#KiwiNRL Encyclopedia: Prospect Highlights via RL Scout
Having recently stumbled across the RL Scout Youtube channel and an abundance of video highlights for a wide range of NRL prospects, I’m going to zone in on the #KiwiNRL homies. The purpose of the #KiwiNRL Encyclopedia is to provide as much #KiwiNRL information for the folks of Aotearoa and having some video highlights for these lads offers a fresh layer of knowledge. Enjoy…
Kea Pere
Not too much information floating around about Pere’s earlier years, emerging on the radar with Ipswich State High near Brisbane. Pere was with Easts Tigers and grabbed a Queensland Under 18 nod in 2017, also named in the Aotearoa Under 18 Select (via 2017 Taurahere). Spending time with Melbourne Storm, Pere then signed with Gold Coast Titans where he was part of the NRL squad for the 2020 season primarily as an outside back.
Connelly Lemuelu
Starting with Papatoetoe Rugby Union in South Auckland, Lemuelu was snapped up by Keebra Park High School on the Gold Coast which then led to signing with Keebra’s former homie Wests Tigers. Lemuelu then joined the Bulldogs (Keebra also changed their alignment from Tigers to Bulldogs around that time) and 2020 saw Lemuelu change clubs again to move north to North Queensland Cowboys. Capable of playing every backline position, Lemuelu could get a crack when the NRL resumes.
Taane Milne
Everyone knows about Taane Milne by now, two-time Junior Kiwi in 2014 and 2015.
Paul Turner
Hailing from Northland, Turner is part of a simmering group of young Aotearoa Warriors play-makers to keep an eye on. Turner started out with South Sydney Rabbitohs, before returning to Aotearoa to join the Warriors and a funky note here is that Paul’s brother Lee broke into Tweed Heads Seagulls’ Queensland Intrust Super Cup team last year as a centre/wing. Paul was a 2019 Junior Kiwi.
Patrick Herbert
Another who most folk will know fairly easily. Herbert was a Junior Kiwi in 2016 and 2017.
Hayze Perham
Signed by Aotearoa Warriors coming out of Rotorua Boys High School, Perham was a celebrated league and union prospect and made his NRL debut in 2019. There is still plenty of intrigue as to how Perham will fit into NRL footy as a versatile back and Perham was the fullback for the 2018 Junior Kiwis.
Adam Pompey
I’ve got the Storm and Roosters as the best recruiters of #KiwiNRL youngsters and Pompey is a nice example of this as he was snapped up by the Roosters at a young age after impressing for Wesley College 1st 15. Pompey was then lured back to Aotearoa by Aotearoa Warriors, making his NRL debut last year and forecasts as an outside back.
Ioane Seiuli
Another who doesn’t have much information about their earlier years, Seiuli is from Auckland and was named in the 2019 Junior Kiwis wider squad. Seiuli was also named in the 2020 Queensland Emerging Origin squad though, so I’m not sure what eligibility route Seiuli will take but he looks the goods with Tweed Heads Seagulls here; Seiuli only moved to play edge forward mid-season from centre as well.
Jackson Ferris
Scouted by Cronulla Sharks while playing 1st 15 for Palmerston North Boys High School, having played both league and union in the Manawatu. Apparently Ferris is a cousin of Nehe Milner-Skudder and has climbed through the Sharks ranks to be on the fringe of their NRL team, mainly shaping as a centre. Ferris started at centre for the 2018 Junior Kiwis.
Asu Kepaoa
Another youngin scouted by the Roosters, Kepaoa was with Sacred Heart College in Auckland before moving across to Sydney to play SG Ball. Kepaoa has low key been one of the more favoured juniors with the Roosters as an outside back and was a winger for the 2019 Junior Kiwis.
Mawene Hiroti
Moving from Taranaki to join the Rabbitohs’ junior ranks, Hiroti made his way to the NRL debut back in 2018 before appearing to slide out of favour. Hiroti then made the move to Cronulla Sharks for the 2020 season, chasing game time as a winger. Hiroti was a 2018 Junior Kiwi.
Jaxson Paulo
Hiroti’s departure from the Bunnies came after Jaxson Paulo started to settle into his Rabbitohs life after moving from the Titans mid-season last year. Paulo started on Auckland’s North Shore with Northcote Tigers before moving to the Gold Coast where he entered the Titans system, now he’s one of the next-in-line wingers at the Rabbitohs.
Haze Dunster
From Rotorua, Dunster has only really represented Aussie teams - led by an Australian Schoolboys nod in 2017 to play against Aotearoa Under 18s. Another outside back, Dunster’s movement closer to the Parramatta Eels NRL team for 2020 coincides with the departure of Greg Leleisiuao (see below).
Steven Marsters
Joining the two-time Junior Kiwi crew is Steven Marsters (2017 and 2018), who moved from the Dragons to Rabbitohs for the 2020 season. A cousin of Esan Marsters, Steven is also from Auckland and entered the Dragons system at an early age.
Morgan Harper
One of my favourite #KiwiNRL prospects, Harper has had a brief taste of NRL footy after making his debut last year and is a talented centre/wing. Harper was recruited by the Bulldogs straight out of Waikato’s Ngaruawahia having made a bunch of age-group leading to a 2018 Junior Kiwis nod.
Setu Tu
A hearty grassroots yarn here as Tu battled away in Auckland’s local league to earn a contract with the Warriors where impressed in reserve grade. Tu was with Mangere East Hawks back in 2017, before joining Otahuhu Leopards for 2018 and then he flowed on, showing what is possible if the stars align.
Caleb Aekins
Every opportunity Aekins gets in the NRL, he snaps it up in almighty fashion only to go back to reserve grade for Penrith Panthers when status-quo resumes. The fullback/centre from Whangarei was part of the Panthers push to link up with Northland rugby league (led by James Fisher-Harris and Corey Harawira-Naera) and 2020 could be the year in which Aekins settles into an NRL groove.
Starford To’a
After making all sorts of rep teams in Aotearoa while with St Pauls College in Auckland, To’a joined Newcastle Knights where he quickly emerged as a dynamic outside back. To’a made his NRL debut last year, was in the 2019 Junior Kiwis and also spent time in the Aotearoa Kiwis camp as a development player.
Jesse Arthars
If you’re looking for inspiration of some sort, these kinda yarns are perfect examples of how sticking to your process and journey can eventually pay off. From Auckland, Arthars left Aotearoa to move to the Gold Coast where he entered the Titans system and then came stints with the Storm, Rabbitohs and a return to the Titans last year. 2020 saw Arthars link up with former Storm and Rabbitohs coaching member Anthony Seibold at Brisbane Broncos where Arthars made a positive impression over the summer to get an early crack on the wing.
Greg Leleisiuao
A Junior Kiwi in 2016 and 2017, Leleisiuao couldn’t make the most of his move away from the Titans to Eels and has since returned to the Titans for the 2020 season. Leleisiuao started out with Mangere East Hawks before moving to Queensland and will now be hoping for further opportunities with the Titans.