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Toyota Cup - Mid season review

Pumba

First Grade
Messages
8,542
Toyota Cup - Mid season review
Written by: Ali Nolan
June 11th, 2008 6:36am


With the inception of the Under 20's Toyota Cup in 2008, many were sceptical as to how successful the competition would actually be.
Now halfway through the first season of the Toyota Cup, a lot more spectators are heading to their home games earlier than they normally would because they are treated to a fine display of young talent on show, some destined to be future NRL/International stars.
Talk of these youngsters being over trained and burnt out are dispelled very quickly with the crowd numbers steadily increasing, the players on the field are responding with enthusiasm.
So mid season, how are the teams performing? In some cases, a lot better than their respective First Grade sides. Quite a few players from the Under 20's competition have been called in by their Club to cover for injuries, covering for State of Origin duties, and so forth in the NRL games, and have slotted in with relative ease, some even cementing a First Grade spot.
St George Illawarra Dragons:
Won 10. Lost 1. Drew 1. 1st position - 23 points.

The most consistent team so far in the Under 20's competition. Their first loss of the year, in Round 13 against the Broncos, came as a surprise to many.
John Kennedy, Matthew Mundine and Thomas Hancock have been stand out players in the Dragons side, with the latter two having both earned a spot in the NSW U18's playing in the curtain raiser in Game 2 of the State of Origin series.

Penrith Panthers:
Won 9. Lost 2.Drew 0. 2nd position - 22 points.

The Panthers continue to perform well on the field, and look to be a very solid unit. Their discipline sometimes letting them own, but made up for in stunning attacking options.
Lachlan Coote stands out as one player to watch in the future. Along with Wade Graham, he has also been targeted for the NSW Under 18's rep side. Hooker Masada Iosefa also creates some great plays.

Canberra Raiders:
Won 8. Lost 3. Drew 0. 3rd position - 20 points.

The Raiders hold onto a 100% away record, losing 3 games at home. Turn their floundering home record around, and they will be a force to be reckoned with come finals time.
Justin Carney and Josh Dugan, two very versatile players, who with talent around them, cause havoc for a lot of the opposition players.

Parramatta Eels:
Won 6. Lost 4. Drew 1. 4th position - 17 points.

A very solid unit who once again suffered a heavy away loss at the hands of the Broncos, and on a bit of a losing streak at present. This side seemed to perform well under pressure earlier in the season and need to bounce back from the current lull in form. Tim Mannah and Nathan Gardner two names that stand out for higher accolades.

Wests Tigers:
Won 7. Lost 5. Drew 0. 5th position - 16 points.

Three great wins in their last 3 starts has seen the Wests Tigers come ahead with leaps and bounds. Lead brilliantly by Tim Moltzen, this side is improving week by week. His transition to fullback a definite asset to the side.

Canterbury Bulldogs:
Won 6. Lost 4. Drew 2. 6th position - 16 points.

Two draws hasn't helped the Bulldogs cause, but has shown, along with some close victories, that they can hold their own in the close games.
Jamal Idrishas lived up to the hype surrounding him, and looks to be a great future prospect. Ben Barba and John Kite definite stand outs for the Club.

NZ Warriors:
Won 6. Lost 4. Drew 2. 7th position - 16 points.

The Warriors side at times seems small in stature in comparison to their opposition, their attacking flair at times outstanding. Captain Russell Packer, and Sonny Fai, returning from a taste of top grade, can only boost their confidence. Kevin Locke and Ben Matulino looking the goods for the future.

Brisbane Broncos:
Won 6. Lost 5. Drew 1. 8th position - 15 points.

This is one side who can throw their opposition right off their game plan and will continue to do so throughout the rest of 2008. As expected, many of the team are included in the Qld U18's for Wednesday night's SOO curtain raiser. Ben Hunt has had a fine start to the year as has Gerard Beale.

South Sydney Rabbitohs:
Won 6. Lost 6. Drew 0. 9th position - 14 points.

Chris Sandow is one player who for the Rabbitohs has been amazing. Pulled into the First Grade side against the Warriors last Friday night, his absence in the Juniors was very noticeable. Although Luke Capewell and Eddie Paea, more than able replacements on attack. There are some big boys amongst the Rabbitohs line-up.

Gold Coast Titans:
Won 5. Lost 6. Drew 1. 10th position - 13 points.

With back to back solid victories, the Junior Titans are starting to up the tempo heading into the back half of the 2008 season. Jordan Rapana is having a fine time with the boot, as was Kayne Lawton earlier in the season. A definite bonus to have solid goal kickers.

Melbourne Storm:
Won 5. Lost 6. Drew 1. 11th position - 13 points.

Sometimes hot, sometimes cold, the Storm Juniors seem to struggle with consistency. Joseph Tomane, Zeb Tawha and the boot of
Liam Foran, all helpful in keeping the Melbourne side still within reach of the Top 8.

Manly Sea Eagles:
Won 5. Lost 7. Drew 0. 12th position - 12 points.

Manly seems to be one of the teams able to upset some of the front runners in the competition. Players like Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans perform solidly week in, week out. Foran rewarded with the stand off position in the NSW U18's for Game 2.

Newcastle Knights:
Won 3. Lost 8. Drew 0. 13th position - 10 points.

With an outstanding record in under 20s over the years the Knights went into the season with high hopes. Coach Trent Robinson has used 35 players for the half season and at one stage had 17 players unavailable through injury. Despite the tale of woe, Knights fans feel they have unearthed a star of the future in 5/8 or halfback Ryan Stig, and in recent weeks 17 year old NZ import Zane Tetavano has been making heads turn with his metre eating hitups and many line breaks.
The Knights are already thinking about next year as they have blooded up to 6 under 18s most weeks.

Cronulla Sharks:
Won 3. Lost 8. Drew 1. 14th position - 9 points.

It seems a long time since Round 9 when the Junior Sharks last recorded a win in the NYC competition, although they have come tantalisingly close on more than one occasion.
James Sharkie earned himself a call up to First Grade. Nathan Stapleton has also been solid throughout the first half of the season.

Sydney Roosters:
Won 3. Lost 9. Drew 0. 15th position - 8 points.

After winning their first three games of the year, the NYC Roosters side looked to emulate their NRL counterparts in 2008. However 9 consecutive defeats have put pay to any chances they may have of clawing their way back into the Toyota Cup competition. Ben Jones and Jake Friend, two players that have made their mark and will represent their state in Game 2 in the SOO Series.

NQ Cowboys:
Won 0. Lost 10. Drew 2. 16th position - 4 points.

With only a draw against Parramatta and the Warriors to show on paper for their season, the U20 Cowboys have a long road ahead of them. Unfortunately close fought games don't count for much unless you come away with the points. Obe Geia on the wing, one of the stand out performers for the Cowboys squad.
As we head into the second half of the season I'm sure the quality the rugby league supporters will see on the field before any NRL matches will only get better. The Toyota Cup is creating interest which can only be good for the game. Add to that the NSW Cup and the Queensland Cup and the amount of talent running around ready to step up to First Grade is astounding.

League Unlimited
 

NikkiShark

Juniors
Messages
1,106
Cronulla Sharks:
Won 3. Lost 8. Drew 1. 14th position - 9 points.

It seems a long time since Round 9 when the Junior Sharks last recorded a win in the NYC competition, although they have come tantalisingly close on more than one occasion.
James Sharkie earned himself a call up to First Grade. Nathan Stapleton has also been solid throughout the first half of the season.

James Sharkie hasn't played first grade yet, that was Jayson Bukuya and Karlos Filiga..
 

Bulldogs_4_Life

Juniors
Messages
1,323
Nice summary and agree with what was said on the Bulldogs. Barba has been good, but Kite has been far better and a definite stand out.
 

Dogaholic

First Grade
Messages
5,075
Dogs should have been much higher on the ladder. They really should have closed off some of the games, esp against Parra, the Tits and NZ.
 

AliN

Live Update Team
Messages
3,676
cheers guys, will fix things up.
Getting U20's news from the Clubs is pretty tough, which is a real shame.
 

SSFC Hitman

Juniors
Messages
882
Just a question??? Does anyone know if a player graduates to first grade a bit later this year or even now are they still eligible for the under 20's finals if their NRL team misses out??

And yes as a Souths fan I am thinking of Sandow and Capewell in mind...mind you without Sandow I'm not sure if our Under 20's team will make the semis.
 

Caged Panther

First Grade
Messages
5,178
Not certain but I would imagine that it's similar to how premier league used to be. Players must have played a certain number of games in the U20's throughout the season to be eligble to play in the finals series. Not sure what that number is though.
 

Syren

Juniors
Messages
452
Not certain but I would imagine that it's similar to how premier league used to be. Players must have played a certain number of games in the U20's throughout the season to be eligble to play in the finals series. Not sure what that number is though.

Yeah I have a sneak suspicion that a player must play X amount of games to be eligible. Otherwise players like Chase Stanley would just slot straight into the U20 side for the finals, which is kinda fair.
 

Pumba

First Grade
Messages
8,542
Just a question??? Does anyone know if a player graduates to first grade a bit later this year or even now are they still eligible for the under 20's finals if their NRL team misses out??

And yes as a Souths fan I am thinking of Sandow and Capewell in mind...mind you without Sandow I'm not sure if our Under 20's team will make the semis.

That is a great question.

I will send a email to the NRL now and find out.
 

Pumba

First Grade
Messages
8,542
SSFC Hitman here is the reply I received from Michael Buettner

Hi,

Thanks for your enquiry regarding eligibility for Finals for players competing in the Toyota Cup.

The simple answer without going into to much detail is a player such as Chris Sandow will be required to have played the majority of the games throughout season 2008 in the Toyota Cup to be eligible to compete in the Final Series. I believe Chris has played approx. 10 Toyota Cup games therefore would be required to compete in another 2 matches of this competition to be eligible for the Finals Series.

If Chris remains in the NRL squad for the remainder of the season then based on the number of games he has currently played he would not be eligible for the Toyota Cup Final Series. I would expect, depending on how well the Rabbitohs are going with Chris at halfback that they would look to qualify him for the Toyota Cup Final Series prior to the end of the season.

I hope this answers your enquiry and good luck to the Rabbitohs for the remainder of the season.

Kind regards,
Michael Buettner
Toyota Cup Manager

Firstly I used Chris Sandow as a example so he thinks I am a Rabbitohs fan :(.

So from that email I am guessing they have to play in 12 Toyota Cup games to eligible to play in the Toyota Cup Finals.
 

Syren

Juniors
Messages
452
SSFC Hitman here is the reply I received from Michael Buettner



Firstly I used Chris Sandow as a example so he thinks I am a Rabbitohs fan :(.

So from that email I am guessing they have to play in 12 Toyota Cup games to eligible to play in the Toyota Cup Finals.

Good stuff Pumba, now we know the players need to play 12 games (50%) to be eligible to play in the finals, that probably will also happen to Russell Packer for example.
 

Dogaholic

First Grade
Messages
5,075
Good stuff Pumba, now we know the players need to play 12 games (50%) to be eligible to play in the finals, that probably will also happen to Russell Packer for example.

It sounds as though it also depends on the number of games that is played in total.

EG 12 games... 50% = 6 games in NYC.
 

SSFC Hitman

Juniors
Messages
882
Absolute top stuff Pumba thanks for that...and thanks to Buettner as well for replying. And Pumba really being a Souths fan isn't THAT bad....because we don't win as often it makes each win we do get just that little more special and something we don't take for granted lol.

And I think dogaholic is right it would be based on the number of games played...so if Sandow only plays 20 matches than he'd be allowed to play...but honestly i think he'll be in first grade for the rest of the year...so hopefully Paea steps up and takes control.
 

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