That is Shannon Rushworth. He coached the Bulldogs Harold Matts teams to a Premiership in 2023 and the Minor Premiership this year before a close loss to the victorious NZ Warriors in the Semi. Was an assistant for the NSW Cup side in the back half of last year after relocating from Sydney after the HM season. Former Canterbury RL (Halswell Hornets) junior, who primarily played fullback, but also played a bit of stand-off (and in the forwards one year when the club was down on numbers).
General Warriors Harold Matthews 2025
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TJ returning to coach Matts makes sense as the graduating Matt’s boys will only make up a third of the Ball squad. Jethro is one of the main Matt’s assistant coaches. Big shoes to fill for the 2025 Matt’s boys. Core squad set but a small number of train and trial boys came out of the NZ clubs vs schools game.
PAC was fun. Lots of boys over from Aus to play across the teams. All of the younger Warriors Matt’s boys played across the 15s grade along with a number of the Dev squad boys. I can’t think of any contracted boys still eligible for Matt’s next year that have been cut or gone elsewhere. There were a number of boys in the PAC 15s teams that have done some training with Warriors but have signed elsewhere.
Edit; I realise now that you’re saying that it’s a new look Ball side. That would explain why the Warriors couldn’t field a full Matt’s team against the Dolphins, who won the Cyrell Connell cup, when they toured here a few months ago.
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NZWarriors.com
Yeah especially the 14s final won by Maori in golden point. Maori and Tonga 15s were huge but Samoa were on another level for speed and skill. Half their team are signed to various clubs. Samoa beat Tonga 16-14 with 11 players on Saturday then beat them again in the final 38-6 on Sunday.
The 6 from Tonga came up from Invercargill, apparently the Warriors have an academy setup in Southland.
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NZWarriors.com
Calvin was definitely the best half there and had a great platform to work off. My MVP was Satali Fretton who played 3 for Samoa and is in the Warriors Matt’s squad. Easily the best centre \ second row of the comp for me.
Almost that entire Samoan backline are with the Warriors and most are from Kelston Boys.
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We had a chance to sign him but dropped the ball in our approach. From what I was told the Broncos didn't even talk about footy for most of the meeting and wanted to know how he was doing academically and what he wanted to be in the future away from footy. They then laid it all in terms of what they could offer him and how they could develop him into a all round human. Warriors showed up and basically expected a signature. Wasn't a hard choice.
Kelvin was easily the best player that tourney. That last final was a hiding. Like both the starting second rowers for that Samoan team. Was great to see CHT running the water with dad coaching.
The 9 for the Maori U14 team was a great player. Super quick and knew when to take his opportunities. Their lock was also a beast...
He was being courted by half the NRL clubs, Broncos are slicker than the rest. All the talk about life outside footy and making you a better human etc is sales talk, I’ve heard some pitches that were cringe.
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- #32
Just telling you what his old man told me...
NZWarriors.com
Yeah I don’t doubt the Broncos sincerity on the well being stuff. When I hear the better human pitch, I’m thinking to myself “what do you think the kid needs to improve on as a human? You don’t even know this kid, he might’ve peaked as a human already!” Cynical lol.
We’ve had a little bit to do with the Broncos, they and the Roosters are very professional. The cons of being signed to them is that they don’t have full teams of signed teenagers, they send the boys they have signed to a few QRL rep sides. Supposedly, they and the Titans have 40 boys signed between 15 and 18. Queensland league can be a wilderness for signed boys that have left school but aren’t ready for 1st grade too. I know of one really talented half that’s drifting a bit. We all know of boys playing SG Ball but how many fans know players in the Mal Meninga cup? Calvin will probably get fast tracked into 1st grade anyway.
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Any help here?
bit.ly/3Wb1HOe
bit.ly/3Wb1HOe
NZWarriors.com
Key Points From The 2025 New Zealand Warriors Under 19 SG Ball Squad — The Niche Cache
New Zealand Warriors have announced their Under 19 SG Ball squad for 2025 and there are a few key notes to highlight ahead of the New South Wales Rugby League junior representative season starting soon.
theniche-cache.com
Good yarn about some of the players
Couple of errors. Meihans Pauling is #1 & only one Savea (#9) supposed to be there
Repost
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I'd be starting Jack Thompson. He's worth the development in. Maui might better right now, but I don't think he's a future NRL player. Definitely should be ahead of Noah Jensen who's been in the setup for a while but not much game time.
No idea why Hiraka is on the bench. He's close to the most important player in this team.
Connor Bowden, I dont know much about him, but to lure him away from Blues U18, would've thought he'd be good enough for a start.
Strong looking forward pack. Augustino, Te Paeroa and Tate will be key figures.
Interested to see how Ezekiel goes, he's a Brian To'o clone in the making.
Anyone know anything about Ephalame Kivalu who's on the bench? winger from St Kents 1st XV
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