Get Real With Our League Boys in Oz!

PUBLICITY RELEASE
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 28 2007

Get Real With Our League Boys in Oz!

The league boys of NGATI NRL are back with more blood, sweat and cheers from Australia when the new series kicks off on Maori Television on Thursday March 8 at 8.00 PM.

NGATI NRL follows the fortunes of young Maori and Pacific Island hopefuls as they tackle the cut-throat and competitive world of the Australian National Rugby League (NRL).

This is the fifth series of the popular reality show and cameras catch up with some familiar faces plus a few new ones, as they tackle the realities of league life, both on and off the field.

Rangi Chase, 21, of Dannevirke – St George Illawarra Dragons: League saved Rangi from his boyhood struggles with the law. And now, after playing with the Wests Tigers, he’s got a big move ahead. Is it the right one though?

Ben Ellis, 25, of Turangi – St George Illawarra Dragons: Always first to arrive and last to leave training, Ben’s future looks good. However, he’s up against Rangi for a key role on the team.

Billy Ngawini, 25, of Papakura – Canterbury Bulldogs: NGATI NRL has followed Billy’s amazing progress for four years. This season sees a trimmed-down Billy back on the field after a nasty facial injury.

Sam Moa, 21, of South Auckland – Balmain Tigers: Popular with players off the field, Sam boosted his on-field confidence after a tour of England with Tonga. Now he has to win over the Wests Tigers coach.

Mark Horo, Head Coach – Erina Eagles: Last season was rough for Mark but he’s back on his feet with a new team, having learned from his mistakes the hard way.

Jonathan Rulon Nuitara, 16, of Christchurch – Parramatta Eels: Picked up by talent scouts last year, Rulon faces the challenge of being a small town boy in the big city. Despite that and his young age, he’s determined to ‘crack it big time’.

Steve Matai, 22, of Mount Roskill, Auckland – Manly Sea Eagles: Steve played in last year’s Tri-Nations and has been coached by league legends Graham Lowe and Matthew Ridge. It’s been slow progress at times, but is this his season to shine?

Arden McCarthy, 18, of Mount Roskill, Auckland – Cronulla Sharks: After two months in the players’ house, Arden decides to move into a family home to get away from the distractions of alcohol and girls. Will it keep him on track or will he be lured back into partying?

Eddie Hei Hei, 27, of Invercargill – Erina Eagles: Eddie still believes he can score a NRL contract and is trying to concentrate on his goal, if he could only get over his homesickness and missing his whanau back in Aotearoa.

Hayden Karena, 24, of Hamilton – Erina Eagles: Hayden has moved across the ditch for a second crack at the big league, with his partner and childen. With whanau support, will he make it this time around?

Jonathan Tavinor, 20, of Whangarei – Erina Eagles: Snapped up by Mark Horo after a few career hiccups, Jonathan has to work twice as hard to get the attention of NRL clubs and keep his dream alive. This season will be make-or-break for the young Northlander.

Bronson Harrison, 22, of Hamilton – Wests Tigers: Talented Bronson isn’t the only star in the making in his whanau. His mum, Christine Gwyne, is ‘adopting’ young players in Sydney without family support and the teams love her for it.

Join the boys as they slog it out at training, grit their teeth through injury, smile in the face of defeat and put it all on the line every time they step onto the field in a new series of NGATI NRL on Maori Television from Thursday March 8 at 8.00 PM.

ENDS

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