NT Rugby select 90 plus juniors to take on Southern States rep tournament

NT Rugby has selected a group of more than 90 juniors for representative duties, with a promise of strong performances from the growing stocks. Check out the squads.

The Northern Territory’s growing stocks of junior players will be put to the test when they head south for representative fixtures against the best in the country.

The junior groups comprising more than 90 Territory players will compete in the Southern States Tournament in Adelaide this July.

NT Rugby Union pathways manager Robbie Butcher said the work former pathways lead Paul Healy had put in had seen major growth in the junior space.

“This year will be the first time we’ve had our under-18s boys in five years, so it’s great to see the buy-in and provide the pathway opportunity as well,” Butcher said.

“We’ve got 120 kids putting their hands up for junior representative footy, and so many turning up for sessions out of season, that shows we’re in a pretty good spot here and still growing.

NT rugby juniors training at Rugby Park ahead of selection into the representative squads. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“The kids are being put through their paces, but we’re also giving those opportunities to express themselves and putting them in pressure situations so they used to it when things are a bit harder.

“There’s talent here and we’ve shown with the kids going away and getting scholarships that this is a chance to develop themselves and it can be life changing for them.”

Nate Jarret-Wright, Tomasi Eaton and James Watt will be three to watch in the under-18s space after getting their taste of high level footy with the Barbarians against Queensland last year.

Tomasi Eaton as NT rugby juniors training at Rugby Park ahead of selection into the representative squads. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Then in the under -18s girls, who have been invited to play for the Barbarians this year it’s Meighan Barker, Natalia Grant and Paige McCourt who will be ones to keep an eye out for.

And their mentorship has helped the likes of Mariama Little and Peyton Reid who have been ripping it up at under-16s level this year.

First year coach Joshua Austin has been training the under-16 girls alongside Tua Sione and believes his squad will get a lot out of the trip south.

Layla Draper as NT rugby juniors training at Rugby Park ahead of selection into the representative squads. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“We know the calibre will be very high down there, because the other states have a bigger pool to pick from, but these girls have enough to step it up,” Austin said.

“Women’s rugby has really taken off, and it shows in this squad with some of them having done a couple of rep tours already in the under-14s.

“We have a few on dispensation to come up, because we don’t have an under-14s, so it will be a real challenge for them but a great learning experience, and the older girls have helped them greatly.

“Opportunities like these really set them and particularly in women’s rugby, which is growing, there’s a really way for them to progress from here.”

Full Squads

NT U16 Girls Squad

Alex Birkett, Annabelle Kay, Annabeth Spillett, Athanasia Ikonomou, Emma Healey, Emma Turton, Eva Kay, Grace Okere, Isabella Driffield, Jayda Romolo, Layla Draper, Mariama Little, Marleeanne G Ulamari, Myana Norris, Peyton Reid, Rima Tekopua, Tori Stephens, Travalia Wauchope

U18 Girls (to play as part of the Barbarians team)

Cassidy White, Leala Chevalier-Roberts, Maizee Liddicoat, Meighan Barker, Natalia Grant, Paige McCourt, Piper Heath

NT U14 Boys

Sini Tagiloa, Oscar Peake, Ientake Christopher, Jonty Evans, Bradley Peacock, Gabriel Te Maro, Nathan Buba, Latelle Robertson, Reef Smith, Frederick Richards, Malakai Tonson, Jake Park, Tremaine Haynes, Ryder Stanton, Kym Nasau, Khy Pattemore, Joshua Quickenden, Corben Jarrett-Wright, Samu Rakai, Braiden Kuhn, Puluno Siasau, Luke Daniel Knight, Charlie Burrows

NT U16 Boys

CooperLay, Couper Liddicoat, Declan Rogerson, Eligh Pomroy, Ethan Le Mesurier, Ethan Mow, Harry O’Hare, Hunter Joshua Knight, Jack Kerr, Jason Curyer, Kian T Lam, Kole Heikkinen, Lee Pitcher, Luan Oberholzer, Luke McLean, Markus Iselin, Oliver Liddicoat, Paeatia Tautua Junior Reea, Rico Visagie, Riggs White, Rohan Cram, Tyler Guinane, Wayde Redding

NT U18 Boys

Angus Cram, Charlie Brown, Drew Bell, Elijah Williamson, Emosi Uluivuya, Eugene Bolton, Henco Oberholzer, Petelo Ali, Ilalio Lutua, Ilikaya Turagavukica, James Watt, Judah Te Whaiti, Josiah Mills, Justin Edwards, Luke Jack, Nate Jarrett-Wright, Nicholas Laurie, Nicholas McGovern, Setefano Lemuel Cakaunivalu, Toby Mandziak, Tomasi Eaton, Tristan Ferreira, Vukicimoala Daniel Tawaketini