Kiwi-NRL Spotlight: Pre-Season Challenge, Broncos/Dolphins Trials, Burleigh Under 19s
NRL Pre-Season Challenge starts this weekend along with trials for Broncos and Dolphins, as well as Under 19 footy in Queensland where there is an impressive group of youngsters from Aotearoa named in both the men's and women's teams for Burleigh. A few New Zealand Warriors angles were covered in this yarn which also breaks down the move of Glenora junior Zyon Maiu'u to Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and here are a few basic details for the emerging NZW lads named to play Cronulla Sharks...
Sio Kali: Pt Chealiver/St Paul's College
Daeon Amituanai: Whiti Te Ra
Eddie Ieremia-Toeava: Otahuhu
Tanner Stowers-Smith: Halswell
Motu Pasikala: Liston College
Sharks have a bunch of Kiwi-NRL juniors named in their squad as well...
Mawene Hiroti: Western Suburbs (New Plymouth)
Kayal Iro: Arorangi/Mt Albert
Braden Hamilin-Uele: Glenora
Chris Vea'ila: Waitemata
Felix Fa'atili: Hornby
Hamilin-Uele and Iro are now regulars in NRL, while Hiroti offers fabulous value to Sharks as a reliable outside back who can cover most backline positions. Vea'ila has quickly progressed through the Sharks ranks after departing Newcastle Knights and he is likely to debut at some point this year. Fa'atili may need consistent mahi in NSW Cup to demand a promotion and he adds big bopper oomph to a mobile Sharks forward pack.
The other NRL trial is Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders. Casey McLean is now in the Kiwi-NRL mix after choosing to represent Aotearoa ahead of New South Wales/Australia and along with older brother Jesse, they are joined by Asu Kepaoa in the Panthers backline.
Preston Riki is a notable Kiwi-NRL junior to track this year with Panthers as shares Hokianga heritage with James Fisher-Harris and will be aiming to snap up minutes left by Fisher-Harris' return to Aotearoa. Isaiah Papali'i is named to play his first game for Panthers and there are two funky youngsters in the wider squad to follow in Trent Toelau and David Fale.
Toelau was selected for the Aotearoa Kiwis squad last year as a utility coming out of Melbourne. Fale is a Marist junior from Auckland who has followed the funky development pathway of Toelau as they both earned promotions through the Panthers system starting with local grassroots footy at St Mary's.
Panthers
Jesse McLean: Sydney (yet to declare Aotearoa allegiance though)
Asu Keapaoa: Sacred Heart College
Casey McLean: Sydney
Preston Riki: Rawene/Mt Albert
Isaiah Papali'i: Te Atatu
Trent Toelau: Melbourne
David Fale: Marist
Simi Sasagi will be pushing for a consistent top-17 role for Raiders and he's named at edge forward. Jenson Taumoepeau has made a move south from Northern Pride and he's in the wider squad for Raiders, along with Ata Mariota who has already established himself as one of the best young forwards at Raiders.
Raiders
Simi Sasagi: Ellerslie
Jenson Taumoepeau: Western Suburbs (New Plymouth)
Ata Mariota: Manurewa
Brisbane Broncos and Redcliffe Dolphins have also named squads for trial games against Burleigh Bears and Central Queensland Capras. Josiah Karapani (Otahuhu) and Delouis Hoeter (Marist) are named in the centres for Broncos, while the Dolphins team reflects their investment in Aotearoa recruitment.
Dolphins
Tevita Naufahu: St Kentigern College
Aublix Tawha: Turangawaewae
Peter Hola: Marist
John Fineanganofo: Auckland Grammar School
Elijah Rasmussen: Westlake Boys High School
In Queensland there are two Burleigh vs Ipswich games in both Under 19 competitions and they are the only games being played this weekend. We are still learning about the Aotearoa juniors in Queensland so this may not include every NRLWahine/Kiwi-NRL junior who is named but this is a good spot to start for the Burleigh women's team...
Liarna Barber-Salvation: Raglan/Hamilton Girls High School
Neleana Talakai: Epsom Girls Grammar
Elizabeth Ngahe: Mangere East
The Burleigh U19 men's team features...
Kaea Cribb: Te Iti Rearea
Disharne Tonihi: Shirley
Marley Igasan: Otumoetai
Tama Darlington: Nga Taiatea Wharekura (Hamilton)
Gad Tata: Katikati College
Burleigh appears to be linked with Brisbane Broncos so must of these youngsters should fall under the Broncos umbrella. There is lots of crossover with Gold Coast Titans though and many Kiwi-NRL/NRLWahine juniors move to south east Queensland for schooling before picking up opportunities elsewhere.
Quick notes for U19 SG Ball...
Azariah Toki-Mautairi (Otahuhu) is named at edge forward for Bulldogs, forming an all-Aotearoa edge combo with Sosaia Alatini (Hornby).
EJ Mahu-Delamere (Aorere College) is named on the wing for Roosters.
Karlos Hati-Ross (Papatoetoe) is named on the bench for Sharks.
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