South West Emus Indigenous and Pacific Nations teams ready for Toowoomba Rugby League backed carnival
The first ever Cultural Cup kicks off this Saturday with South West Emus and Pacific Nations representative teams going head to head. Here’s our look at the 30-plus mens, women's, boys and girls star players to watch.
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LEAGUE: There’s no questioning the unifying powers of sport.
It brings together people from all walks of life and on Saturday rugby league will bring together two cultures.
Ever since watching the Emus first run out against the TRL All-Stars, Cultural Cup organiser Herman Ene-Purcell has dreamt of introducing a Pacific Nations team.
Now with that dream is a reality, and he is excited.
“It’s been a long time. A lot of people have been working to make this happen and it’s amazing to think it’s about to go ahead,” Ene-Purcell said.
“We’re really looking forward to bringing two cultures together to celebrate community, heritage and family.
“We’re expecting a massive crowd out at Oakey and it’s going to be an amazing day.”
Men’s, women’s and under-15 boys and girls teams will compete with the first match kicking off at 1.50pm.
Ahead of the big day The Chronicle has run the rule over all the teams.
Take a look at our 33 Cultural Cup players to watch.
MEN’S
Pacific Nation
Komiti Vetemotu: The Cultural Cup will be Vetemotu’s first chance to impress the Oakey Bears and TRL faithful. The Bundaberg Rugby League premiership winner is a skilful halfback with a dangerous running game.
Joe Mua: The big front rower is a damaging ball runner and great defender. Mua, who will captain the team, is a well liked player who gains the respect of his teammates through his actions and positive attitude.
George Tavita: A talented hooker with great vision who directs his teams around the park with ease. Tavita is the team’s vice-captain.
Sione Loamuau: The second rower runs great lines and is hard to stop when he has the ball in his hands.
Ramon Filipe: A damaging ball runner with plenty of big game experience.
South West Emus
Damon Anderson and Reggie Nunn: The two forwardscan always be relied on to get the job done. Watch out for them to put on some big shots.
David McGrady: A very cool and level headed player, McGrady is another very well respected player in the side. Watch for him and Duncan to ply their trade and create some magic in the middle.
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Dwayne Duncan: Highlighted his game breaking capabilities in the halves last weekend in the 47th battalion squad. Will look to continue this form, and is a very well respected player in the side.
Chris Woodbridge: Making the move to Dalby in the off-season, Woodbridge is a tidy fullback with great attacking prowess.
Austin Jennings: The Wattles flyer was among the TRL’s top try scorers last season.He is always a threat of a try with the pill in hand.
Women
Pacific Nation
Mireka Dean: Will make the switch to lock in a bid to accommodate Janet Morofa at hooker. Expect Mireka to take control of the forward pack. Alongside sister Erikana her recent Women’s World Cup experience will be invaluable.
Erikana Dean: Trying her hand at second row, Erikana is a great ball runner and defender.
Janet Morofa: The ‘eyes up’ hooker expertly steers her forward packs around the park and is major threat in attack.
Clarisa Janes: An all-round skilled centre who loves to get her hands on the ball and knows how to find the try line.
Grace Mclauchlan: The second star loves to get her hands dirty doing the hard work that drives teams forward.
South West Emus
Katelyn Anderson: Playing at lock, Anderson will provide the linking play for the side. A strong, solid ball runner, watch out for her to punch through the defensive lines.
Rosie Parsons: The captain hasgreat ball skills and a knack for throwing the right pass. Her game management skills at five-eighth combined with her quality kicking game make her a complete player.
Tia Hinch: The exceptional halfback will be looking to break the game open with her distribution skills.
Luna Duncan: The left-centre has great speed and agility and is one to watch.
Tegan Gibbs: Has good ball skills for and is also a very solid and handy defensive player.
Under-15 boys
Pacific Nation
Naetem Dean-Young: Has formed a great partnership in the halves with Pita Samuel. A natural leader with a good positive voice.
Pita Sameul: Alongside Dean-Young, Sameul is a very skilled half who controls the game well and has a positive voice.
Temanu-Ariki Taaki: A blistering quick centre who runs on the edge well and doesn’t shy away in defence.
Saxon Medland: The fullback has speed to burn and is a great communicator marshalling his teammates from the back of the field.
Taj Batty: The big hitting lock, is a top defender and ball runner.
South West Emus
Abbey Duncan: He prefers playing at fullback but with his natural footy brain and great step Duncan will shine at five-eighth.
Michael Hinch: A halfback with a background in touch footy, Hinch has the ability to read the game and read it quickly. He has been described as being a step ahead of his opponents and possessing quick feet.
Ashley Cubby: A fantastic impact player who loves to get involved.
Under-15 girls
Pacific Nations
Leteena Medland: The hard working lock is one of the team’s best tacklers and will make her presence known in defence.
Poppie Gibbons: An all-rounder with quick feet and a big engine, Gibbons will run all day.
Sedeequa Nelson: She is one of the team’s youngest players but she never takes a backward step. The fullback is super quick and loves to get involved in the attack.
South West Emus
Daisy Combo-Gadd: She is fast and has plenty of power behind her tackles.
Angel-May Monagle: A force in the front row, Monagle runs the ball hard. Fairly new to league, she has gained a lot of experience from selection in representative teams in the past year.
Elle Warwick: Posesses a lot of strength and is a tackling machine. Warwick always shows great leadership on and off the field. Motivating her teammates, she keeps powering under pressure.
Tayla Thomas: Described as the side’s silent achiever, she doesn’t say much but her actions speak louder than words. Always one to step up when needed, she is one to watch on the weekend.
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