premiers finished 3rd last season. They welcome back NRL squad members like Max Bradbury and Siteni Taukamo, who may spend time in NSW Cup, and centre Michael Gabrael, who has already scored seven tries in five SG Ball games this season. Former Shark Andrew Dallalana returns for his third season in charge of the side.
Kaiviti Silktails
Coach: Wes Naiqama
Key players: Emosi Daubitu (centre), Jeremiah Keteca (edge), Niko Koro (hooker), Watisoni Waqanisaravi (middle), Meli Wara (halfback)
Led by Fiji Bati legend Wes Naiqama, I predict that the Silktails will do it tough in 2024 but will be very happy to be wrong. Despite moving from an open-age competition to the under-21 level, I think this will be a step up for the Fijians. Prop Watisoni Waqanisaravi returns to the club after 18 games for the Roosters Flegg side over the last two seasons.
Manly Sea Eagles
Coach: Scott Kenna
Key returning players: Tylor Bunting (halfback), Koby Douglas (centre), Max Hayley (edge), Blake Metcalfe (fullback), Caleb Navale (middle), Charlie Thompson (centre)
Key recruits: Jesse Jackson (middle - Tweed), Oliver Lawry (centre - Wests Tigers), Nicholas Lenaz (hooker - Parramatta), Niu Mariota (middle - Canberra), Leroy Murray (five-eighth - South Sydney), Carsen Patu (middle - Burleigh)
SG Ball – Expect to see: Jett Jackson (middle), William Lane (hooker), Alton Naiyep (wing), Riley Watson-Miletic (middle)
Manly are yet to play finals since the Jersey Flegg returned in 2018. Last year, they finished just four points outside the Top 5 after a late-season run. They've picked up some experienced under-21s players for this campaign, including Nicholas Lenaz, who was Parramatta's Flegg Player of the Year in 2023. Scott Kenna, who coached the Tigers for the last two years, is their new head coach.
Melbourne Storm
Key returning players: Angus Hinchey (middle), Stanley Huen (five-eighth), Mitchell Jennings (edge), K-Ci Newton-Whare (middle), Gabriel Satrick (hooker), Karauria Stokes-Mahara (fullback)
Key recruits: Markis Atoa (middle - Parramatta), Hudson Brown (middle - Penrith), Jak Goulding (middle - Redcliffe), Trent Veukiso (edge - Brisbane Tigers)
SG Ball – Expect to see: Jett Elich (edge), Harrison Hill (hooker), Tulloch McLellan (halfback), Chase Paterson (middle), Hugo Peel (fullback)
Missed out on finals in 2023 on for and against but looks strong enough to crack it this season. They've got a strong core of returning players and their Sunshine Coast trio of Elich, McLellan and Paterson will add plenty when the SG Ball season concludes. I don't know who their head coach is for 2024 because they wouldn't tell me (I asked twice). If anyone knows, leave a comment.
(Despite that, shoutout to the Storm for actually posting profiles for their Jersey Flegg squad).
Newcastle Knights
Coach: Michael Dobson
Key returning players: Paul Bryan (middle), Jack Cullen (middle), Jarome Falemoe (centre), Jayden Harris (edge), Myles Martin (middle), Kyle McCarthy (centre), Liam Sutton (halfback)
Key recruits: Jacob Davis (hooker - Parramatta), Siaosi Kaliti (wing - Sydney Roosters), Jaxson Rahme (middle - South Sydney), Blake Woodford (middle - Sunshine Coast), Tea-Rani Woodman-Tuhoro (wing - Brisbane Tigers)
SG Ball – Expect to see: Logan Aoake (centre), Wilson De Courcey (centre), Cody Hopwood (middle), Jermaine McEwen (edge), Beau Slade (middle), Malachi Smith (hooker)
After finishing runners-up in 2022, the Knights had a very poor 2023, finishing 11th. I expect them to be good this year. Several returning players with Flegg experience and if they move up, a very good crop of SG Ball players below (including three 2023 Australian Schoolboys). Michael Dobson, who won a Colts premiership with Wynnum Manly in 2022, is their head coach.
Parramatta Eels
Coach: Jordan Rankin
Key returning players: Jock Brazel (edge), Will Latu (middle), Josh Lynn (five-eighth), Sam Tuivaiti (middle), Max Tupou (middle), Apa Twidle (fullback)
Key recruits: Mitchell Chester (halfback - Wests Tigers), Damascus Neemia (middle - Norths Devils), Ryley Smith (hooker - Penrith), Eric Vaafusuaga (centre - Canterbury)
SG Ball – Expect to see: Jai Camilleri (hooker), Jezaiah Funa-Iuta (edge), Beau Lucien (middle), Javahn Stevenson-Hala (middle), Devonte Vaivela (centre)
The Eels got extremely hot at the back end of the season, sneaking into the Top 5 and making it to the prelims. Five key players from that side have moved up to NSW Cup, while several others have moved on. They still have an experienced 17 for Round 1 but will rely on SG Ball players. Jordan Rankin, who player/coached the Eels' NSW Cup side in 2022, takes charge of the side.
Penrith Panthers
Coach: Jono Rolfe
Key returning players: Blake Moore (halfback), Luron Patea (middle), Billy Scott (hooker), Tim Sielaff-Burns (fullback), Aston Warwick (edge)
Key recruits: Lachlan Blackburn (centre - Parramatta), Noah Nailagoliva (hooker - Newcastle)
SG Ball – Expect to see: Jett Cleary (halfback), Jaxen Edgar (fullback), William Herbert (five-eighth), Poutoa Hotere-Papalii (centre), Zedrick Tupulua (middle)
Penrith boasts a side full of Flegg experience heading into Round 1 and, in true Penrith fashion, will be up there again in 2024. Lachlan Blackburn returns to the club after two years with the Eels, while hooker Noah Nailagoliva joins from Newcastle. Jono Rolfe enters his third season as head coach, winning a premiership in 2022.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Coach: Chris O'Connell
Key returning players: Emmanuel Di Bartolo (five-eighth), Louis Grossemy (middle), Brent Hawkins (halfback), Sam Jinks (edge), Carson Kaho (centre), Dane Towns (fullback)
Key recruits: Aiden Doolan (hooker - Warrington), Jared Johnson (edge - Tweed), Jordan Plath (middle - Brisbane Tigers), Noah Reed (middle - Penrith), Toby Sullivan (middle - Mackay)
SG Ball – Expect to see: Jason Hallie (middle), Mateus Heslin (middle), Mikael Ibrahim (middle), Samuel Taylor (hooker), Daniel Wright (centre)
Souths have struggled at this level since winning the premiership in 2019. They snapped an 11-game losing streak early in 2023 but still only finished 10th with eight wins. Their Round 1 side features a lot of new faces, including Warrington product Aiden Doolan. Hard to predict where they'll end up. Chris O'Connell will lead the side again in 2024.
St George Illawarra Dragons
Coach: Aaron Hertsch
Key returning players: Kyan Hjaltason (hooker), Wesley Pring (fullback), Hamish Stewart (edge), Jacob Webster (prop), Ashton Ward (halfback), Campbell Watchirs (edge)
Key recruits: Cain Barnes (wing - Cronulla), Khye Russell (centre - CQ Capras), Will Starling (centre - Redcliffe)
SG Ball – Expect to see: Corey Ackers (middle), Hayden Buchanan (centre), Jacob Halangahu (edge), Lyhkan King-Togia (five-eighth), Finau Latu (middle), Loko Pasifiki Tonga (middle), Tyler Peckham-Harris (fullback), Jesse Williams (wing)
Looking to return to the finals after a rare poor season in 2023, the Dragons will be one side heavily bolstered by their SG Ball contingent. Ackers, Buchanan, King-Togia and Pasifiki Tonga bring Flegg experience, while Halangahu and Latu were Australian Schoolboys last year. Aaron Hertsch returns for his second season as coach.
Sydney Roosters
Coach: Dean Feeney
Key returning players: Xavier Chatfield-Mooka (wing), Kyron Fekitoa (centre), Owen Flaherty (fullback), Alan Holten (hooker), Lafi Tuinauvai (middle)
Key recruits: Cathane Hill (centre- Townsville), Luke Jack (middle - Townsville), Turoa Williams (wing - Parramatta)
SG Ball – Expect to see: Jake Elliott (five-eighth), Ethan Roberts (edge), Toby Rodwell (halfback), Blake Steep (middle), Tyreece Tait (wing), Aholoka Toia (middle), De La Salle Va'a (middle)
The Roosters were the dominant regular season side in 2023 but came up short in the Grand Final. Like Penrith, they're always up there and I expect them to be strong again. They'll welcome several Flegg-experienced SG Ball players in the coming weeks. I think Dean Feeney is the coach again this year but I haven’t seen any confirmation (again, I asked).
Warriors
Coach: Paul Pou
Key players: Harry Durbin (middle), Phranklyn Mano-Le-Mamea (fullback), Patrick Moimoi (centre), Ben Peni (middle), Presley Seumanu-Tigafua (edge)
Key recruits: Cassius Cowley (halfback - Wynnum Manly), Luke Hanson (five-eighth - Penrith), Caleb Laiman (hooker - Canterbury), Paaua Papuni-Abbott (middle - Conulla), Eli Tuli (middle - Tweed)
SG Ball – Expect to see: Jacob Auloa (hooker), Kayliss Fatialofa (edge) Motu Pasikala (fullback), Jason Salalilo (middle), Jesse Soric (five-eighth), Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea (middle)
It's great to see the Warriors back in the fold in 2024. Their side consists of several of their 2023 SG Ball side, including centre Patrick Moimoi, who also played NSW Cup last season. He also featured in an NRL trial last month, as did recruit Luke Hanson. Kiwi Ferns' head coach Ricky Henry was set to lead the side before taking the Cowboys' NRLW job. Paul Pou is his replacement.
Wests Tigers
Coach: Leon Latulipe
Key returning players: Chris Faagutu (middle), Bailey Hodges (hooker), Cayne Nicholas (middle), Naati Teaupa (halfback), Herman Tofaeono (middle), Brandon Tumeth (edge)
Key recruits: Thomas Fisher (edge - Canterbury), Te Umuariki Heremia-Tukere (wing - St George Illawarra), Kobie Wilson (hooker - Canterbury), Tutonu Junior Wright (wing - Parramatta)
SG Ball – Expect to see: Tallyn Da Silva (hooker), Kit Laulilii (middle), Luke Laulilii (fullback), Heath Mason (fullback), Jordan Miller (middle), Navren Willett (centre)
Finalists just once since the Jersey Flegg restarted, the Tigers finished last in 2023. Their lineup for Round 1 features several new faces but there’s a ton of talent in their SG Ball sides ready to step up, unless they move straight into Cup. Leon Latulipe, who has coached Manly and South Sydney's Flegg sides, takes the reigns in 2024.
Round 1 begins Saturday, March 9 with Penrith hosting the Roosters at St Marys. NSWRL’s new streaming service, nswrl.tv, will show one game each week. This week, it’s the Silktails’ debut game against the Tigers.
🏉 QRL Junior Rep update
While the Queensland Cup begins the weekend, we're into Round 5 of the junior representative season. For the U19 Mal Meninga Cup, it's just about the halfway mark, with the season expanding to 11 rounds this year. The U19 Women and U17 Cyril Connell Cup are both playing seven rounds before finals begin. It's the first time a finals series will be held for the U19s. The U17 Girls competition ended last week, a four-round competition with no finals played.
Townsville and Tweed, two of the strongest Mal Meninga Cup sides in recent years, are the only remaining undefeated teams after four weeks. The Blackhawks opened their year with a big win over the Capras before winning close games with Mackay and the Pride. Tweed opened with three big wins before a draw with Redcliffe last weekend. Rounding out the Top 6 are Ipswich, Sunshine Coast, Norths and Burleigh, who all sit with two wins and a loss.
The Cup is still in the pool stage, with each team playing their "local" rivals until Round 8 when the crossover fixtures begin.
Pools:
Burleigh, Brisbane Tigers, Norths, Redcliffe, Souths Logan, Tweed, Wynnum Manly
CQ Capras, Mackay, Northern Pride, Townsville
Ipswich, Sunshine Coast, Western Clydesdales, Wide Bay
Tweed's U19 women’s side are also undefeated, although they sit second to the Western Clydesdales, who have had a dominant start to the season, scoring 108 points and conceding just 20. The Tigers are third, their only loss coming to Tweed, while Townsville and Mackay both have 2-1 records in their pool. With no crossover fixtures, the Clydesdales look odds on to finish on top.
In the Cyril Connell Cup, the Clydesdales, Blackhawks and Souths Logan are the remaining undefeated sides with three wins. 2024 will mark the first this age group has played finals since 2016, when Townsville defeated Souths Logan 20-18.
🏉 NSWRL Junior Rep update
We're just over halfway through the regular season of the metropolitan NSWRL junior representative season. The regional Laurie Daley and Andrew Johns Cups finished up this past weekend and have a week off before finals begin.
In the U19 SG Ball Cup, I'd say we have four clear contenders - the Roosters, Dragons, Knights and Steelers - with a fifth - Western Suburbs - not far behind. The Roosters are the only undefeated team, boasting a side with several Jersey Flegg experienced players. They'll face the Dragons this weekend, who boast a very good forward pack (featuring three 2023 Australian Schoolboys) and the best defensive record. The best attack belongs to third-placed Newcastle, who have scored 188 points and put up 50+ on two occasions.
There are still three undefeated sides in the U17 Harold Matthews Cup - Wests, the 2022 premiers, Canterbury, the 2023 premiers and Parramatta, the record 20-time premiers. The Magpies sit in first with a 4-0 record, while the Bulldogs and Eels have three wins and a draw.
Looking to bounce back after last year's Grand Final loss, the Bulldogs top the U19 Tarsha Gale Cup ladder, with five wins and no losses. As do Illawarra, who have only conceded 24 points in five games. The Roosters, the reigning premiers, are third with one loss and an insane +192 point differential. They scored 38, 60, 62 and 58 in their wins before a 22-point loss to the Steelers last weekend.
The Bulldogs also lead the way in the U17 Lisa Fiaola Cup, sitting undefeated with a 5-0 record. They head into Round 6 on the back of a 60-0 win over Norths. Behind them are the Roosters, Wests Tigers, Eels and Steelers, who all have eight points.
🏉 Jacob Gagai debuts
A big congratulations to Jacob Gagai, who made his NRL debut last weekend for South Sydney at 28 years old. A Mackay junior, he played U20s at Newcastle and Brisbane way back in 2014-15, proving that the Holden Cup will never die. It looked like Gagai would be a career reserve grader (I think he's even said this himself), having made his Queensland Cup debut in 2015 before moving to the NSW Cup in 2016. He joined the Rabbitohs NSW Cup side in 2021 and won a premiership with them last season.
🏉 Eligible Rookies in 2024
For anyone wondering, here is a list of players who have played first grade but are still eligible for Rookie of the Year per the NRL's criteria:
Players are eligible for the Rookie of the Year in their debut season and the subsequent two NRL seasons. Once a player plays five (5) NRL Premiership matches (or English Super League matches), he becomes ineligible for the Rookie of the Year in any subsequent seasons.
2022 debuts
Jack Cole (1 game), Kurt Falls (2), Kayal Iro (1), Liam Henry (3), Kitione Kautoga (1), Oryn Keeley (2), Adrian Trevilyan (2)
2023 debuts
Jack Bostock (4 games), Thomas Cant (1), Joe Chan (1), Gordon Chan Kum Tong (2), Robert Derby (1), Sualauvi Fa'alogo (1), Josh Feledy (1), Sione Finau (1), Trai Fuller (1), Kalani Going (1), Jack Howarth (1), Riley Jones (1), Kit Laulilii (1), Zac Laybutt (4), Ali Leiataua (1), Ben Lovett (3), Brayden McGrady (1), Jesse McLean (1), Arthur Miller-Stephen (1), Blake Mozer (1), Tyrone Munro (3), Max Plath (2), Riley Price (2), Hohepa Puru (2), Ethan Quai-Ward (1), Khaled Rajab (4), Ryan Rivett (1), Paul Roache (1), Josh Rogers (1), Demitric Sifakula (3), Jeral Skelton (2), Ethan Strange (1), Luke Summerton (2), Brandon Tumeth (1), Tom Weaver (3).
🏉 Ben Te’o to lead U19s
Redcliffe head coach Ben Te’o was named Queensland Under-19 coach this week, replacing Matt Ballin, who has taken up a spot on Billy Slater's senior coaching staff. The seven-time Queensland rep coached the Dolphins' Colt's side in 2022, finishing with 14 wins from 19 games. Last year he stepped up to their Queensland Cup side, finishing in fifth before being eliminated in the first week of the finals.
Queensland will play New South Wales on June 20 at Leichhardt Oval.
🏉 NSW Koori win U16 Origin
NSW Koori lifted the Steve Hall Shield for the first time since 2017 with a 36-22 win over Qld Murri two weeks ago. The long-running fixture was held at Logan Metro Football Fields as part of the Murri v Koori Interstate Challenge. NSW fullback Dwayne Lyons was named player of the match.
NSW Koori 36 (Jaylan Bishop 2, Lewis Jones 2, Dwayne Lyons, Jace Baker, Lucas Harding tries; Glassie Glassie 2, Izaak Moggridge, Kaidyn Peckham goals) def. QLD Murri 22 (Jacol Barney 2, Nash Tollen, Cooper Murphy tries; Dustin Appo 3 goals).