Schoolboys primed for NSW showdown

MEDIA RELEASE

September 22, 2014

NZRL Media Release - Schoolboys primed for NSW showdown

Auckland’s fickle weather hasn’t made for pleasant preparations, but those wet and windy conditions may play right into the hands of the NZ Secondary Schools team, as they face off against their Australian rivals tomorrow.

The local side gathered over the weekend for their one-off encounter with New South Wales Combined High Schools at Westlake Boys High School (3.30pm) and coach Andrew Auimatagi is licking his lips at the prospect.

“Spirits are high, even though the weather is not that flash,” he insists. “We’ve got a good group of guys, ready to work for each other.”

Auimatagi’s school – St Thomas of Canterbury College – did not contest this month’s NZRL National Secondary Schools Tournament, so he has been able to bring a strictly neutral eye to the camp.

“I was impressed with the talent at that tournament and the boys in our team definitely stood out,” he says. “I’m looking forward to seeing them in action this week.

“It’s a big thing for them to wear the silver fern on their chest and they’ve stepped up to the mark so far. It’s a good opportunity for them to put themselves out there and be watched by a big crowd on the day.

“For me, personally, it’s a huge honour to coach at this level and I’m looking forward to it.”

Auimatagi is also under no illusions what his team will be up against. Their state opposition will be brimming with talent and determined not to slip up against the locals.

“They’re going to be pretty well drilled and doing all the little things really well,” he says. “We’ll need to match that, plus a bit more.

“We’ve got size and strength, so we’ll be looking to play them in the middle third of the park and build pressure.

“They won’t like the weather much either.”

New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Phil Holden is particularly excited to stage the game at Westlake Boys High School, where the rugby league programme is in its infancy, but has already achieved a top-10 finish at the national tournament.

“WBHS has a proud tradition in a wide range of sports, but is a relative newcomer to rugby league,” says Holden. “We hope its valued support will show other schools what can be achieved in our code.”

NZ SECONDARY SCHOOLS V NSW COMBINED HIGH SCHOOLS

3.30pm, Westlake Boys High School, Auckland

New Zealand: Tise Aivalu (Manurewa HS), Erin Clark (Manurewa HS), Beau Cordtz (St Paul's College), Zion Ioka (Kelston BHS), Charlie Kaipati (Kelston BHS), Nic Lui-toso (Kelston BHS), James Mafi (Kelston BHS), Tyler Mohi (Aorere College), Brandon Nangaiti (Otahuhu College), Junior Pauga (Kelston BHS), Reuben Porter (Mt Albert Grammar), Michael Saili-Motu (Manurewa HS), Peter Scanlan (Keltson BHS), Lewis Soosemea (Aorere College), Cyrus Timo-Latu (Aranui HS), Scott Tofa-Timoteo (St Paul's College), Viliami Tosi (Rotorua BHS), David Tuisane (Manurewa HS), Eddie Wolf (Kelston BHS)

Coach: Andrew Auimatagi (St Thomas of Canterbury College)
Assistant coach: Dave McDermott (Kelston Boys High School)
Manager: Billy Maea (Tokoroa High School)

NSW Combined High Schools: Jarred Anderson (Hunter Sports High), Tye Barry (Farrer Memorial High), Daniel Brown (The Hills Sports High), Jye Challenor (Westfields Sports High), Kiah Cooper (Hunter Sports High), Cayne Dockar-Clay (The Hills Sports High), Kieran Hayman (The Hills Sports High), Cameron King (Westfields Sports High), Ryan King (Figtree High), Kurtis Langdon (Hunter River High), Corey Manicaros (Farrer Memorial High), Luke Marks (Hunter Sports High), Liam Martin (West Wyalong High), Zac Masters (Tumut High), Jack Murchie (Ulladulla High), Curtis Scott (Endeavour Sports High), Marvin Slavin (The Hills Sports High), Harry Van Dartel (Dubbo College Senior Campus)

Coach: Tony Tilburg (Blayney High)
Manager: Rod McAnulty (Erskine Park High)
Trainer: Tony Wilson (Gilgandra High)

Referee – Chris McMillan; touch – Kiko Puhipi Hibbs & Antoinette Mudford

NZ Rugby League would like to acknowledge and thank our official youth development partners - The Skills Organisation & Competenz ("Got a Trade? Got it Made!") and the Vodafone Warriors - working together to provide a bright future for our young talent, on and off the field.

© Scoop Media