Round 1 Discussion

[Big Pete]

The 2012 season is nearly upon us as the future superstars of the game gear up for another season of Toyota Cup football!

Since Pumba departed, this section has become something of a ghost town and I think it's about time we changed that. So each week there's going to be a general thread like this filled with team lists, scores & discussion.

So if you're watching the game on tv, or you're at a game, feel free to post in here and give us some thoughts. Let's give this competition the coverage it deserves.

While we await for Tuesday I'm just going to ask a simple question. Which team is going to win this year & why?

 

[Big Pete]

Also got to ask, what's the go with Josh Drinkwater?

His profile says he was born in 1991. Print error? Or are Manly pulling a swifty?

 

[ozbash]

All I can go on really is the 2 trials I,ve seen the Warriors play. Bigger, fitter, faster.

Who ever beats them will be a bloody good team.

 

[RWB]

Dragons, Roosters, Storm & Panthers all had very young squads last year. None of them will be losing many players which is always a good sign for the following year.

Warriors will still be the ones to beat though.

 

[Cloudsurfer]

Dragons, Roosters, Storm & Panthers all had very young squads last year. None of them will be losing many players which is always a good sign for the following year.

Warriors will still be the ones to beat though.

Storm has lost quite a few actually that are still eligible & have had to call up some of the younger guys so I expect they will be fairly up & down unless they gel quickly & well. Their experienced players are really good though but not sure if they have the coach to bring out the best in them

 

[ozbash]

Storm has lost quite a few actually that are still eligible & have had to call up some of the younger guys so I expect they will be fairly up & down unless they gel quickly & well. Their experienced players are really good though but not sure if they have the coach to bring out the best in them

Dave Kidwell should be coaching them, he's wasting his time as Bellamy's lacky.

 

[billy2]

Knights have trained harder than ever before and have had two very well qualified coaches working with them in Crawley and Graeme Murray.
They have some very experienced key players in Tyler Sullivan, Api Pewhairangi, Chad Redman and Aloi Taufoaa who are in their 4th and 3rd years of NYC (Tyler started at 16), and they also have most of the key players from the Knights under 18s national title holders from last year.
I've seen 2 of the 3 trials, and i don't think they have come close to naming the top side yet, with key players like Korbin Sims, Will Smith, Chad Redman, Chanel Mata'utia all playing senior trials and a lot of players i would expect to see like Pat Mata'utia, Ben Roose and Michael Steel not getting a run.
2 wins and a draw in the trials, but i think we have only seen the fringe and possible players going around.

 

[MsStorm]

Dave Kidwell should be coaching them, he's wasting his time as Bellamy's lacky.

Agree with you and Cloudsurfer, Dean Pay is useless.

 

[Steve_oneskie]

Warriors are still the team to beat i reckon, they are very big and very fast and will be hard for any under 20 team to contain, Broncos will always have a good young team and will be looking to bounce back after a not so successful 2011.

Should be a great year for the 20's.

How are manly shaping up this year?

 

[Didgi]

All the information for the first round of the NYC is available on the front page, thanks to the great work of our live update/team posting guys.

Toyota Cup Teams - Round 1
Written by: Tim Costello, Justin Davies & Ethan James
Feb 28, 2012 12:48pm

2012 Toyota Cup - National Youth Competition (Under 20's)
ROUND 1 :: Thu 1, Fri 2, Sat 3, Sun 4 & Mon 5 March

Newcastle Knights v St George Illawarra Dragons
Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
Thursday 1 March 2012, kickoff 5:15pm (NRL kickoff 7:45pm)
Match officials TBA

Knights: 1. Kurt Mann 2. Chanel Mata'utia 3. Dale Clacherty 4. Api Pewhairangi 5. Joshua Allison 6. William Smith 7. Tom Rouse 8. Korbin Sims9. Chad Redman 10. Paterkia Vaivai 11. Jackson Hill 12. Nathan Clarke 13. Tyler Sullivan
Interchange: 14. Adam Clydsdale 15. Michael Steele 16. Lachlan Shipard 17. Kurt Warden 18. Robert Mason
Dragons: 1. Evander Cummins 2. Kyle Martens 3. Charly Runciman 4. Nathan Green 5. Yaw Kiti Glymin 6. Jared Allen 7. Andrew Sultana 8. Ben Musolino 9. Craig Garvey 10. Taylor Brown 11. Daniel Burke 12. Kal Collins 13. Jack Buchanan
Interchange: 14. Brock Gilmour 15. Jamie Stanley 16. Kayne Brennan 17. Kem Seru
Parramatta Eels v Brisbane Broncos
Parramatta Stadium
Friday 2 March 2012, kickoff 5:15pm (NRL kickoff 7:45pm)
Match officials TBA

Eels: 1. Jason Seage 2. James Tuitahi 3. Vai Toutai 4. Trent Jennings 5. Takai Moeakiola 6. Jason Wehbe (c) 7. Robbie Kamoto 8. Matt Eisenhuth 9. Luke Vescio 10. Rodney Moefaauo 11. Luke Uikelotu 12. Kelepi Tanginoa 13. Frazer Masinamua
Interchange: 14. Kaysa Pritchard 15. Junior Paulo 16. Jarrod Azar 17. Pauli Pauli
Broncos: 1. Benn Malley 2. Brett Coutts 3. Bryce Hegarty 4. Cameron Cullen 5. Chris Binge 6. Corey Oates 7. Daniel Alvaro 8. Daniel Levi 9. Francis Molo 10. Jake Kelly 11. Jerome Leedy 12. Josh Jaggle 13. Louis Frisby
Interchange (from): 14. Matthew Berwick 15. Nathan Crowley 16. Rian Diffey 17. Richard Tuala 18. Stephen Coombe

Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm
Canberra Stadium
Saturday 3 March 2012, kickoff 3:15pm (NRL kickoff 5:30pm)
Match officials TBA

Raiders: 1. Mitchell Cronin 2. Jonathon Reuben 3. Jeremy Reuben 4. Edrick Lee 5. Brad Smith 6. Jack Wighton 7. Mitchell Cornish (c) 8. Shannon Boyd 9. Ben Picker 10. Shane Duck 11. Joe Bradley 12. Michael Chee-Kam 13. Hayden Crockett
Interchange (from): 14. Josh Mitchell 15. Jeff Lynch 16. Tim Sloman 17. Dane Clarke 18. Matthew Allwood
Storm: 1. Jack Joass 2. Young Tonumaipea 3. Richard Kennar 4. Kirisome Auva'a 5. Ryan Pooley 6. Matt McGahan 7. Ben Meehan 8. Damian Sironen 9. Alex Langbridge 10. Jarome Wilson 11. Cade Umaga 12. Dean Britt 13. Matt Constantinou
Interchange: 14. Herschel Gideon 15. Karl Davies 16. Zac Moi Moi 17. Sheldon Powe-Hobbs
Penrith Panthers v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Centrebet Stadium, Penrith
Saturday 3 March 2012, kickoff 5:15pm (NRL kickoff 7:30pm)
Match officials TBA

Panthers: 1. Kieran Moss 2. George Jennings 3. Nicholas Mataia 4. Tony Satini 5. Jake Butler-Flemming 6. Tim Dengate 7. Harry Seijka 8. Sam Hollis 9. Daniel Foster 10. Regan Campbell-Gillard 11. Vaipuna Tia Kilifi (c) 12. Tekina Vailea 13. Zion Ahu
Interchange (from): 14. Blake South 15. Jake Galvin 16. Jack Lee Hang 17. Simon Gregory 18. Nick Walker
Bulldogs: 1. Gerard McCallum 2. John Talioe Sila 3. Louis MacKenzie-Taylor 4. Edward Murphy 5. Matthew f**kof**ka 6. Moses Mbye (c) 7. Jay Bonnell 8. David Klemmer 9. Dean Janda 10. Michael Ioapo 11. Tupou Sopoaga 12. Danny Fualalo 13. Lachlan Burr
Interchange (from): 14. Blake Carter 15. Ryan Wilson 16. Oliver Gordon 17. Ben Stratton 19. Jon Taefu
North Queensland Cowboys v Gold Coast Titans
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Saturday 3 March 2012, kickoff 7:15pm AEDST (6:15pm QLD local time)
Match officials TBA

Cowboys: 1. Wayne Ulugia 2. Rogan Dean3. Tom Hancock 4. Tim Cassidy5. Zac Santo 6. Luke Abdul-Rahman 7. Sam Foster 8. Nick Dorante 9. Nathan Norford 10. Lloyd McIver 11. Anthony Gadd 12. Jack Svendsen 13. Chris Grevsmuhl
Interchange: 14. Alex Elisala 15. Jack Kelleher 16. Patrick Kaufusi 17. Francis Veukiso
Titans: 1. Tyler Chadburn 2. Lausii Taliauli 3. Hymel Hunt 4. Kurtis McDonald 5. Tom Guymer 6. Matthew Beddow 7. Kayne Elgey 8. Caleb Binge 9. Sam Irwin 10. Ed Murphy 11. Tom Dawney 12. Jackson Springer 13. Dylan Hartin
Interchange: 14. Nick Harold 15. Jeremiah Nia 16. Tauryn Laurenson 17. Jamal Fogarty
Warriors v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Eden Park, Auckland
Sunday 4 March 2012, kickoff 9:45am AEDST (11:45am NZ local time)
Match officials TBA

Warriors: 1. Omar Slaimankhel 2. Viliami Lolohea 3. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 4. Braxton Stanley 5. Ngataua Hukatai 6. Carlos Tuimavave 7. Jordan Meads 8. Donald Tony 9. Trent Bishop 10. Ligi Sao 11. Sione Feao 12. John Palavi (c) 13. David Bhana
Interchange (from): 14. Eko Malu 15. Chris Ofanoa 16. Nathaniel Peteru 17. Suilongoua Fotofili 18. Siliva Havili
Sea Eagles: 1. Jake Busby 2. Matt Ikuvalu 3. Regan Haika 4. Dylan Strickland 5. Theo Leato 6. Pat Murphy 7. Josh Drinkwater 8. Justin Lemalu 9. Brendon Heather 10. Paul Tuigamala 11. Dylan Kelly 12. Jacob Brenner 13. Pat Sipley
Interchange (from): 14. Daniel Vasek 15. Josh Ingram 16. Kayse Greer 17. Tunui Maurangi 18. Pat Kennedy 19. Jackson Williams 20. Joseph Napolitano

Wests Tigers v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield
Sunday 4 March 2012, kickoff 11:45am (NRL kickoff 2:00pm)
Match officials TBA

Tigers: 1. Kurtis Rowe 2. Marika Koroibete 3. Matt Evans 4. Micheal Kai 5. David Nofoaluma 6. Manaia Rudolph 7. Jacob Miller (c) 8. Nathan Brown 9. Ben Saunders 10. Mosese Fotuaika 11. Joel Luani 12. Andrew Vela 13. Inno Inosesio
Interchange (from): 14. Soni Paasi 15. Brodie Monroe 16. Brendan Santi 17. Kyle Lovett 18. Sita AkaoulaSharks: 1. Luke Pickerd 2. Zach Rasmussen 3. Daniel Moroko 4. DJ Lokeni-Percell 5. Nesiasi Mataitonga 6. Jake Walsh 7. Penani Manumalealii 8. Rodney Coates 9. Michael Lichaa 10. Tyrone Viiga 11. Jackson Cartwright 12. James Hasson 13. Tokerau Raru
Interchange (from): 14. Joel Tubbs 15. Michael Morris 16. Blake Sorenson 17. Graham Clark 18. Cameron Rodgers 19. Rea Pitman

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Sydney Roosters
ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park
Monday 5 March 2012, kickoff 4:45pm (NRL kickoff 7:00pm)
Match officials TBA

Rabbitohs: 1. Kurt French 2. David Sisifa 3. Nick Hedley 4. Siosaia Tanginoa 5. Jordan Tongahai 6. Jordan Heyer 7. Luke Keary 8. George Burgess 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Brett Jarrett 11. Blake Matthews 12. Adrian Ha'angana 13. Andrew Artemi
Interchange (from): 14. Jackson Garlick 15. Hamish Bryant m16. Jesse Roberts 17. Joe Toleafoa 19. Jason Havea
Roosters: 1. Henare Wells 2. Paul Rokolati 3. Joseph Forrester 4. Curtis Rona 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Cory McGrady 7. Ryley Jacks 8. Dylan Napa 9. Clarrie Moore 10. Kane Evans (c) 11. Rhyse Martin 12. Sam Bernstrom 13. Jack Siejka
Interchange (from): 14. Dean Blackman 15. Jack Noble 16. Brandon Tago 17. Tai Tuivasa 18. Adam Brent

http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=22339 (With easier formatting)

 

[Noa]

Average team from the Storm. Of course Wiliame , Hampton and Solomona change the outlook completely (assuming the last two play much NYC).

Constantinou is very average as well, looks out of his depth at times, not a good sign if he's the 13. Must be a good trainer.

 

[Big Pete]

That's a very interesting line-up from Brisbane, not the one Didgi posted which was the default list that a bunch of websites foolishly copied but the actual team. Which is...

Broncos: 1. Daniel Levi 2. Jarrod Watson 3. Matthew Berwick 4. Jerome Leedy 5. Tristian Lumley 6. Bryce Hegarty 7. Cameron Cullen 8. Stephen Coombe 9. Chris Binge 10. Daniel Alvaro 11. Caleb Timu 12. Brett Coutts 13. Benn Malley
Interchange: 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Travis Peeters 16. Josh Seage 17. Ajuma Adams

http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=22339

It appears they've returned to their old selection policy, eligible players in the first grade squad will begin the season with their Queensland Cup sides - an interesting move given the Queensland Cup doesn't start until next week. Maybe Griffin wants to familiarise the boys (Maranata, Whitchurch & Frei for those playing at home) with their respective side?

It's still a fairly solid line-up all things considered - good centre & halves pairings, strong front row and plenty of promising players in the side. Timu & Nikorima in particular are two players to watch out for.

Still on the Broncos but it appears Francis Molo & Jake Kelly have been released. Both their profiles have been removed from the Broncos website and it matches a similar report I read on another RL website. Would be very interesting to see what's gone on, especially with Molo who was poised to play with the AIS until he injured his shoulder and was a stand out for the Queensland Under 18s.

Strange day yesterday. As excited as I was to see all the NRL teams I was probably more excited to see all the NYC teams - especially the Broncos side which was far more surprising and interesting than the first grade counterpart.

 

[billy2]

Knights have gone for a very experienced side with only 4 players debuting in this game.
Vaivai is a new player and i can't find anything about him.
Allison, Hill and Shiperd were all members of the Knights under 18s national title winners last year.
Many of the players are in their 3rd year of NYC, and Tyler Sullivan is in his fourth.
The new coach is starting with the most experienced side possible, and a similar squad had a long winning streak at the end of last season, only being beaten by the Warriors twice in the last 6 weeks or so of last season (in a regular season game and a final).
It's a strong squad with good form at the end of last year and they have been training harder and are better coached.
They should improve a lot on their 8th place finish last year.

1. Kurt Mann - played NYC last year - won national under 18s title last year - qld rep for last two years
2. Chanel Mata'utia - 3rd year of NYC - played two trials with firstgrade
3. Dale Clacherty - 3rd year of NYC - NSW rep
4. Api Pewhairangi - 3rd year of NYC - very talented kiwi
5. Joshua Allison - national under 18s title winner - debut player
6. William Smith - 3rd year of NYC - NSW rep - trained with firstgrade and played one firstgrade trial
7. Tom Rouse - played nyc last year - player of the year in SG Ball (entire comp) - player of the finals in Ball - NSW rep - national under 18s title holder
8. Korbin Sims - 3rd year of NYC - unlucky to not make firstgrade after training and trialing with firstgrade
9. Chad Redman - 3rd year of NYC - trained and had one trial with firstgrade - NSW and Aus schoolboys rep
10. Paterkia Vaivai - no idea
11. Jackson Hill - one of the best for Knights under 18s in their finals victories last year
12. Nathan Clarke - 3rd year of NYC - one at Manly - 2nd at Knights
13. Tyler Sullivan - 4th year of NYC after debuting at 16 - NSW and Aus rep
Interchange:
14. Adam Clydsdale - grandson of Aus captain Don Adams - one of Knights best in national Ball winning side
15. Michael Steele - captain of national title under 18s side - played NYC last year
16. Lachlan Shipard - debut player
17. Kurt Warden - think he played last year.

18. Robert Mason - debut if he plays - big prop who played in the national under 18s title winning side and also played for Maitland in the Newcastle senior grandfinal last year as a 17 year old.

 

[s1ng0709]

Billy2, sounds like knights have alot of experience! But in saying that if the knights don't win it has the last 3 or 4 years been a waste for the knights? Just wondering because alot of teams have had a higher player turnover but have been more successful than the knights the last few seasons...

 

[mean_maori_mean]

Knights have gone for a very experienced side with only 4 players debuting in this game.
Vaivai is a new player and i can't find anything about him.
Allison, Hill and Shiperd were all members of the Knights under 18s national title winners last year.
Many of the players are in their 3rd year of NYC, and Tyler Sullivan is in his fourth.
The new coach is starting with the most experienced side possible, and a similar squad had a long winning streak at the end of last season, only being beaten by the Warriors twice in the last 6 weeks or so of last season (in a regular season game and a final).
It's a strong squad with good form at the end of last year and they have been training harder and are better coached.
They should improve a lot on their 8th place finish last year.

1. Kurt Mann - played NYC last year - won national under 18s title last year - qld rep for last two years
2. Chanel Mata'utia - 3rd year of NYC - played two trials with firstgrade
3. Dale Clacherty - 3rd year of NYC - NSW rep
4. Api Pewhairangi - 3rd year of NYC - very talented kiwi
5. Joshua Allison - national under 18s title winner - debut player
6. William Smith - 3rd year of NYC - NSW rep - trained with firstgrade and played one firstgrade trial
7. Tom Rouse - played nyc last year - player of the year in SG Ball (entire comp) - player of the finals in Ball - NSW rep - national under 18s title holder
8. Korbin Sims - 3rd year of NYC - unlucky to not make firstgrade after training and trialing with firstgrade
9. Chad Redman - 3rd year of NYC - trained and had one trial with firstgrade - NSW and Aus schoolboys rep
10. Paterkia Vaivai - no idea
11. Jackson Hill - one of the best for Knights under 18s in their finals victories last year
12. Nathan Clarke - 3rd year of NYC - one at Manly - 2nd at Knights
13. Tyler Sullivan - 4th year of NYC after debuting at 16 - NSW and Aus rep
Interchange:
14. Adam Clydsdale - grandson of Aus captain Don Adams - one of Knights best in national Ball winning side
15. Michael Steele - captain of national title under 18s side - played NYC last year
16. Lachlan Shipard - debut player
17. Kurt Warden - think he played last year.

18. Robert Mason - debut if he plays - big prop who played in the national under 18s title winning side and also played for Maitland in the Newcastle senior grandfinal last year as a 17 year old.

Patrick Vaivai is a gun junior prop from Auckland.
He was junior rep star originally signed with Storm and went to QLD school.
Came home cause of ilness in the family.
Signed up with the Warriors and was in their 2010/2011 NYC squad.

However he fells of the rails a little and rarked up team mgmt.
got cut/blacklisted by the warriors.

Played senior club footy past two years in Akld.
Im glad somebody has taken a punt on him.

He has NRL potential IMO.
Very mobile and very skillful. Not lazy or anything more rought around the edges.
Likes to play standoff sometimes lol.

 

[APRIL BELLE]

Still on the Broncos but it appears Francis Molo & Jake Kelly have been released. Both their profiles have been removed from the Broncos website and it matches a similar report I read on another RL website. Would be very interesting to see what's gone on, especially with Molo who was poised to play with the AIS until he injured his shoulder and was a stand out for the Queensland Under 18s.

[/QUOTE]

couldnt agree more with you re Francis Molo in his Qld 18 match. Gone back to NZ to recover from shoulder injury and told not to expect to see him back at the Broncos again.

Kelly - walked out before Christmas over some drama

 

[billy2]

Billy2, sounds like knights have alot of experience! But in saying that if the knights don't win it has the last 3 or 4 years been a waste for the knights? Just wondering because alot of teams have had a higher player turnover but have been more successful than the knights the last few seasons...

The Knights NYC has produced firstgraders like Roberts, Stig, Tetevano, Edwards, Mata'utia and others who have moved to other clubs like Faifai loa, Shirnack, Jono Ford and others who will make firstgrade possibly this year in Rod Mason, Ethan Cook, Josh Aioloami at Easts etc.
Not sure if the policy this year and the end of last year will produce firstgraders - but the youth policy of the few years before that gave us a better firstgrade development ratio than most sides - and that's the real name of the game.

 

[ozbash]

MMM, is Kurt Mann tied up with the Mann family in NZ ?

 

[billy2]

MMM, is Kurt Mann tied up with the Mann family in NZ ?

Don't know.
Knights signed him from Saint Brendans in Yeppoon, Qld where he was their fullback and the Qld fullback. Last season he played halfback in the Knights under 18s and halfback for Qld under 18s, but seems to be back to fullback now.

 

[Big Pete]

Not sure if the policy this year and the end of last year will produce firstgraders - but the youth policy of the few years before that gave us a better firstgrade development ratio than most sides - and that's the real name of the game.

I thought that was an interesting point so I did some research.

Based on NYC Origins the Knights really don't rate that highly (10) compared to Parramatta (19), Brisbane (18), Sydney (18) & Warriors (17).

For those playing at home, Manly had the least amount of NYC origin graduates with 8.