Multicultural stars: 45+ boys, girls, men and women set to shine at the Harmony Nines
The Harmony Nines showcases the best of multicultural rugby league across the juniors, mens and women's divisions. We take a look at the 45+ players to watch in this weekend’s event.
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The Harmony Nines has earned a reputation as a multicultural celebration with different countries and backgrounds all coming together in the name of rugby league.
We take a look at the players from all divisions who are set to make an impact this weekend in Wollongong at the premier event.
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Under 16s - Under 18s - Women - Men -
UNDER 16s
ADAM NABHAN
Syria Boys
Second Row/Lock
Adam is the team captain who possesses great leadership qualities both on and off the field. A strong defender and hole runner, he is very effective on the right edge as well as in the middle as a ball playing lock. He is looked up to by his teammates and works very hard every game. Epitomises what playing for Syria means to their people.
ELIJAH AL HAZIM
Syria Boys
Fullback/Wing
Elijah is a strong, elusive outside back with good speed and tackle busting ability. Equally good at fullback and wings he provides speed, strength and a spark in the backline.
KHALID AFIOUNY
Syria Boys
Second Row/Lock
Khalid is a skilful, strong and powerful backrower who has a neat kicking game and a very strong set of play making skills. He is great on both edges, a strong communicator and works well with the powerful back-row. A quality player.
COOPER MICALLEF
Malta Boys
Halfback
Is still only 15 but has already shown the ability to adapt his game and play multiple positions. That makes him a huge asset moving forward with Malta in next few years.
JORDAN GRAVINA
Malta Boys
Prop
Another in the squad who is 15 but plays with maturity beyond his years. He’s a calm and collective player that is not afraid of the hard work in the middle.
MARCUS DESIRA
Malta Boys
Back Row
Another who isn’t afraid to get in and take the tough carries. Doesn’t say much but his actions on the field do all the talking with strong carries and stronger defence.
ADAM MALAS
Mediterranean Boys
Hooker/Fullback
Adam is a very explosive player who plays at a fast pace and with plenty of speed to burn he is an attacking threat from anywhere on the field. Has played with Kingsgrove, Bass High and is in the St George development program.
ANASTASIA LOIMATA LEATUPUE
Fullback
The Sydney Roosters pathways player brings speed, vision and is devastating with ball in hand making the nines an ideal arena for her to showcase her skill set. She’s a star in the making.
ALISSIA MISA
Samoa Girls
Fullback
Played with St George in the Lisa Fiaola Cup this season as a year-young player and that experience against older girls will come to the fore here.
VERONICA SEFO
Samoa Girls
Prop
A Leichhardt Wanderers junior who got the call up to play with South Sydney in the Fiaola U17s girls. Equally adept on the middle and on an edge.
MALAKI SCHWALGER-IOANE
Samoa Boys
Prop
A powerful front rower from the Coogee Wombats in the Souths Juniors comp with excellent ball skills and big motor. He’s an uncompromising and punishing defender.
ANTHONY TIME
Samoa Boys
Lock
Making the journey down from the Hunter and has shown his potential as a strong middle forward with South Newcastle in a strong competition.
UNDER 18s
MAZHAR SABOUNE
Syria Boys
Fullback
Mazhar leads from the back using his expert vision to organise his team. An exciting talent from the Kingsgrove Colts with speed to burn.
GIBRAL KODR
Syria Boys
Wing
Gibral is an elusive outside back who constantly is showcasing remarkable speed, deceptive footwork and impressive power on the field. The Chester Hill player will take the ball up all game on kick returns and never takes a backwards step with his hard carries.
ISSAC ALAMEDDINE
Syria Boys
Centre
Issac is a dangerous in attack with early ball. The Greenacre Tigers representative has the ability to break through tackles and make significant metres quickly.
DALIA NABHAN
Syria Girls
Hooker
Dalia is a sharp and crafty rugby league dummy half, known for her quick decision- making and excellent game management. Positioned at the heart of the action, she commands the ruck with precision, delivering fast, accurate passes to her playmakers and forwards. Her deceptive speed and footwork make her a constant threat to gain quick meters when the defence is off-balance.
AMIRAH EL-ABDALLAH
Syria Girls
Halfback
Amirah as an amazing rugby league halfback would be the epitome of skill, leadership, and instinct on the field. Her impact would resonate throughout the game, influencing every aspect of her team’s performance and making her one of the most feared and respected playmakers in the league.
ASHTON PACE
Malta Boys
Centre
Making the effort to fly down from Queensland to be part of the event, Pace fittingly has explosive speed and is a centre with a lot of natural ability.
COOPER AXIAK
Malta Boys
Halfback
Will play in this division a year young but that won’t phase him in the slightest. Has a calm head on his shoulders and great leadership skills.
ALEX JELENKOVIC
Malta Boys
Second Row
A powerful edge prospect who is able to punch through big minutes in his club footy. Capable of finding another gear and does the little things right in his game.
FAITH MASINA
Samoa Girls
Centre
She has good speed and has the vision to be able to read the game and adapt on the run in both attack and defence. A leader on and off the field on the back of a Tarsha Gale season with Wests Tigers.
TAYLAH FALANIKO
Samoa Girls
Prop
A Cabramatta junior who also got her chance to play with Parramatta in the Lisa Fiaola Cup. A year young but the front rower won’t take a backwards step.
JESSAMINE ALOALII
Samoa Girls
Centre
A young player taking big strides this season, playing with Souths in Fiaola Cup and Mounties in the U18s. She can play in the back row as well as the centres and is pushing for an Eels pathways spot next year.
AMAZON-PAUL PUA’AVASE
Samoa Boys
Utility
Pua’avase is a fleet-footed and a smooth elusive runner but isn’t afraid of the contact. Expect the unexpected with him. He has great vision and always a step ahead of others with a lot of junior reps experience.
DANIEL TUUAGA
Samoa Boys
Half
The versatile Cabramatta player is a leader both on and off the field. A classy player who received the Leadership Award at the Fairfield Mayor’s Youth Achievement Awards.
EVANDER TANEA
Samoa Boys
Hooker
A talented long distance runner, Tanea plays in the strong Macarthur competition with Minto and is more than credentialed to have a big impact at this level.
WOMEN
CLEOPATRA CARRENO
Mediterranean
Prop/Lock
A strong, mobile forward with extensive representative and international experience. Her ability to ball play makes her a true threat down the middle of the field as has been on display for Penshurst this year.
JAIMEE-LEE COTTER
Mediterranean
Centre/Second Row
An agile ball runner who is hard to stop when she has the ball in her hands. She is a natural leader who leads with her actions each time she is on the field and was among the most potent players for St George at HNWP level.
KATRINA PHIPPEN
Mediterranean
Fullback/Hooker
A talented athlete that continually tops attack and defence statistics in each team she represents. Her hard running and extreme speed is every opponents nightmare. The Dragons HNWP fullback will thrive with plenty of open space in the nines environment.
TEHILLAH-ROSE VAELUAGA
Samoa
Prop
Plays well above her size for middle forward, formidable in defence and a wrecking ball in attack and a gas tank to match. Posses excellent leg speed and agility.
FASHA KALEPO
Samoa
Wing
The St Marys outside back proved a tryscoring machine in the Penrith comp this year and will be looking to replicate that over the weekend.
MEN
BEN JEGEDE
Africa United
Prop
The captain of the Africa United team who is always a strong force in the middle of the field and can be relied upon to give everything he has. He’s a Doonside Roos player in the Penrith comp.
BLESSING SEHWEAH
Africa United
Forward
Blessing Sehweah
Has been with the team since 2018 and has been a tremendous help both on and off the field. Handles the social media association with promoting Africa United and is a tireless forward as well, as he did for Mounties this season.
ZAK AGBERE
Africa United
Fullback
A player that has progressed through the grades in 2024, graduating from East Campbelltown to Ryde Eastwood in Sydney Shield and the Wests Tigers in Jersey Flegg. He’s an exciting prospect who will play with plenty of pride and gusto this weekend.
STEMON MOW
South Sudan
Lock/Second Row
Has been with the club from the onset is and will captain the side. He brings a huge energy to the side and despite missing the club season through injury, is determined to make a big impact on the weekend.
GAK RIEC
South Sudan
Outside Back
Another top contributor in the side and is part of the leadership side. Making the trip down from Queensland to play, such is his determination. to be in this side. Can fill in anywhere in the outside backs as he did throughout the BRL season.
MOUNG DUT
South Sudan
Half
His experience with the Hills Bulls in the Ron Massey Cup and being a part of the North Sydney NSW Cup set up will prove crucial for South Sudan. Very much a leader in the side who will guide the team around.
ZAC KARAM
Syria
Fullback
An electrifying fullback with blistering speed that sets himself apart from the rest. His acceleration and agility make him a constant threat in open play, allowing him to slice through defensive lines with ease and leave defenders grasping at thin air. Known for his lightning-quick footwork as he showed for Manly in the SG Ball season.
KHALED ALFAS
Syria
Prop
Khaled is a powerful and dynamic forward with the Leichhardt Wanders and is known for his imposing physicality and relentless work ethic. Standing tall with a solid build, Alfas is equally formidable, delivering hard-hitting tackles that halt opposing players in their tracks.
BEN ZAHRA
Malta
Fullback
Came through the Glenmore Park ranks with Isaiya Katoa and most recently has been a shining light at the back with Rouse Hill in their U21s premiership success this year.
KADE FABRI
Malta
Forward
Hails from the Newcastle region, representing the Maitland U19s this year and previously playing rep footy with the NMR Knights. A mobile forward who brings plenty of punch.
BEN LOHREY
Malta
Halfback/Hooker
Is the oldest player in the squad for the weekend and the Penrith Waratahs player adds valuable experience in key positions.
EMIR AL-ATTAAR
Turkey
Second Row/ Centre
Possesses elite ball running with great defensive instincts. Can provide a spark when needed.
Great character and work ethic. Does not shy away from a challenge and is always willing to go the extra step for his team. Brings a positive attitude and determination which affects his team’s performance. Has been working on his agility and speed leading up to the tournament so that will be in full effect.
KERIM CAGLAR
Turkey
Wing/Centre
Caglar prides himself on his work ethic and hard work on and off the ball. He’s a dynamic outside back who’s not afraid to take tough carries up the middle and sprint on a kick chase. Caglar loves to talk and be a presence on the field and is not afraid for a new challenge. Footy means everything to him and his passion shows when he represents Turkey.
LOTUTALOSAGA LAVILAVI
Samoa
Second Row
A destructive edge player with deceptive speed and bone crunching defence. Brings a lot of representative experience as a junior. Stepping up to open mens this year and will not disappoint.
TYREES FEAUNATI
Samoa
Second Row
Had a strong season with St Marys that saw him graduate to the Sydney Shield level and he can wrap up 2024 on a big note.
Originally published as Multicultural stars: 45+ boys, girls, men and women set to shine at the Harmony Nines
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