Less than 12 months ago the One New Zealand Warriors had never had a team in the Harold Matthews Cup, one of the New South Wales Rugby League’s renowned pathways competitions.
Now the Warriors’ leading under-17 players have taken the club from nowhere to playing in the premiership’s finals.
They made it a debut season to remember by claiming the sixth and final spot in the playoffs, earning a week one clash against the third-placed Parramatta at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday (10.00am kick-off local time; 12.00pm NZT).
It doubles as a rematch of the Warriors’ first game of their debut campaign, a day when they went down 6-34 to the junior powerhouse Eels.
Following that reverse they put together a strong campaign highlighted by four straight wins in the middle of the season which catapulted the newcomers into finals contention before a big 46-10 victory over the St George Dragons in the final round secured their spot.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Eels is number 1 Cyrus BloomfieldFullback for Warriors is number 1 Joseph Ratcliffe
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Winger for Eels is number 2 Jeziah TUA'AUWinger for Warriors is number 2 Ezekiel Davidson-Faaiuaso
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Centre for Eels is number 3 Andes JohanssonCentre for Warriors is number 3 Jeremiah Lemana
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Centre for Eels is number 4 Nathan HowlettCentre for Warriors is number 4 Siale Pahulu
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Winger for Eels is number 5 Lorima RokosukaWinger for Warriors is number 5 Kairus Booth
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Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Talen RisatiFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Tyson HANSEN
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Halfback for Eels is number 7 Lincoln FletcherHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Jack Thompson
Forwards
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Prop for Eels is number 8 Natututasina LeotaProp for Warriors is number 8 Hudsyn Frost
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Hooker for Eels is number 9 Ezra LeotaHooker for Warriors is number 9 Kaawyn Patterson
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Prop for Eels is number 10 Ryda TalagiProp for Warriors is number 10 Gordon Pailegutu Taanuu Afoa
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2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Samuel Polley2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Dezman Laban
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2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Michael Nauer2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Militonimolela Sikuvea
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Lock for Eels is number 13 Maison OngLock for Warriors is number 13 Lennox Tuiloma
Interchange
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Interchange for Eels is number 14 Wesley PakotiInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Boston Krone
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Interchange for Eels is number 15 Kasinga NoaInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Romana Whitiora
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Interchange for Eels is number 16 Ocean VaivelaInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Isaiah Savea
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Interchange for Eels is number 17 Sanjae ULU-KINIInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Houma Fotu
Reserves
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Replacement for Eels is number 18 Billy FaneneReplacement for Warriors is number 18 Turama Paranihi
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In the leadup to his team’s week one finals, head coach TJ Ashford reflected on the season so far and how far the squad has come in such a short time.
“It’s been a good season for, not only the club, but obviously the boys as well,” he said.
“It’s just great seeing growth from day one. I’m talking pre-Harold Matthews, in the academy, when we first found out that we were going to have a Harold Matthews team and the growth from where they were to where the boys are now. That’s the exciting part to look at.
“Obviously the result and where we are in terms of the semi-final, that’s all the bonus stuff from the hard work that the boys have put in throughout the season, but it’s an exciting time for everyone involved.”
Looking ahead to this week’s matchup with Parramatta, the players are in high spirits and brimming with youthful confidence after a strong finish to the regular season.
“The boys don’t look nervous, I’m pretty sure the nerves will kick in closer to game time, but they look excited, they’re champing at the bit,” said Ashford.
“They know that they deserve to be here and round one doesn’t mean anything when you get to semi-final footy, so we’re hoping Parramatta has that same mindset come this week and we’re hoping to go there and prove a point to everyone.
“It’s exciting, the boys look up for it, so we’ll see how we go.”
