NSWRL Junior Reps: 20 standout performers from Fiaola, Gale, Matts and Ball round one action
There were comebacks, flashes of individual brilliance and last-minute upsets. Take a look at the players who stood tall in our 20 standout performers from Fiaola, Matts, Gale and Ball Cup action.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
There’s a buzz in the air following the opening round of the NSWRL Junior Reps season.
With round one in the books, we take a look at the top 20 performers from the Lisa Fiaola, Harold Matthews, Tarsha Gale and SG Ball Cup competitions, plus check out our major talking points from the weekend.
LISA FIAOLA CUP
HANNAH ISON (PENRITH)
In a Panthers backline purring with pace, Ison more than holds her own.
The rugged centre only needed seven minutes to shake the Dragons at Bluebet Stadium. Straightening the attack off a scrum in centrefield, she went on with the job, exploding through five defenders to open the scoring.
She doubled down after the break, using fancy footwork before accelerating into the backfield to round out a sizzling 70m solo effort.
BREANNA BIGENI (CENTRAL COAST ROOSTERS)
Speaking of speedsters, look no further than Breanna Bigeni. The exciting Central Coast No. 4 scorched the turf at Morry Breen against the Knights with the only try of the first half.
After lining up a gap in the defence, she steamed onto a pass deep in Roosters territory. Too quick for the oncoming traffic, she sliced through Newcastle’s backline and hit top gear in a mad dash to the right corner
SERIAH PALEPALE (CANTERBURY)
On the bash and barge front, Canterbury’s big boppers rolled the Bulldogs to victory over the Eels.
In a major statement to the rest of the competition, towering prop Seriah Palepale thundered forward all match, and in tandem with fellow bookend Giovanna Suani, the pair unlocked the door for a feast of second phase action.
LUCYANNAH LUAMANU-LEIATAUA (WESTS TIGERS)
For high octane excitement, it was hard to go past the Wests Tigers’ late heroics to sink a gutsy Sharks side at PointsBet Stadium.
On the attack and trailing by two, the young Tigers spread the ball until imposing backrower Lucyannah Luamanu-Leiataua matched up with diminutive fullback Charlotte Teplicanec.
In a no contest, the No. 11 crashed over the line to ignite the Tigers’ celebrations.
TALEA TONGA (SYDNEY ROOSTERS)
Sydney Roosters halfback Talea Tonga left nothing to the imagination against North Sydney.
With her fingerprints on five of her sides nine tries, the No. 7 teased the Bears with deft touch and sweeping long balls.
And when Norths were running on empty in the closing stages, she stepped off her left foot and out paced the cover to cross under the posts.
HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP
DARCY FELTHAM (SOUTH SYDNEY)
South Sydney fullback Darcy Feltham won’t forget the second half of round one in a hurry.
In 13 amazing minutes, the crafty No. 1 crossed three times to dash any thoughts of a Steelers revival.
After pouncing on a Joshua Ballard centring kick, Feltham finished another on the left, then completed his hat-trick with a scorching individual effort.
CHARBEL KHEIRALLAH (PENRITH)
Charbel Kheirallah scored a Panthers emerging talent award last season, and after his all-round effort against the Dragons, it could just be the tip of the iceberg.
The mobile backrower’s offload opened the way for Penrith’s second try. Then after the break, his ball play at the line triggered another before he made a break to set up one more in the final stages.
BEAU HILL (NEWCASTLE)
In one of the more entertaining games of the round, Newcastle held on to beat Canberra 28-20.
But with the contest still in the balance with less than five minutes to play, the Knights match winning play came from an unlikely duo.
Big prop Beau Hill carted the ball up from his own half, then after breaking the line he found Austyn Ah Toon-Hotene in support and the backrower did the rest, closing out the 60m raid with a crucial four points.
MATTHEW BARAKAT (CANTERBURY)
Talk about stamping your authority before the fans have settled into their seats, that was Matthew Barakat at Belmore last Saturday.
In a whirlwind opening, the Dogs half put on three tries as Canterbury raced in 18 points in as many minutes.
There was a clever short ball to a rampaging Fine Fale and a pinpoint cross-field kick to winger Paul Johnson, while after the interval, the No. 7 handled twice to score one of his own.
BEN STRINGER (NORTH SYDNEY)
Melbourne were on track for a major boilover against North Sydney until a miracle play by Ben Stringer changed the tide.
Down 12-0, Stringer found himself under the pump as he gave chase to a Storm charge down inside his own 20.
After regathering the ball, he stood up the oncoming traffic before working his way through centrefield and sending Blake Van Drie away for a decisive try.
TARSHA GALE CUP
EVAH MCEWEN (NEWCASTLE)
The talented second rower couldn’t be contained as she ran rampant on the right edge for the Knights against Canberra.
She was fending opposing defenders off with ease on her way to an explosive double for the afternoon.
McEwen made a big statement.
GEORGIE BARRETT (SYDNEY ROOSTERS)
Led from the front with a true halfback’s knock as she guided the defending premiers around the park in style.
With classy hooker Imogen Hei controlling the ruck, Barrett straightened the attack up and played a leading hand as they dominated from start to finish.
Her partnership with Sienna-Mae Montgomery in the halves looks a winner.
VINETA TIATIA (PENRITH)
Another second rower makes the cut this week after showing out for the Panthers in a one-sided win over St George.
Tiatia really laid the platform early for Penrith to lay on a try for back-row partner Mesha Fretton with a last-ditch offload.
Not long after she was over the line herself after hitting a line to perfection on the right edge.
TIA-JORDYN VASILOVSKI (CRONULLA)
A livewire fullback for the Sharks who was at her brilliant best at key moments of the game for Cronulla.
Showed her pace to get her team on the board with a lethal right-foot step to set up Arianna Ruwoldt from long range.
That agility was on show as she zipped her way past the Tigers defence twice to help her side claim a round one win.
PAULINE SULI-RUKA (CANTERBURY)
The lock-forward was just about everywhere during a dynamic first half as the Bulldogs put the Eels to the sword early.
She floated around the field and looked so dangerous from close range, picking up an early double.
More often than not she drew the defence in and showed her class throughout the contest.
SG BALL CUP
SHADI HAMMOUD (ST GEORGE)
Stole the show with the matchwinning try, but was just as pivotal in helping St George get out to an early 16-0 lead in their win over Penrith.
He set up two tries during that stretch, including a clean break to cap off an 80-metre try to David Afu.
Then the skipper timed his run to perfection to get on the end of a Finau Latu short-ball to tie scores in the dying seconds, before calmly slotting the winning goal.
AHOLOKA TOIA (SYDNEY ROOSTERS)
Completely changed the game with his incredible impact off the bench to help the Roosters taste success at Belmore.
Charged onto a short-ball with a full head of steam to steamroll four defenders to score, setting the spark for a run of four quick tries.
He had another during that run, where he put his head down and burst his way over from close range like he had spiders on him.
NAVREN WILLETT (WESTERN SUBURBS)
In a game where a few stood out from the Magpies, we really liked the efforts of centre Navren Willett.
We saw a bit of everything from the outside back, who displayed his strength, speed and athleticism to score a double.
He played a hand in others, including a chip kick on the run close to the sideline to set up teammate Heath Mason.
IOANE LUI (MELBOURNE)
To say he had the ball on a string for the Storm in their classy win over North Sydney would be an understatement.
Finished the game with a try, two try assists and was involved in another as the five-eighth pulled out all the tricks in his bag.
The pick of the bunch was his 80-metre burst off a scrum, burning the Bears defence to race away with one of the tries of the round.
CODY HOPWOOD (NEWCASTLE)
The front rower wasn’t the flashest during the Knights’ demolition job on Canberra, but he was definitely one of their most important.
Threw a great around the back offload to set up Jye Linnane, backed up to perfection to get on the end of a Malachi Smith grubber to score, and proved a vital link between his hooker and halves to add another dimension to their attack.
ROUND ONE TALKING POINTS
STEELERS KICK ON
With so many unknowns heading into the first competitive season of the Lisa Fiaola Cup, Illawarra aimed up when it was needed most.
After trading tries with South Sydney the sides headed to the break locked at 12-all.
Even though fatigue kicked in after the interval, the floodgates never opened. And in a try-less second half the only difference was a penalty goal off the boot of Illawarra sharpshooter Maddalyn Bullock.
TIGERS DOUBLE DOWN
Wests Tigers only just pipped the Sharks in a Fiaola trial, but with five minutes to play at PointsBet Stadium Cronulla looked like flipping the script.
Up 18-16, the Sharks held a four tries to three advantage until Tigers enforcer Lucyannah Luamanu spoiled the home town party.
Known as a fierce competitor, the backrower carried the ball over the stripe and her side to a memorable victory.
MALE SHARKS FIND BITE
The results were a bit more one-sided in the two male pathways fixtures as Cronulla easily accounted for Balmain in both.
They looked particularly strong in Harold Matthews on the back of a dominant first half.
In SG Ball it wasn’t as easy with the Tigers controlling things early, but they struggled after key half Marc Tannous left the field through injury.
BEWARE THE FEND
Note to Tarsha Gale coaches – Newcastle’s Evah McEwen has a lethal left-arm fend.
The Knights only just scraped past the Raiders by six, but without a double to the powerful No. 12 it could have been a different story.
Parked on the right edge, the hulking backrower swatted away two defenders to open Newcastle’s account before upping the ante after the interval. Stationed three wide from a scrum, she fended away four Canberra tacklers on a diagonal charge to the right corner.
RUNAWAY BEAR LIVING THE DREAM
The Roosters easily accounted for Norths in the Tarsha Gale Cup, but the feel good story of the day belonged to Bears half Latisha Kaitap.
Worlds away from her hometown in the Torres Strait, the crafty No. 7 looked like being on the end of a 38-0 hiding until she latched onto a Roosters pass in the final minute.
With 80m ahead there was still plenty to do, but once in top gear she glided across the turf to score a special four-pointer.
GRAND FINALISTS DOMINATE
The Roosters were impressive in the Tarsha Gale, but so were their rivals from last season the Bulldogs.
Canterbury looked slick in every aspect as they took down Parramatta in style as they look to go one better this season.
They look to have found the right mix of new and returning faces, and gave every indication they’re just as hungry.
BANG BANG BANG BANG
It was a 12-minute stretch that saw the Roosters go from trailing by eight to 16 points in front in their SG Ball win over Canterbury.
They just couldn’t be stopped, as their forward barged through the defence with ease, highlighted by a double to hulking front rower Aholoka Toia, and capped off with a brilliant kick from Jaxson Allen and regather from Cooper Toy.
While their defence still needs work, there’s no denying they’re among the top attacking forces in the comp.
HEAT CRUELS NEW BOYS
Playing in the summer heat of Sydney’s west proved a tough initiation for the Warriors.
Facing stiff competition from Parramatta, the New Zealanders held their own with strong first half performances in both the Matts and Ball.
While they ended up going down in both contests, the Warriors showed they’ll cause plenty of headaches as the season unfolds.
ONE TO WATCH
Motu Pasikala was tremendous for the Warriors in a beaten side.
The SG Ball fullback looked dangerous every time he touched the ball and played a key hand in a number of their tries, including one of his own.
He looks a likely type who can do some damage.
RABBITOHS LET RIP
On a tough day for South Sydney that saw them win just one of four games, they certainly made their one success a highlight.
The Harold Matthews team claimed a huge 52-6 victory over the Steelers, with fullback Darcy Feltham claiming a hat-trick and big front rower Tanner Mahon grabbing a double.
Illawarra are no slouches so there’ll be plenty of excitement at Redfern to see what this group can do.
AN EVEN START
At one point, Melbourne looked like getting away to a dream start in their first season in the Harold Matts.
Up 12-0, the Storm dominated the Bears with two first half tries. And while Norths struck back to force a draw, Melbourne showed they’re no pushover.
STORM STRIKES
Staying on the Storm, after a tough start to the SG Ball last season, they kicked off their campaign in the best possible way.
They had a resounding win over North Sydney, leading by as much as 32-4 before letting a few tries in.
It’s exactly the start they needed to give them confidence heading into the year, and a tough first home game against Wests this weekend.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Manly gave a good account of themselves in the first half against a formidable Magpies SG Ball outfit, but in the end, the class of fullback Heath Mason and a bulked up Tallyn Da Silva proved too much.
Looking to build on his five NRL appearances last season, Da Silva’s pace and power was on show as the No. 9 crossed twice. Mason also landed a double, showing why he was rated among the best in last year’s competition.
KNIGHTS SURPRISE
Following last year’s grand final loss to Parramatta, the Knights were always going to make a statement against Canberra in round one. But a 56-10 blitz against last season’s minor premiers?
In a seven tries to one first half, Newcastle stamped themselves as a genuine title candidate.
Connor Votano wasn’t among the try scorers, but the No. 1 revelled in the rise from Harold Matts, while Jye Linnane was in everything at five-eighth.
DRAGONS HAVE LAST LAUGH
Penrith dominated most of the action with three big wins across Fiaola, Gale and Matts fixtures, but St George didn’t leave empty-handed.
With less than a minute to play, a wraparound play saw Shadi Hammoud burst onto a short ball from lock Finau Latu to steal the win at the death.
The Dragons have a very solid roster and they showed they’re in the conversation of top teams.
NSWRL Junior Reps Rd 4: Raiders end unbeaten run of Roosters
The halfway mark of the NSWRL Junior Reps season is almost here as we enter round four. Follow along for all the latest from around the grounds in the four major rugby league divisions.
Is this Australia’s most remarkable – and oldest – elite athlete? We think so
He is one of Australia’s most remarkable athletes - a soon to be 99-year-old still competing in the elite arena and making waves, Now he’s revealed the secret of his success and future plans.