#KiwiNRL Encyclopedia: Reserve Grade Kiwis (Finals Week One)
No more sling for TMM, he's back playing foot, back in Aotearoa.
Alright folks, it's the first weekend of reserve grade Finals footy and in true Nichey Niche fashion, we'll be casting our gaze over both the Intrust Super Premiership (NSW) and Intrust Super Cup (QLD) competitions with a cheeky kiwi bias. Reserve Grade Kiwis got a bit tricky to pull out of the bag on a weekly basis, but Finals footy calls for some special attention.
As always, hit us up if any kiwi lads have been missed. It's hard sussing out who's who and what not, so if you spot something or someone, get in touch.
Intrust Super Premiership
Illawara Cutters vs Wests Tigers
Cutters: Kalifa Faifai Loa.
Tigers: Watson Heleta, Chance Peni, Manaia Cherrington, Jeremy Marshall-King, Manaia Rudolph.
Doc's Word: Cherrington will come off the bench, he's on the move to Cronulla next season. Marshall-King is Benji's younger bro and Peni could be off to rugby union.
Wyong Roos vs Bulldogs
Roos: Omar Slaimankhel, Zane Tetevano, Abraham Papalii, Paki Afu.
Bulldogs: Reubenn Rennie, Lamar Liolevave.
Doc's Word: Slaimankhel continues to battle away, while his comrade Papalii got some NRL game time this season with the Roosters.
Warriors vs Penrith Panthers
Warriors: Henare Wells, Valiami Kaveinga, George Carmont, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Erin Clark, Mason Lino, James Gavet, Jazz Tevaga, Toafofoa Sipley, John Palavi, Ligi Sao, James Bell, Upu Poaching, Patrick Sipley, Fetalaiga Pauga.
Panthers: Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Ray Lesoa, Te Maire Martin, Zach Dockar-Clay, Corey Harawira-Naera.
Doc's Word: Malakai Watene-Zelezniak is the younger brother of Dallin. Ray Lesoa is fighting out of Wellington while Harawira-Naera is another product of Penrith's association with Northland Rugby League. Plus the Martin/Dockar-Clay halves partnership is the ol' Junior Kiwis combo.
Mounties vs Newtown Jets
Mounties: Jeff Lima, Sonny Bristow.
Jets: Fa'amanu Brown, Matt McIlwrick, Saulala Houma, Kurt Kara, Kenny Niko.
Doc's Word: Cronulla's Christchurch duo will team up again with Brown in the halves and McIlwrick at hooker. Kara and Niko both spent time with the Junior Warriors.
Intrust Super Cup
Townsville Blackhawks vs Easts Tigers
Blackhawks: Michael Parker-Walshe.
Tigers:
Doc's Word: Parker-Walshe was in the Cowboys set up. Tigers have Leon Ellia-Niukore, not sure about his history.
PNG Hunters vs Sunshine Coast Falcons
Hunters:
Falcons: Eddie Tautali, Tony Tumusa, Jacob Samoa.
Doc's Word: Tumusa is a Melbourne Storm contracted player (Falcons/Tigers are Melbourne's feeder clubs).