Two Northlanders to star in SG Ball Final
James Dean Fisher-Harris
Hamish Pomare
James Dean Fisher Harris and Hamish Pomare booked a place in the SG Ball Final for the Penrith Panthers against the Sydney Roosters on Saturday the 9th May as they defeated fellow Northlander Kadince Christensen’s Parramatta Eels 28 – 4.
Last week we wrongly reported that the match v Parramatta was the final. It was in fact the SEMI-Final.
The atmosphere was electric at 4.15pm on Wednesday 26 September at Lindvant Park, Kaikohe, when Whangarei Boys High School and Okaihau College headed out on to the field for the final of the NorthTec Adam Blair Trophy. The teams ensured that they kept it that way during a nail-biting final that tied right until the last play, with trophy defenders Whangarei Boys High School coming out on top with a final score of 16 – 12.
The final was a great game of rugby league and according to Alex Smits, General Manager of Rugby League Northland, it was an epic event fitting for a grand final scenario.
11 high schools competed for the NorthTec Adam Blair Trophy, with Okaihau being the top team in the North Pool and Whangarei Boys High School the top of the South Pool. Mr Smits commented that it was fitting that these two talented teams should be playing each other in the final.
In true Grand Final spirit the curtain raiser between Kamo and Bay of Islands (playoff for 3rd and 4th) was also a nail biting thriller. Locked at 12 all until the last 10 minutes when Bay of Islands broke the deadlock scoring three late tries to win 26 – 14
The Adam Blair Trophy is named after Whangarei local and ex Whangarei Boys High School student, 26 year old professional rugby league player, Adam Blair, who plays for the Kiwis, and is also in the Sydney NRL team, the Wests Tigers.
“The Adam Blair Trophy is a great way to introduce rugby league to new players, and from the Rugby League Northland point of view, it is instrumental in getting new players interested in the sport,” Mr Smits added. There are currently only six club rugby league teams in Northland.
In the future Rugby League Northland will be looking at putting together a secondary schools team to play the Warriors Development Squad.
Rugby League Northland and NorthTec don’t just work together for the Adam Blair trophy. They have also collaborated on the establishment of a new Rugby League Academy.
With 2013 being its first year, this is the opportunity for Northlanders with a passion for Rugby League to tie professional training to their tertiary study. Rugby League’s Development motto is “more than just a game”, which is pushing players to pathways on and off the field.
The Rugby League Academy gives successful applicants the opportunity to have coaching exchanges with The Warrior’s coaching staff, play matches against other academies, and attend specialist rugby league training three mornings and two afternoons a week, as well as attending NorthTec either as a Youth Guarantees Certificate in Vocational Studies (Level 2) student, or as a mainstream student. In addition, successful applicants will receive a training kit, and a membership for Kensington Fitness.
Though the academy is focused mainly on Rugby League, Rugby Union players can also apply.
Applicants for the Rugby League Academy must be playing for a rugby league or rugby union club in the 2012 season, and it is expected that there will be around 15 successful applicants.
For more information on the Rugby League Academy or to down load an application form, visit the NorthTec website www.northtec.ac.nz/RLA.
For the photo Gallery click here…
Written by Vicktoria Baulcomb – NorthTec.
The Northern Swords are calling out to all of Northland League public to get in behind the Swords to help them rescue their season this weekend at Toll Stadium after they were put to the sword by the Central Vipers in Whanganui on Sunday. The Central Vipers continued their turnaround season in the Pirtek NZRL National Premiership, with a resounding 74-16 win over Northern Swords. After travelling through the 2013 competition without a win, the Hawke’s Bay/Taranaki/Manawatu/Whanganui combination have now registered two wins this year, having accounted for Wellington two weeks ago.
By contrast, the Swords now have one hand on the wooden spoon, still winless through four rounds. The equivalent fixture 12 months ago provided the Vipers with the best result of their schedule – a 40-22 loss – but they were quickly on top this time, running in seven tries to lead 36-4 at halftime.
Coach Mark Freeman, had very little positive things to say about the team’s performance, “I thought after last week’s run against the Auckland Development squad that we had prepared well going into the game, there were some who tried and others who shouldn’t have put a jersey on today. We’re not going to give up though, we will address what it takes to play Rugby League and tackle this week and take on the next challenge.”
The Northern Swords have Wai-Coa-Bay this Sunday at Toll Stadium. The Stallions are also coming off a big loss as they were thumped by Counties Manukau 68 – 0. “In tough times Whanau support Whanau, these are tough times for the Swords, we need our Northland League public to get down to Toll this weekend and give them support from the sidelines. Like all things in life, when things are tough, knowing you have your Whanau backing you, can be a tremendous moral boost!” said Alex Smits – RLN GM.
The Swords 15s and 17s will also have their final hit out against the Wai-Coa-Bay outfit before they head to Rotorua for their National Campaign. The 15s and 17s were scheduled to play on Toll Stadium 11.45 and 1:00pm respectively – however, Toll has suffered some serious damage over the last couple weeks with the amount of rain we have had, added to the Rugby and League fixtures that have been played. Toll is having some remedial work done, so it is hoped that it will recover. If it is unavailable the 15s and 17s fixtures will be moved to Old Boys.
11.45 – U15s – Northern Swords v Wai-Coa-Bay Colts (Old Boys or Toll Stadium TBC)
1.00pm – U17s – Northern Swords v Wai-Coa-Bay Colts (Old Boys or Toll Stadium TBC)
2.30pm – Premiers Northern Swords v Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions – Toll Stadium
Next week sees the culmination of the heavily contested NorthTec Adam Blair Trophy head into semi-finals. This is Rugby League Northlands Premier Secondary School Competition. We have the top two teams from the North and South teams fighting it out for the Adam Blair Trophy and the 3rd and 4th placed teams from each zone battling it out for the Northern Swords Shield (Plate).
Adam Blair Trophy Semi-Finals— Wednesday 30th March at 4.30pm:
WBHS v Northland College – at WBHS
Kaitaia College v Kamo High School – at Kaitaia College
The Northern Swords Shield (Plate) Semi-Finals— Wednesday 30thMarch at 4.30pm:
Dargaville High School v Whangaroa College – at Dargaville High School
Kura Kaikohe v BOI College – at Northland College
All teams are packed with strike power and wanting to get their hands on the silverware. Boys High v Northland college will see both teams flexing their muscle with two big forward packs wanting to lay the platform. Players to watch: WBHS: Wiremu Grieg, Jayden Laupepe, Stylie Antonio & Ngatai Manukau-Togiavalu. Northland College: John and Phoenix Henare-Clarke, Taite Kopa & Tamati Leach
Whereas the Kaitaia College v Kamo High School game will see Kaitaia, who have been together for over 3 years, wanting to test the fruition of their program against a much younger but heavily structured side. Players to watch: Kaitaia College-Jackson Sparks-Brott, Te Kahi Nathan, Brody Tamarua & Rihari Pomare. Kamo High School- Ariki Hughes, Manasseh Turner, James Witehira and Hakaraia Corkery
In the Champions Cup we have a very mobile Dargaville take on a smaller pack, but with speed out wide the Whanagaroa side will test and ask questions if given room.
Players to watch: Dargaville– Thomas Anderson, Rico Cook, Lathan Hutchinson-Walters & Hoani Rogers-Brown. Whangaroa– Troy Hughes, Royce Sanderson and Wiremu Kakarana
On the other side of the draw we see a very evenly matched game which will be close. Kura Kaikohe have a free running style and are dangerous in open play whereas BOI run good shape and will look to win the arm wrestle. Players to watch: BOI College– Micheal Davis, Jarrod Hona, and Xavier Nilsson-Cherrington. Kura Kaikohe– Osaiasi Tau-Kata, Ngapuhi Simeon and Wiremu Herewini