NSWRL City v Country: Stars, standouts, results in U19 women’s battle
It was a game showcasing the rising stars of women’s rugby league. The stars and standouts in the U19 women’s City v Country battle.
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A try scoring sensation and two “saviours” down the edge were some of the stars and standouts of City’s entertaining U19 women’s victory over Country in the cold and wet at Jubilee Oval on Sunday.
A “bit of a chat” at halftime sparked an impressive second half effort by City who won the match 26-8.
City coach Letitia Taylor said she spoke to her players at half time looking for a better performance in the middles and then saw her players keep Country scoreless in the second half after trailing by just four at the break.
“I just told them they had to tighten up their defence,’’ she said.
Left side centre Litia Fusi scored two of City’s six tries with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs gun scoring in both halfs.
“Fusi was at left centre and was our Player of the Match,’’ Taylor said.
“Her half Brooke Talataina was also very good and played really good direct football.
“In the first half Alexis Tauaneai really stood up. She played almost the who game in the middle and was just outstanding in the way she played and lead the girls.
“She really stood up.
“And then on our right edge there was Lindsay Tui and Debbie Doueihi. They did an awesome job. They saved us more an a few times out there on the day.
“They really stood up and did what we asked them to do. I’m really, really proud.’’
Another standout was forward Amelia Pasikala
Both City and Country players now head to the Gold Coast for the national championships later this month.
Standouts for City were wingers Georgia Willey and Charlotte Eather.
EARLIER: The rising stars of women’s rugby league will be playing for more than a trophy and pride when the best under 19 talent in the state clashes in the City v Country U19 match on Sunday.
Up for grabs for the young guns of the women’s game sport are State of Origin jerseys and potentially NRLW contracts.
A number of clubs have yet to fill their rosters with the game on Sunday to be monitored closely by club officials as the teen stars of the game get to strut their stuff in a high-class match.
“It will be on,’’ said City coach Letisha Taylor who was with the Penrith club but is now at the West Tigers as their Tarsha Gale coach.
“There’s selections and stuff like that here, it’s an important step, it’s a good opportunity for these girls to be seen,’’ she said.
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Country coach Courtney Crawford from Illawarra agrees.
“These are our next superstars,’’ she said. “They are nervous but really excited.
“It will be really physical, any game in the women's is now and they are very pumped.
“We will have to put our bodies in front.
“They are also very motivated to do well. Most of them are trying to get exposure and this is a really good opportunity to put their hands up.
“Clubs are still looking for players at this tournament. There’s exciting opportunity. There’s a lot on the line.’’
Taylor anticipates City’s strength will be their middle pack.
“That will be our dominant point,’’ she said.
“For a lot of the girls this is their first opportunity to wear a rep jersey but the talent across the teams looks pretty even.
“I think we have a good forward pack and a good selection of backs as well with a bit of speed down the edge but the middle pack will be our strength.’’
Taylor, who has Ryan Walker as her assistant, said another strength is she has good leadership.
“The Roosters captain Ally Bullman is one to watch along with Jae Patu from Wests Tigers who is out Miss Fix It, cam play across the park and is very versatile.
“Ally has been very consistent, a great leader and a standout in the middle.
“There’s also Amelia Pasikala from New Zealand. We picked her up during the finals and she always plays ibn the middle.
“Tatiana Finau in the halves is a good leader for the Bulldogs and she has scored a few.
Chelsea Makira. We might see some points out of her and Yasmine (Baker) at fullback is always looking for opportunity.
“Alexis Tauaneai was the player of the grand final and will be really dominant for us.’’
Crawford has identified Country's strength at their speed and agility and some key players.
“I think our strength is in our ball skills and we will be agile,’’ she said.
“We have speed so will try and tire them out in the middle where there are very big.
“Hooker Leah Ollerton had a strong season for Newcastle in the nine jersey and scored plenty of tries. She has a great running game and we want her to create some opportunity in the middle.
“Lailani Montgomery, she is a talent. She will be a massive strike weapon for us on the edge. A strong ball carrier who is fast and creative and elusive.
“Fullback Krystal Bulmer had a strong season out the back and she talks really well. She’s very elusive and quick and will create plenty of opportunity.
“Mercedes Metcalf in the middle was in the Country squad last year but got injured.
“She has been really strong for Cronulla this season. She’s a Newcastle girl and her go forward will be massive for us.
“Hope Millard, she was out best defender at the Steelers this season and we will look at her to hold in nice and tight.
“Our big try scorers will be Georgia Willey, a fullback from Canberra. If we can find space for her she will finish nicely.
“Charlotte Barwick had a strong season for Newcastle and knows how to find the try line and Mia-Rose Walsh is our leading try scorer this year at Steelers. She will get an opportunity in outside backs. She is quite small but makes up for it with her passion.’’
Harvey Norman Under 19s Women’s (12.50pm Netstrata Jubilee Stadium)
Country: Charlotte Barwick (Newcastle Knights), Krystal Bulmer (Sydney Roosters), Sharlize Campbell (Sydney Roosters), Marley Cardwell (Penrith Panthers), Makaah Darcy (Parramatta Eels), Charlotte Eather (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Mercydes Faaeteete Metcalf (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Kayla Fleming (Canberra Raiders), Abbie Grant (Canberra Raiders), Lucy Green (Newcastle Knights), Keisha Johnston (Newcastle Knights), Evie Jones (Newcastle Knights), Beyonce Marela (Canberra Raiders), Hope Millard (Illawarra Steelers), Lailani Montgomery (Sydney Roosters), Leah Ollerton (Newcastle Knights), Kyana Patten (Newcastle Knights), Mia-Rose Walsh (Illawarra Steelers), Georgia Willey (Canberra Raiders), Sienna Yeo (Illawarra Steelers). Coach: Courtney Crawford.
City: Tafao Asaua (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Yasmine Baker (Penrith Panthers), Tallara Bamblett (Parramatta Eels), Ally Bullman (Sydney Roosters), Debbie Doueihi (Parramatta Eels), Tatiana Finau (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Litia Fusi (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Chloe Jackson (North Sydney Bears), Noaria Kapua (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Joy Levy (Sydney Roosters), Chelsea Makira (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Amelia Pasikala (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Jae Patu (Wests Tigers), Ashlee Pottinger (Parramatta Eels), Latisha Smythe (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Brooke Talataina (Sydney Roosters), Alexis Tauaneai (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Lindsay Tui (Parramatta Eels), Grace-Lee Weekes (North Sydney Bears), Sienna Williams (North Sydney Bears). Coach: Letitia Taylor.
Sunday 7 May
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
10.00: CABE Country v City Physical Disability Rugby League
11.15am: Harvey Norman Under 17s Women’s Country v City
12.50pm: Harvey Norman Under 19s Women’s Country v City
Harvey Norman Under 17s Women’s (11.15am Netstrata Jubilee Stadium)
Country: Teuila Ahkey (Monaro Colts), Paige Bohringer (Western Rams), Indie Bostock (Illawarra Steelers), Ellie Brander (Central Coast Roosters), Koffi Brookfield (Illawarra Steelers), Kaliyah Browning (Northern Rivers Titans), Mahlie Cashin (Central Coast Roosters), Lailah Clarke (Newcastle Maitland Region Knights), Tya Ekepati (Central Coast Roosters), Phoenix-Raine Hippi (Northern Rivers Titans), Elizabeth MacGregor (Western Rams), Evah McEwen (Newcastle Maitland Region Knights), Alana Oloughlin (Western Rams), Molly Pittman (Central Coast Roosters), Kasey Reh (Illawarra Steelers), Brandy Simpson (Central Coast Roosters), Caley Tallon-Henniker (Illawarra Steelers), Sienna Thomas (Central Coast Roosters). Coach: Jayme Fressard.
City: Ryvrr-Lee Alo (Parramatta Eels), Amirah El-Abdallah (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Waiaria Ellis (Parramatta Eels), Mariah Fasavalu-Faamausili (Parramatta Eels), Lile Fifita (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Mikayla Langer (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Logan Lemusu (Parramatta Eels), Tia Matthews (Parramatta Eels), Rory Muller (Penrith Panthers), Audrey Nadaya-Harb (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Aaliyah Nikua (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Danielle Seckold (Parramatta Eels), Pauline Suli-Ruka (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Manilita Takapautolo (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Odesza Toia (Parramatta Eels), Alaianne Toia (Parramatta Eels), Bethany Too (Penrith Panthers), Fontayne Tufuga (Parramatta Eels). Coach: Charlotte Henry.
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