NZ Residents 16s & 18s Teams Selected to Play Internationals

NZ Residents 16s and 18s Teams Selected to Play Internationals

Auckland, New Zealand, September 23, 2011 - New Zealand Rugby League is pleased to announce the NZ Residents 16s and 18s teams which will play internationals this October.

These teams have been selected following a residential camp, trial matches held in Rotorua in late July, the Secondary Schools Nationals and the first rounds of the NZRL National Competition. These squads will go into camp to play matches against Queensland Academy of Sport 16s and Australian Schoolboys.

Coach of the 16s team, Jeff Whittaker said “The NZ 16s coaching staff are very excited to be naming this team to play the Queensland Academy in October.

“After watching the NZRL National Competition for 15 & 17 years, we have a great depth of quality players in New Zealand. This is a great pathway for these players and gives them a wonderful opportunity to show off their rugby league talent.

“It’s a great privilege to coach these elite players and I’m looking forward to working with them in camp and bringing them together as a team.”

Ricky Henry, NZ Residents 18s coach agrees, “I’m thrilled to be able to announce this team. It’s been a really tough selection process with so many good players available across the country. The National Secondary Schools tournament and the National Competition were very helpful to the selectors; a number of players took their opportunities and stood out.”

Henry continues “These competitions have given our elite players excellent pathways; it’s a real positive for the future of the game. Those that have been selected should be very proud and I’m sure they’ll do their very best for themselves and their families.”

The NZ Residents 18s will play two matches against the Australian Secondary Schools, both at Bruce Pulman Park, Papakura.

The first is on Sunday October 2 at 3pm, following the Counties Manukau Stingrays v Auckland Pride National Competition games.

The second on Saturday October 8, also at 3pm will follow the Auckland Pride v Waicoa Bays National Competition games, which have been moved from Cornwall Park.

The NZ Residents 16s will play the Queensland Academy of Sport 16s on Tuesday October 18 at 3.30pm at Massey Park, Papakura.

2011 NZ Resident 16s
Coach: Jeff Whittaker
Assistant Coach: Rob Nathan
Manager: Anita Smith-McKinnon
Trainer: Jasen McCarthy

2011 NZ Resident 18s
Coach: Ricky Henry
Manager: Melanie Rutene
Trainer: Nick Webb

ENDS

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