Harold Matthews Cup Round 1 replay: Canberra Raiders defeat Manly Sea Eagles (NSWRL Junior Reps )

A hat-trick to bullocking front-rower Mathias Tomuli-Ah-Kuoi helped secure a big win for the Raiders over the Sea Eagles in the Harold Matthews Cup. Watch the Replay.

An unsuspecting hero emerged for the Canberra Raiders Harold Matthews Cup side in the opening round, with a powerful front row forward Mathias Tomuli-Ah-Kuoi crossing the stripe for three on the way to a 32-6 victory. .

WATCH THE REPLAY IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

Up against the defending undefeated champions Manly Sea Eagles, the Raiders showed no signs of fear with the perfect start at Belconnen Oval.

With the Sea Eagles making an error from the kick off, the Raiders worked the ball to the right edge where halfback Sam Chapman delivered a crisp short ball to back rower Noah Martin who scored the opening try of the match in the second minute.

The lead was soon extended thanks to Elvis Nauer-Wood with a typical front row forward effort saw him motor over from close range and get the right hand free to plant the ball down to the right of the uprights.

The Raiders big men continued the momentum with fellow starting prop Tomuli-ah-Kuoi charging at the line with close range, with a hit and spin resulting in a four-pointer under the posts and a 16-0 scoreline.

A glut of possession in the minutes before half-time saw Sea Eagles trouble the scorers for the first time, with five-eighth Tuaomaliemavaitoelau Patea scooting from close range after a darting run from hooker William Ben.

The Chapman combination with back rower Martin continued in the second half with an inch-perfect kick from the halfback resulting in a try after an athletic chase from the Raiders edge forward.

After returning from a stint on the bench, Tomuli-Ah-Kuoi returned to the field and latched onto a short ball near the posts during a last-play attacking raid to power over the tryline and extend the Raiders lead to 26 - 6 lead in the 48th minute.

The middle forward wasn’t satisfied with two tries, with a third individual effort in the 54th minute saw him bumping off and burrowing under would-be defenders to score his third try of the match.

MATCH PREVIEW

Household names give Sea Eagles wings

There are some last names in rugby league that become iconic at certain clubs, but few surpass the name Fulton at Manly-Warringah.

Another notable one for the famed Sea Eagles: Hopoate.

Both last names are expected to feature prominently in The Daily Telegraph’s exclusive live stream of the Sea Eagles Harold Matthews Cup opener against thje Raiders as the Northern Beaches club aims to get a strong start to its title defence.

The game is part of a season-long commitment to stream the game of the round across Harold Mats, SG Ball Cup and Tarsha Gale Cup this season.

WATCH THE CLASH BETWEEN THE SEA EAGLES AND RAIDERS IN THE PLAYER ABOVE FROM 12.30PM, SATURDAY

Manly Sea Eagles’ Harold Matthews captain Lehi Hopoate will be a crucial part of their title defence this season. Picture: Julian Andrews

Sea Eagles legend Bob ‘Bozo’ Fulton’s grandson Jake will make his under-17s debut for the club against the Raiders and will be led out onto the field by the son of former Sea Eagle John Hopoate, Lehi.

The young Hopoate has been tipped as a player to watch for the Harold Mats season, and is expected to be in the mould of older brother and former NRL star Will Hopoate.

Meanwhile for the Fulton’s, the continuation of Bozo indelible leagacy at the club, which also includes older brother Kobe in the SG Ball Cup, is a proud moment.

Brett Fulton, who played two first-grade games for the Sea Eagles in the mid-1990s, said the boys’ grandfather Bozo was “very proud” of their connection to the club.

WATCH LIVE: TARSHA GALE CUP RD 1 - RAIDERS v SEA EAGLES

WATCH LIVE: SG BALL CUP RD 1 - RAIDERS v SEA EAGLES

“He loved to watch all the grandkids - he was there supporting them at every opportunity,” he said.

“He was lucky enough to see the start of their footy careers, particularly my brother Scott’s son Zac. He was able to see him progress through the grades and was very proud.

Brett Fulton, son of Manly icon Bob 'Bozo', with his two sons - Jake, 16, and Kobe, 18, ahead of their games in Harold Matthews Cup and SG Ball Cup. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“From my point of view I’m proud, seeing the discipline and effort that is required to make these sides puts them in good company. Hopefully they can put in some good performances.”

Zac Fulton, the son of club’s recruitment manager Scott, has been training with the Sea Eagles first grade squad and is part of the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles NSW Cup feeder team.

His sister Zali is part of the Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy under-19 Tarsha Gale Cup team, a club her grandfather Bob once coached and captained.

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For the Sea Eagles, five members of the undefeated Harold Matthews Cup-winning squad including arguably the leading player of last season’s competition, five-eighth Latu Fainu,

will feature in the opening round of the SG Ball Cup against the defending champions Canberra Raiders.

Bob Fulton with son Brett and grandsons Jake and Kobe (when aged 11 and 9 respectively).

LIVESTREAM SCHEDULE

Round 1 (Feb 5):

11am – Canberra Raiders v Illawarra Steelers (Tarsha Gale)

12:30pm – Canberra Raiders v Manly Sea Eagles (Harold Matts)

2pm – Canberra Raiders v Manly Sea Eagles (SG Ball)

Round 2 (Feb 12):

10:30am – Parramatta Eels v Canterbury Bulldogs (Tarsha Gale)

12pm – Parramatta Eels v Canterbury Bulldogs (Harold Matts)

1.30pm – Parramatta Eels v Canterbury Bulldogs (SG Ball)

Round 3 (Feb 19):

12pm – South Sydney Rabbitohs v Newcastle Knights (Tarsha Gale)

1.30pm – South Sydney Rabbitohs v Newcastle Knights (Harold Matts)

3pm – South Sydney Rabbitohs v Newcastle Knights (SG Ball)