Wellington Rugby League Newsletter-”Pass It On” 2014 Edition 33 Thursday 9th September 2014 Futures Tournament-supporting our future stars Last weekend saw eight teams showcase their talent in the 2014 Futures Tournament at Whakatiki Street. Teams battled from Wellington, Waikato,Taranaki, Turangawaewae (Waikato), Canterbury in both the 12’s & 14’s grades. On Saturday afternoon players in the 14’s had to endure a freak hail storm just before the second half. Making the finals were Wellington v Canterbury in the 12’s & Wellington v Canterbury in the 14’s. Wellington were successful in both finals winning the 12’s over Canterbury 22-4 & winning the 14’s over Canterbury 36-0. Wellington Rugby League would like to thank our wonderful volunteers who made this tournament possible for our future stars. Tournament teams can be found on page two...... Visit us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wellington-Rugby-League/149807975039915 2014 Futures Tournament-supporting our future stars 12s Futures Tournament Team 2014 14s Futures Tournament Team 2014 1. Western COBB Turangawaewae 1. Zinzan MARTIN Canterbury 2. Devante WAWATAI Canterbury 2. Jordan MEHLOPT Canterbury 3. Elijah TUHURA Canterbury 3. Mason LUCAS Wellington 4. Memphis HENNESSY Wellington 4. Pisarl OULE Canterbury 5. Tane TAPUTORO Wellington 5. Evander MOATOA Wellington 6. Zion TRIGGER-FAITELE Wellington 6. Te Tana WRIGHT Wellington 7. Jacob FIFITA-TOVO Wellington 7. Sage PAEKAU Waikato 8. Benjiman FOSITA Turangawaewae 8. Isaiah PEACHEY Wellington Development 9. Denzell SOFENI-CALDER Taranaki 9. Kauri BROWN Wellington 10. Jayden HORGAN Canterbury 10. Sanascho CRICHTON Wellington 11. Meli SIFA Turangawaewae 11. Iva Parker Wellington 12. Jonathan LITTLE Wellington 12. Usoalii FAAFOA Wellington 13. Ebenezer ALENI-ROTA Wellington 13. Albert POLU Wellington 14. Le-Treal ROSS Taranaki 14. Tehapa TAUKIRI Canterbury 15. Logan WARNER Taranaki 15. Toani TUFUA Canterbury 16. Manaia NGATAKI-MATHEWS Turangawaewae 16. Dylan BATES Canterbury 17. Wiremu PIHEMA Canterbury 17. Malo MANUAO Wellington Development 18. Kaea KATENE Taranaki 18. Cavarn FATA-GEORGE Waikato 19. Portman PAUL Turangawaewae 19. Khan IHIMAERA-SMILER Waikato 20. Daeon AMITUANAI Wellington 20. Joseph MAGON Canterbury Player of the Tournament: Ebenezer ALENI-ROTA Wellington Player of the Tournament: Albert POLU Wellington Coach: Adrian ROYAL/Mario FIFITA-TOVO Wellington Coach: Kawiti BROWN Wellington Manager: Jenny SCOTT Canterbury Manager: Duane MUNDY Canterbury Trainer: Tamiaho SEARANCKE Turangawaewae Trainer: Marino PAEKAU Wellington player-Uiti Baker signs with Manly The Sea Eagles have signed Mounties front rower Uiti Baker according to the man himself via Facebook. The Wainuiomata Lions junior and New Zealand 16’s and 18’s representative has been the focus of NRL clubs for some time, he was first contracted in the NRL to the Wests Tigers from Keebra Park SHS. He gained a second chance in the NRL when he was signed by the Melbourne Storm in the lead up to the 2010 season on a three year deal. He eventually ended up at the Canberra Raiders that year and played in the Raiders NYC team in 2010, 2011 and 2012 alongside fellow Sea Eagle Michael Chee Kam. Baker has spent the last two seasons with Canberra affiliate club Mounties. He has made 5 appearances in the NSW Cup this year but has spent most of the season in their Ron Massey Cup line up.As a big man in the middle and at just 22 years-old Baker has not yet reached his peak, as he moves on to his fourth NRL club he should be desperate to make a claim for a spot in the top squad. Hopefully an arduous off season under Geoff Toovey and Don Singe will have him ready to compete with other fringe first grade candidates as they try to fill the voids left by the departures of big men Jason King, Brent Kite, George Rose, Richie Fa’aoso and Joe Galuvao over the last 2 seasons. “Got a trade?” NZRL National Youth Tournament-review & results Akarana Falcons have swept both titles on offer in thrilling finishes at the “Got A Trade?” NZRL National Youth Tournament at Rotorua’s Puketawhero Park. Halfback Dylan Tavita provided the inspiration with time winding down to steer his 15s side to a 17-16 win over Counties Manukau, successfully defending the title they won last year. With only a few moments left, the Falcons trailed Stingrays 16-10, but Tavita scored a try and converted to lock the scores at 16-16. Then, as the match manager reached for the final hooter, Tavita was on the spot again to slot a field goal from 30 metres to steal victory. He was duly named Man of the Match for his efforts. The Stingrays had made most of the running through the first half, leading 10-6 at the break, but were unable to withstand Akarana’s fast finish and the brilliance of Tavita down the stretch. Wing Steven Marsters had two tries for Counties, which took out the “Got A Trade? Got It Made!” Team Fairplay Award. Stingrays fullback Etene Nanai-Seturo was also named Vodafone Warriors 15s Player of the Tournament. Akarana were more in control of the older division finale, leading their South Auckland rivals all the way. But, ahead 10-0 at halftime, they allowed the Stingrays back into the contest. The Falcons were just 16-14 up with a few minutes remaining, but gained some breathing room with a try to Junior Ugapo in the right corner. At 20-14, Counties still had a chance to tie the scores and were camped on the tryline when the final hooter sounded, sealing double heartbreak for Stingrays supporters. Prop Amoni Tufui was one of Akarana’s tryscorers and earned Man of the Match honours. Counties second row Tamait Ioane-NIko was named Vodafone Warriors 17s Player of the Tournament, while Wellington Orcas took the “Got A Trade? Got It Made!” Team Fairplay Award. Meanwhile, the New South Wales-based Taurahere Kiwis never allowed the NZ 18s in the second of their two “tests”, running out 30-10 winners. Cronulla fullback Jamayne Isaako converted all five of his team’s tries - including one of his own - in deteriorating conditions, while Penrith prop James Fisher-Harris was Man of the Match. The Taurahere had taken out the first encounter 20-18 on Monday, after trailing 18-4 early. Puketawhero Park, Rotorua Friday, October 3-15’s Wai-Coa-Bay Colts 22 (Ken Charlie Tuimaualuga 2, Brodie Numanga & Sheldon Rogers tries; Taitau Kapea 2 goals) Auckland Invitation 16 (Miller Leilua 2 & Nathaniel Law tries; Bailey Poto & Reagan McClean goals); HT: 16-6 Player of the match - Tuimaualuga South Island Scorpions 30 (Jarrod Wolland 2, Leicster Faingaanuku, Darcy Moore, Seth Tauamiiti & Sua Aiiloilo tries; Joseph Taipari 3 goals) Northern Swords 10 (Kingi Rakete-Tane & Hoani Rogers-Brown tries; Brody Tamarua goal); HT: 20-0 Player of the match - Taipari Wellington Orcas 20 (Tai Neli 2, Rikeli Grey & Broadus Melvin tries; Kienan de la Rembwe 2 goal) Central Vipers 14 (Corey Lee Robertson, Wesley Veikoso & Joey Lose tries; Jahlon Governor goal); HT: 10-4 Player of the match - Neli Final Akarana Falcons 17 (Aso Kepaoa, Elijah Sufia & Dylan Tavita tries; Tavita 2 goals & field goal) Counties Manukau Stingrays 16 (Alfred Smalley 2 & Steven Marsters tries; Etene Nanai-Seturo & Regan Wilde goals); HT: 6-10 Player of the match - Tavita Continued on next page...... Awards Champions: Akarana Falcons Runners-up: Counties Manukau Stingrays Man of the Match: Dylan Tavita (Akarana) Final match officials: Tane Kaiwai, Logan Strange & Lindsay Dunlop Best manager: Willie Simon (South Island) Best trainer: Jasen McCarthy (Akarana) Best coach: Tai Arona (South Island) “Got A Trade? Got It Made!” Fairplay Team: Counties Manukau Stingrays Vodafone Warriors Player of the Tournament: Etene Nanai-Seturo (Counties Manukau) Merit team: 1-Etene Nanai-Seturo (Counties Manukau), 2-Steven Marsters (Counties Manukau), 3-Cameron Iopu (Akarana), 4-Semisi Kioa (Counties Manukau), 5-Elijah Sufia (Akarana), 6-Hayze Perham (Wai-Coa-Bay), 7-Chanel Harris-Tavita (Akarana), 8-Wesley Veikaso (Mid Central), 9-Daymon Abbey (Akarana), 10-Soane Hufanga (Akarana), 11-Joey Lose (Mid Central), 12-Talem McGregor (Wai-Coa-Bay), 13-Johua Uta (Counties Manukau), 14-Joseph Taipari (South Island), 15-Caleb Uele (Akarana), 16-Wiremu Ryan (Wai-Coa-Bay), 17-Lumafale Lualua (Wellington) 17s Wai-Coa-Bay Colts 38 (D’Layni Perham 4, Tony Matautia, Tawhiri Matea Boynton & Nikora Rangi tries; Morgan Harper 5 goals) South Island Scorpions 16 (Leon Jordan, Rory Ferguson & Marvin Curry tries; Riley Coleman goal); HT: 10-10 Player of the match - Perham Northern Swords 28 (Stevie Ray Haenga Albert 2, Louis Katene, Kawana Marsden & Nathan Newton tries; Duncan McIvor 4 goals) Central Vipers 12 (Taivasa Stanley, Tre Te Wake & Juani Reweti tries); HT: 18-4 Player of the match - Newton Wellington Orcas 14 (Tristan Davis 2 & Tarquinn Alatipi tries; Luke Cummings goal) Auckland Invitation 12 (Lewis Soosemea, Chol Chol & Letuia Eliu tries); HT: 6-0 Player of the match - Davis Final Akarana Falcons 20 (Josh Farrant, Amoni Tufui, Luke Tipene & Junior Ugapo tries; Don Broughton 2 goals) Counties Manukau Stingrays 14 (Lawrence Leaupepe, Kenese Kenese & Lopeti Mafi tries; Henry Pei goal); HT: 10-0 Awards Champions: Akarana Falcons Runners-up: Counties Manukau Stingrays Man of the Match: Amoni Tufui (Akarana) Final match officials: Kena Waikai, Nathan Barker Pringle & Henare Chadwick Coaches’ choice referee: Tim Walker Best referee: Kena Waikai Best manager: Neihana Flint (Wellington) Best trainer: Willie Dickson (Northland) Best coach: Keith Hanley (Akarana) “Got A Trade? Got It Made!” Team