Tonga beating Kiwis was bittersweet. Tonga beating Kangaroos was just sweet
NRL NRL General Recruitment Thread
- Thread starter Boston Boy
- Start date
JustLikeStartingOver
Contributor
WTF is tracksuit cam on about, talk to the prime minister? Get back to your day job.
All the nrl is trying to do is make sure the likes of the Timoko to Canberra pathway is expanded upon, it's not to help your club.
All the nrl is trying to do is make sure the likes of the Timoko to Canberra pathway is expanded upon, it's not to help your club.
They could pressure the politicians from the grassroot, for funding and awareness, contact them and express your support for league development to help young boys and girls, they seem a bit more receptive for less sensitive stuff, easy PR and helps elections. Union has the old boys club and the silver lake finance, league in NZ needs to energize from the people.
Not even sure if NZRL is a mess or not, why is the Wahs initiating this with NRL, not NZRL? lol
Not even sure if NZRL is a mess or not, why is the Wahs initiating this with NRL, not NZRL? lol
Never begrudge a man that takes his fight straight to the top.
Our junior pathways are currently affected by butthurt old school rugby heads who would rather threaten a 15 year with consequences for playing league than encourage the young man to push himself in what ever he does.
What year is it again, 1956?
NRL salary cap investigations bottom clubs blow millions on exit payments | Daily Telegraph
The Wests Tigers’ overhaul of their playing roster will take place amid revelations that the bottom four teams in the NRL last year spent nearly $5 million on termination payments.
Tigers boss Shane Richardson is currently in England where he is expected to hold talks with Super League sides over some of the club’s players who have fallen out of favour.
At the same time, Richardson is exploring the potential to bolster the Tigers’ squad for next season to give coach Benji Marshall the ammunition to make an assault on the top eight.
Part two of this masthead’s exclusive investigation into payments made in the NRL showed the Tigers – who finished last season at the bottom of the ladder - were among the four clubs who paid an average of $1.2 million to players.
The bottom four parted ways on average with nearly nine players in the form of early terminations.
Part NRL salary cap investigation: How much every player at every position earns
The Bulldogs had to carry a chunk of Josh Jackson’s salary after his retirement. Picture: Getty Images
The other three clubs in the bottom four were St George Illawarra, the Bulldogs and the Gold Coast Titans. Between them, the four clubs frittered away nearly 10 per cent of their salary cap on paying players who were no longer at their clubs.
By contrast, the top four clubs averaged less than $500,000 in termination payments.
It’s a significant difference that basically amounts to one marquee player. Wasting roster spots also hurts clubs depth.
Clubs at both ends of the table are constantly monitoring their squads and making changes, either by choice or because it is forced upon them.
In the Bulldogs’ case, they were forced to carry some of Josh Jackson’s contract in their salary cap last season following his retirement.
They also moved on a handful of players including Brent Naden, Ava Seumanufagai, Fa’amanu Brown, Andrew Davey and Jackson Topine, who has since launched legal action against the club because of a training ground punishment that led to him taking leave for mental health.
Moses Mbye left the Dragons early. Picture: NRL Photos
The Dragons also allowed Moses Mbye to leave their club early last year, while Andrew McCullough retired with 12 months left on his deal. George Burgess was also released before his deal expired at the end of 2023.
Toby Sexton, Sam Lisone, Paul Turner, Patrick Herbert were among the Titans players who did not see out their deals.
The Tigers have outlaid plenty of money to rearrange their squad in recent years - Ken Maumalo, Jackson Hastings, Jacob Liddle and Joe Ofahengaue are among their former players having been released early from deals - and the roster overhaul is expected to continue when Richardson returns from England.
The club had already given New Zealand international Isaiah Papali’i permission to explore the open market and he has wasted no time finding another club, inking a deal with the three-time premiers Penrith.
The Tigers will pay Isaiah Papali'i to play for the Panthers. Picture: Getty Images
The Tigers will still contribute a small part of his $750,000 salary next season - he had one year remaining on a lucrative deal with the club.
There have been suggestions the Tigers could look to move on Jayden Sullivan, Naden and Charlie Staines.
There is also a noticeable difference between the top eight and bottom eight sides when it comes to their roster management and termination payments.
The bottom eight averaged nearly $800,000 in termination payments last season while the top eight was just over half of that at around $400,000.
Reece Walsh to stay at broncos on a 7 year- $10 million deal apparently
Wrighty
Contributor
Wow
What an idiot, he's going to regret that big time in a few years.
Wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the broncos who end up regretting it in the long run. Good player but I think he’ll buy right into his hype at some point and off field dramas become tedious. Good luck to him though
Mean!! Salary cap be tighter than Ed Kosi's shorts now. Lets give a kiaora call to Xavier Willison!?
Still Selwyn Cobbo and Katoni Staggs for them to lock up before November
Fuck bro! They'll sign Cobbo back up surely? Kotoni , Meh. If they locked in both they wouldn't be able to keep Willison surely.
Roosters will go in hard for either of them I reckon. If Cobbo has aspirations to play fullback, he’s now blocked by Walsh if he does indeed re sign with the broncos and Tedesco aging could see that come to fruition? Could play Cobbo in the centres until Tedesco retires? Cobbo one of my humble pies. Thought he wouldn’t cope defensively at centre but has been good. Been a real strike centre. Had seen roosters were going to throw the kitchen sink at Cobbo, think they might be nervous with Steve Renouf publicly saying he rejected a big offer from roosters back in the day and Cobbo should stay
Could you please open the daily Telegraph page for me on the 26 rugby stars in our system?Not sure where to post this.
EXCLUSIVE
Leaked document reveals NRL and Warriors unprecedented mission to take on rugby union in NZ
Leaked documents reveal the strategic plan that will break rugby union’s grasp on New Zealand’s sporting landscape, and change rugby league on both sides of the Tasman forever.
David Riccio
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@DaveRic1
6 min read
May 25, 2024 - 12:00PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s.../392dbd1f1dc2bac3ea2d4a3802dee066#share-tools
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The NRL is poised to embark on the code’s most advanced infiltration of New Zealand rugby union with an investment plan that will be targeted at schools and culminate with a second team across the Tasman.
The battle plan to break rugby union’s stranglehold at a grassroots and professional level in New Zealand has been formed during a period of record crowds and TV ratings for the Warriors.
Warriors fever has gripped New Zealand, with Sunday’s match against the Dolphins in Auckland the club’s ninth consecutive sold-out home game.
The NRL has a range of reasons to take advantage of this opportunity, including:
* The push to include a second New Zealand NRL team via expansion;
* The tactics of New Zealand rugby schools to discourage students from taking up opportunities with the Warriors; and
* The threat of a civil war at the highest level in New Zealand rugby union.
The Sunday Telegraph has obtained the strategic plan which was designed by Warriors CEO Cameron George and presented to NRL CEO Andrew Abdo last week.
It outlines the game’s focus to become the ‘premier sport’ by making New Zealand a breeding ground for NRL talent for the next 50 years.
It also details an action, strategy and investment plan that George believes will change the entire landscape of rugby league in New Zealand, and benefit all 17 clubs.
“We’re doing our job to fly the flag for the NRL and all the other clubs,’’ George said of the Warriors’ bid to embed rugby league into New Zealand.
“So it’s time. That’s why I went over to see Andrew Abdo.
“It’s just so unique that the ARL Commission and Peter V’landys can use our brand and our vehicle to grow the overall game for its future.
“I believe every other club would genuinely support the plan because it’s not like we (Warriors) can take every player.
“But what we can do is encourage every young kid and every potential coach to play rugby league.”
The Warriors are the hottest ticket in New Zealand right now. Picture: NRL Photos
SCHOOL WORK
As it stands, the NRL doesn’t have a single schoolboy or girl competition, program or even an ambassador that runs junior boys and girls clinics in New Zealand.
The Warriors and the NZRL have largely been in charge of the game’s growth to this point.
Under the new plan, the NRL would invest like never before in grassroots and the school systems.
“This is about growing the entire NRL foundation in New Zealand over the next five, 10, 15 to 20 years,” George said.
“The more kids we can have playing rugby league in New Zealand, the more kids that will eventually be playing in the NRL.
“The schoolboy competition that I’m vigorously chasing, through funding domestically and also the NRL, is that any number of schools will participate in it, so that when a Pacific Island expansion strategy is put in place, the investment in the school systems and programs in New Zealand will be a very big answer to what they’re trying to achieve.”
Abdo confirmed the ARL Commission’s intent.
“We want to see more boys and girls in New Zealand aspiring to be NRL and NRLW players, and the Commission is working with the Warriors and all stakeholders to create an aggressive investment plan for New Zealand grassroots,” Abdo said.
Bunty Afoa stan, and SuperCoach tragic, Anton Posa shows his support from the stands. Picture: NRL Photos
CASE STUDY
George said that Melbourne Storm backrower Eliesa Katoa was the perfect example of an NRL player who could have been lost to rugby union because rugby league doesn’t have a presence at a schoolboy level.
“Eli Katoa is currently playing for Melbourne and originally comes from Tonga, but goes to Auckland for school, where he has to go to a rugby union college,” George said.
“But if we change tack, a player like Eli can come here (Auckland) and play rugby league at the elite level in the schoolboy system.
“Most of the kids, if not all of the kids (from the Pacific Islands) are coming here to play rugby union and then we’re taking them from rugby union, and then we’ve got to put them back into a rugby league system which takes them a few years to get going.
“If we’ve got 10 to 15 schools participating in a program dedicated to rugby league, we’re getting those teenagers from Samoa and Tonga straight into the system.
“Then what happens, because they’re in the system, they stay in their most comfortable lifestyle for longer, and stay in the game for longer, rather than getting taken to Australia at such a young age and then spat out because they had to leave home to join a dedicated rugby league program.”
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Inside league-union code war
ALL BLACKS
The NRL’s action plan is never more timely. According to reports last week, rugby in New Zealand is on the brink of civil war over a dispute between the country’s leading players and the NZR.
Despite the increasing tension at the highest level of rugby in New Zealand, George said this wasn’t about trying to usurp the might and power of the All Blacks in a country that treats the national rugby union team like a religion.
“The All Blacks and the Kiwis are the pinnacle of our two sports in New Zealand,” George said.
“We should always hold them in high regard because they represent our country. We do respect the All Blacks.
“But in a day-to-day retail market, where we’re playing week in and week out against rugby union, then well, we (NRL) should want to be the best choice for participation, engagement and attendance.”
SECOND NZ TEAM
The NRL is in the process of deciding whether to support a government-backed scheme to expand the competition into Papua New Guinea.
Many fans and media commentators, on the back of the Warriors’ success, believes New Zealand should be afforded a second team.
However, George said it would be premature to add another team across the Tasman without the NRL taking up a long-term strategy and investing in the grassroots and school system.
“You would not survive with a second New Zealand team right now,” George said.
“But in 10 years’ time you’re going to have more kids playing rugby league in New Zealand which is going to provide more rugby league talent to the game, which clearly answers the game’s expansion questions.”
The battle in on to win young fans over to rugby league. Picture: NRL Photos
YES, PRIME MINISTER
The Warriors pathways system is being blocked by the tactics of rugby schools in New Zealand, which have been known to discourage students from taking up opportunities with the Warriors.
George said he is willing to go all the way to the Prime Minister to put an end to powerful rugby union schools attempting to deter youngsters from playing league.
“I spoke to the education minister the other day and the sports minister in New Zealand has reached out,” George said.
“We’re having a discussion in the very near future about it.
“I’m not letting go of finding a solution because it’s completely unfair on kids and it shouldn’t be in our school system.
“If need be, we’ll be speaking to the Prime Minister’s office because I’m sure it’s not what he wants happening in his school system.’’
THE MUSCLE
With the powerful support of ARL chair V’landys, Abdo made his position clear on the code’s plan to invest in and support more kids to choose rugby league over rugby union in New Zealand.
“Whether it’s kids playing at grassroots, elite talent entering NRL pathways or families watching at the ground or on TV, we know New Zealanders are moving from rugby union to rugby league in droves and we want to encourage that trend,”Abdo said.
“If you want to see strength, speed and skill the choice has always been rugby league.
“The aim is for the NRL to cement its position as the premier live sport in New Zealand.
“The data shows that the Warriors have become New Zealand’s favourite team and a national icon.
More Coverage
Text messages reveal tension in league-union code war
The 26 NZ schoolboy rugby stars in Warriors pathways system
“Covid kept the Warriors out of New Zealand, and yet despite that disruption on every key indicator rugby league is booming, including TV viewership which is up 36 per cent in New Zealand.
“Rugby league is the biggest sport community in the Pacific, and we want it to be the language that brings our entire region together, including in New Zealand.
“We’re thrilled to see the growth of the game in New Zealand, but the truth is we are only just getting started.”
https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Leaked+document+reveals+NRL+and+Warriors+unprecedented+mission+to+take+on+rugby+union+in+NZ&via=dailytelegraph&url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/leaked-document-reveals-nrl-and-warriors-unprecedented-mission-to-take-on-rugby-union-in-nz/news-story/392dbd1f1dc2bac3ea2d4a3802dee066
This article was a fantastic read! And yes to schools working alongside and letting the kids decide what they want to play.
Enough already rugby! Why can't rugby get off thier arse and start planning for thier future! It's just not fair and in the long run they are the ones that will lose.
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Does anyone here know what schools would automatically be in the schoolboy comp?
NRL 2024: The 26 New Zealand schoolboy rugby stars in Warriors pathways system | Daily Telegraph
A record number of schoolboy rugby union players have now joined the New Zealand Warriors pathways system and CEO Cameron George believes the influx into rugby league will continue to grow.The Warriors’ NRL pathways boasts 26 rugby union schoolboys players across Harold Matthews (under-17s), SG Ball (under-19s) and Jersey Flegg (under-21s).
The list of rugby schoolboy players signed to the Warriors is the largest in the club’s 30-year history.
It’s not only a sign of the Warriors’ expanding footprint in New Zealand but the club’s emergence as a genuine threat to rugby union pathways.
Of those 26 players, five were part of the Warriors inaugural under-17s side, which was crowned 2024 champion after beating Western Suburbs Magpies in the grand final.
Another 11 players in SG Ball and 10 players from the Jersey Flegg squad are graduates of some of the most prestigious rugby schools in New Zealand including Rotorua Boys High School, Hamilton Boys High School and Sacred Heart College.
The Warriors celebrate winning the Harold Matthews grand final. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography
George is confident that number will only grow in the coming years and would be even higher today if not for tactics by rugby schools in New Zealand, which have been known to discourage students from taking up opportunities with the Warriors.
“We’ll continue to be an attractive option for all kids, rugby orientated or not,” George told this masthead.
“The fact of the matter is the only reason they are being stopped from expressing interest in our pathways is the school system blocking them.”
Last week, this masthead lifted the lid on those tactics after revealing a major sponsor of the rugby program at Hamilton Boys High School would consider pulling its funding amid concerns students were being allegedly pressured to walk away from the Warriors.
George said all rugby schools in New Zealand, which have historically wielded all the power at grassroots and junior levels, should be called out for attempting to deter youngsters from playing league.
Siale Pahulu is just one rugby union schoolboy that is a rising star of the Warriors system. Picture: Sean Teuma
“The amount of feedback I have received since the story is that it strikes to the heart of the dictatorial tactics against kids across New Zealand,” George said.
“They should be allowed to be kids.
“We’ll continue to explore ways to provide opportunities through our pathways, regardless of whether they stay with us. They are kids, let them play league, let them play rugby.”
The Warriors entered the Harold Matthews competition this year giving the NRL club full representation across all grades in the NSWRL.
George believes the success of the under-17-s side will only inspire more youngsters in New Zealand to choose league over union.
“The kids that won Harold Matthews are inspiring a new wave of rugby league players,” George said.
“All those kids will be talking to their mates about it and those mates will talk to other kids. “They don’t understand how much impact they have had now on a lot of 14 to 16 year old kids to come and play rugby league.
“They are now fantastic ambassadors for the Warriors and rugby league through all the school systems in New Zealand.”
26 WARRIORS JUNIORS ON THE RISE
Harold Matthews Cup (under-17)
Kairus Booth (South Otago High School, Balclutha)
Boston Krone (Auckland Grammar School, Auckland)
Siale Pahulu (Saint Kentigern College, Auckland)
Joseph Ratcliffe (Palmerston North Boys’ High School, Palmerston North)
Militoni Sikuvea (St Peter’s College, Auckland)
SG Ball Cup (under-19)
Malakai Cama (Rotorua Boys’ High School, Rotorua)
Alvin Chong-Nee (Sacred Heart College, Auckland)
Malakai Filipo (St Paul’s College, Auckland)
Mikaele Ilaiu (Rotorua Boys’ High School, Rotorua)
Andrew Nansen (St Peter’s College, Auckland)
Motu Pasikala (Liston College, Auckland)
Elijah Solomona (James Cook High School, Auckland)
Waka Tate (St Paul’s College, Auckland)
Nganatatafu Vake (Rotorua Boys’ High School, Rotorua)
Hiraka Waitai-Haenga (Hamilton Boys’ High School, Hamilton)
Maui Winitana-Patelesio (St Patrick’s College Silverstream, Upper Hutt)
Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21)
Tobias Crosby (St Patrick’s College Silverstream, Upper Hutt)
Siale Faemani (St Peter’s College, Auckland)
Etuate Fukofuka (St Peter’s College, Auckland)
Nehemiah Gordon-Amoroa (Rosmini College, Auckland)
Eddie Ieremia (De La Salle College, Auckland)
Phranklyn Mano Le Mamea (De La Salle College, Auckland)
Patrick Moimoi (De La Salle College, Auckland)
Ieti Samuelu (De La Salle College, Auckland)
Presley Seumanu-Tigafua (St Peter’s College, Auckland)
Garry Tuilekutu (Naenae College, Wellington)
Warriors general manager of recruitment, development and pathways Andrew McFadden said schoolboy rugby union players that joined the club would be fully supported through their transition from the 15-man game to rugby league.
“You have to allow time for them to understand the time, we have to be a bit more patient as they learn the rules but the skills are very similar,” McFadden said.
“A lot of the kids, particularly in that Harold Matthews age group will go back to school now and play rugby for their school, we encourage that, but we still train them.
“Some of the schools have great resources in terms of the gym but other kids don’t have it so we still offer that strength and conditioning side of their training.”
Like George, McFadden believes the list of schoolboy rugby players signed to the Warriors will only grow on the back of the club’s commitment to pathways in the country.
“I’d like to think it will (grow),” McFadden said.
“There will be kids that want to play in those competitions, especially Harold Matthews.
“It’s an elite competition. It’s the best kids in Australia and a challenging competition with all the travelling that comes with it. It prepares those kids that progress through the pathways really well.”
Thank you so much! Much appreciated.NRL 2024: The 26 New Zealand schoolboy rugby stars in Warriors pathways system | Daily Telegraph
A record number of schoolboy rugby union players have now joined the New Zealand Warriors pathways system and CEO Cameron George believes the influx into rugby league will continue to grow.
The Warriors’ NRL pathways boasts 26 rugby union schoolboys players across Harold Matthews (under-17s), SG Ball (under-19s) and Jersey Flegg (under-21s).
The list of rugby schoolboy players signed to the Warriors is the largest in the club’s 30-year history.
It’s not only a sign of the Warriors’ expanding footprint in New Zealand but the club’s emergence as a genuine threat to rugby union pathways.
Of those 26 players, five were part of the Warriors inaugural under-17s side, which was crowned 2024 champion after beating Western Suburbs Magpies in the grand final.
Another 11 players in SG Ball and 10 players from the Jersey Flegg squad are graduates of some of the most prestigious rugby schools in New Zealand including Rotorua Boys High School, Hamilton Boys High School and Sacred Heart College.
The Warriors celebrate winning the Harold Matthews grand final. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography
George is confident that number will only grow in the coming years and would be even higher today if not for tactics by rugby schools in New Zealand, which have been known to discourage students from taking up opportunities with the Warriors.
“We’ll continue to be an attractive option for all kids, rugby orientated or not,” George told this masthead.
“The fact of the matter is the only reason they are being stopped from expressing interest in our pathways is the school system blocking them.”
Last week, this masthead lifted the lid on those tactics after revealing a major sponsor of the rugby program at Hamilton Boys High School would consider pulling its funding amid concerns students were being allegedly pressured to walk away from the Warriors.
George said all rugby schools in New Zealand, which have historically wielded all the power at grassroots and junior levels, should be called out for attempting to deter youngsters from playing league.
Siale Pahulu is just one rugby union schoolboy that is a rising star of the Warriors system. Picture: Sean Teuma
“The amount of feedback I have received since the story is that it strikes to the heart of the dictatorial tactics against kids across New Zealand,” George said.
“They should be allowed to be kids.
“We’ll continue to explore ways to provide opportunities through our pathways, regardless of whether they stay with us. They are kids, let them play league, let them play rugby.”
The Warriors entered the Harold Matthews competition this year giving the NRL club full representation across all grades in the NSWRL.
George believes the success of the under-17-s side will only inspire more youngsters in New Zealand to choose league over union.
“The kids that won Harold Matthews are inspiring a new wave of rugby league players,” George said.
“All those kids will be talking to their mates about it and those mates will talk to other kids. “They don’t understand how much impact they have had now on a lot of 14 to 16 year old kids to come and play rugby league.
“They are now fantastic ambassadors for the Warriors and rugby league through all the school systems in New Zealand.”
26 WARRIORS JUNIORS ON THE RISE
Harold Matthews Cup (under-17)
Kairus Booth (South Otago High School, Balclutha)
Boston Krone (Auckland Grammar School, Auckland)
Siale Pahulu (Saint Kentigern College, Auckland)
Joseph Ratcliffe (Palmerston North Boys’ High School, Palmerston North)
Militoni Sikuvea (St Peter’s College, Auckland)
SG Ball Cup (under-19)
Malakai Cama (Rotorua Boys’ High School, Rotorua)
Alvin Chong-Nee (Sacred Heart College, Auckland)
Malakai Filipo (St Paul’s College, Auckland)
Mikaele Ilaiu (Rotorua Boys’ High School, Rotorua)
Andrew Nansen (St Peter’s College, Auckland)
Motu Pasikala (Liston College, Auckland)
Elijah Solomona (James Cook High School, Auckland)
Waka Tate (St Paul’s College, Auckland)
Nganatatafu Vake (Rotorua Boys’ High School, Rotorua)
Hiraka Waitai-Haenga (Hamilton Boys’ High School, Hamilton)
Maui Winitana-Patelesio (St Patrick’s College Silverstream, Upper Hutt)
Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21)
Tobias Crosby (St Patrick’s College Silverstream, Upper Hutt)
Siale Faemani (St Peter’s College, Auckland)
Etuate Fukofuka (St Peter’s College, Auckland)
Nehemiah Gordon-Amoroa (Rosmini College, Auckland)
Eddie Ieremia (De La Salle College, Auckland)
Phranklyn Mano Le Mamea (De La Salle College, Auckland)
Patrick Moimoi (De La Salle College, Auckland)
Ieti Samuelu (De La Salle College, Auckland)
Presley Seumanu-Tigafua (St Peter’s College, Auckland)
Garry Tuilekutu (Naenae College, Wellington)
Warriors general manager of recruitment, development and pathways Andrew McFadden said schoolboy rugby union players that joined the club would be fully supported through their transition from the 15-man game to rugby league.
“You have to allow time for them to understand the time, we have to be a bit more patient as they learn the rules but the skills are very similar,” McFadden said.
“A lot of the kids, particularly in that Harold Matthews age group will go back to school now and play rugby for their school, we encourage that, but we still train them.
“Some of the schools have great resources in terms of the gym but other kids don’t have it so we still offer that strength and conditioning side of their training.”
Like George, McFadden believes the list of schoolboy rugby players signed to the Warriors will only grow on the back of the club’s commitment to pathways in the country.
“I’d like to think it will (grow),” McFadden said.
“There will be kids that want to play in those competitions, especially Harold Matthews.
“It’s an elite competition. It’s the best kids in Australia and a challenging competition with all the travelling that comes with it. It prepares those kids that progress through the pathways really well.”
Quite a few hyphenated names in that group so a good chance of some of them making the NRL team in the future!NRL 2024: The 26 New Zealand schoolboy rugby stars in Warriors pathways system | Daily Telegraph
A record number of schoolboy rugby union players have now joined the New Zealand Warriors pathways system and CEO Cameron George believes the influx into rugby league will continue to grow.
The Warriors’ NRL pathways boasts 26 rugby union schoolboys players across Harold Matthews (under-17s), SG Ball (under-19s) and Jersey Flegg (under-21s).
The list of rugby schoolboy players signed to the Warriors is the largest in the club’s 30-year history.
It’s not only a sign of the Warriors’ expanding footprint in New Zealand but the club’s emergence as a genuine threat to rugby union pathways.
Of those 26 players, five were part of the Warriors inaugural under-17s side, which was crowned 2024 champion after beating Western Suburbs Magpies in the grand final.
Another 11 players in SG Ball and 10 players from the Jersey Flegg squad are graduates of some of the most prestigious rugby schools in New Zealand including Rotorua Boys High School, Hamilton Boys High School and Sacred Heart College.
The Warriors celebrate winning the Harold Matthews grand final. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography
George is confident that number will only grow in the coming years and would be even higher today if not for tactics by rugby schools in New Zealand, which have been known to discourage students from taking up opportunities with the Warriors.
“We’ll continue to be an attractive option for all kids, rugby orientated or not,” George told this masthead.
“The fact of the matter is the only reason they are being stopped from expressing interest in our pathways is the school system blocking them.”
Last week, this masthead lifted the lid on those tactics after revealing a major sponsor of the rugby program at Hamilton Boys High School would consider pulling its funding amid concerns students were being allegedly pressured to walk away from the Warriors.
George said all rugby schools in New Zealand, which have historically wielded all the power at grassroots and junior levels, should be called out for attempting to deter youngsters from playing league.
Siale Pahulu is just one rugby union schoolboy that is a rising star of the Warriors system. Picture: Sean Teuma
“The amount of feedback I have received since the story is that it strikes to the heart of the dictatorial tactics against kids across New Zealand,” George said.
“They should be allowed to be kids.
“We’ll continue to explore ways to provide opportunities through our pathways, regardless of whether they stay with us. They are kids, let them play league, let them play rugby.”
The Warriors entered the Harold Matthews competition this year giving the NRL club full representation across all grades in the NSWRL.
George believes the success of the under-17-s side will only inspire more youngsters in New Zealand to choose league over union.
“The kids that won Harold Matthews are inspiring a new wave of rugby league players,” George said.
“All those kids will be talking to their mates about it and those mates will talk to other kids. “They don’t understand how much impact they have had now on a lot of 14 to 16 year old kids to come and play rugby league.
“They are now fantastic ambassadors for the Warriors and rugby league through all the school systems in New Zealand.”
26 WARRIORS JUNIORS ON THE RISE
Harold Matthews Cup (under-17)
Kairus Booth (South Otago High School, Balclutha)
Boston Krone (Auckland Grammar School, Auckland)
Siale Pahulu (Saint Kentigern College, Auckland)
Joseph Ratcliffe (Palmerston North Boys’ High School, Palmerston North)
Militoni Sikuvea (St Peter’s College, Auckland)
SG Ball Cup (under-19)
Malakai Cama (Rotorua Boys’ High School, Rotorua)
Alvin Chong-Nee (Sacred Heart College, Auckland)
Malakai Filipo (St Paul’s College, Auckland)
Mikaele Ilaiu (Rotorua Boys’ High School, Rotorua)
Andrew Nansen (St Peter’s College, Auckland)
Motu Pasikala (Liston College, Auckland)
Elijah Solomona (James Cook High School, Auckland)
Waka Tate (St Paul’s College, Auckland)
Nganatatafu Vake (Rotorua Boys’ High School, Rotorua)
Hiraka Waitai-Haenga (Hamilton Boys’ High School, Hamilton)
Maui Winitana-Patelesio (St Patrick’s College Silverstream, Upper Hutt)
Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21)
Tobias Crosby (St Patrick’s College Silverstream, Upper Hutt)
Siale Faemani (St Peter’s College, Auckland)
Etuate Fukofuka (St Peter’s College, Auckland)
Nehemiah Gordon-Amoroa (Rosmini College, Auckland)
Eddie Ieremia (De La Salle College, Auckland)
Phranklyn Mano Le Mamea (De La Salle College, Auckland)
Patrick Moimoi (De La Salle College, Auckland)
Ieti Samuelu (De La Salle College, Auckland)
Presley Seumanu-Tigafua (St Peter’s College, Auckland)
Garry Tuilekutu (Naenae College, Wellington)
Warriors general manager of recruitment, development and pathways Andrew McFadden said schoolboy rugby union players that joined the club would be fully supported through their transition from the 15-man game to rugby league.
“You have to allow time for them to understand the time, we have to be a bit more patient as they learn the rules but the skills are very similar,” McFadden said.
“A lot of the kids, particularly in that Harold Matthews age group will go back to school now and play rugby for their school, we encourage that, but we still train them.
“Some of the schools have great resources in terms of the gym but other kids don’t have it so we still offer that strength and conditioning side of their training.”
Like George, McFadden believes the list of schoolboy rugby players signed to the Warriors will only grow on the back of the club’s commitment to pathways in the country.
“I’d like to think it will (grow),” McFadden said.
“There will be kids that want to play in those competitions, especially Harold Matthews.
“It’s an elite competition. It’s the best kids in Australia and a challenging competition with all the travelling that comes with it. It prepares those kids that progress through the pathways really well.”
Excellent work by the scouts.
I'm finding it a little weird being a warriors supporter at the minute.
My friends actually wanna come with me to the games. Some of them even bought merch.
Gives me the creeps.