Kiwi-NRL Spotlight: Trials Notebook #1
While whipping up this Kiwi-NRL notebook for the first dose of trial footy, it must be stated that the Niche Cache is a full steak and cheese in support of the players during their Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations. Australian media outlets covering this situation are also broadcast partners with NRL and there should be a clear understanding that most of the coverage from Australia is bias in favour of the NRL. The players are not asking for anything crazy and NRL is being shady with their antics, so supporting the Rugby League Players Association is an easy choice.
Who knows how this will impact the NRL season. Until some basic needs are met for RLPA and general CBA negotiating ethics are followed by NRL, we'll be staunch in support of the lads and wahine who are the reason why footy is great. Also, these are just NRL trials and not some weirdo challenge gimmick.
Warriors
Tom Ale: Mt Albert
Demitric Sifakula: Otahuhu
Michael Sio: Marist
Zyon Maiu'u: Te Atatu
Sanele Aukusitino: St Pat's Silverstream
Ali Leiataua: Papatoetoe
Jacob Laban: Randwick
Moala Graham-Taufa: Marist
Kalani Going: Northland
Eiden Ackland: Mt Albert
Isaiah Vagana: Mt Albert
Solomon Vasuvulagi: Glenora
Paul Roache: Mt Albert Grammar
Aotearoa Warriors lead the funk for Kiwi-NRL antics this weekend with a bunch of lads who returned from Australia popping up in the Warriors extended squad. Tom Ale and Demitric Sifakula are starting which is fabulous, with Sifakula shifting from his middle forward mahi with Redcliffe U21s to edge forward. Along with Zyon Maiu'u, Ali Leiataua and Jacob Laban, this group of Warriors juniors have rolled through the pandemic to now be named in the first trial squad post-pandemic.
Warriors have been busy recruiting lads who left Aotearoa to enter NRL systems and have since returned. Michael Sio wasn't officially linked to an NRL team but is named at lock and he returns to Aotearoa after five years with Norths Devils in Queensland Cup. Sanele Aukusitino is from Wellington and he played in the Sea Eagles system last year, while Moala Graham-Taufa returned from Roosters. Aukusitino and Graham-Taufa are outside backs and could be joined by Northland's Kalani Going who was in the Raiders system before returning to play union for Northland.
Eiden Ackland started last season in the Sea Eagles system and then return to Auckland footy. Paul Roache had a brief stint in the Raiders system after finishing school and then dabbled in local league and union. Both forecast as halves to bolster Warriors play-making depth.
Solomon Vasuvulagi spent time with Cowboys. Isaiah Vagana was in the Warriors system and then dipped out of footy for a while during the Warriors-Redcliffe phase. Both are big boppers who could add size to the Warriors forward pack and Vagana is especially interesting as he was an impressive local junior prior to the pandemic.
Tigers
Junior Tupou: Auckland
Asu Kepaoa: Sacred Heart
Warriors throw up the first Kiwi-NRL wing/centre combo with Edward Kosi (Mangere East) joined by Viliami Vailea (Aorere College). Tigers have the second with Junior Tupou named alongside Asu Kepaoa. Both are from Auckland and while Kepaoa has been a notable Kiwi-NRL junior since joining Roosters, Tupou crept under the radar to impress in league and union after moving to Australia.
Knights
Greg Marzhew: Mangere East
Toni Tupouniua: Marist
Chris Vea'ila: Waitemata
Greg Marzhew gets his first dose of Knights footy after shifting down from Titans and Toni Tupouniua is another funky addition for Knights. Toni is the younger brother of Sitili (Roosters) and he has been on a NSW Cup grind in recent years. Chris Vea'ila is a notable Knights Kiwi-NRL junior as Knights recruited him into their system a few years ago and he has climbed up their ranks as an outside back.
Sharks
Mawene Hiroti: Western Suburbs (New Plymouth)
Kayal Iro: Mt Albert/Arorangi (Cook Islands)
Mawene Hiroti and Kayal Iro have both played NRL for Sharks. They will be eager to impress in trial to try and crack a starting NRL gig, otherwise they will wait for their opportunity this season.
Rabbitohs
Josiah Karapani: East Tamaki RU/Pakuranga College
While playing three games for Rabbitohs U21s, Karapani also had five games in NSW Cup. Two of those NSW Cup games were at centre and three on the wing. Karapani was impressive for Warriors SG Ball in 2020 and has since flexed for Rabbitohs with his footwork and power.
Sea Eagles
Jackson Ferris: Kia Ora (Palmerston North)
Raymond Tuiamalo-Vaega: Marist
Another Kiwi-NRL wing/centre combo here as Otahuhu junior Christian Tuipulotu is joined by recent addition Jackson Ferris. Ferris left Sharks for a train/trial gig at Sea Eagles, while Raymond Tuaimalo-Vaega made his debut with Sea Eagles last season and is back on the wing for their first trial. Ferris and Tuaimalo-Vaega will probably start as depth players for Sea Eagles but they are likely to demand an opportunity at some point.
Panthers
Daeon Amituanai: Whiti Te Ra (Otaki)
If you don't know about Daeon Amituanai, better tap in. Amituanai first emerged with Warriors SG Ball in 2020 and after a stint with Warriors-Redcliffe, he has cruised through the Panthers system on the wing. Given how quickly Amituanai has progressed with Panthers, there is a decent chance of a debut this season and like all of these lads, his NSW Cup mahi will be a mandatory check in each week.
Eels
Ofahiki Ogden: Mangere East
Jirah Momoisea: St Paul's College
Wiremu Greig: Northern Swords (Whangarei)
Makahesi Makatoa: Marist (New Plymouth)
Daejarn Asi: Aranui (Christchurch)
Eels have laid out their Kiwi-NRL forward depth for this season. Ofahiki Ogden made a low key shift from Bulldogs to Eels last season and he could rack up NRL games this season, alongside Makahesi Makatoa who has been a seaky monster for Eels in recent years. Wiremu Greig will be fizzing for another taste of NRL footy and adds size to Eels forward depth. Jirah Momoisea played edge and middle with Knights, now he's named on an edge for Eels. Daejarn Asi will need to snap up any opportunities during trials and then roll out consistent footy in NSW Cup.
Storm
Will Warbrick: Ngongotaha (Rotorua/Kawerau)
Will Warbrick sparks up another Kiwi-NRL wing/centre combo as he is named on the wing and Reimis Smith at centre. Warbrick wasn't far off a debut last season and he fits the prototype of Storm wingers which is evident in his Queensland Cup highlights from last season.
Roosters
Junior Pauga: Glenora
Jaxson Paulo: Northcote
Siua Wong: Mt Albert Grammar
Naufahu Whyte: Waitemata
William Fakatoumafi: Otahuhu
Roosters were busy in boosting their Kiwi-NRL depth this summer with Jaxson Paulo and Junior Pauga joining Roosters for another Kiwi-NRL wing/centre combo. William Fakatoumafi also forecasts as an outside back and he is likely to settle at centre in NSW Cup. Siua Wong is a decorated junior who looked comfy at the World Cup, let alone NRL footy. Keep an eye on Naufahu Whyte who can add mobile power to the Roosters forward pack but he slipped down the depth chart last season and will need to gather momentum during trials.
Raiders
Ata Mariota: Manurewa
Danny Levi: Randwick
Peter Hola: Marist
Ata Mariota is one of the best young Raiders rising through their system and Raiders recruited Peter Hola from Cowboys last season to bolster their forward pack. Both are likely to start in NSW Cup this season and they may grow into top-17 spots. Danny Levi has pounced on an opportunity with Raiders and he is competing with Zac Woolford in the Raiders dummy half ranks.
Bulldogs
Fa'amanu Brown: Hornby
Love a bit of Fa'amanu Brown, who is now matua of the Kiwi-NRL Christchurch production line. Brown started last season in NSW Cup, grabbed a gig with Tigers and emerged as one of their best players as he was graced with more footy. Brown returns to Bulldogs and he can cover hooker, mobile middle forward, even halves at a stretch.
Cowboys
D'jazirhae Pua'avase: Manurewa
Ata Mariota is a Manurewa monster for Raiders, D'jazirhae Pua'avase is a Manurewa monster for Cowboys. Like Mariota, Pua'avase has been a consistent presence at the junior levels after Cowboys recruited him from Auckland. Pua'avase played eight games of U21s last season and six games of reserve grade, also carrying champsionship mana from his junior Cowboys mahi.
Dolphins
Connelly Lemuelu: Papatoetoe RU
Valynce Te Whare: Fraser Tech/Waiktao RU
Connelly Lemuelu is named to start on an edge and after shifting between a few NRL teams, he has a lovely opportunity to settle with Dolphins. Dolphins have steady outside back depth and this could slow hype around Valynce Te Whare who dominated Queensland Cup in his first full season of league. While he is a centre, Te Whare may pop up on the wing and his powerful running could even see him injected as a robust forward.
Broncos
Deine Mariner: Marist
The more experience Deine Mariner gets as a winger the better his chances of regular NRL footy for Broncos will be. Mariner is a centre and like Te Whare, he dominated Queensland Cup footy in his first season. Broncos have plenty of depth though and versatility could be a key factor for Mariner.
Titans
Keano Kini: Northcote/Marist
Vaka Sikahele: Manurewa
Titans have bid ka kite to many of their Kiwi-NRL juniors from recent years, while Keano Kini and Vaka Sikahele remain to sit on the cusp of NRL footy. Kini forecasts as a fullback and could start there in Queensland Cup, while also offering some halves potential - similar to Paul Turner. Sikahele is an interesting dummy half option for Titans as Erin Clark embraces his lock forward mana and Sikahele has quickly progressed through the Titans system since his arrival.
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