RLO Newsletter 2/5: NSWRL Grand Final weekend
In the under-21s, lots of tries continue to be scored.
It was a tough day for Newcastle at a wet and dreary Leichhardt Oval last Saturday, as two of their sides suffered defeat on NSWRL Junior Rep Grand Final day.
The under-17 Harold Matthews Cup final opened the proceedings, with Canterbury-Bankstown running out 32–6 winners over the Knights. The Knights opened the scoring and looked strong early but found themselves down 8–6 at halftime. They were completely run over the top of in the second, with the Bulldogs scoring four tries. Dogs’ captain and halfback Mitchell Woods was named Player of the Match. My other standouts were all from Canterbury’s pack – middles Oliva Smith, Mohamed Hadid and David Leota and backrower Sosaia Alatini. While Saturday probably wasn’t his best outing, although he still scored a great try, Knights’ fullback Connor Votano was a standout all season and one to remember. The title is the Bulldogs’ first in the Harold Matthews since 2011 and their fourth overall.
Up next was the under-19 SG Ball Cup and it was disappointment again for the Knights. Parramatta won it 28–22, doing enough to hold off a late Newcastle comeback. The Eels shot out to a 12–0 after about 10 minutes, thanks to their two most experienced players – Ethan Sanders and Charlie Guymer. Sanders scored the first and Guymer set up the second for winger Devonte Vaivela. The Knights, who lost forwards Jermaine McEwen and Tamakaimoana Whareaorere to suspension in the lead-up, levelled it late in the first half with tries to Beau Slade and Ethan Ferguson. After the break, Guymer and Richard Penisini crossed for Parramatta before Mayson Metcalf, who was playing just his second game of the year, got Newcastle back into it. Vaivela got his second not long after and two minutes after that Taj Blackman gave the Knights some hope but Parramatta held firm. Sanders was named the Player of the Match, as the Eels lifted the SG Ball Cup for a record 13th time.
The under-19 Tarsha Gale Cup Grand Final closed the junior rep season, with the Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy defeating Canterbury 26–22. The Roosters scored first through Paige Lowe before the Bulldogs jumped out to a 12-point lead within 10 minutes. The sides traded tries before the break with the Bulldogs leading 22–16. Early in the second half, a Lailani Montgomery try cut the Dogs’ lead to two before five-eighth Brooke Talataina scored a solo try from a scrum with seven minutes to play to win it for the Roosters. The Roosters, who have not lost a Tarsha Gale Cup game since the 2021 Grand Final, were crowned premiers for the second consecutive year. Roosters’ lock Tavarna Papalii, a Queensland recruit who captained the Australian Schoolgirls in 2022, was named Player of the Match.
Colts report
The highlight of Round 2 was the shootout in Toowoomba between the Clydesdales and Jets, Since 2018, this game has usually been the best chance for these sides to finally pick up a win and what do you know, both sides were winless going into it. 14 tries were scored in total with the Clydesdales picking up the 42-34 win. On debut Clydesdales’ winger Luke Cesari scored a hat-trick, while former Jet Nicholas Carrie came back to haunt his old club with a double.
Norths opened the weekend with their first win of the year, 34–18 over the Pride at Bishop Park. It was the ninth straight loss for the poor, old Pride.
The Blackhawks turned around last week’s poor start with a huge 46-point win over Souths Logan. They trailed 12–0 early but then proceeded to score 11 unanswered tries. Former Australian Schoolboy Dudley Dotoi, back in Townsville after a year in the Tigers’ system, scored four tries on debut. Jesse Yallop, a smaller winger in the Corey Thompson mould, also grabbed four.
Wynnum Manly continue to look strong with a 36–8 win over the Capras. While big roster turnover is common at this level, the Capras have been hit hard, losing seven of their 2022 semi-final side, all still under-21 eligible.1 A week after starring in the Dolphins’ Mal Meninga Cup Grand Final win, John Fineanganofo made his Colts debut in Redcliffe's 28–8 win over the Falcons, scoring a try.
The weekend’s final game was at UAA (Pizzey) Park, with the Tigers handing Burleigh a 40–26 loss in their first game of the year. The Tigers ran in seven tries by seven different try scorers.
Jersey Flegg report
Melbourne got Round 9 underway with an upset win over Cronulla at PointsBet Stadium. The Storm, who had won just two of seven games prior, led the third-placed Sharks 12–0 at halftime before holding on for a 14–12 win.
On Friday night, the Bulldogs beat the Dragons 18–16 at Belmore with a team featuring a ridiculous 10 debutants.2 The win moves them into outright second on the ladder.
Saturday saw the Raiders end their six-game losing streak and move out of last place with a 22–4 over South Sydney. Unfortunately, Rabbitohs fullback Terrell Kalo Kalo suffered a bad leg injury in the loss (I saw his leg being described as “at a right angle”), and was stretchered off.
The Knights recorded back-to-back wins for the first time in 2023 with an impressive 20-point victory over the Eels. At 4 Pines Park, the Roosters blew Manly away in the second half, scoring four tries in 20 minutes. Two late tries to the Sea Eagles saw the score settle at 42–24. Union convert Tavita Henare-Schuster scored a hat-trick for the Roosters in his second game of Flegg.
On Sunday afternoon, Penrith extended their unbeaten run to five games with a 30–12 win over the Tigers. The Tigers trailed by two at halftime but played the majority of the second half with 12 after centre Josh Feledy was sent off for dissent.
Lancashire up 1–0 in England’s Academy Origin series
The junior War of the Roses series began in Castleford over the weekend with Lancashire getting up 42–20 over Yorkshire. Lancashire swept the series in 2022 and may do the same in 2023 with a team comprised of Academy players from Super League’s heavy hitters – St Helens and Wigan. Saints second-rower Jon Vaughan crossed twice for Lancashire in the win, as did Warrington winger Jake Thewlis. Game 2 will be played on May 27 at Craven Park in Hull. Following Game 3 at St Helen’s Totally Wicked Stadium, an England Academy side will be named, the first since 2019.
The Academy competition is four weeks in with Hull FC and St Helens sitting on top of the ladder undefeated so far. After a week off for the Origin game, the teams return to action this weekend, with Hull FC facing third-placed Wigan in what should be the game of the round.
NSW City vs. Country junior sides named
In what is now an annual event, the NSWRL has announced the squads for the City-Country representative fixtures, which will take place at Kogarah’s Netstrata Jubilee Stadium this weekend.
On Saturday, May 6, the boy’s under-16 and men’s under-18 games will feature, while the girl’s under-17s and women’s under-19s fixtures will be played on Sunday, May 7.
For some reason, the boy’s/men’s junior teams are not picked under Origin-style eligibility rules but are based on what competition you play in. Essentially, Andrew Johns Cup vs. Harold Matthews, Laurie Daley Cup vs. SG Ball, etc. So you’ll have country players who play for Canberra and Newcastle in the City teams. The girl’s/women’s teams are not picked under those rules.
Since these games began in 2021, the Country side have not defeated City.
Under-16 boys sides
Country: Jonah Alaia (Monaro), Toby Batten (North Coast), Byron Cahill (Monaro), Jai Callaghan (Central Coast), Isaac Fotu-Moala (Central Coast), Peter French (Macarthur), Beau Hartmann (Northern Rivers), Billy Hollands (Monaro), Riley Ilham (Central Coast), Paul Johnson (Macarthur), Cooper Johnston (Monaro), Reece Josephson (Greater Northern), Kapene Karaitiana (Western Rams), Fletcher O’Doherty (Newcastle-Maitland), Darcy Smith (Central Coast), Peter Taai (Macarthur ), Jack Talbott (Illawarra South Coast), Ryan Tukapua (Central Coast). Coach: Shaun Davisson (Northern Rivers).
City: Kyran Blair (Newcastle), Reilly Caswell (Manly), Thomas Dellow (Cronulla), Kaden Garner (Cronulla), Diesel Hagan (Newcastle), Ethan Jarmain (Newcastle), Charbel Kheirallah (Penrith), Onitoni Large (Western Suburbs), Heinz Lemoto (Penrith), Oliver Lester (Cronulla), Heamasi Makasini (Western Suburbs), Maison Ong (Parramatta), Jope Rauqe (Canterbury), Lorima Rokosuka (Parramatta), Itula Seve (Canterbury), Jhett Sydir (Penrith), Lachlan Vella (Parramatta), Leroy Weatherall (Illawarra). Coach: Robert Mears (Western Suburbs).Under-18 men’s sides
Country under-18: Viliami Amone (Illawarra South Coast), Clay Baldock (Illawarra South Coast), Xavier Cacciotti (Monaro), Luke Calthorpe (North Coast), Harper Collins (Newcastle-Maitland), Sosefo Finau (Macarthur), Samuel Gash (Monaro), Zac Gillett (Central Coast), Eden Hodges (Illawarra South Coast), Kaleb Hope (Greater Northern), Isaac Laughton (Illawarra South Coast), Jye Linnane (Newcastle-Maitland), Ryan Polsen (Macarthur), Toby Rumble (Illawarra South Coast), Logan Spinks (Greater Northern), Jarrah Gaia Treweek (Illawarra South Coast), Daniel Waqa (Macarthur), Jayden Wolfe (Monaro). Coach: Peter Hooper (Illawarra South Coast).
City under-18: Tallyn Da Silva (Western Suburbs), Jaxen Edgar (Penrith), Latu Fainu (Manly), Michael Gabrael (Canterbury), Lachlan Galvin (Western Suburbs), Owen Hromow (Canberra), Kit Laulilii (Western Suburbs), Siamani Leuluai (Canberra), Heath Mason (Western Suburbs), Casey McLean (Penrith), Jordan Miller (Western Suburbs), Elvis Nauer-Wood (Canberra), Richard Penisini (Parramatta), Ethan Roberts (Sydney), Zac Sarfati (Sydney), Setefano Sele (South Sydney), Blaize Talagi (Parramatta), Sam Tuivaiti (Parramatta). Coach: Peter Marrapodi (Canberra).Under-17 girls sides
Country: Teuila Ahkey (Monaro), Paige Bohringer (Western), Indie Bostock (Illawarra), Ellie Brander (Central Coast), Koffi Brookfield (Illawarra), Kaliyah Browning (Northern Rivers), Mahlie Cashin (Central Coast), Lailah Clarke (Newcastle-Maitland), Tya Ekepati (Central Coast), Phoenix-Raine Hippi (Northern Rivers), Elizabeth MacGregor (Western Rams), Evah McEwen (Newcastle-Maitland ), Alana Oloughlin (Western Rams), Molly Pittman (Central Coast), Kasey Reh (Illawarra), Brandy Simpson (Central Coast), Caley Tallon-Henniker (Illawarra), Sienna Thomas (Central Coast). Coach: Jayme Fressard.
City: Ryvrr-Lee Alo (Parramatta), Amirah El-Abdallah (Canterbury), Waiaria Ellis (Parramatta), Mariah Fasavalu-Faamausili (Parramatta), Lile Fifita (Canterbury), Mikayla Langer (Cronulla), Logan Lemusu (Parramatta), Tia Matthews (Parramatta), Rory Muller (Penrith), Audrey Nadaya-Harb (Canterbury), Aaliyah Nikua (Canterbury), Danielle Seckold (Parramatta), Pauline Suli-Ruka (Canterbury), Manilita Takapautolo (Canterbury), Odesza Toia (Parramatta), Alaianne Toia (Parramatta), Bethany To’o (Penrith), Fontayne Tufuga (Parramatta). Coach: Charlotte Henry.Under-19 women’s sides
Country: Charlotte Barwick (Newcastle), Krystal Bulmer (Sydney), Sharlize Campbell (Sydney), Marley Cardwell (Penrith), Makaah Darcy (Parramatta), Charlotte Eather (Canterbury), Mercydes Metcalf (Cronulla), Kayla Fleming (Canberra), Abbie Grant (Canberra), Lucy Green (Newcastle), Keisha Johnston (Newcastle), Evie Jones (Newcastle), Beyonce Marela (Canberra), Hope Millard (Illawarra), Lailani Montgomery (Sydney), Leah Ollerton (Newcastle), Kyana Patten (Newcastle), Mia-Rose Walsh (Illawarra), Georgia Willey (Canberra), Sienna Yeo (Illawarra). Coach: Courtney Crawford (Illawarra).
City: Tafao Asaua (Manly Warringah), Yasmine Baker (Penrith Panthers), Tallara Bamblett (Parramatta), Ally Bullman (Sydney), Debbie Doueihi (Parramatta), Tatiana Finau (Canterbury), Litia Fusi (Canterbury), Chloe Jackson (North Sydney), Noaria Kapua (Canterbury), Phoenix Lamese (Sydney), Joy Levy (Sydney), Chelsea Makira (Canterbury), Jae Patu (Wests Tigers), Ashlee Pottinger (Parramatta), Latisha Smythe (Canterbury), Brooke Talataina (Sydney), Alexis Tauaneai (Canterbury), Lindsay Tui (Parramatta), Grace-Lee Weekes (North Sydney), Sienna Williams (North Sydney). Coach: Letitia Taylor.
Sifakula, Oloapu debut
Perhaps this year’s most anticipated NRL debut took place on Sunday at WIN Stadium, with 18-year-old half Karl Oloapu coming off the bench for Canterbury in their 18–16 win over the Dragons.
A star in the Queensland junior competitions and Schoolboy ranks, Oloapu was in the news a lot late last year after he requested his release from the Broncos in November. Five months on, he’s a Bulldog and in the top grade after some good form with the club’s NSW Cup side.
Originally from Wellington, Oloapu began his rugby league journey with the Randwick Kingfishers. His older brother, Tui, spent time in the Parramatta Eels’ system, playing three seasons of Holden Cup with the club. Upon moving to Australia, he began playing for the Redcliffe Dolphins and joined the Broncos’ academy at 13. In 2021, he played for the Dolphins in the under-16 Cyril Connell Challenge and in 2022, moved to the Norths Devils where he was the standout for their Mal Meninga Cup side. Later that year, the Wavell State High student was selected for the Australian Schoolboys and captained the side on their tour of Fiji. After his controversial release request was denied, the Broncos put a $500,000 transfer fee on the half, which the Bulldogs’ paid, signing him to a four-year deal and putting him straight into their NRL squad.
Earlier in the day, Demitric Sifakula played his first NRL minutes for the Warriors in their 14–0 loss to the Roosters in Auckland. The 19-year old Sifakula is an Otahuhu Leopards junior who spent time with the Redcliffe Dolphins last season due to the Warriors partnership with the club. Sifakula played six games for their Colts side debuting in Round 15 and making an immediate impact. He started at prop in their Grand Final loss to Townsville.
The former De La Salle College student was a standout in the Warriors’ pre-season games and re-signed with the club until the end of the 2025 season in February.
Around the grounds
For more information on all games head to 18thman.com.
Jersey Flegg Cup – Round 9
Melbourne 14 (M Amosa, S Huen tries; K Russell-Smith 3 goals) def. Cronulla 12 (B Hosking, B Lavender tries; N Puru 2 goals) at PointsBet Stadium. Referee: J Bird. Halftime: MEL 12–6. Tackles: S Healey 38 (CRO), P Manu 32 (MEL). Run metres: L Crouch 109 (CRO), A Hinchey 199 (MEL).
Canterbury 18 (A Jones, S Kanaan, L Vito, K Weatherall-Stacey tries; N Iselin-Jansen goal) def. St George Illawarra 16 (D Egan, B Rumble, C Watchirs tries; A Ward 2 goals) at Belmore Sports Ground. Referee: R Morey. Halftime: SGI 10–6. Tackles: A Jones 27 (CBY), D Egan 41 (SGI). Run metres: J Underhill 160 (CBY), C Watchirs 127 (SGI).
Canberra 22 (R Carr 2, L Kaloutolu 2, J Billing tries; N Ryan goal) def. South Sydney 4 (J Gray try) at McDonalds Park. Referee: E Klein. Halftime: CAN 10–4. Tackles: S Packer 21 (CAN), W Abou-Arrage 21 (SOU). Run metres: L Kaloutolu 158 (CAN), W Abou-Arrage 91 (SOU).
Newcastle 28 (J Afoa, F Forsythe, M Henderson, A Shepherd, T Woods tries; L Sutton 4 goals) def. Parramatta 8 (J Brazel, L Feterika tries) at Kellyville Park. Referee: C Suters. Halftime: NEW 16–4. Tackles; J Davis 45 (PAR), O Keeley 30 (NEW). Run metres: J Betham-Misa 140 (PAR), O Keeley 180 (NEW).
Sydney 42 (T Henare-Schuster 3, C Ross 2, X Chatfield-Mooka, K Fekitoa, I Guba tries; C Tia 5 goals) def. Manly 24 (J Uesele 2, L Fainu, D O’Donnell tries; C Brown 4 goals) at 4 Pines Park. Referee: B Greatbatch. Halftime: SYD 18–12. Tackles: Z Dunford 28 (MAN), B Ioelu 29 (SYD). Run metres: J Uesele 166 (MAN), J Smith 149 (SYD).
Penrith 30 (A Warwick 2, A Hotere-Papalii, L Patea, B Scott, A Williams tries; A Williams 3 goals) def. Wests Tigers 12 (A Saukuru, B Tumeth tries; Z Camroux 2 goals) at BlueBet Stadium. Referee: B Mani. Halftime: PEN 14–12. Tackles: B Scott 30 (PEN), F Neilsen 35 (WST). Run metres: T Sielaff-Burns 177 (PEN), J Owen 113 (WST).
Ladder: 1 Sydney (16pts), 2 Canterbury (14), 3 Penrith (13), 4 Cronulla (12), 5 South Sydney (11), 6 Parramatta (10), 7 Newcastle (8), 8 Melbourne (8), 9 St George Illawarra (8), 10 Wests Tigers (8), 11 Canberra (6), 12 Manly (4).
Hastings Deering Colts – Round 2
Norths 34 (B Dodd 2, D Haydon 2, G Henry-Monaei, T Tanner, D Turner tries; B Dodd, G Taualai, H Walters goals) def. Northern Pride 18 (M Douthat, R Herd, J Mosby tries; R Herd 3 goals) at Bishop Park. Referee: L Sutton. Halftime: NPR 14–10. Tackles: L Salei 33 (NOR), S Cramp 31 (NPR). Run metres: E Jones 187 (NOR), B Salameh 138 (NPR).
Townsville 58 (D Dotoi 4, J Yallop 4, J Baldwin, D Dowson, H Teutau tries; R Wavik 6, D Dowson goals) def. Souths Logan 12 (T Mapusua-Lotaki, L Symonds, B Trew tries) at Jack Manski Oval. Referee: J Eaton. Halftime: TSV 16–12. Tackles: K Fisher 19 (TSV), M Pakai 41 (SOU). Run metres: J Yallop 216 (TSV), M Taumaletila-Maulolo 86 (SOU).
Wynnum Manly 36 (G Hagai 2, J Radel 2, B Allen, C Kwock-Sun Barker tries; S Roache-Faimalo 5, J Davies goals) def. CQ Capras 8 (J Wini 2 tries) at Browne Park. Referee: A Rossiter. Halftime: WYN 18–8. Tackles: M Leard-Lamont 28 (CQL), J Radel 39 (WYN). Run metres: J Wini 148 (CQL), S Roache-Faimalo 224 (WYN).
Redcliffe 28 (A Hoad 2, T Toloi 2, J Fineanganofo tries; W Cahill 4 goals) def. Sunshine Coast 6 (M Peut try; C Herdegen goal) at Kayo Stadium. Referee: C Wegner. Halftime: RED 12–0. Tackles: B Major 38 (RED), K North 40 (SCF). Run metres: T Otukolo 155 (RED), M Peut 171 (SCF).
Western Clydesdales 42 (L Cesari 3, N Carrie 2, K Duggan, T Hatch, B Leigh tries; K Duggan 5 goals) def. Ipswich 34 (M Banditt 2, B Charles, H Midgley, D Porter, S Tonga tries; R Balint 5 goals) at Clive Berghofer Stadium. Referee: B Sheppard. Halftime: IPS 16–10. Tackles: F Kaiser Capewell 43 (WCL), R Morris 36 (IPS). Run metres: F Kaiser Capewell 140 (WCL), M Banditt 164 (IPS).
Brisbane Tigers 40 (B Ashton 2, B Black, G Fisher, C Morgan, S Pratt, L West tries; B Black 6 goals) def. Burleigh 26 (C Lasike 2, S Nikotemo, D Somerville, N Zusak tries; C Lasike 3 goals) at UAA Park. Referee: D Lawrence. Halftime: BRI 18–6. Tackles: L Adamson 33 (BUR), B Seu-Easthope 29 (BRI). Run metres: D Somerville 163 (BUR), L West 164 (BRI).
Mackay, Tweed - Bye
Ladder: 1 Redcliffe (4pts), 2 Wynnum Manly (4), 3 Brisbane Tigers (4), 4 Tweed (4), 5 Mackay (4), 6 Townsville (2), 7 Norths (2), 8 Sunshine Coast (2), 9 Burleigh (2), 10 Western Clydesdales (2), 11 CQ Capras (2), 12 Northern Pride (0), 13 Souths Logan (0), 14 Ipswich (0).
SG Ball Cup – Grand Final
Parramatta 28 (D Vaivela 2, C Guymer, R Penisini, E Sanders tries; E Sanders 4 goals) def. Newcastle 22 (T Blackman, E Ferguson, M Metcalf, B Slade tries; E Ferguson 3 goals) at Leichhardt Oval. Referee: B Hunt. Halftime: 12–all. Player of the Match: E Sanders (PAR). Tackles: M Martin 38 (NEW), M Arthur 51 (PAR). Run metres: E Salesa-Leaumoana 196 (NEW), S Tuivaiti (PAR).
Tarsha Gale Cup – Grand Final
Sydney 26 (K Bulmer, P Lowe, L Montgomery, B Talataina, J Tofae tries; M Barber 3 goals) def. Canterbury 22 (A Aros, T Dennis, T Finau, N Kapua tries; T Finau 3 goals) at Leichhardt Oval. Referee: L Greenfield. Halftime: CBY 22–16. Player of the Match: T Papalii (SYD). Tackles: T Papalii 28 (SYD), L Smythe 29 (CBY). Run metres: E Lopamaua 146 (SYD), L Smythe 137 (CBY).
Harold Matthews Cup – Grand Final
Canterbury 32 (M Hadid, C Makhlouf, T McEwen-Welsh, J Rauqe, M Woods tries; B Reuben 6 goals) def. Newcastle 6 (C Votano try; C Votano goal) at Leichhardt Oval. Referee: C Robinson. Halftime: CBY 8–6. Player of the Match: M Woods (CBY). Tackles: O Smith 23 (CBY), W Cannavo 27 (NEW). Run metres: S Alatini 189 (CBY), C Votano 152 (NEW).
U18 England Academy Origin – Game 1
Lancashire 42 (Jake Thewlis 2, Jon Vaughan 2, Ryan Brown, Owen Dagnall, Nathan Lowe, Dayon Sambou tries; Will Roberts 5 goals) def. Yorkshire 20 (Jack Hudson, Maddox Jeffery, Max Merta, Oliver Pratt tries; Sullivan Medforth 2 goals) at Mend-A-Hose Jungle.
This weekend
Jersey Flegg Cup – Round 10
Round 10 is a bye round, although the Sharks and Dragons will play their postponed Round 4 game.
6/5 St George Illawarra vs. Cronulla – Sid Parrish Park, 11:30am (local)
Hastings Deering Colts – Round 3
6/5 Tweed vs. Western Clydesdales – Piggabeen Sports Complex, 12pm
6/5 Wynnum Manly vs. Souths Logan – BMD Kougari Oval, 1pm
6/5 Burleigh vs. CQ Capras – UAA Park, 2pm
6/5 Northern Pride vs. Mackay – Barlow Park, 3:30pm
7/5 Brisbane Tigers vs. Townsville – Totally Workwear Stadium, 12pm
7/5 Sunshine Coast vs. Norths – Sunshine Coast Stadium, 12:30pm
Redcliffe, Ipswich - Bye
All games streaming live on qplus.tv
NSWRL City vs. Country weekend
6/5 Under-16 City vs. Country (Boys) – Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 11am
6/5 Under-18 City vs. Country (Mens) – Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 12:35pm
7/5 Under-17 City vs. Country (Girls) – Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 11:15am
7/5 Under-17 City vs. Country (Womens) – Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 12:50pm
Super League Academy
5/5 Leeds vs. Castleford – Headingley Stadium, 5:30pm
5/5 Hull KR vs. Huddersfield – Craven Park, 5:30pm
6/5 Hull FC vs. Wigan – University of Hull, 12pm
6/5 Warrington vs. Wakefield – Victoria Park, 12pm
6/5 Bradford vs. London – Horsfall Stadium, 5pm
7/5 Newcastle vs. St Helens – Kingston Park, 4:30pm
Peyton Jenkins and Owen Pattie (signed by Canberra), Matthew Hill and Coby Williamson (Melbourne), Marcus Tanner (Wests Tigers), William Lewis (Parramatta), Noah Corcoran (Norths Devils).
Kallum Weatherall-Stacey, Daniel Corcoran, Aisake Tukuafu, Naytan Iselin-Jansen, Maraki Aumua, Jack Underhill, Cooper Smith, Jordan Roumanous, Massimo Mari and Fanafou Seve.