Kurtis Rowe and Manaia Cherrington have today been included in the Junior Kiwis side to face the Junior Kangaroos on Sunday.
Both players had impressive seasons in the NYC competition and will go head-to-head with fellow Wests Tigers player David Nofoaluma - who lines up on the wing for the Junior Kangaroos.
Delouise Hoeter (hand) and Andy Fiagatusa (shoulder) were selected in the train-on squad but are unavailable due to injury.
NZRL PRESS RELEASE:
Junior Kiwis coach Brent Gemmell has named a side strong on experience to play the Junior Kangaroos in Sydney this Sunday, October 13.
The team includes nine of the Junior Warriors side which played in Sundays NYC grand final along with three of the NYC winning Penrith Panthers squad, two of whom played in the final.
Gemmell says he is very pleased to be able to name a number of players with NSW Cup experience including Warriors juniors Albert Vete, David Bhana and Raymond Faitala-Mariner saying These players bring a lot of valuable experience to the side. Theyve had time in NSW Cup, which means theyve been playing against players with a lot more experience, regular first graders, and that experience has shown through in their strong finals campaigns.
Other strengths in the team lie in being able to bring together players who have formed strong combinations during the season, notably Tuimoala Lolohea and Mason Lino from the Warriors and Manaia Cherrington and Kurtis Rowe from the Tigers.
Tui, at age 18 is playing at a level well above most of his peers, and with the support of his teammate and kicker Mason Lino we have an established halves pairing who know each others game well. Gemmell said. The two Tigers boys also bring something new and exciting to the team, Kurtis is a great fullback with a really good running game. He supports his ball carriers well and scores tries.
Other players who excite the coach are James Taylor, who earned the praise of a number of commentators (and experienced first grade players) for his ability to consistently break the line and create opportunities for his team and Jeremy Hawkins who came through the system from Wellington and has played well for the Canberra 20s in a number of positions this year.
Gemmell concludes I am really looking forward to bringing this group together; they have great skills and experience and should be very competitive against Australia. A number of players have missed out, simply because of the growing depth at this level, and many of them will still be eligible for the Junior Kiwis again next year.
2013 JUNIOR KIWIS SQUAD:
David Bhana (NZ Warriors)
Manaia Cherrington (Wests Tigers)
Mitch Clark (Penrith Panthers)
Zach Docker Clay (Parramatta Eels)
Raymond Faitala-Mariner (NZ Warriors)
David Fusitua (NZ Warriors)
Jeremy Hawkins (Canberra Raiders)
Ngani Laumape (NZ Warriors)
Mason Lino (NZ Warriors)
Tuimoala Lolohea (NZ Warriors)
David Minute (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Takai Moeakiola (Parramatta Eels)
Kurtis Rowe (Wests Tigers)
Joseph Tapine (Newcastle Knights)
James Taylor (NZ Warriors)
Adam Tuimavave- Gerard (NZ Warriors)
Albert Vete (NZ Warriors)
Dallin Watene Zelezniak (Penrith Panthers)
Jarrod Wilson (Penrith Panthers)
Junior Kangaroos v Junior Kiwis
Sunday, October 13,
WIN Jubilee Oval, Kogarah, Sydney
Kick off 2.30pm
Both players had impressive seasons in the NYC competition and will go head-to-head with fellow Wests Tigers player David Nofoaluma - who lines up on the wing for the Junior Kangaroos.
Delouise Hoeter (hand) and Andy Fiagatusa (shoulder) were selected in the train-on squad but are unavailable due to injury.
NZRL PRESS RELEASE:
Junior Kiwis coach Brent Gemmell has named a side strong on experience to play the Junior Kangaroos in Sydney this Sunday, October 13.
The team includes nine of the Junior Warriors side which played in Sundays NYC grand final along with three of the NYC winning Penrith Panthers squad, two of whom played in the final.
Gemmell says he is very pleased to be able to name a number of players with NSW Cup experience including Warriors juniors Albert Vete, David Bhana and Raymond Faitala-Mariner saying These players bring a lot of valuable experience to the side. Theyve had time in NSW Cup, which means theyve been playing against players with a lot more experience, regular first graders, and that experience has shown through in their strong finals campaigns.
Other strengths in the team lie in being able to bring together players who have formed strong combinations during the season, notably Tuimoala Lolohea and Mason Lino from the Warriors and Manaia Cherrington and Kurtis Rowe from the Tigers.
Tui, at age 18 is playing at a level well above most of his peers, and with the support of his teammate and kicker Mason Lino we have an established halves pairing who know each others game well. Gemmell said. The two Tigers boys also bring something new and exciting to the team, Kurtis is a great fullback with a really good running game. He supports his ball carriers well and scores tries.
Other players who excite the coach are James Taylor, who earned the praise of a number of commentators (and experienced first grade players) for his ability to consistently break the line and create opportunities for his team and Jeremy Hawkins who came through the system from Wellington and has played well for the Canberra 20s in a number of positions this year.
Gemmell concludes I am really looking forward to bringing this group together; they have great skills and experience and should be very competitive against Australia. A number of players have missed out, simply because of the growing depth at this level, and many of them will still be eligible for the Junior Kiwis again next year.
2013 JUNIOR KIWIS SQUAD:
David Bhana (NZ Warriors)
Manaia Cherrington (Wests Tigers)
Mitch Clark (Penrith Panthers)
Zach Docker Clay (Parramatta Eels)
Raymond Faitala-Mariner (NZ Warriors)
David Fusitua (NZ Warriors)
Jeremy Hawkins (Canberra Raiders)
Ngani Laumape (NZ Warriors)
Mason Lino (NZ Warriors)
Tuimoala Lolohea (NZ Warriors)
David Minute (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Takai Moeakiola (Parramatta Eels)
Kurtis Rowe (Wests Tigers)
Joseph Tapine (Newcastle Knights)
James Taylor (NZ Warriors)
Adam Tuimavave- Gerard (NZ Warriors)
Albert Vete (NZ Warriors)
Dallin Watene Zelezniak (Penrith Panthers)
Jarrod Wilson (Penrith Panthers)
Junior Kangaroos v Junior Kiwis
Sunday, October 13,
WIN Jubilee Oval, Kogarah, Sydney
Kick off 2.30pm
