Jersey Flegg Team List: Warriors reaping benefits

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Fri 3 May 2024, 02:14 PM

While the One New Zealand Warriors’ revamped pathways programme is still in its infancy, the benefits of a structured system have already been showing through strongly.

Last week’s stunning Harold Matthews Cup (under-17) premiership success is the best imaginable result from the club’s first season running a full stable of teams in grades below the NRL.

And while the SG Ball Cup (under-19) side missed out on playing finals football the principal goal of developing players is being well and truly achieved.

That's especially evident in the Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) side which has made major progress since the opening rounds.

After starting with three decisive defeats, the Warriors responded with two much-improved efforts against the Knights (8-18) and the Sea Eagles (16-20), contests they had a real chance of winning.

Round 9 - Round 9 - Saturday 4 May

Full Time

Knights

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Fletcher Sharpe

Fullback for Warriors is number 18 Robin Herbert
Winger for Knights is number 2 Jeremy Trappett

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Garry Tuilekutu
Centre for Knights is number 3 Wilson De Courcey

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Nganaiaiafu Vake
Centre for Knights is number 4 Fletcher Myers

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Salesi Piliu
Winger for Knights is number 5 Connor Votano

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Raphael Sio
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Jake Self

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Cassius Cowley
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Taj Blackman

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Caleb Laiman

Forwards

Prop for Knights is number 8 Kane Graham

Prop for Warriors is number 8 rodney tuipulotuvea
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jacob Davis

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Jeriko Filipi-Talisau
Prop for Knights is number 10 Blake Woodford

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Tobias Crosby
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Jermaine McEwen

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Alvin Chong Nee
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Jayden Harris

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Presley Seumanu Tigafua
Lock for Knights is number 13 Myles Martin

Lock for Warriors is number 13 Ieti Samuelu

Interchange

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Malachi Smith

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Etuate Fukofuka
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Tamakaimoana Whareaorere

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Francis Tuimauga
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Taj Ridley

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Ben Peni
Interchange for Knights is number 18 Cody Hopwood

Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Jacob Auloa

Reserves

Replacement for Knights is number 21 Tea-Rani Woodman Tuhoro

Replacement for Warriors is number 21 Nehemiah Amoroa

Last updated: 5/6/2024 3:10:50 AM

Since then they have gone up to the next level by converting competitive efforts into impressive wins by beating St George Illawarra 28-22 and Penrith 28-20.

They have done so with a squad which has benefited from the infusion of players from the next grade down, the SG Ball Cup (under-19).

As their short-form competition came to an end a number of the club’s 2024 SG Ball squad members have been moved up to the Jersey Flegg Cup and, in some cases, to the New South Wales Cup.

This week four SG Ball Cup players have been named in the New South Wales Cup squad – Motu Pasikala, Sio Kali, Jaydee Auloa and Kayliss Fatialofa - while Eddie Ieremia was SG Ball-eligible this season but has been playing out of the grade.

Another six 2024 SG Ball players have been named to line up at Jersey Flegg Cup level in Sunday’s ninth-round match against the Knights at the Newcastle Permanent Centre of Excellence (9.45am kick-off local time; 11.45am NZT).

Nganatatafu Vake is in the centres, Raphael Sio on the wing, Rodney Tuipolotu-Vea at prop, Jeriko Talisau at hooker, Alvin Chong Nee in the second row and Francis Tuimauga on the bench. The bulk of the other players were in the 2023 SG Ball squad.

With back-to-back wins the Warriors have found some confidence as they eye a third victory on end but, once again, they face more favoured opponents.

The Knights are fifth on the ladder on 10 points – the Warriors are 12th with four points – although the home side is coming off a 14-20 loss to South Sydney.