That is exactly what I was trying to say that traditional rugby union schools like MAGS, De La Salle and Kelston with large Pacific Island roll will have the best teams when some of their league and union players combined and it has happen before with MAGS doing that exactly from 1970's to the early 90's and it has benefit the school in both codes.
At this level been a league rep doesn't mean your better than a union player in the 1st XV and you can see with Hurrell, Omar and many others who have shown their stuff in the NRL.
In my experience some schools in Auckland have league players and parents who wanted the school to field a team but if your not gonna get off and do the hard work and also need the local clubs and ARL to help out your not going to get anything done as we notice with Auckland Grammar this year. Last year they were in the nationals RL development draw and the parent who looked after them moved on when his son left in 2012 so now there's no team cause no one else (player, coach, parents) stepped in to take over this year and now loss to the sport and its no just Grammar. A few schools is missing from last year cause of the same situation. The Storm will have a good Hiolden Cup team next season with a few players from the Wellington premier union comp signed including big strong runner Solomona from Wellington College.
Sounds dodge lol
St George havent really scouted from NZ much from memory.
I dare say it would a lazy NZ based scout - showing some interest.
As for the school declining - they have no say. If a NRL club want to sign a player and the player wants to.
Never heard of those players - bar I have heard of that Heimuli guy.
I think he got player of the year in warriors comp. He must be pretty solid.
However there are a number of young LEAGUE players that attend MAGS also.
If will be these players who I believe will more succesful in the long run
St George havent really scouted from NZ much from memory.
I dare say it would a lazy NZ based scout - showing some interest.
As for the school declining - they have no say. If a NRL club want to sign a player and the player wants to.
Never heard of those players - bar I have heard of that Heimuli guy.
I think he got player of the year in warriors comp. He must be pretty solid.
However there are a number of young LEAGUE players that attend MAGS also.
If will be these players who I believe will more succesful in the long run
Firstly re: Grammar - they wouldnt of been allowed back in the NZRL comp, even if they wanted to.
Trust me - the schools might say that - but clubs/ even NZRL would step in and align prominent league people/coaches to help out.
The real reason is the powers at be at some of those schools (definately grammar) - don't want league to take off.
They don't want it to hurt their rugby programme.
That wasnt my point re: League rep players.
The contrary - More so my point was the Union First XV players arent neccesarily better than their league conterparts.
MAGS have Roche, but they have some young league players - who have a strong future in the game.
The tall 2nd rower - Porter (I think he goes there) - has just made the NZ 16s side.
You can mention the success stories - but with every success story there are blokes that werent good enough.
Guys like Simi Kata, Fotofili..
Many Rep rugby players - who dont really convert.
Even Vete - had to work his ass off and lose heaps of weight.
Still unsure of whether he will cut the mustard.
You give Omar as an example - however Peta Hiku - was better and had a better future in league.
Omar was an athlete - but didnt have enough ball playing leauge understanding.
He would of been on four times what Hiku was on. But Hiku was far more natural.
As for Melbourne Storm - Solomona & Va'a both a league background I bleieve.
Solomona might be a star in rugby - but he will need to get some heart and harden up if he is too make it in league.
Melbourne had guys like Denny Solomona, Moimoi from St Peters.
Who havent kicked on also.
ramraider78
Paul Tuli was hand picked by Michael Maguire this year to join the Souths 20's - he believed from what he saw, paul was a 10 year NRL prop in the making,there recruitment guy stuffed up the contract negotiations was to quick to sign a 2nd rower an centre; Warriors didn't really like him until he played Fox this year, then the bidding war with Souths started.For a young prop, he dominated many seasoned players in the Fox comp, real hard running ball carrier. His little brother Ezra is on our list to come to premz in the next 2 yrs.
Marvin signed with the Knights 20's for 2014, we had him penciled in to play fox for us next season;he's got good size on him and hits that ball up at speed; Apart from Ofa's size it's his off load that always impresses me, the way he sucks defenders in and still pop's that pass. Christian Mika also goes to DLS and there's one more 20's player for 2014 still attending school, forgot his name, i'm sure he's a leopard.
Agree with you there DLS would come close to winning the National comp; George Carmont was down to coach the team this year, because he was a old boy who had played at a high level, parent pressure and the number of warrior 20's at the school - DLS bowed to pressure and were entering the developing schoolscomp which they would of taken easily.
Apart from the LikiLiki brothers , the lions haven't had any rated Juniors come out of the club? still don't know why Bunty Afoa left the lions for Pt Chev this year, that kid is a hitter,watched him bang a few of our boys over the last 2 years.
ramraider78
Vete played his 1st Fox game for us against Otara last year and dam he was green to the physical way premz was;fit as a fiddle but still learning his way - asked him after the game what happened, reckon's he wasn't used the niggle at this level - he got tossed around a bit on attack/defence lol He's impressed me heaps this year, he's packed on some muscle.
mt.wellington
Warriors Orange Peeler
Contributor
Yeah - some alright players out there.
But overall bad quality game imo.
Im a south auckland man...but they will get wasted by Akarana if they meet them in the final.
Akarana just have no cohesion - too many injuries last week.
Counties are all size and high impact - but not enough substance.
Old Turuwhenua a good player but how did he make it.
Didnt he play Fox this year.
Thyme Nikau is quality as is Maumalo.
mt.wellington
Warriors Orange Peeler
Contributor
2013 NZ Residents 16s Staff
Coach - Jeff Whittaker - Southern
Ass Coach - Peter Rikiriki - Wellington
Manager - Anita Smith-McKinnon - Akarana
Trainer - Greg Davis - Mid Central
The NZ Residents 16s train on squad has been named and can be found here.
The NZ Residents 16s team has been named as follows:
1 Corey Austin - Southern
2 Erin Clark - Akarana
3 Luke Cummings - Wellington
4 Vaipouli Edmonds - Counties Manukau
5 Desmond Fa'afoa - Wellington
6 Matthew Faitotoa - Akarana
7 Jaz Flavell - Upper Central
8 Jak Fraser-Marshall (C) - Southern
9 Shane Hannam - Akarana
10 Mafoa'aeata Hingino (VC) - Counties Manukau
11 Zaylin Inu - Akarana
12 Tony Matautia - Upper Central
13 Henry Penn - Counties Manukau
14 Kristian Petty - Counties Manukau
15 Jordan Pinnock - Southern
16 Reuben Porter - Akarana
17 Dean Smith - Akarana
18 Luke Tipene - Akarana
19 Amoni Tufui - Akarana
Standby - Taui Arona - Northern
Standby - Rory Marshall-Barton - Counties Manukau
Standby - Lancelot Petaia - Wellington
Standby - Don Seuala - Counties Manukau
Coach - Jeff Whittaker - Southern
Ass Coach - Peter Rikiriki - Wellington
Manager - Anita Smith-McKinnon - Akarana
Trainer - Greg Davis - Mid Central
The NZ Residents 16s train on squad has been named and can be found here.
The NZ Residents 16s team has been named as follows:
1 Corey Austin - Southern
2 Erin Clark - Akarana
3 Luke Cummings - Wellington
4 Vaipouli Edmonds - Counties Manukau
5 Desmond Fa'afoa - Wellington
6 Matthew Faitotoa - Akarana
7 Jaz Flavell - Upper Central
8 Jak Fraser-Marshall (C) - Southern
9 Shane Hannam - Akarana
10 Mafoa'aeata Hingino (VC) - Counties Manukau
11 Zaylin Inu - Akarana
12 Tony Matautia - Upper Central
13 Henry Penn - Counties Manukau
14 Kristian Petty - Counties Manukau
15 Jordan Pinnock - Southern
16 Reuben Porter - Akarana
17 Dean Smith - Akarana
18 Luke Tipene - Akarana
19 Amoni Tufui - Akarana
Standby - Taui Arona - Northern
Standby - Rory Marshall-Barton - Counties Manukau
Standby - Lancelot Petaia - Wellington
Standby - Don Seuala - Counties Manukau
Three blokes flew over from Australia to watch and one was the under 20's coach. It was done through an old boy of the school who's also part of the Warriors set up. The other blokes are all in the 1st XV and Heimuli is the son a former Tongan union international. Every Kiwi international from MAGS except SBW who moved to Sydney before he could be part of the school main team sport have all been members of the 1st XV.
NZRL doesn't have much to do with the national schools and they will be stupid to stop any schools from entering the national rugby league comp including Grammar. Auckland Grammar is one of the founding schools in the first Auckland school RL competition back in the 70's along with a few other union schools. Why would the NZRL step in to help Grammar yet there are many schools in Auckland with no coaches or no where close to getting any help from the NZRL or ARL? Why is Grammar special and the rest aren't? Now lets not go there with this conspiracy theory about league been hard done. I can give you many examples of school rugby league been hard done by RL clubs and ARL but I won't.
League players or union players? but I've used MAGS in the past as example of what a great rugby league team is when a school use both and its been the way and the main reason MAGS have done well from the 70's, 80's and early 90's. Just because I mention the 1st XV doesn't mean its a league vs union thing at MAGS it means the school pride and glory and you can't blame all athletes for wanting to play in it whether your a league, union or squash player.
I've known many born and bread rugby league players in Auckland schools for over many years and I have to say that Omar has done very well than most of them who have missed out and never played NRL footy in their life. Solomona's father is his name sake Denny Solomona from the 1988/89 Otahuhu college 1st XV and also a former Manu Samoa rep including his uncle Fritz who is now the Samoan rugby league secretary.
ramraider78
Same thing happened last year, rolled in the GF; at one stage in the second half, a few players were clearly puffed, make it worse sonny walker had hands on hips trying to get back on side; fitness IMO will kill us in the GF - if we can isolate Blackwell that's one headache contained because IMO he had a blinder last night.
For the life of me I don't know how turuwhenua made the cut; he played Fox this season but was out until round 2 from memory,as a bench prop when oats played us, - I was told he was brought in for experience and as a enforcer - ciapolli picked another questionable selection, a 2nd row/prop from hawks who we all were surprised made the cut, the kid looks the part but trust me hasn't got the heart or the work rate for that level.
I never really rated Tyme in the past as a winger, talks to much rubbish from the edge, but TBH fullback is his calling; he has strong kick return up the middle and puts his step on - carved us in the Fox.
We lost Setefano last night it didn't look good, Ignatius Passi or Paul Tuli as a replacement.
Sorry mate but NZRL run the National Tournament have done for the past couple of years.
It is run quite well, last year I went to a few days.
They choose which schools are accepted...it was invitational with preference.
However as league across the country improves I guess they are trying to make schools qualify in there areas.
As for not letting DLS, Grammar in etc - they would of rightfully been under pressure to make Auckland schools enter the Warirors Competition to be considered.
Which is fair enough?
Why let them enter when they cant committ to a quality Auckland competition?
Schools complain - I believe either Warriors or ARL tee up alot of coaches.
ARL help link clubs with schools etc.
Please your living in ignorance if you dont think that Rugby League doesn't suffer massive prejudice across many rugby schools.
If you think it is lack of coaches or suppor.
Even schools like Tangaroa - who are a bottom A1 ladder and have decent league players. Have resistance from schools despite them playing league in recent years.
Yeah forgot about Walker - He is over 100kg and playing halfback lol.
Talented but again have some standards.
Yeah I watched the game Ofanoa is nothing special. He had his chance at NYC and he caked it.
He got so many opportunities at NYC level but wasnt tough enough, still too green.
He has come good - but still no potential for anything else.
Yeah NIkau is one of the only one other than Maumalo - who has potential for Vulcans imo.
I wouldnt bring in Tuli he can focus on NZ 18s team (should be selected).
Paasi hasnt played any local league - so probably not eligible.
They need more substance not muscle.
They need guys that will tighten up middle.
Guys like Taufa look good on TV, take runs 10m out from the line.
But dont do any defense.
Why do they have the two mangere hookers - they are average.
all they do is run, dont tackle/control the middle and have no passing game.
Three best hookers in Counties - easy:
Kimi Uasi
Jethro Friend
and Darin Kingi (when he plays)
Even a guy like Marsh from OTahuhu - at least can tackle.and more solid in the middle.
The schools outside of the top four Auckland RL placed teams decides when they have a team if they wanted to enter the national championships where they fill in forms and provided the NZRL with their plans and expenses all paid. The NZRL will decided which category to put them in. Schools like Grammar which probably depends on its 1st and 2nd XV's players to make up a team will wait till the union season finish and go from there if they have a keen parent or coach to help them in the development comp. Like I said some schools just don't have the resources or players and often depends on their union players to make up a team like Grammar did last year and this is why the development national comp was set up to help those schools.
The Warriors can help them on the day but the schools often have to come up with the coaches and managers but lucky for some old boys are always on hand to help. MAGS approach Price about coaching the school and eventually the academy as well.
I am not living in ignorance but I can understand that for some pointing the finger and blaming everything on union is an easy way to explain it. Like I said I've been involve with school rugby league since the 70's and I haven't seen any such thing except for road blocks put up by ARL and local; clubs.
Funny you should mention Tangaroa College who in the 70's and 80's had no rugby union teams what so ever and were approach many times to take part in rugby league competition as their headmaster at the time was a former Wellington RL player but decline the invitation many times. Tangaroa College were crown NZ CoEd rugby union champions last week and they plus other schools in South Auckland (Mangere College, Aorere, Papatoetoe, Otahuhu, Southern Cross, Hillary, DLS) are part of the Auckland Samoan/Tonga rugby union developments in association with ARU, Samoa and Tongan RU to develop Pacific Island kids. This kids might be league or union players but come August-November they will all be playing for their ancestral village teams in the Auckland Samoa/Tongan rugby union run competitions through out South Auckland. You can't fault them for that and most of this league kids have parents who are patrons, committee members or coaches of their village teams. If you don't believe me go down to Aorere College and see how many NZ Warriors (including first grade players and under 20) are in this teams every saturday.
Who here was playing junior rugby league in the 70's and 80's in Auckland like me when rugby league had no competitions from any football codes at club level in the under 14/under 19 age group? We had nine under 15 teams at Mt Albert and other clubs had more at this age group now will be lucky to have more than three teams. Now I can understand why the clubs didn't want their players in school competitions and rightly so if your a club member.
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ramraider78
LOL I would of went with one of the Hawks hookers but not both, sunia hala came in for Uasi who's riddled with injuries before game 1; Actually have to agree with you there Jethro takes control of the middle and passes better then those the hawks boys but TBH is slow out of dummy half and is average on defense - well that's what I saw when we played Howick. Don't know what happened to Darin?
You forgot Marsh is way fitter to play 13 lol Hifo is gone , he's off to the World cup - Marsh has the experience, shit on attack but will tackle all day.That's Taufa all season for us, one game he'll run through the defense and dominate on attack, next game he'll lay guys out on defense,trust me played a game with him in reserves this season and seen it, problem is he never brings attack/defense together into a game.
Ciapolli will have to seriously tinker with his line up to make the final.
Uasi must of been injured. Kingi might of given up.
Unfortunately that what will always let counties down - play dumb football and fill their team up with 'impact players'
Other than the 30 year old Uasi, Zac Tippins & Freind are the best local hookers IMO
Both are more cameron smith - than siliva havili
might not score push-over tries like the mangere hookers.
But they will put people through gaps, tackle their ass off.
Which is why their club teams go well - when you partner them with Kavaliku & Tuia.
Who are lazy on D.
Is Hifo american samoan? lol - USA all the way.
U reckon he will make the actual squad.
You will see some local Kiwi boys playing for Fiji IMO.
Marcus Fraser from Mt Albert - is a fringe chance for 2nd or 3rd choice fiji hooker.
Lomaloma from Wellington - for backrow depth.
Yeah but with development of school league - the NZRL are introducing
NZRL were hamstring...because those who play Auckland Comp...want to make it a requirement before being allowed
They want to make schools have a genuine committment to rugby lague.
NZRL must of held some wildcard spots - which they allocated to Rotorua Boys. (who dont play league).
Schools like Onehunga, St Peters, De La Salle - are all rugby schools - however I have heard of parents threatening to go the media.
If the school dont allow parents etc to start a rugby league team.
Out south Auckland they have a church league comp and the Tongan Rugby League Comp is bigger than the rugby comp imo.
Obviously NZ Maori nationals also for older kids.
ramraider78
Hifo was born in American Samoa, but he's tongan lol there's a kura guy in the tomahawks coaching set up who knew about his situation, why he showed up on there radar. he's confident of making the squad, since joshua rice from kura has made the cut, this is all from roman's mouth at prize giving. Eko malu is the other player from hawks who is in the 32 man squad for cook islands which is being trimmed down to 23 soon, he's going for the hooker spot,reckons nootai is his main competition.
NZRL cannot stop schools wanting to take part in the nationals and there are many wildcards for schools that don't play rugby league or have rugby league comps in their province. Nearly all the schools outside of Auckland in the national competition this year don't played in a school rugby league comp and had wildcards entry as long they have a team.
I've heard all those rumours about the parents many times but none of them are true as I said all those schools you mention and others have been told by the their headmasters/schools to find coaches, insurances and kids willing to participate and go for it. Some parents and rugby league fans often threaten to go to the media or spread rumours when the kids they wanted for their RL team decided pick 1st XV(school) and their RL clubs as their choice of footy ahead of school RL.
There is this rugby league mentality that because someones parents or a few kids at school wants to play rugby league the school has to make sure it provides them that choice even if they don't have the resources or the players. Many sports are in the schools now days all because they work hard and provided coaches and volunteers to help spread the sport. Thank goodness the Warriors have come on board and and show the NZRL & ARL how its done like many school sports now on offer in many schools. Its time RL stop this victim mentality and move on because the sport will speaks for itself.
The Tongan church RL comp is a pub team comp compare to the Tongan union comp in Auckland, North Harbour and Counties Manukau which is funded by the Auckland rugby union and rep teams often take on ITM cup and Heartlands during pre-season games and a NZ Tongan team take on their Australian counterpart.
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