NRL 2021: SG Ball, Harold Matthews, Tarsha Gale Grand Final results, winners
Sea Eagles fans should take note of the name, Latu Fainu, after the talented junior starred as Manly capped their perfect season with victory in the Harold Matts Cup.
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Latu Fainu — write down the name.
While you’re at it, add Samuela Fainu and Josh Feledy to the list.
In fact, just save the team sheet for Manly’s Harold Matts (under-17s) side that defeated Parramatta 24-12 in the grand final on Saturday.
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Latu was everywhere — he passed, offloaded, kicked, stripped, dummied and inspired the undefeated Sea Eagles victory.
The five-eighth was awarded Player of the Match and Player of the tournament — it was fitting for the kid who has matched it with bigger and older boys all year.
“It’s fantastic, it’s great recognition for not only today but the hard work he puts in every week,” Manly coach Adam McEwen said. “He’s a unanimous choice for player of the year. He’s a special talent and a wonderful kid.”
Latu’s brother Samuela was explosive through the middle. The prop scored a barnstorming try between the posts and it was, of course, Latu who came up with the assist.
Captain Josh Feledy was another standout, bagging his 20th try of the season and making a crucial try-saving tackle in the first half.
“People get caught up in our attack and the stats, but the defence of the team goes under the radar, we were the best defensive side in the competition,” McEwen said.
“They’re a quality team Parramatta, they had us all over the park, to keep them out for that first half was huge for us.”
It was a tough day out for the Eels, who had a great season — Manly was the only team capable of beating Parramatta in 2021.
Five-eighth Blaize Talagi was a constant threat and was rewarded for his efforts with a late second half try. Centre Declan Murray too.
Halfback Ethan Sanders never gave up, but Manly powered away thanks to tryscorers S.Fainu, Feledy, Roy Quiroz-Mapusua, Revelation Sio and Calvin Levy.
TARSHA GALE CUP
Finals footy is a different beast — just ask the Dragons.
Despite finishing the regular season fifth, they overpowered top sides the Tigers, Knights and Roosters to claim their first Tarsha Gale Cup title.
Rayven-Jodeci Boyce steered the club’s historic 30-4 victory over the Sydney Roosters.
“I’m proud of the girls, we had a few injuries at the start of the year, we lost our best centre to the Olympics rugby sevens,” Dragons coach Jon Wilson said.
“We weren’t going to win the comp at the start of the year, but we’ve slowly been working on things and it’s paid off.”
Keilee Joseph got the Chooks off to a flying start with a strong try in the opening minutes.
But the Dragons responded through Rosemarie Beckett and the tries just kept coming.
St George prop Fatafehi Hanisi had another formidable showing and was awarded Player of the Series.
SG BALL CUP
Canberra edged Illawarra 18-14 in the thrilling SG Ball Cup grand final on Saturday.
It was a gritty arm wrestle that went down to the wire.
Steelers five-eighth Junior Amone threatened to break the Raiders’ hearts in the final minute, evading multiple defenders just 15 metres out. But Canberra’s Connor Williams pulled down Illawarra star to all but seal the deal for his side.
The teams could barely be split.
The Steelers scored three tries via Brandon Morkos, Joshua Coric and Alexander Lobb.
Canberra matched them with four-pointers to Caleb Esera, Sione Moala and Jack Sandford.
In the end, the Raiders perfect conversions gave them enough breathing space to seal the deal.
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