Aotearoa Warriors Don't Lack The Centre Vibe: Adam Pompey, Rocco Berry and Viliami Vailea
Two pockets of NRL footy were opened up with rule changes as smaller, quicker forwards thrived through the middle while centres were graced with more time and space to go about their mahi. These two pockets are connected as speed through the middle condenses a defensive line, thus opening things up out wide and early shift to skillful edge players then opens up space through the middle for dummy halves or dynamic forwards. Aotearoa Warriors have three young centres who share many similarities and will be a fun wrinkle to keep tabs on next season.
Adam Pompey, Rocco Berry and Viliami Vailea all have backgrounds in 1st 15 rugby , all are under 25-years-old and their athletic frames are matched by nifty skills. Pompey is the oldest and most experienced having come through the Roosters system while still at Wesley College south of Auckland. At Wesley College, Pompey spent plenty of time playing #10 and he also dabbled in rugby league which resulted in Pompey making the 2016 National Secondary Schools Team as Wesley finished 9th at the tournament.
Berry was recruited by NZ Warriors straight out of St Pat's Silverstream in Wellington where he flourished as a fullback in 1st 15 rugby. There are numerous key signs of how NZ Warriors view Berry starting with the recruitment process in which Berry spent time with the NRL squad when they played in Wellington. Then came the first and only NSW Cup game for 2020 in which Berry started at fullback for the reserve grade outfit, straight after finishing school.
Prior to making his NRL debut, Berry had played three games of legit rugby league (one NSW Cup start, two starts at centre for Redcliffe). Berry would go on to play eight NRL games this year and he has now played more rugby league games in the NRL than any where else, which is so bonkers it requires a pause.
Viliami Vailea's rise is equally as bonkers. Last year Vailea was playing 1st 15 for Aorere College after three games for NZ Warriors SG Ball and then Vailea was shuffled into the Redcliffe Dolphins mixer. Vailea played two games of Under 21s and quickly moved up to Intrust Super Cup where he played 13 games, graduating to play two NRL games.
Vailea predominantly played fullback for Aorere College and appears to be playing #10 above for the sky blue team back in Tonga. I can't confirm if 'Pila Vailea' is Viliami, however they look the same and both videos feature a left-footed kicking game from Vailea. It's also cool that Vailea seems to have moved from Tonga to Auckland during high school and commanded further opportunities in D.I.Y fashion.
These three could cover a bunch of backline positions. I'm intrigued by their scope at centre though as all three are big lads with skills that saw them operate in play-maker roles at the 1st 15 level. Sure, these lads won't be trying to jam 40m kicks for territory as NRL centres. They will be required to kick at some stage, as well as putting on footwork to create space and a wide range of accurate passing skills to set up those inside and outside them.
Pompey is a likely contender to start round tahi and there is solid progression through his first three seasons of NRL footy. Remember that Pompey has been part of a tumultuous NZ Warriors period and stuck solid with his development..
Adam Pompey (23 years - 190cm/101kg)
2019: 5 games, 67.9% tackling, 67m per game.
2020: 13 games, 84.66% tackling, 108m per game.
2021: 16 games, 86.24% tackling, 110m per game.
Berry and Vailea are the fun lads to have tucked away for NZ Warriors fans. I'm eager to see Berry given time to blossom at the NRL level and his package of immense footy skill with slick tacking technique is an asset. Berry's performances last season came with regular 'chopped down by Berry' commentary notes and 92.4 percent tackling efficiency at NRL level in the hardest defensive position is commendable.
In three ISC games, Berry made 52 tackles and missed three. Berry had more tries (4), tackle breaks (7) and line breaks (5) than missed tackles. Vailea was equally as impressive in more games for Redcliffe, averaging 3.92 tackle busts per game while a five-game winning streak for Redcliffe saw Vailea snare five tries and 23 tackle busts. Vailea tackled at 85 percent in ISC and 78 percent in NRL, so he doesn't quite have the defensive prowess as Berry but is a year behind Berry in development.
Rocco Berry (20 years - 191cm/95kg)
QLD: 3 games, 4 tries, 2 TA, 7 TB, 5 LB, 94.6% tackling, 94m per game.
NRL: 8 games, 3 tries, 8 TB, 92.4% tackling, 65m per game.
Viliami Vailea (19 years - 185cm/98kg)
QLD: 13 games, 7 tries, 7 LB, 51 TB, 85.1% tackling, 108m per game.
NRL: 2 games, 3 TB, 78.1% tackling, 97m per game.
NZ Warriors signed Jesse Arthars on loan for this season and while the cute 'Warriors sign NZ born Arthars' headline caught attention, there are no guarantees that Arthars will play NRL ahead of these three. The competitive vibes increase with the inclusion of Arthars, while the position of Euan Aitken (edge forward or centre) will also impact NZ Warriors centre depth. Berry and Viliami could benefit from more time in reserve grade, although their record with Redcliffe this year and decent NRL signs suggests they are ready for more opportunities.
Expect some fun NZ Warriors NRL talent discovery next season as they skew inwards, promoting players from within their system. Folks will look to Arthars and Aitken, while Pompey is primed to build on his foundations and the Berry/Vailea duo are ready to break through. That's the NZ Warriors theme to ponder as Taniela Otukolo, the Kepu twins and a whole new wave of Aotearoa talent with Redcliffe is well prepared to shine upon promotion.
Join the Niche Cache Patreon whanau to support our kiwi sports content straight up, get a karma boost and find extra podcasts.
Every Monday and Friday we fire off an email with bonus content. Sign up here!
Peace and love.