Final Thoughts Ahead Of Rep Round Footy
SJ7 is the Kiwis' key player and Ata Hingano is the key man for the Junior Kiwis.
Jillaroos vs Kiwi Ferns
With very little knowledge on the players involved etc., I don't have any specific thoughts on the on-field action. In saying that, I think the least we can do when rep round rolls around is to celebrate this game and embrace it, so that with each female Test that rolls around, there's greater buzz and hype.
Sevens rugby has blazed a clear path for female athletes in Australia and Aotearoa which means that rugby league has to try compete, more international Tests like these are the perfect dose. Allow your minds to wander, ponder what is possible in women's rugby league ... could we have a professional competition? I think so.
Kangaroos vs Kiwis
All I've heard this week is how Mal Meninga has restored pride in the Australian jersey, how he's instilled this pride by bringing in the history of the Kangaroos and all of that. That doesn't reflect too well on former coach Tim Sheens, who led the Kangaroos through their last three losses to the Kiwis and from what the players have said this week, you'd think that Sheens didn't do a whole lot as coach of the 'Roos.
On the one hand, you have a Kangaroos team that appears reinvigorated by Meninga's takeover and on the other hand you have a weakened Kiwis team that doubles as a showcase for kiwi rugby league's depth. Phil Gould tweeted this last night and let it simmer in your mind for a few minutes, then take a sip and be grateful that kiwi rugby league is in a mighty fine position.
With the Kangaroos appearing reinvigorated with greater pride in the green and gold, the Kiwis' culture has also been put front and centre. It started when the Warriors players involved in last week's drama weren't selected, Kearney stamped his mark on the matter, safe in the knowledge that the Kiwis don't need Manu Vatuvei or Ben Matulino and that maintaining standards is of greater importance. If you're Kearney, would you select players for an international fixture if they can't live up to the standards of an NRL club? I certainly wouldn't and that's because the Kearney and the Kiwis have worked hard to establish some sort of culture that can't be sacrificed for a few players.
And just on Issac Luke: he'll be back. This is just one game and the Kiwis are now in the position where if a player isn't quite demanding selection, others can be selected instead. Luke will rise to the challenge and he'll be selected at the end of the year, don't stress.
All my hope for the Kiwis is based on Jesse Bromwich and Jason Taumalolo. Celebrate these two dudes, they are two of the best forwards in the game and as long as they are in the black and white jersey, we'll have a chance.
Junior Kangaroos vs Junior Kiwis
Keep an eye on both Nathan Cleary and Jayden Nikorima for the Junior Kangaroos in this one. Nathan is the son of Ivan Cleary and has apparently been dominating any and every level of footy that he plays, opening the possibility of a Nathan Cleary x Te Maire Martin halves combo for the Penrith Panthers.
Quick note about the Panthers: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is the Kiwis winger while Peta Hiku and Dean Whare would walk into that Kiwis team, Cleary and Robert Jennings are Junior Kangaroos, James Fisher-Harris is a Junior Kiwi, Isaah Yeo is on the wing for Country while Josh Mansour will start on the wing for City, Bryce Cartwright is a back-row starter for City and City's starting front-row pair are Panthers in Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Leilani Latu.
Nikorima has been a player of some potential for a few years now but he couldn't really make a mark with the Roosters during his stint in the halves alongside Jackson Hastings. He'll start at hooker and this could be where the younger Nikorima ends up with the Chooks as Mitchell Pearce is back to run the show from halfback.
I'm most excited about seeing Jamayne Isaako and Ata Hingano for the Junior Kiwis, two young players who reflect the strength of kiwi rugby league. Isaako was picked up by Cronulla after being a First XV rugby gun in Christchurch, but I think he's featured more at fullback so his future will likely be in the outside backs as he moves up the grades. That he's been selected in the halves is a testament to his skill and we'll get to see what he's capable against a strong Aussie halves combo.
Hingano is the one kiwi who I'm most interested in, especially in the context of the Warriors where I reckon Hingano could one day partner Shaun Johnson or Tuimoala Lolohea (which is when the Warriors will be legit contenders). This is just another test for Hingano, a level-up as the Junior Kiwis doesn't look as strong as previous JK teams and Hingano will need to play a dominant hand (like Shaun Johnson) for the kiwi lads to get the win.
Fiji vs Papua New Guinea
I was a bit surprised that Fiji coach Mick Potter didn't select Suliasi Vunivalu, the Storm winger who has started his NRL career on fire. Marika Koroibete hasn't been selected either via injury, also possibly because Craig Bellamy is well aware of the importance of keeping Vunivalu and Koroibete fit and firing. Two Fijian wingers gives the Storm a freakish level of speed and power.
Keep very close tabs of Kato Ottio of the Raiders who will start at centre for PNG. Ottio joined the Raiders on a train and trial contract over the off-season and has quickly settled into a full-time gig with the Raiders, impressing with the Mounties this season. We probably won't have to wait too long to see him in the NRL, especially if he impresses in this fixture.
Don't sleep on the Boas brothers. Ase and Watson will start together in the halves for PNG, Ase is the older brother and Watson's younger.
Samoa vs Tonga
Another pair of brothers will be rolled out for Tonga, with Felise and Patrick Kaufusi rewarded for their impressive work in the NRL. They are the younger brothers of Antonio Kaufusi and I don't think it's a coincidence that they are enjoying their work with two of the strongest NRL clubs in the league. Felise has been getting game time with the Storm for a year or two now while Patrick has just come through to the NRL with the Cowboys this season, there's worse clubs to develop with right?
Funny then that Patrick Kaufusi will line up against Samoa's John Asiata who is also with the Cowboys. Kaufusi has pretty much taken Asiata's bench spot with the Cowboys, so expect these two to go hard.
Warriors fans should make sure that they catch this game as two of Mt Smart's best will be lacing up for Tonga and will play key roles. David Fusitu'a will start at fullback after impressing there in two games and with Feleti Mateo and Samisoni Langi in the halves, Fusitu'a will be called on to play an influential role both running the footy and with his slick passing. Solomone Kata starts at centre and not only is Kata one of the low key better centres in the NRL, I reckon Kata has the potential to be a Tongan hero as he'll play consistently for Tonga in the next five years while doing so at a high level.
Fa'amanu Brown starts in the halves for Samoa after a knee injury ruled him out for the entire 2015 season. Is Brown a legit NRL halves option?
Sam Kasiano and Junior Paulo as a front-row combo? Yikes.
Also, peep the low key battle at hooker. Sione Katoa and Kaysa Pritchard are both essentially reserve grade hookers right now, both are young and have tasted NRL footy while in the No.14 jerseys we have Nafe Seluini and Erin Clark who both have Warriors connections.
Queensland Residents vs New South Wales Residents
Either peep the kiwis on display here for NSW Residents (Abraham Papalii, Elijah Taylor, Omar Slaimankhel, Zach Docker-Clay) or peep the Warriors who have made the cut from the Warriors' reserve grade side: Ken Maumalo, Matthew Allwood, Shaun Lane. That Warriors culture must really suck right?
City vs Country
The only way I can offer any insight into these squads is if I look at the teams with New South Wales in mind, otherwise it's just a glorified footy party. Starting with blokes who will be eyeing up NSW spots this year or next year and we've got Boyd Cordner and Bryce Cartwright both starting which will be an interesting battle. James Maloney will be looking to dominate to stake his claim and I wouldn't overlook the battle at hooker either as Nathan Peats could be a chance of making the squad while Rory Kostjasyn is simply built for Origin footy.
Taking a more mid-term view, someone like Shannon Boyd could start to really make some waves with an impressive display, so to could Dale Finucane who has slipped under the radar down with the Storm. I also like Euan Aitken who is a deadset Matt Cooper clone.
For City, their front-row pair of Campbell-Gillard and Latu look certain to play Origin footy at some stage while Clint Gutherson is coming off some consistent performances with Parramatta and will start at fullback. Remember Gutherson did his knee in the first game of the 2015 season, his first game with Parramatta after leaving Manly and he could introduce himself to the rugby league loving world with an impressive game from fullback.