The semi-finalists decided; Team of the Week revealed
Meninga Cup Team of the Week features Broncos, Cowboys NRL signings - along with who will play in this weekend’s semi-finals.
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Two elite hookers with NRL potential were among the first players chosen in our final Meninga Cup Team of the Week squad.
Mackay Cutters Xavier Kerrisk, signed by the Cowboys, and Brisbane-Broncos contracted Wynnum Manly No.9 Cameron Bukowski both shone for their respective teams in the final home-and-away match of the season.
ROUND 10 TEAM OF THE WEEK: MEETING THE HAPPY HOOKERS
The finals have also been decided, with the Tweed Seagulls and Redcliffe Dolphins enjoying a week off while the Jets and Cutters clash, as well as Burleigh and Wynnum Manly in sudden death semi finals games this weekend.
Tweed and Redcliffe will face the winner of each game to decide who makes it through to the big dance.
Last round results were: Tweed 26 d Tigers 14, Wynnum 24 d Pride 14, Redcliffe 48 d Blackhawks 14, Bears 130 d Wide Bay 0, Clydesdales 24 d Norths 20, Capras 20 d Sunshine Coast 18, Magpies 20 d Cutters 16.
Redcliffe’s semi-final campaign will be spearheaded again by prop Elijah Rasmussen who was absolutely outstanding in Sunday’s win over Blackhawks.
In Sunday’s other game, Wynnum’s Bukowski showed clever touches and subtle variations around the ruck against Northern Pride which enhanced how effective the Seagulls’ ball running forwards were.
Bukowski, strong with dynamic leg power, also scored a dashing individual try from the ruck.
Kerrisk, although playing in a losing side, was also in a try scoring mood. He showed genuine wheels in dashing around 70m, a fabulous solo try.
TEAMS OF THE SEASON
CONNELL CUP TEAM OF THE SEASON
HARVEY 19s TEAMS OF THE SEASON HERE
HARVEY 17s TEAM OF THE SEASON HERE
In Sunday’s match between the Seagulls and Northern Pride, Pride had plenty of willing forwards prepared to bend the line, but needed more of it more often.
There was a quick hands by Pride leading to a nice try, a backs’ ball movement to the left which saw beautiful hands between Marley Helion, Brathen Ketchell, Jarra Twist led to Assariah Lenroy Sam who scored.
There was another highlights package moment when Wynnum interchange forward Bailey Downs saved a certain try with a boot lace effort on a runaway Helion.
Fabulous running into the gap by Harry Armstrong then saw him deservedly cross the line as Wynnum went on to win 24-14.
Wynnum’s foundation was built early by front rowers Beni Allen and Isopo Taunu’u while two of the competition’s most under rated players, Wynnum fullback Kylem Vunipola and second rower Armstrong, were strong all match.
Tariq Tanner’s catch to score was also another highlight after a pin point kick from the consistent Preston Cassidy.
RELATED LINKS
MENINGA CUP RD 10 LATEST: HOW YOUR CLUB WENT, BEST PLAYERS
CONNELL CUP; HARVEY 19s GRAND FINALS – CITY v COUNTRY
In Sunday’s other game Redcliffe won 48-10 over Blackhawks.
It all started up front for Redcliffe as the middle men did the job, enabling hooker Mathias Santo-Hero to pull the trigger in attack.
Prop Rasmussen was elite and he will be a huge factor in the finals.
The Dolphins looked sharp early with a storming run by No.13 Lewis Symonds leading to momentum which helped Rasmussen to use this bulk and strength to pound over.
Redcliffe then doubled its lead after a dropped ball saw razor sharp Redcliffe centre Tevita Naufahu scoop up possession and, from 30m out, win a foot race to the corner.
Blackhawks had done well early to hold Redcliffe up three or four times over the line, but you can only halt the tide for so long.
Starved of possession early, and punished by the speed of the Dolphins’ ruck work, Townsville’s players then found their best football of the half about 15 minutes in when they challenged Redcliffe.
But powerhouse Redcliffe interchange forward Larry Siala swung momentum quickly back in his team’s favour, creating a try by Dolphins’ centre Prestyn Laine-Sietu.
Laine-Sietu out sprinted his fatigued rivals, swinging the Dolphins back into the driver’s seat. They lead 16-nil.
Mathias Santo-Hero, a local product from neighbouring Charters Towers, then benefitted from his team’s piling driving forward play and quick rucks to plunge over from dummy half for Redcliffe.
Down 32-nil, the Blackhawks simply had to be the next side, and halfback Hayde Munro delivered in spades.
He produced a withering 40m solo try, displaying explosive speed and footwork.
Blackhawks then had the best possible start to the second half when, after a series of authoritative runs, middle forward Nelson Kennedy thumped his way over.
But when Redcliffe found its rhythm again, there was no stopping the forward roll and quick feet of hooker Santo-Hero.
To Townsville’s credit, the group finished the game strongly after being off the pace.
ROUND 11 TEAM OF THE WEEK
1. Jackson Howe (Magpies)
2. LJ Nonu (Redcliffe)
3. Brandon Norris (Norths)
4. Joseph Litidamu (Clydesdales)
5. Sam Stephenson (Tweed)
6. Clancy Hohn (Capras)
7. Coby Black (Burleigh)
8. Elijah Rasmussen (Redcliffe)
9. Xavier Kerrisk (Cutters)
10. Mou Taumaletila-Maulolo (Magpies)
11. Tavita Penaia Te’o (Cutters)
12. Trace Beattie (Clydesdales)
13. Tyrell Hopkins (Falcons)
14. Cameron Bukowski (Wynnum Manly)
15. Hayden Watson (Bears)
16. Kobi Floro (Tigers)
17. Matt Moore (Clydesdales)
18 Israel Leota (SOuths Logan)
19. Elijah Keung (Tigers)
20. Talas Abell (Bears)
21. Ashton Lafferty (Blackhawks)
22. Beni Allen (Wynnum)
23. Mathias Santo-Hero (Redcliffe)
24. Dirhys Sefo (Magpies)
Special mentions: ,Jack Thorburn (Cutters), Israel Leota (Magpies), Kylem Vunipola (Wynnum), Isopo Taunu’u (Wynnum), Harry Armstrong (Wynnum), Larry Siala (Redcliffe), Prestyn Laine-Sietu (Redcliffe), Sunny Kama (Burleigh), Philip Coates (Burleigh), Bailey Simpson (Tweed), Disharne Tonihi (Burleigh), Luke Cesari (Clydesdales), Braith Dowson (Pride).
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