NSWRL junior reps round two: All the action and highlights from round two of the NSWRL season
After round two of the NSWRL junior reps was played out in sweltering conditions, we look the players who stood out the most. CHECK OUT THE TEAMS OF THE WEEK FOR ALL GRADES.
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WITH the second round of NSWRL junior representative action complete, NewsLocal looks back on the week that was.
WITH the second round of NSWRL junior representative action complete, NewsLocal looks back on the week that was.
Here are our teams of the week for round two:
HAROLD MATTS
1. Jaxen Edgar (Penrith)
2. Riley Oitmann (Wests)
3. Casey McLean (Penrith)
4. Heamasi Makasini (Wests)
5. Ali Hicham Karnib (Wests)
6. Aaymon Fitzgibbon (Illawarra)
7. Mitchell Woods (Canterbury Bankstown)
8. Hokafuno Lemoto (Penrith)
9. Mitchell Brophy (Canberra)
10. Oliva Smith (Canterbury Bankstown)
11. Sosaia Alatini (Canterbury Bankstown)
12. Beau Watson (Cronulla)
13. Coby Thomas (Central Coast)
14. Xavier Ndaira (St George)
15. Nilkora Williams (Cronulla)
16. Charlie Poynton (South Sydney)
17. Brock Apolevski (Canberra)
SG BALL
1. Tyrone Munro (South Sydney)
2. Cody Parry (Parramatta)
3. Te Umuariki Heremia-Tukere (Illawarra)
4. Ethan Ferguson (Newcastle)
5. Jonathan Su’a (Canterbury Bankstown)
6. Riley Pollard (Penrith)
7. Nicholas Quinn (St George)
8. Jordan Miller (Wests)
9. Tallyn Da Silva (Wests)
10. Damon Marshall (Canterbury Bankstown)
11. Nick Tsougranis (St George)
12. Tevita Vaenuku (North Sydney)
13. Billy Phillips (Penrith)
14. Brock Apolevski (Canberra)
15. Samuel Gash (Canberra)
16. Te Hurinui Twidle (Parramatta)
17. Thomas Peters (North Sydney)
TARSHA GALE
1. Georgie Coote (South Sydney)
2. Kirby Maslin (Penrith)
3. Caitlin Peadon (Parramatta)
4. Litia Fusi (Canterbury Bankstown)
5. Alysha Bell (Parramatta)
6. Brooke Talataina (Roosters Indigenous)
7. Skyla Adams (Roosters Indigenous)
8. Latisha Smythe (Canterbury Bankstown)
9. Imogen Hope (Wests Tigers)
10. Tafao Asaua (Manly Warringah)
11. Parker Stanton (South Sydney)
12. Amelia Pasikala (Canterbury Bankstown)
13. Stephanie Faulker (Cronulla)
14. Dena Nuuialii (St George)
15. Imogen Lowe (Wests Tigers)
16. Lily McNamara (Newcastle)
17. Phoenix Lamese (Roosters Indigenous)
20 TALKING POINTS
WITH round two of the NSWRL junior reps season done and dusted, we look back at some of the eye catching moments.
Here are the 20 major talking points from round two:
SAINTS LEVELLED BY DEADLY SHOULDER
Wests’ Heamasi Makasini is one of several imposing outside backs in a lethal Harold Matts combination. Having blitzed Manly with two tries in the opening round, the centre then shook the Dragons’ right-edge with arguably the hit of the round.
With the dislodged ball in hand, the Magpies quickly skipped eight points clear, from where they kept the Dragons at arms length for the rest of the match.
WRITE THE DRAGONS OFF AT YOUR OWN PERIL
Despite winless starts in the Harold Matts and SG Ball, the Dragons remain a finals threat.
While losses to strong Canterbury and Wests combinations aren't ideal, Saints have kept their heads above water in each contest.
With smart halves and big mobile forwards, a change of fortune can’t be far away.
TARSHA TIGERS REVERSE THE HEARTACHE
A week is along time in rugby league, just ask Tigers half Imogen Lowe.
After giving a futile chase in Manly’s late round one escape, she was all smiles a week later, sinking Saints in the closing minutes with a match clinching try of her own.
BENJI FLICK KICK STARTS BEARS CHARGE
A week after they were trounced by the Knights, the SG Ball Bears found themselves down by 10 against Cronulla and in serious need of inspiration.
And it arrived in the form of Thomas Peters. On the Bears’ side of halfway, the slippery No. 14 exploded out of dummy-half beating several Sharks defenders before sending Sebastian Plaister away untouched with an audacious flick pass.
The No. 7’s breathtaking try was the first of three unanswered in the second half, as the rejuvenated Bears charged to an unlikely 24-16 victory.
STAR DUO IN QUICK NRL TURNAROUND
There was no time to rest for Tigers pair Tanous Sukkar and Josh Feledy in Auckland last Thursday night.
After dipping their toes in the NRL pool with Tim Sheens, the Balmain SG Ball guns were back in action less than two days later against Parramatta at Kellyville.
YOUNG MAGPIE DELIVERS IN SPADES
Touted as a Magpie to watch in the SG Ball competition, Tallyn Da Silva delivered on the hype in his first outing of the season.
With plenty of poise and smarts, the skilful hooker controlled the ruck against a willing Dragons pack, and his try and assist for another were crucial in the Magpies’ second straight win.
CLASSY EELS UNDER PRESSURE
Lorima Rokosuka received the accolades for Parramatta’s match winning try against Balmain in the Harold Matts, but it was a faultless lead up that saw the winger dive over in the right corner.
Trailing by two in the final minute, Parra rolled the dice form close range. Halfback Lorenzo Talataina directed the ship left, and in perfect combination Lincoln Fetcher and centre Jack Nicholas delivered the ball on a plate to the unmarked Rokosuka.
A MOST WELCOME OLD SCHOOL FINISH
In the modern era of golden point, it was good to see both the North Sydney and Cronulla girls share the points after finishing ten points apiece.
In a low scoring Tarsha Gale slugfest, both sides braved the hot and muggy conditions and didn’t deserve to exit Kenthurst empty-handed.
BULLDOGS FIGHTING SPIRIT
Three games at Redfern saw three comebacks from the Bulldogs over the Rabbitohs, taking their tally to six wins from as many games.
It’s a sign of the mentality instilled in them at all levels, that they were able to overcome setbacks and momentum swings to come out on top.
MUNRO SHINES IN DEFEAT
The Rabbitohs went down in the SG Ball Cup, but fullback Tyrone Munro was a star in attack.
He scored two brilliant individual tries, before setting up teammate Bailey Scholes in the corner.
With the NRL backline not set, could we see the young gun get his shot on the wing later this season?
RAMPANT RAIDERS BLITZ ROOSTERS
An incredible first half saw the Raiders pile on six tries to lead 32-6 at the break against the Roosters.
It’s their second straight week of posting a huge first half total, as they stamp themselves as one of the most entertaining U19s teams in the land.
It sets up a mouth watering clash with Manly this weekend.
STEELERS MAINTAIN FORM
They went close to knocking off the defending premiers last week, and the Steelers are on the board after a late surge against Melbourne.
It can be tough to hit the road in a short comp like this, but Illawarra got the job done in decent fashion, and there’ll be belief they can push for a finals spot.
FUSI ON A RAMPAGE
The form of Litia Fusi to start the Tarsha Gale Cup season has been eye opening for Canterbury.
The Australian Schoolgirls centre is on the right path to further honours after another dominating display against Souths.
Seeing her in open space is special, just not for opposing teams.
KNIGHTS HOLD OFF PANTHERS
Newcastle’s Tarsha Gale side had to dig deep to keep Penrith at bay.
The boot of Lily McNamara proved the difference in keeping a buffer, including a conversion from the sideline to make it 12-0.
They held off a late charge and will take plenty of confidence from that win.
TALATAINA TEARS APART RAIDERS
Roosters Indigenous Academy five-eighth Brooke Talataina was in superb form in a big win over Canberra.
She scored a double in blistering fashion and was always asking questions of the defence in a classy display.
GAME OF TWO HALVES
The Rabbitohs and Bulldogs played out a Matts thriller, with multiple lead changes and huge swings in momentum.
Souths dominated the first part of each half, before the Dogs stormed home to control the back end of each.
The signs are promising for both teams moving forward.
WOODS DELIVERS A MASTERCLASS
Mitchell Woods is a name to remember.
The Bulldogs half lifted his team, scoring two tries and setting up another in an incredible 10-minute period before the break.
They have the ability to go as far as the talented young gun will take them.
RAIDERS FEAST ON ROOSTERS
Two games in Harold Matts for the Raiders have resulted in back-to-back wins over the Roosters.
It started on the Central Coast and then continued in Sydney. Most importantly they have two road wins and are firing on all cylinders before their eventual return home.
COMPLETE PERFORMANCE GETS PENRITH ON TRACK
There was a lot to like about how the Panthers went about their business in the Harold Matts.
They secured win number one when downing Newcastle, with the most impressive thing their start to each half.
Points came within five minutes, giving them a springboard to success.
TEAMS BATTLE AT THE TOP
Two weeks down and there are still 15 teams yet to taste defeat across the three grades.
It sets up a bumper round of fixtures this weekend, as teams start to make their move approaching the halfway point of the year.
ROUND TWO WRAP + GALLERY
A thrilling round of NSWRL junior reps action was played out as contenders stamped their authority across all grades.
Here’s how round two played out:
BRILLIANT BULLDOGS SWEEP RABBITOHS
CANTERBURY’S hot start to the NSWRL junior reps season continued with another strong showing against South Sydney at Redfern Oval.
The Bulldogs came away with a clean sweep on the day, keeping them in lofty positions in all grades, highlighted by a masterclass from young Harold Matthews Cup captain and half Mitchell Woods.
In his second year in the competition, Woods showed poise beyond his years to lead his team back from a 10-0 deficit to claim a 36-20 victory.
A first-half double to the halfback capped three tries in six minutes for the visitors to send them into the sheds up 18-10.
Souths started strongly to again take the lead with 20 minutes to play, before another three-try blitz put the result beyond doubt.
Woods said
“During the pre-season we spent a lot of time on our fitness and we always knew that would kick in,” he said.
“We just had to match it with them, and at times we couldn’t, but in the second half of each half we backed ourselves and that’s why we came through.
“It’s a great start (to the year). Last year wasn’t our best year and the boys have come here ready. I got good experience playing last year and really want to kick on.”
The big day for the visitors started in the Tarsha Gale Cup with a come from behind 30-16 victory to keep them on top of the ladder.
In a half of momentum swings, the home side held a 10-4 advantage, before Canterbury turned the screws in the second.
Quick tries to Waimarie Martin and Ebony Raftstrand-Smith turned the tide, before a contentious four-pointer Litia Fusi pushed the lead out further.
Souths hit back through Shanelle Lyons, but failed to regather the ensuing kick off, with the Bulldogs crossing again to quell any hopes of a resurgence.
“It was tough. We weren’t as disciplined as we planned to be, but it was a good hit out and the Rabbitohs really gave it to us,” captain Chelsea Makira said.
“The first half was a bit sloppy. The coach got into us at half time.
“We’ve been working really hard so it’s all paying off now. Hopefully we can make the GF, but we’ve still got a lot of work to do.”
Just like their counterparts, the Bulldogs SG Ball side found themselves down early, before piling on four unanswered tries to come away with a comfortable 32-14 win.
A 10-minute stretch in the second half saw them bounce back from four points down to take a commanding advantage late in the contest.
Jonathan Su’a finished with a double and a 16-point haul for the afternoon.
MAGPIES/TIGERS TAME GUTSY DRAGONS
Reigning Harold Matts premiers Wests outlasted the Dragons 16-8 to maintain their perfect start after two rounds.
In sticky conditions at Cabramatta, St George enjoyed the better of the early exchanges but it was Wests who drew first blood through Ali Hicham Karnib, the opportunist winger racing an intercept 60 metres for the opening try.
And they doubled the margin to 8-0 in the sixth minute following a rib-rattling hit from centre Heamasi Makasini. Winger Riley Oitmann swooped on the broken play to scoot over in the left corner.
Unforced errors continued to hurt the Dragons, and another saw Hicham Karnib grab a first half double as Wests opened a handy 12-0 halftime lead.
Dragons replacement Tukia Taufa powered over shortly after the break to get Saints within eight points, but it was quickly counted by Oitmann’s second, before a late try to Dragons backrower Cyrus Stanley-Traill rounded out the final score.
Wests extended their perfect start to the SG Ball season, holding off a fast finishing Dragons 18-10.
Coming off a big round one victory, it was difficult to see how the Magpies could improve, but they grew an extra leg with the addition of hooker Tallyn Da Silva.
After missing the opening round, the classy dummy-half kept the persistent Dragons at bay with two pieces of brilliance either side of the break to open a 12-0 lead.
A magic inside ball saw prop Jordan Miller crash over before the interval. Then straight after the break, he did it all himself, scoring under the posts in a set that followed a Dragons forward pass.
In what became a shoot out, skipper Nick Quinn stepped up for the Dragons. First sending Nicholas Tsougranis across the stripe, then with his side trailing by 12, the half gave his side hope with a 60 metre dash to the line.
It would be as close as the Dragon would get, as Wests did enough to hold on in the final nine minutes.
The cardiac Tigers pipped the Dragons 18-14 in a thrilling six-try Tarsha Gale Cup contest at Cabramatta.
Coming off last week’s devastating late loss to Manly, halfback Imogen Lowe proved the hero, posting the match winning four-pointer with just five minutes to play.
Dena Nuuialii bagged a double for the Dragons, but with three tries to each side, Imogen Hope’s three conversions proved the difference.
EELS FIGHTBACK DOWNS SEA EAGLES
Parramatta have overrun last week’s heartbreakers, the Manly Sea Eagles, opening their season account with a stirring 16-8 win at Kellyville in the Tarsha Gale Cup.
In familiar scenes, hulking Manly prop Tafao Asaua opened the scoring just as she did last week, before another try five minutes before the interval by halfback Shahana Lasini-Rite saw Manly open an 8-0 advantage.
Eels centre Caitlin Peadon halved the deficit within the first minute of the resumption, and with winger Alysha Bell’s conversion, Parramatta trailed by two.
Bell did it all on her own with 15 minutes left on the clock, her try put the Eels in front and when hooker Ashlee Pottinger crossed for Parramatta’s third, it rounded out a memorable victory.
In the Harold Matts, Parramatta downed the Tigers 20-18 with Eels winger Lorima Rokosuka crossing for the match winner in the shadows of full-time.
In a thrilling end-to-end contest, the Tigers hit the front 18-16 when hooker Soteila Fatui crossed the stripe eight minutes before the final hooter.
With Hayden Elkris in the sin bin, the Tigers were forced to dig deep in the closing stages with just 12 defenders. They almost held on, but it was Parra’s day, and Rokosuka’s late strike rounded out their first win of the year.
A slick Eels SG Ball outfit continued their impressive start to the season, brushing aside the Tigers 28-10 at Kellyville.
Cody Parry had another day out on Parra’s left edge, the evasive winger adding two tries to the four he bagged against the Roosters.
The Tigers only trailed by four points at halftime, but fell away after the break conceding another four tries.
BEARS BOILOVER OVER HOT SHARKS
The North Sydney Bears have stunned the Sharks 24-16 in a round two boilover of the SG Ball Cup at Kenthurst.
Coming off last week’s 50-point hiding to the Knights, the Bears overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to inflict Cronulla’s first defeat of the season.
Sharks winger Talanoa Penitani crossed in the opening minute as the Shire boys threatened a repeat of last week’s rapid opening.
Norths regained their composure and struck back with a try to Bradley Avery, but back-to-back tries to prop Felix Faatili and Jacob Taulani saw Cronulla regain control at 16-6.
From there, it was all North Sydney as the Bears scored three unanswered second half tries to cap a memorable morning in stifling conditions in Sydney’s north west.
The Harold Matts Sharkies rolled the Bears 26-10, and just like last week, overcame a second half deficit to maintain their unbeaten run.
A vastly improved North Sydney brushed aside last week’s heavy defeat to Newcastle, and they led 10-8 at the break following tries to winger Blake Pasfield and fullback Ben Stringer.
A try to towering centre Nilkora Williams put Cronulla in front with 15 minutes remaining, and with renewed urgency, they went on with the job scoring another two through hooker Daniel Louka and backrower Beau Watson.
The Sharks and Bears couldn’t be separated in a 10-all Tarsha Gale Cup slugfest at Kenthurst.
In hot and oppressive conditions, Cronulla overcame a six-point halftime deficit to lead 10-6 following tries to Mercydes Metcalf and centre Sage Gray.
Bears speedster Callie Morris levelled the scores with a try in the 53rd minute, and that’s how it would finish after an unsuccessful conversion attempt.
RAIDERS DROP THE HAMMER ON ROOSTERS
Canberra’s young men have kept their hot start to the season alive with a pair of big wins over the Sydney Roosters at Henson Park.
Brock Apolevski finished with a double as the Raiders led from start to finish to solidify their position as genuine contenders with a 34-12 win.
The SG Ball was a high-scoring affair, with Canberra coming out on top 38-28.
Four tries in the opening 20 minutes opened up a big 24-6 lead that the home side just couldn’t reel in.
Samuel Gash scored a try and kicked five goals for an impressive personal haul.
The Roosters Indigenous Academy salvaged some pride for the day, turning it on to claim a huge 38-6 victory.
Skyla Adams and Brooke Talataina ended the day with doubles.
PENRITH, KNIGHTS SHARE THE SPOILS
Newcastle is off the mark in the Tarsha Gale Cup with a 18-8 win over the Penrith Panthers at Windsor.
Leading 12-0 at the break, a double to Kirby Maslin got the Panthers back into the contest, before captain Leah Ollerton sealed the game inside the final four minutes.
Penrith secured its first Harold Matthews win after comfortably accounting for the Knights 46-16.
Casey McLean brought up a double within the first 10 minutes as his side raced in eight tries.
A second-half Riley Pollard double has lifted the Panthers to a 22-12 win in the SG Ball, their second success of the season.
Nick Murphy scored for the home side within the opening five minutes, setting the tone for the rest of the afternoon.
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