Grand Final Day

Press Release


Grand Final Day

Auckland, New Zealand, October 28, 2012 - It was a busy day at Mt Smart Stadium today with two grand finals featuring local derby's between the Counties Manukau Stingrays and the Akarana Falcons. The National Competition 15s and 17s grades are an important step on the NZRL pathway to the top and the players made the most of their grand final appearances, showing their commitment to their team mates, their families and their Zones in both games.

First up was the battle for the Nathan Cayless Cup (15s), won by the Counties Manukau team in 2010 and the Falcons (then known as Auckland Pride) in 2011. A good crowd poured into the ground ready to enjoy the beautiful sunny spring day and three games of Rugby League. They joined the players in the signing of the National Anthem before kick off and with only a light steady breeze blowing north to south down the ground, it was perfect conditions for rugby league and the games certainly provided some impressive performances.

Counties Manukau Stingrays were very impressive in the first half, their forwards No. 8 Ezra Tuli and No.10 Tamati Ioane-Niko both made great metres and were ready to off load when appropriate and with their team mates backing them up consistently, they were able to do so often. The space they created gave both their 6 & 7 Ata Hingano and Brandon Te Wao room to move and they made the most of it, bobbing and weaving their way through the opposition and passing across the backline in both directions.

Up 28 - nil at the break they didn't stop there, regaining the ball immediately after the break thanks to a short kick off and re-gather. The rapidly back-pedalling Falcons infringed at the play of the ball, and the Stingrays took the two points from the resulting penalty to be 30 - nil up only minutes into the second half. From then on the Falcons managed to stay with the Stingrays, limiting them to a try and a drop goal while scoring two tries of their own. Final score 35 - 10 to the Counties Manukau Stingrays. It was a fantastic game to start the day and their coach Tony Tietie was understandably proud of his young team. Both captains and coaches spoke at the after match presentations, thanking their teams, friends, family and supporters for coming along and the NZRL for providing this competition and the Stingrays acknowledged Zone GM Kasey King for all his support.

The second game of the day which was televised live was the Mark Graham Cup (17s). Coincidentally this was won by the same teams in 2010 and 2011 (Counties Manukau 2010 / Auckland 2011). It was a reversal of fortunes for the two Zones, with the Falcons convincing winners in this game. The Falcons scored first through their hooker Kalolo Saitaua, then followed this with a great try thanks to a run by their No. 12 Michael Uluakiola which was backed up by a fast play of the ball catching the Stingrays off their line and their No. 7 Joshua Ioane was in to score. The Stingrays fought back with an excellent try to their winger Andrew Tusiane, who chased a kick by the No. 6 Drew Radich and plucked it out of the air to score. Their next was another memorable effort with the No. 7 Tau Hapuku putting in a short kick from the play of the ball, which hit the goal post and bounced up into the arms of the No.17 Pita Dillen who scored right under the posts.

With only three minutes until half time the game was in the balance 12 - 10 to the Falcons and they were hard on attack. The Stingrays defended stoutly but repeat sets of six on their line eventually found them wanting and the Falcons went to the break 18 - 10 in front. The Falcons scored first after the break with a try to their No. 15 Kenneth Lafaele and went on with it, scoring three further tries to the Stingrays one, the final score 34 - 14.

NZRL Vice Chairman Ray Haffenden was joined by Kiwi 614 Tawera Nikau to make the post match presentations, with all the players receiving medals. The Falcons captain Tuimoala Lolohea who also received the Man of the Match award said that their first round loss inspired them to come back stronger and he acknowledged his forwards for making the space for the backs.

At the conclusion of the National Competition games a tournament Merit team was announced (see below). Players from these teams will be invited to attend a National Performance Camp in 2013, a stepping stone to selection for junior NZ Residents teams.

The third and final match of the day featured the best players from the Pirtek National Premiership, the NZ Residents, taking on the NZ Maori team who were selected at a recent NZ Maori tournament. With a good crowd and continuing sunshine the stage was set for another great match and the teams played their part with rousing haka before kick off. NZ Residents scored first with a try to their winger Esera Esera, this was followed by a try to NZ Maori through their winger Tyme Dow-Nikau. NZ Residents responded immediately with a try to the other winger Leigh Bristowe and NZ Maori scored through their No. 6 Apirana Pewhairangi, his first of two for the match. Neither team was going to let the other get away and the try for try scoring continued until half time, with the Residents leading 18 - 14, both teams having scored three tries and Maori only behind due to missed conversions.

While the teams were evenly matched through the middle, the back three for the Residents impressed with their commitment to bringing the ball back on attack, running hard and fast and often making 20 - 30 metres before being tackled. The Residents scored two tries after the break to take a convincing 26 - 14 lead, then with only 13 minutes on the clock both teams lifted their intensity and when Pewhairangi scored his second converted try it was 26 - 20 to the Residents and it looked like Maori may take the game to golden point. However it wasn't to be with the NZ Residents making the most of their opportunities and scoring two further tries, including one to South Islander James Ward before the NZ Maori grabbed a final consolation try and the NZ Residents won 36 - 24. NZRL Vice Chairman Ray Haffenden presented the NZ Residents captain and goal kicker Cody Walker with the Chairman's Cup before both teams performed a haka as a thank you to departing NZRL CEO Jim Doyle. It was an excellent day for Rugby League with excellent performances on the field and wonderful support off it.

National Competition Finals Day

October 28, 2012
Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland

10.40am Nathan Cayless Cup (15s)
Counties Manukau Stingrays: 35 ( Andre Knight, Tamati Ioane-Niko, Sydnei Latu, Quinn Ma'aelopa, Tiaan Wilkins (2) tries; Mafoa'aeata Hingano 4 goals, 1 penalty goal, Tiaan Wilkins drop goal)
Akarana Falcons: 10 (Christopher Sio, Marzellus Salaivao tries; Caleb Carey goal)
Man of the Match: No. 10 CM Stingrays - Tamati Ioane-Niko

12.35pm Mark Graham Cup (17s)
Counties Manukau Stingrays: 14 (Andrew Tusiane, Ofa Ogden, Pita Dillen tries; Drew Radich goal)
Akarana Falcons: 34 (Semisi Vea, Dominique Folomu, Joshua Ioane, Tuimoala Lolohea, Kalolo Saitaua, Michael Uluakiola, Kenneth Lafaele tries; Tuimoala Lolohea 3 goals)
Man of the Match: No. 6 & Captain Akarana Falcons - Tuimoala Lolohea

2.30pm
NZ Residents: 36 (Esera Esera, James Ward, Atelea Nafetalai (2), Leigh Bristowe, Soape Kavaliku, Siali'i Tufeao tries; Cody Walker 4 goals)
NZ Maori Residents: 24 (Delane Edwards, Tee Mahi, Tyme Dow-Nikau, Apirana Pewhairangi (2) tries; Hayden Karena 2 goals)
Man of the Match: No. 10 NZ Residents Suaia Matagi

NZRL National Competition 15s Merit Team
1. Tiann Wilkins, Counties Manukau
2. Rory Marshall-Barton, Counties Manukau
3. Don Seuala, Counties Manukau
4. Mathew Faitotoa, Akarana
5. Marzellus Salaivao, Akarana
6. Mafoa'Aeata Hingano, Counties Manukau
7. Ezekiel Paul, Akarana
8. Tamati Ioane-Niko, Counties Manukau
9. Cory Austen, Southern
10. Jak Fraser Marshall, Southern
11. Kaleb Fuimaono, Akarana
12. Losi Filipo, Wellington
13. Jordan Pinnock, Southern
14. Shane Hannam, Akarana
15. Ezra Tuli, Counties Manukau
16. Desmond Fa'Afoa, Wellington
17. Luke Cummings, Wellington
18. Paora Noble, Mid Central
19. Gregory Pangiotidis, Southern
20. Fabien Kiri, Mid Central

NZRL National Competition 17s Merit Team
1. Tuimoala Lolohea, Akarana
2. Shem Moli, Akarana
3. Semisi Tyrell, Counties Manukau
4. Reubenn Rennie, Counties Manukau
5. Pryor Collier, Upper Central
6. Kauri Aupouri, Wellington
7. Liam Prendergast, Upper Central
8. Braden Uele, Akarana
9. Daniel Levi, Wellington
10. Paul Faga, Mid Central
11. Ofahiki Ogden, Counties Manukau
12. Bunty Afoa, Akarana
13. Jules Webley, Southern
14. Toafofoa Sipley, Akarana
15. Kalolo Saitaua, Akarana
16. Matiu Love-Henry, Upper Central
17. Joshua Ioane, Akarana
18. Corey Naera, Northern
19. Christian Myka, Counties Manukau
20. Piki Rogers, Mid Central

ENDS

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