Introducing The Niche Cache Kiwi Rugby League Camp (Forwards)
Show and go ... to KFC.
Having already named a selection of backs to join us on a camp up north, we now move on to the forwards. For a break down on what this whole Niche Cache Rugby League Camp is, go have a geeze at the backs edition as it explains most of it.
Gypsy Nightingale is still very much our camp leader, but he'll have some assistance in the form of Manu Ma'u and Suaia Matagi. Nightingale is the perfect bloke to lead this camp as he's got all the knowledge, mana and experience that is required and with Ma'u and Matagi alongside him, we'll have a strong trio of leaders who can not only offer some wisdom but also act as sounding board for these younger lads to bounce ideas off.
We all know the story of Ma'u and Matagi as they came out of prison to link up with Auckland Vulcans, before moving on to the NRL. Not only do they have rather tremendous life experience that we can draw upon, Matagi is likely to feature for Samoa at the World Cup and Ma'u will either represent Aotearoa or Tonga at the World Cup. Having these two as pillars of not neccessarily the Samoan or Tongan teams, but their respective Pacific Islands homelands offers a different perspective and follows our moral compass of looking out for our polynesian brothers.
Joseph Tapine
Having tasted international footy, Joseph Tapine didn't get a look into the Kiwis Anzac Test squad even though he's been steady about his work through the middle for Canberra this season. Tapine has footwork to go with his size and has flourished under Ricky Stuart after the Canberra coach flipped him from an edge forward to a powerful middle forward.
Tapine represented Wellington in the national competition before being snapped up by Newcastle and that experience in local Aotearoa footy is exactly what we want. As NRL clubs grab kiwi talent far earlier, Tapine's grounding with the Wellington Orcas is pretty cool and his swift rise reflects his ability.
927 Likes, 30 Comments - Joseph Tapine (@joe_tapine) on Instagram: "Thanks to bae for looking after me and bringing me my KFC 😍🍗 #knowsmetoowell #nothingbutlove"
Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Another Wellingtonian, but one with a different pathway to the NRL is Nelson Asofa-Solomona. Melbourne had their sights on Asofa-Solomona for much of his high-school years (as did many other NRL/Super Rugby teams) and while Tapine crept under the radar, Asofa-Solomona's talent smacked everyone in the face. I'm intrigued to hear how Asofa-Solomona dealt with expectations and how he's grown under Storm coach Craig Bellamy as Melbourne isn't the sort of place where you can rely on natural talent.
Asofa-Solomona is also somewhat of a poster-boy for how gifted youngins are in switching between rugby union and rugby league. Konrad Hurrell and Solomone Kata made this switch as well, however neither was quite as celebrated in rugby as Asofa-Solomona and I'll definitely be taking notes on how Asofa-Solomona made this move look rather simple. More and more rugby union players are being signed by NRL clubs and Asofa-Solomona's insight will help us build a resource as to how we can assist these kids in the future.
Agnatius Paasi and Leivaha Pulu
Not only are Agnatius Paasi and Leivaha Pulu at Gold Coast Titans, they were both given NRL opportunities while playing reserve grade at other clubs and they'll both be lining up key roles with Tonga come World Cup time. I view Paasi and Pulu as prime examples of Titans coach Neil Henry's ability as he signed Paasi from the Warriors and Pulu from Wyong Roos, flipping them into reliable NRL forwards who have since blossomed.
300 Likes, 11 Comments - Vaha Pulu (@leivahapulu) on Instagram: "What a week it has been..!!! Firstly would like to thank our heavenly Father feeling really blessed..."
Both have all sorts of skill to match their size and power, but it's how they got to this point that interests me. Both attended Keebra Park High School on the Gold Coast, which is usually a fair sign of a promising NRL career, although neither transitioned into the NRL until enduring some tough times. These two could be influential leaders for young Tongans, let alone young athletes as it took them a bit longer to really find their feet in the NRL and now they are enjoying the fruits of their labour.
Ava Seumanufagai
Recently signed by Cronulla Sharks for the next few years, Wainuomata junior Ava Seumanufagai has been creeping under the radar for Wests Tigers and I've thoroughly enjoyed watching him in the process. Unfortunately there's constantly been a bit of drama around the Tigers since Seumanufagai came into the NRL and this drama, along with attention on 'sexier' names at the club, has over-shadowed his steady work through the middle for the Tigers.
It's pretty cool that we have three big boppers from the Wellington area in this group and I'm keen to hear how Seumanufagai plans to take his came to greater heights at Cronulla. There's a pathway with the Sharks as Paul Gallen will retire and they need a young prop to back up Andrew Fifita and Matt Prior, so there's plenty of opportunity for Seumanufagai at the Sharks.
James Fisher-Harris
We couldn't go up north and not invite James Fisher-Harris as he'll be our tour guide and local hunting officianado. Fisher-Harris was the first major success of Penrith's relationship with Northland rugby league and this saw him quickly rise through the ranks, impressing with plenty of game time last season with the Panthers.
478 Likes, 8 Comments - James Fisher-Harris (@fisherhizzle) on Instagram: "Good to get the W tonight with the brothers, especially getting to play with the bro @horitecorey..."
This season though, Fisher-Harris has battled injuries and has struggled to string back to back games together. His Penrith Panthers have also struggled and 2017 hasn't gone to plan for Fisher-Harris, so it's nice chance to touch base and see how he's been dealing with that and how he'll go about the rest of 2017.
Sam Lisone
Capable of storming into a defensive line, or sliding a pass out the back to a play-maker, Sam Lisone is slowing growing into his skill-set as a middle forward. There have been moments where you couldn't help but ask him just to run it straight, but Lisone has a level of skill that should see him develop into a very handy forward.
He's also from Otara and Lisone will be the first pick up we make after leaving Papatoetoe, so we'll be able to spin some South Auckland yarns before discussing how the Warriors have changed with Stephen Kearney's arrival. Lisone will not only develop into a leader for Samoa, he's also capable of providing guidance for many South Aucklanders and assuming that he can continue to grow on the field, I'm interested in his insight into the community and how he interacts with his people.
Danny Levi
Issac Luke and Kodi Nikorima will share dummy half duties at the World Cup and we've been told that Brandon Smith is somewhere in the mix as well for a future Kiwis spot, but what about Danny Levi? Our Wellingtonian check is now at four and Levi has been battlin' away with Newcastle for the last few seasons, not exactly enjoying much success but that leaves plenty of room for growth as a player and person.
No one else can offer the perspective that Levi offers as he's been promoted to a starting role in a team that won't compete for a top-eight spot for another season at least. Levi will know all about patience as you can't rebuild a footy club without patience and this also allows time for Levi to really suss out what it takes to consistently perform at a NRL level, as well as tinkering with his own game. His team's performances may be up and down, so how does Levi keep his own personal performance at a stable level and how does he mentally deal with this hefty rebuilding phase?
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