Juniors v Eels Semi

[ozbash]

The Vodafone Junior Warriors are set to field an unchanged line-up for the third straight week when they face Parramatta in their NYC preliminary final at ANZ Stadium on Saturday (5.15pm kick-off local time; 7.15pm NZT).

Coach Stacey Jones today named the same 17 players used in the club’s two finals wins against the Sydney Roosters (44-30) and Newcastle (23-16).

Last Saturday night’s victory improved the Vodafone Junior Warriors’ finals record to 13 wins in the 18 play-offs they’ve been involved in since the competition was launched in 2008.

This week’s contest gives co-captain Mason Lino the chance to edge closer to the possibility of reaching two NYC points-scoring milestones in what is his third and final season in the competition.

With seven points in last week’s win over the Knights, Lino lifted his tally this year to 189 points from 10 tries, 74 goals and a field goal leaving him within reach of topping 200 points in a season for the first time.

After scoring 144 points in 2012 and 147 in 2013, Lino has a career total of 480 in 60 games, leaving the 500-point mark within reach if the Vodafone Junior Warriors can continue their finals winning run.

With his three conversions and field goal last week Lino moved into second spot on the NYC’s list of highest points-scorers. He overtook Jake Mullaney who tallied 470 points in his NYC career with Wests Tigers but is a long way behind Kyle Feldt’s record of 570. Feldt’s total included 211 goals, a record Lino will claim if he kicks three goals against the Eels on Saturday.

Also eyeing a personal milestone is prop Sam Lisone. He plays his 49th game this week leaving him on track to reach the 50-game mark in the grand final if the Vodafone Junior Warriors can eliminate Parramatta; he would become the fourth player in the side to achieve the feat this season after Lino, Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard and Ngataua Hukatai.

Lisone collected the double at the club’s awards last week when he was named the SKYCITY NYC Players’ Player of the Year as well as the supreme Vodafone NYC Player of the Year.

He underlined his credentials with an exceptional display against the Knights when he carried the ball 210 metres from 12 high-quality runs featuring four tackle breaks, two off loads and a line break while he also made 28 tackles.

None was more important and inspirational than his phenomenal effort to drive try-bound Newcastle fullback Jake Mamo into touch in the corner late in the game.

It was all the more remarkable because it followed a Newcastle attacking scrum close to the Vodafone Junior Warriors’ line between the touchline and goal posts. The Knights went straight to their backline on a big open side, shifting the ball wide to their right edge to Mamo, who wriggled clear of two defenders and was seemingly set to score. Only Lisone had not only got out of the scrum but had raced some 50 metres across field to round Mamo up and pound him into touch.

Set to line up at fullback again this week is Brad Abbey, who has made good progress after being forced off the field with a hip injury last weekend.

The 17-year-old – he isn’t 18 until December 30 – has had an outstanding debut season. He was named the TNT NYC Rookie of the Year at the Vodafone Warriors RED BALL Awards last week in recognition of a season which has seen him appear in all 26 matches so far (the only player in the squad to do so) and sit top of the team’s try-scoring list with 14.

After playing at Allianz Stadium in the first two weeks of the finals, the Vodafone Junior Warriors move to ANZ Stadium this week. The match against the Eels is the curtain-raiser to the NRL preliminary final between Penrith and Canterbury-Bankstown.

The Vodafone Junior Warriors, who finished eighth in the regular season, are the only side from outside the top four to reach the preliminary finals.

The Eels beat the Vodafone Junior Warriors in both regular season encounters between the two sides, romping to a 50-24 win in the first round and scoring a last-minute try for a 22-19 victory at Mount Smart Stadium in July.

Parramatta, ranked third at the end of the regular season, moved directly to the preliminary finals after beating second-placed Brisbane 32-26 in week one of the play-offs.

Live coverage of the Vodafone Juniors Warriors v Parramatta Eels clash starts on SKY Sport 2 from 7.00pm on Saturday.


VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS – NYC FINALS RECORD

2008 St George Illawarra Won 47-20

Penrith Won 38-4

Brisbane Lost 26-28

2009 St George Illawarra Lost 24-48

2010 Manly Won 25-22

Canterbury-Bankstown Won 23-16

South Sydney Won 42-28 (grand final)

2011 Newcastle Won 54-6

Canterbury-Bankstown Won 64-0

North Queensland Won 31-30 (grand final)

2012 Canberra Lost 38-39

Sydney Roosters Lost 10-26

2013 South Sydney Won 20-18

Sydney Roosters Won 58-6

Canterbury-Bankstown Won 54-38

Penrith Lost 30-42 (grand final)

2014 Sydney Roosters Won 44-30

Newcastle Won 23-16



(3) PARRAMATTA EELS v (8) VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS

ANZ Stadium, Sydney

5.15pm, Saturday, September 27



VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS

1 BRAD ABBEY

2 NGATAUA HUKATAI

3 NATHANIEL ROACHE

4 SOLOMONE KATA

5 METIA LISATI

6 TUIMOALA LOLOHEA

7 MASON LINO (c)

8 SAM LISONE (c)

9 KURT ROBINSON

10 KOUMA SAMSON

11 MARATA NIUKORE

12 ADAM TUIMAVAVE-GERRARD

13 JAZZ TEVAGA

Interchange:

14 JAMES BELL

15 TOAFOFOA SIPLEY

16 KEN MAUMALO

17 IULIO AFOA

20 OFAHIKI OGDEN

COACH: STACEY JONES


http://www.warriors.co.nz/news/2014/09/23/nyc_finals_same_side_set_for_eels.html

 

[sup42]

I can't remember a time where I was more invested in how the Under twenties team go than this Jones era.

Part of that is because of the Jones factor......but the greater part is to do with the changes at our club to the undergrades post john Acklands time.

Aklands model is world famous in NZ : use the rapid physical maturity of the Polynesian player to run over the top of their counter parts all the way to the GF.

Jones on the other hand was told by Elliot that his squad would be picked based on the top sides needs.

Conventional selections in other words....wingers playing Wing....Backs and forwards selected according to specialist roles as opposed to out sizing the opposition.

The other radical change to this team has been the rapid promotion of NYC players to NSW cup level.

You could make an argument for the case that the low placing of the U20's side during the regular season is evidence that the new Model is wrong.

For mine the success of this team in the finals series...especially defeating the Knights.....suggests that the new approach is working.

 

[Rennie]

I can't remember a time where I was more invested in how the Under twenties team go than this Jones era.

Part of that is because of the Jones factor......but the greater part is to do with the changes at our club to the undergrades post john Acklands time.

Aklands model is world famous in NZ : use the rapid physical maturity of the Polynesian player to run over the top of their counter parts all the way to the GF.

Jones on the other hand was told by Elliot that his squad would be picked based on the top sides needs.

Conventional selections in other words....wingers playing Wing....Backs and forwards selected according to specialist roles as opposed to out sizing the opposition.

The other radical change to this team has been the rapid promotion of NYC players to NSW cup level.

You could make an argument for the case that the low placing of the U20's side during the regular season is evidence that the new Model is wrong.

For mine the success of this team in the finals series...especially defeating the Knights.....suggests that the new approach is working.

Agree 100% with this post but the heart and soul of this team is the biggest,baddest of them all Sam Lisone! Gonna be a tough one this weekend against a very good Parra team.

 

[Blair]

Call me thick but can someone explain to me why our U20s last game v Penrith didn't go to extra-time. At fulltime it was 18-18.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

No extra time in U20's.

 

[Blair]

Some conversion then, from Lino, from the sideline with time up on the clock.

After the disappointment of that night it means even more now. Can't wait till Saturday.

 

[Warrior@Heart]

Sam Lisone is a Beast and not only does he dominate the opposition physically but his stamina and commitment on defence is what's been really impressing me. And he truly leads that forward pack like a Warrior. Plus Kata's been looking good out there lately hope he keeps it up, could be a smokie for a wing spot next year.

 

[Rich102]

Lisati & Tuimavave-Gerrard have big futures ahead.
Maumalo is impressive too.

The big thing though, is that the forwards lay a platform for the backs to work off.

And have I mentioned Mason? Great half.

 

[Cold Roses]

Sam Lisone is a Beast and not only does he dominate the opposition physically but his stamina and commitment on defence is what's been really impressing me. And he truly leads that forward pack like a Warrior. Plus Kata's been looking good out there lately hope he keeps it up, could be a smokie for a wing spot next year.

Massively impressed with this kid. He's got the right attitude. Something that a lot of our 'Jandals and Hoodies' first graders would do well to take note of.

 

[ozbash]

Vodafone Junior Warriors coach Stacey Jones has been forced to make four line-up changes for tonight’s NYC preliminary final against Parramatta at ANZ Stadium (5.15pm kick-off local time, 7.15pm NZT).

Jones originally named the same side which had earned the club victories in the first two play-offs against the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle.

But he has lost three of his established starting combination which has resulted in four changes on a day when the Vodafone Junior Warriors are within 80 minutes of their second straight grand final and the club’s fourth in five years.

Fullback Brad Abbey made good progress from a hip pointer injury but hasn’t fully recovered to be able to play and experienced winger Metia Lisati has been ruled out after picking up a hamstring strain at training. Also unavailable is second rower Marata Niukore following a family bereavement.

Their absences see 17-year-old Ata Hingano returning from an injury lay-off to start at standoff, Paul Ulberg coming back on the right wing and Michael Ki in the second row.

Moving to fullback to replace Abbey is Tuimoala Lolohea, who was due to start in the halves; along with David Fusitu’a, Lolohea has the distinction of playing for the club’s NRL, New South Wales Cup and NYC teams this year.

Abbey’s run of consecutive appearances has ended at 26. The team’s top try-scorer had been the only squad member used in every game so far this season.

Hingano impressed in 15 matches earlier in his rookie season, Ulberg had six tries in his first 12 appearances this year and Ki will make his 17th appearance in a season in which he has also played for the club’s NSW Cup side.

This match is the 19th play-off in the Vodafone Junior Warriors’ history. The only club to make the finals in each of the competition’s seven seasons, the record shows 13 wins so far including two grand final victories.

Jones expects this to be his side’s sternest challenge to date. The Eels trounced the Vodafone Junior Warriors 50-24 in the opening round of the season and then completed the double with a last-minute 22-19 win at Mount Smart Stadium.

Co-captains Mason Lino and Sam Lisone will stay on track for major milestones if the team succeeds today. Victory would give Lisone the opportunity to make his 50th NYC appearance in the grand final while Lino has two points-scoring marks in his sights; he needs 11 more points to reach 200 in an NYC season for the first times and he is 20 points short of 500 for his career. In this his third and final NYC season he has become the second highest points-scorer in the competition’s history.

Live coverage of the match starts on SKY Sport 2 at 5.00pm.



(3) Eels v (8) VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS

ANZ Stadium, Sydney

5.15pm, Saturday, September 27

Referees: Chris Butler and Jon Stone



VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS

6 TUIMOALA LOLOHEA

2 NGATAUA HUKATAI

3 NATHANIEL ROACHE

4 SOLOMONE KATA

23 PAUL ULBERG

18 MAFOA’AEATA HINGANO

7 MASON LINO (c)

8 SAM LISONE (c)

9 KURT ROBINSON

10 KOUMA SAMSON

22 MICHAEL KI

12 ADAM TUIMAVAVE-GERRARD

13 JAZZ TEVAGA

Interchange:

14 JAMES BELL

15 TOAFOFOA SIPLEY

16 KEN MAUMALO

17 IULIO AFOA

COACH: STACEY JONES



COVERAGE:

Live coverage starts on SKY Sport 2 at 7.00pm.

 

[Philip_Smith007]

Sam Lisone in for the first try after back to back penalties.
Stuffed up a certain try with last pass going forward and before that no dummy half on play the ball.

 

[Philip_Smith007]

ATG on for a try after scoring point!
A long way to go in this game tho!
0-12

 

[Philip_Smith007]

Eels in after dropped ball at back by Lolohea, gives them a set inside the 10m
6-12

 

[Philip_Smith007]

Mason Lino in for the third try and converted. Commentators losing it over a potential captains challenge for a clear try.
6-18

 

[Philip_Smith007]

OK, captains challenge confusion there, knock on by parra ruled knock back!

 

[Philip_Smith007]

If eels hold the ball and complete a set they might be in this game!
Half time
6-19 with drop goal by Linon (after missing one the set before)on half time after held up over the line.

 

[Rebel]

40 min away from another final we hope

 

[Philip_Smith007]

Eels score on the back of a penalty and actually completing sets.
Last pass looked a bit suspect going to ground looked forward.
10-19

 

[Rebel]

Whatever the result, lisione needs to be in first grade next year

 

[Rebel]

Eels coming back