Meet The 2017 Junior Kiwis
There's many powerful wingers running around these days, none quite like Greg though.
Diving into a Kiwis squad is always fun, especially now that there are so many quality options available to coach David Kidwell. What really perks my antenna up at this time of year though is the Junior Kiwis squad and new JK coach Nathan Cayless has dropped his first squad, offering the usual dose of intrigue as we acquaint ourselves with youngsters who have officially been noted as early Kiwis prospects.
Before going any further, I like to look at the previous year's JK squad and see who has moved on to NRL footy. Of the 2016 JK squad these jokers have since played in the NRL: Brad Abbey (fullback/Bulldogs), Reimis Smith (wing/Bulldogs), Ata Hingano (halves/Warriors), Siosifa Talakai (centre/edge/Rabbitohs), Nathaniel Roache (hooker/Warriors), Isaiah Papalii (edge/Warriors).
Jamayne Isaako has featured on an extended bench for Brisbane, as has Marata Niukore after moving from the Warriors to Parramatta. So expect them to earn NRL debuts soon enough, while Brandon Smith was a standout in last year's fixture against the Junior Kangaroos and we all know his yarn by now.
The 2017 JKs features five cuzzies from the 2016 team; Greg Lelisiuao (Parramatta), Papalii, Smith, Herbert and Talakai.
Also worthy to note is that it feels like there are more players in this squad who were born in Australia or moved to Australia at a young age. This can make it tricky when trying to find information that links them back to Aotearoa so forgive me on that front, however it's pretty cool to see NZRL initiatives like their 'Taurahere' program obviously working nicely in identifying youngsters who have settled in Australia but have strong kiwi links and offering them a pathway.
The Taurahere camp consists of a New South Wales based squad (Tu) and a Queensland squad (Toa). They play against each other and obviously get in touch with Aotearoa, but this doesn't automatically seal the deal that these kids will then go the Kiwis route. It simply opens the door and the NZRL are putting their best foot forward in ensuring that this youngsters are given every opportunity to feel the kiwi vibes before making a decision, especially as NRL clubs are snapping up kiwi talent at a much younger age.
From the 2016 Taurahere Merit team (best of Tu and Toa), Steven Marsters (fullback/Illawarra) and Manase Fainu (halves/Manly Sea Eagles) have swiftly graduated to the 2017 JKs.
When you consider that there is the Taurahere camp for the Australia-based kiwis and that there are currently Under 16 and Under 18 national camps going down, it's clear that NZRL have sussed out their pathways, talent identification and development.
Alright, here's what I could find about the 2017 JK squad...
Briton Nikora
An edge forward for Cronulla Sharks, Nikora's junior footy was played up on the Gold Coast with Parkwood Sharks before linking with Tweed Heads. Cronulla will need an edge forward to step up in the coming years with Luke Lewis in his twilight years so there could be an opening for Nikora.
Kaleb Fuimaono
Hailing from Manurewa, South Auckland, Fuimaono joined North Queensland Cowboys from Bay Roskill Vikings. As you can see in this video, the dude looks to be an absolute beast (give or take a tad with the opposition) and he made his Cowboys Under 20s debut last year along with making the North Queensland Schoolboys team. It'd be rude to compare him to Jason Taumalolo, but hey...
Chanel Harris-Tavita
Recent JK teams have caused heavy optimism about the future of Aotearoa rugby league as we are seeing more halves step appear as our depth continues to grow. Harris-Tavita has featured heavily in the halves for the Junior Warriors and the Howick Hornets junior has consistently gone through the levels; Jnr Warriors, NZRL Under 18 Player of the Year and now JKs.
I'm low key interest about how the JK's line up as Harris-Tavita will be competing with Jarome Luai and Manase Fainu for halves spots. I reckon Fainu could get a bench utility spot, just a hunch.
Dane Aukafolau
Couldn't find too much info on Aukafolau, other than him being a Cabramatta junior and is a centre for Parramatta's Under 20s team but has also snuck into some reserve grade action.
Emry Pere
Another North Queensland Cowboys big bopper, Pere hails from Huntly where he was a Taniwharau junior. He must have moved over to Australia at a young age as he made a few Queensland/Gold Coast rep teams at Under 12/13 level and if this JK team rolls out Pere and Fuimaono through the middle, them Aussies better take cover.
Erin Clark
Clark made his NRL debut this season for the Warriors as a bench hooker and has done a fine job in the halves throughout his junior career, especially for Manurewa High School. Clark will probably be competing with Fainu for a bench utility spot.
Fabien Paletua-Kiri
After reppin' Aotearoa Residents Under 18s, Paletua-Kiri was shipped over to Canberra from Palmeston North and made his Raiders Under 20s debut last year. He's another massive unit and the Kia Ora Warriors junior also spent time with the Aotearoa Warriors youth squad.
Greg Leleisiauo
For those who have been in #KiwiNRL oblivion; Greg Leleisiauo is a freak. I was a wee bit confused ahead of this season as there were a few rumours about Leleisiauo leaving Gold Coast Titans for Parramatta but nothing was officially confirmed, however that move did take place and Leleisiauo is doing what he did for the Titans Under 20s for Parramatta's Under 20s.
Obviously there are a few names to note down as future NRL guns, but Leleisiauo is perhaps at the top of that list.
Isaiah Papalii
Second on that list is Papalii, who earned a few cheeky NRL minutes earlier this season for the Warriors but has since settled down with the Junior Warriors. Immensely powerful, Papalii has done exceptionally well in playing up a level or three and turned down Aotearoa Schoolboy rugby union selection to further his league career. Oh and Papalii played for the JK last year while still at school.
Jarome Luai
Penrith Panthers half Jarome Luai's highlights are fairly crazy and while he was born in Sydney and lists his junior club as St Marys (a Penrith club), Luai also states his desire to represent Aotearoa. Expect Luai to start in the halves and just enjoy these highlights...
Manase Fainu
Other than what I've said about Fainu impressing in the Taurahere camp, I can't find too much information about the Manly half. He went to Westfield Sports High School in Sydney and lists Tupac as his favourte artist, along with Titanic as his favourite movie.
Moeaki Fotuaki
Can't find too much info about Gold Coast's Fotuaki, other than him being a Logan Brothers junior and making the Queensland Academy of Sport Under 18 squad earlier this year. One would assume that Fotuaki won't be progressing with his Queensland connection after being named in the JK.
Patrick Herbert
Expect Herbert to earn an NRL debut with the Dragons in the next 18 months, possibly this year if the stars align. Herbert will likely start at centre for the JK and after impressing with St Kentigern college rugby, Herbert was snapped up by the Dragons where he's since been re-signed.
Reimis Smith
Last year, Smith made his NRL debut in rather funky circumstances as he was a last minute replacement for one of the Morris twins and had to drive from Sydney to Canberra on the morning of that game. Smith scored on debut and while he hasn't been able to kick on from that debut, being overtaken by Marcelo Montoya (who has been starting on the wing), Smith has featured consistently on the Bulldogs extended bench.
Sione Katoa
Same name as the Penrith forward who will represent Tonga this weekend, rather different position. Katoa is an outside back from Hamilton who had previously been with Parramatta and could snap up a wing spot for the JK.
Siosifa Talakai
There is a weird connection between Smith and Talakai as they are both Mascot Jets juniors who scored on their NRL debuts. Talakai is a regular part of the Rabbitohs NRL squad and while he can play centre, he's most likely to come off the bench as a powerful middle forward.
Sitili Topouniua
Part of last year's championship-winning Under 20s Roosters team, Tupouniua is a edge forward and Marist Saints junior. And his favourite player was Jonah Lomu.
Steven Marsters
The Dragons look to have sussed out their recruitment plans, not only snapping up Herbert out of schoolboy rugby but also getting in quick on Marsters. I found a thingy from back in 2014 in which Selwyn College (Auckland) congratulated Marsters on being selected for the Warriors development team after being scouted as a 12-year-old, but then Marsters appears to have been shipped over to Australia by the Dragons. Marsters played for the Illawarra Steelers SG Ball team, not only earning selection in the Taurahere Merit team last year but also the Aotearoa Under 18 team. The Dragons list his junior club as Thirroul Brothers which is a local club for the Dragons, but I'd suggest this is what most NRL clubs will do with their young kiwi talent; get them in their system asap and bring them through their junior ranks.
Marsters is the Dragons' Under 20s fullback and will likely start there for the JK. He also earned a three-year deal that will ensure he stays with the Dragons until the end of 2019.
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