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Sunday, June 08, 2008

NZ Players in the NRL 2008 edition 

Jesus this takes me fucking ages to put together. You all better appreciate it! And there are dozens missing from Toyota Cup sides because I just can't scratch out any info on where a lot of the players were born.

82 NZers have played first grade this year. 6 are in first grade squads but haven't played.
79 NZers have played Toyota Cup this year with a further 22 who haven't got on the field yet. Those are just the players I know of (on the list below). So that's 189 NZ players in those 32 teams. There are of course a whole heap playing Jersey Flegg and NSW Premier League with NRL affiliated clubs. And that's not even starting on NZers in the Super League.

And that ladies and gentlemen is why league is stuffed IN Aotearoa. Imagine NZ rugby if the best 200 players were overseas. We would be left with something akin to the Heartland Championship as our best football. My old man was going on about how a bloke like Wairangi Koopu wouldn't have even made the senior club side he played in in Auckland in the 1960s and 70s. I was thinking they were the ramblings of a drunken man but you know what, he's probably right. The guys whose spot he would have had were all Auckland and NZ reps and great footballers and this was when ALL the best league players NZ had were in NZ. Now we have guys in the Warriors and other NRL and Super League teams who would be average club footballers in Auckland and elsewhere if all the 300 or so overseas came home.

BRISBANE BRONCOS
Greg Eastwood (b. Auckland – Manurewa Marlins)
Isaak Ah Mau (b. NZ - Otahuhu Leopards)

Toyota National Youth Competition
Alex Glenn (b. ? - ?)
Jared Kahu (b. ? -?)
Leon Panapa (b. ? - ?)
Wiremu Ratana (b. ? - ?)


BULLDOGS
Ben Roberts (b. Sydney - X)
Matthew Utai (b. Auckland - X)
Sonny Bill Williams (b. Auckland – Marist Saints)
Tim Winitana (b. Wellington - X)
Lee Te Maari (b. Tokoroa - X)

Lorenzo Ma'afu (b. NZ - X)

Toyota National Youth Competition
Josh Bishop (b. ? - ?)
Jeco Makatoa (b Auckland - Otara)
Mason Pure (b. ? - Northern Storm)
Sene Tala (b. Wellington - Earlwood Saints)
Arana Taumata (b. ? - Te Aroha)
Martin Taupau (b? - ?)

Brendan Hikaka (b. Taranaki - ?)
Paki Afu (b. NZ - ?)


CANBERRA RAIDERS
Glen Turner (b. Christchurch – Linwood)

Toyota National Youth Competition
???


CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Fraser Anderson (b. Auckland – East Coast Bays)
Luke Covell (b. Australia but repped Kiwis - X)
Misi Taulapapa (b. Auckland – Marist Saints)
Terence Seu Seu (b. Auckland - ?)
Sam Moa (b. Auckland - ?)

Toyota National Youth Competition
Shane Pumipi (b. Dargaville - Waioroa Bulls)
Karlos Filiga (b. Wellington - Harbour City Eagles)
Bracken Karauria-Henry (b. Auckland - Halswell)
Tu’u Maori (b. Auckland - St Pauls College)


GOLD COAST TITANS
Aaron Cannings (b. Auckland - X)
James Stosic (b. New Plymouth - Waitara Bears)

Toyota National Youth Competition
Kingi Akauola (b. ? - repped Junior Kiwis)
Jordan Rapana (b. Wellington - but repped Junior Kangaroos)
Tyson Lofipo (b. ? - De La Salle College)

Billy Ngawini (b. Auckland - Papakura Sea Eagles)
Phil Dumelow (b. West Coast - ?)


MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Steve Matai (b. Auckland – Ponsonby Ponies)

Toyota National Youth Competition
Kenny Edwards (b. Levin - Whititera)
Michael Tiopira (b. Rotorua - Tokoroa)
Kieran Foran (b. Auckland - ?)
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (b. Rotorua - ?)


MELBOURNE STORM
Jeremy Smith (b. Christchurch - X)
Jeff Lima (b. Auckland - De la Salle H.S.)
Sam Tagataese (b. Lower Hutt – Hutt Valley Marists)
Sika Manu (b. Wellington - ?)
Clifford Manua (b. Auckland - ?)
Kevin Procter (b. NZ - repped J.K's)
Joseph Tomane (b. NZ - ?)
Adam Blair (b. Whangarei – Northland Carvers)

Toby Roche (b. ? - ?)

Toyota National Youth Competition
Liam Foran (b. ? - ?)
Theodore Stuart (b. ? - ?)
Malo Feterika (b. NZ - ?)

Petera Tamarua (b. Melbourne but NZ parents - X)
Laurence Nathan (b. Melbourne but NZ parents - X)
Junior Afu (b. ? - ?)


NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Cooper Vuna (b. Auckland - Otahuhu Leopards)
Jesse Royal (b. Waikato - Linton Cobraz)

Tim Natusch (b. Wellington - ?)
Luke Toimoana (b. Auckland - Mangere East Hawks)
Marvin Karawana (b. Wellington - Wainui Lions)

Toyota National Youth Competition
Jason Schirnack (b. NZ - ?)
Manaia Osborne (b. NZ - ?)
Zane Tetavano (b. Tokoroa - ?)

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
David Faiumu (b. Wellington – Wainuiomata)
Sione Faumuina (b. Auckland – Glenora Bears)
Ben Vaeau (b. Auckland - Mangere East Hawks & Manukau Magpies)

Toyota National Youth Competition
Leo Faagutu (b. Auckland - ?)
Chippie Korostchuck (b. Invercargill - Aranui Eagles)
Darren Tonihi (b. Christchurch - Shirley Hawks)
Daniel Vineula (b. Auckland - Suburbs rugby)

Dylan Smith (b. Auckland - New Lynn Stags)


PARRAMATTA EELS
Nathan Cayliss (b. Australia - X)
Krisnan Inu (b. Auckland - X)
Fuifui Moimoi (b. Auckland – Mt Albert Lions)
Junior Paulo (b. Auckland - ?)
Joe Gulavao (b. Auckland - Manurewa Marlins)
Weller Hauraki (b. Dannevirke - Levin)

Toyota National Youth Competition
Mase Laulu Togagae (b. Auckland - ?)


PENRITH PANTHERS
Geoff Daniela (b. Auckland - ?)
Joseph Paulo (b. Auckland - ?)
Frank Pritchard (b. Sydney - X)
Tony Puletua (b. Auckland - X)
Frank Puletua (b. Auckland - X)
Junior Moors (b. Auckland - X)

Toyota National Youth Competition
Tinirau Arona (b. Dunedin - ?)
Jesse Sene-Lefao (b. Wellington - ?)
Sonny Tuigamala (b. NZ - ?)
Masada Iosefa (b. Samoa but repped NZ at lower grades? - ?)
William Isa (b. Auckland but repped Aussie U15s - ?)
Daniel Penese (b. NZ - ?)
Sam Mckendry (b. ? - Mt Albert Lions)
Junior Tia-Kilifi (b. NZ - ?)
Zoram Watene (b. ? - ? repped Junior Kiwis)
Onesemo Tiatia (b. NZ - ?)


SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Roy Asotasi (b. Auckland – Marist Saints)
David Fa’alogo (b. Auckland – Mt Albert Lions)
David Kidwell (b. Christchurch – Hornby Hornets)
Issac Luke (b. Hawera - Hawera Hawks)
Eddie Paea (b. Sydney but repped NZ - X)
Jeremy Smith (b. Huntly - X)
Nigel Vagana (b. Auckland – Richmond Bulldogs)
Fetuli Talanoa (b. Auckland - ?)
John Tamanika (b. ? - X)
Eddy Pettybourne (b. Christchurch - Marcellin College ?)

Toyota National Youth Competition
???


ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Jason Nightingale (b. Australia - X)
Ben Ellis ( - Turangi Dambusters)
Rangi Chase (b. NZ - Dannevirke Tigers)
Chase Stanley (b. Sydney - X)
Lagi Setu (b. NZ - ?)

Ricky Thorby (b. New Zealand - Central Falcons)

Toyota National Youth Competition
???


SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Sam Perrett (b. Auckland - ?)
Iosia Soliola (b. Auckland – Ponsonby Ponies)
Setaimata Sa (Samoa - Papanui Tigers)
Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Brisbane - East Coast Bays)
Frank-Paul Nuuausala (b. Auckland - Mangere East)

Toyota National Youth Competition
Antonio Winterstein (b. NZ - X)
Dominique Peyroux (b. NZ - Mangere East)
Galu Teo (b. NZ - X)
James Tamou (b. NZ - X)
Mark Talanoa (b. NZ - X)
Mose Mapesone Moseo (b. Wellington - Randwick)

Meli Koliavu (b. Wellington - ?)


WEST TIGERS
Taniela Tuiaki (b. Auckland - X)
Benji Marshall (b. Whakatane - Whakatane H.S)
Dene Halatau (b. Invercargill - X)
Bronson Harrison (b. Auckland - ?)
Ben Te'o (b. Auckland - Hibiscus Coast Raiders)

Toyota National Youth Competition
Benson Tupou (b. NZ - ?)
Soueli Makaui (b. NZ - ?)

Lio Viaga (b. NZ - ?)


WARRIORS
Patrick Ah Van (b. Auckland – Te Atatu Roosters)
Simon Mannering (b. Napier – Wellington Orcas)
Manu Vatuvei (b. Auckland – Otahuhu Leopards)
Jerome Ropati (b. Auckland – Marist Saints)
Louis Anderson (b. Dargaville – East Coast Bays Barricudas)
Wairangi Koopu (b. Opotiki – Taniwharau)
Epalahame Lauaki (b. Tonga - Waitemata and Glenora Bears)
Sonny Fai (b. Auckland – Papatoetoe Panthers)
Sam Rapira (b. Hamilton – Hukanui)
Logan Swann (b. Auckland – Mt Wellington Warriors)
Evarn Tuimavave (b. Auckland – Richmond Bulldogs)
Ruben Wiki (b. Auckland – Otahuhu Leopards)
Nathan Fien (b. Mount Isa - X)
Lance Hohaia (b.Hamilton – Taniwharau)
Ryan Shortland (b. Masterton - X)
Russell Packer (b. Huntly - Levin Lions)

Toyota National Youth Competition
USED
Michael Afioga (b. ? - ?)
Leeson Ah Mau (b. ? - Otahuhu Leopards)
Thomas Ah Van (b. ? - Te Atatu Roosters)
Rusty Bristow (b. ? - Manurewa Marlins)
Angus Cameron (b. Lower Hutt - ?)
Jody Henry (b. ? - Otahuhu Leopards)
Isaac John (b. Tokoroa - Pacific Sharks)
Scott Jones (b. NZ - Bay Roskill Vikings)
Kurt Kara (b. ? - Turangawaewae)
Meli Koliavu (b. ? - Wellington)
Francis Leger (b. ? - Richmond Rovers)
Siuatonga Likiliki (b. ? - Marist Saints)
Kevin Locke (b. ? - Northcote Tigers)
Sione Lousi (b. ? - Bay Roskill Vikings)
Alehana Mara (b. ? - St George wellington)
Howie Matthews (b. ? - Mt Albert Lions)
Ben Matulino (b. ? - Te Aroha Eels)
Constantine Mika (b. Auckland - Otahuhu Leopards)
Matthew Neale (b. ? - ?)
Daniel O’Regan (b. Auckland - Mt Albert Lions)
Arron Pawley (b. ? - Otahuhu Leopards)
Mataupo Poching (b. ? - Mangere East Hawks)
Eddie Purcell (b. ? - Mt Albert Lions)
Nafe Seluini (b. ? - Mangere East Hawks)
Elijah Taylor (b. ? - Otahuhu Leopards)
Kurt Tehira (b. ? - ?)
Jason Tou (b. ? - Tamaki Titans)
Bill Tupou (b. ? - Marist Saints)
Ray Wallace (b. ? - Northcote Tigers)

NOT YET USED
Malo Solomona (b. NZ - Richmond Bulldogs)
Roman Hifo (b. ? - ?)
Daniel Palavi (b. ? - Richmond Rovers)
Wayne McDade (b. ? - Richmond Bulldogs)
Herman Retzlaff (b. ? - Pakuranga Jaguars)
Nopoto Tuimaualuga (b. ? - Pakuranga Jaguars)
Lance Sua-Poe (b. ? - Glenora Bears)
Steve Rapira (b. ? - Hukanui)
Jason Cook (b. ? - Northcote Tigers)
Mika Fa'amausili (b. ? - Mangere East Hawks)
Toleafoa Leaupepe (b. ? - Mt Albert Lions)
Arden Mccarthy (b. ? - Richmond Rovers)


NZ BORN (but traitors)
Karmichael Hunt (b. Auckland)
Tonie Carroll (b. Christchurch)
Willie Mason (b. Auckland)

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Comments:
I appreciate the effort Yamis, and I don't give a fig for the northern game.

"Imagine NZ rugby if the best 200 players were overseas. We would be left with something akin to the Heartland Championship as our best football."
Well, I don't know about 200, but it might be timely to start that list too.

You touch on a good point about sport in the TV age, one that Pacific Island nations know all about thanks to NZRFU.
The top competition will be where the best players are. The best players will be where the best money is. The best money will be nearest the biggest interested television audience. The biggest interested TV audience is, well, not here.
 
I would say of NZ's top 200 rugby players about 40? would be overseas.

Then you could add a few hundred more who would be fringe players for Heartland Championship sides and top players in club football.

There are really large numbers who leave club football in NZ to play lower division football in Europe. I can think of guys from my club who have left senior rugby in Auckland to play in Italy (2), Croatia (2), Scotland (1), and that's just a few I've heard of without even listening from my age group at my club.

While those guys won't rep Auckland (although at least 4 of them made Auckland age group teams) or NZ they do lower the standard of club rugby significantly which then means guys are coming through to rep footie not as well prepared.

At times I wonder why up and comers in Europe don't come to NZ to actually further their skills.

And then I realise it's because they wouldn't actually get selected here. You would literally have to take guys from the international teams in Europe to make Super 14 sides and even then there are guys in say Italy or Scotland who most sides would not want starting for them in S14.
 
I can tell you tha under20s info for tha melbourne storm :)
 
Foran played for the Ellerslie Eagles juniors
 

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