Rugby League 2019

YOUR FREE GUIDE TO THE 2019 NRL TELSTRA PREMIERSHIP VODAFONE WARRIORS ON THE ROAD MANLY SEA EAGLES v VODAFONE WARRIORS CHRISTCHURCH STADIUM, CHRISTCHURCH 5.00PM SATURDAY MARCH 30, 2019 TICKETEK.CO.NZ VODAFONE WARRIORS v CRONULLA SHARKS WESTPAC STADIUM, WELLINGTON 8.00PM FRIDAY JULY 19, 2019 TICKETEK.CO.NZ OLIVERLEE.CO.NZ

STRONG

LOCAL

QUALITY

SAFE

GREENSTUF

3 OLIVERLEE.CO.NZ a look at 04 Take HEAD COACH

STEPHEN KEARNEY’S predictions and hopes for the 2019 NRL season

14 Your 2019 VODAFONE

team previews the STORM, 24 NRL Are and predictions for 27 KNIGHTS and

WARRIORS TEAM POSTER the BRONCOS, BULLDOGS COWBOYS set for the and RAIDERS season ahead? some insight 26 Get into the SHARKS,

TITANS and SEA EAGLES

MANAGING EDITOR

OLIVER LEE

EDITOR

PETER WHITE

SUB-EDITOR

ELISE McDOWELL

CONTRIBUTORS

BIG LEAGUE MICHAEL BLOK WILL EVANS MARTIN GABOR DARCIE McDONALD DAVID PIEPERS

the club’s 25th 09 It’s ANNIVERSARY

16

View the 2019 and SIR PETER LEITCH NRL DRAW and reminisces on his favourite plan out your season ahead moments of the 18 PROFILES VODAFONE 2019

WARRIORS PLAYERS, including some key statistics

PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOSPORT.NZ

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a close look 30 Taking at the DRAGONS,

ROOSTERS and TIGERS

SUNCORP STADIUM IN BRISBANE ON WEDNESDAY JUNE 5, 2019

PRINTING

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GAME 1

ONTIME ASSOCIATES

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the 28 Previewing EELS, PANTHERS

GAME 2

focus on young 1 1 Afooty talent and

OPTUS STADIUM IN PERTH ON SUNDAY JUNE 23, 2019

the FUTURE WARRIORS’ PROGRAMME

1 3

ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES – all the player movements across the 16 NRL clubs COPYRIGHT REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR PART

BY ANY MEANS IS PROHIBITED.

GAME 3 ANZ STADIUM IN SYDNEY ON NSW BLUES CELEBRATE THEIR 2018 STATE OF ORIGIN SERIES WIN. WEDNESDAY JULY 10, 2019

DISCLAIMER THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS MAGAZINE DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER. ALTHOUGH MATERIAL IS CHECKED FOR ACCURACY, NO LIABILITY IS ASSUMED BY THE PUBLISHER FOR ANY LOSS DUE TO USE OF MATERIAL IN THIS MAGAZINE.

NOTE TAB ODDS THROUGHOUT THE MAGAZINE WERE CORRECT ON MARCH 1, 2019. TO CHECK IF ANY ODDS HAVE BEEN UPDATED PLEASE VISIT TAB.CO.NZ

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THERE IS A REAL BUZZ AT MT SMART STADIUM

LAST SEASON THE VODAFONE WARRIORS MADE THE PLAY-OFFS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2011 AND NOW THEY WANT TO PUSH EVEN HIGHER.

By PETER WHITE Stephen Kearney has a firm resolve for the Vodafone Warriors to become a consistent force in the NRL. As a founding player in the 1995 squad his passion for the club runs deep.

“I reckon it is really important from a footy club and a footy team that our expectation is that every week we prepare to give ourselves the best opportunity in the weekend,” says coach Kearney.

“If we do that we give ourselves the best opportunity to play through to September in the finals. That is what our focus was last year and we are focusing on the same this year. I think sometimes you can get caught looking too far ahead and you can trip up on what’s directly in front of you.”

“That’s how you compete consistently with sides (like the Sydney Roosters and the Melbourne Storm), you have to build that standard at your own club and that’s the way to match them, I believe.”

Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was a Dally M winner last year. He is an inspirational figure both on and off the pitch.

is. He applies that across all elements of his life, including football.

“I know he looks at his game and works out how he can improve. He will constantly work at what he needs to do to make sure he does get better at his own game.

“That’s what makes him a wonderful leader and an integral part of our footy club.”

Kearney says there are many elements that make up a champion player but Tuivasa-Sheck just wants to be the best at everything he does.

With Shaun Johnson’s shift to the Cronulla Sharks there is a wonderful opportunity for a new player to join Blake Green in the halves.

“I know when you have that mentality you find a way to make things happen for yourself. With his mindset as a new father he will want to be the best father that there

Kearney is more than pleased with the progress made by the most likely contenders in Adam Keighran from Penrith and Aucklander Chanel Harris-Tavita.

The work done by his players over a gruelling pre-season has helped lift the standards higher than in previous years.

“In terms of progress we have really pushed the guys in terms of levels of fitness. We have consciously tried to extend them and push them. I don’t know if coaches are ever truly happy but I am pleased with the progress.

“But my expectation is that we need to be better than we were last year and obviously better than we were the year before. That’s just natural progression. I believe we are further ahead but we should be too.”

The lack of consistency has been an issue for the Warriors since that memorable first season in the NRL 25 years ago.

Kearney says the simple answer is you must stick to the process to match the top teams.

“It is all about consistency in our process, consistency in our expectation from a training standard. To me guys like Bunty Afoa, Isaiah Papali’i, Ken Maumalo and David Fusitu’a have played less than 50 games or just on 50 games. We have committed to them long term at the club and we want to keep growing with them and continually looking to improve them.

VODAFONE WARRIORS HEAD COACH STEPHEN KEARNEY HAS SIGNED A CONTRACT EXTENSION UNTIL THE END OF THE 2022 NRL SEASON.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

4

We’ve always been driven.

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Fresh ways to innovate.

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Even when we win.

We remain focused, and keep moving forward.

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We’ve always been driven.

Found new ways to raise the bar.

To push the play.

To take on the Aussies at their own game.

Then reach the NRL play-offs 8 times.

Even when we win.

We dig in, and push forward harder.

Together. As Challengers.

Believing in Better.

T E A M I N G U P FO R 2 0 1 9

6

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STEPHEN KEARNEY IN ACTION WITH THE WARRIORS IN 1995.

He has used those two plus Rotorua-local Hayze Perham in the trial games to good effect.

“Coaches Stacey (Jones) and Todd (Payten) have worked really hard with them over the pre-season and I have been quietly happy with their progression.”

Other new signings to look out for in 2019 are Auckland-born front-rower/lock Leeson Ah Mau and second-rower Lachlan Burr.

Ah Mau, a New Zealand and Samoan international, joins the Warriors from the St George-Illawarra Dragons and will add real steel and class to the pack while Burr was signed from the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and has also played at the Gold Coast Titans.

A number of individual milestones are set to be achieved in 2019. Adam Blair is 11 games short of joining the NRL's 300 Club while Ah Mau (179) and Gerard Beale (176) are close to 200 appearances. Several other players are in line for their 150th or 100th games.

The Warriors will play their opening game of the season at home against the Bulldogs on Saturday, March 16. This is only the third time since 2009 the Warriors have opened their season at Mt Smart Stadium.

With four of their first six games at home, the Warriors have a great opportunity to get their campaign off to a flying start – as they did last year when they won their opening five games.

STEPHEN KEARNEY SHARES A LAUGH WITH ASSISTANT COACH AND FORMER TEAMMATE STACEY JONES AT PRE-SEASON TRAINING.

STEPHEN KEARNEY

VODAFONE WARRIORS HEAD COACH 2017– BORN: JUNE 11, 1972 IN PARAPARAUMU, NZ

COACHING POSITIONS:

KIWIS HEAD COACH (2008–16); BRISBANE BRONCOS ASSISTANT COACH (2013–16); PARRAMATTA EELS HEAD COACH (2011–12); MELBOURNE STORM ASSISTANT COACH (2006–10)

PLAYING CAREER:

45 TESTS for NZ (1993–2004); 264 FIRST-GRADE GAMES for WESTERN SUBURBS (1992–94); VODAFONE WARRIORS (1995–98); MELBOURNE STORM (1999–04); 24 GAMES for HULL FC (SUPER LEAGUE) (2005)

LAST YEAR: PRELIMINARY FINALIST HEAD COACH: STEPHEN KEARNEY CAPTAIN: ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK HOME GROUND: MT SMART STADIUM WEBSITE: www.warriors.kiwi TICKETS: www.ticketek.co.nz CONTACT: 2 Beasley Avenue, Penrose, Auckland 1061 POSTAL: PO Box 12-224, Penrose, Auckland 1642 PHONE: +64 9 526 8822 TAB ODDS: $26.00

VODAFONE WARRIORS v CRONULLA SHARKS, WESTPAC STADIUM, WELLINGTON, 8PM ON FRIDAY JULY 19, 2019 – TICKETEK.CO.NZ

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VODAFONE WARRIORS CELEBRATE 25 YEARS IN THE NRL THE WARRIORS ARE GOING BACK TO THE FUTURE FOR THE 2019 SEASON. THE ORIGINAL TEAM COLOURS MAKE A COMEBACK IN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE ANNIVERSARY.

By PETER WHITE In a move bound to please the loyal fan base, the Warriors will play in the team’s original colours when they celebrate the club’s 25th season in the NRL first-grade competition.

Over the 25 years no one has represented the Warriors with more passion, loyalty and commitment than Sir Peter Leitch.

The Mad Butcher has been an unflinching supporter of the team through the highs and many lows since.

The players will wear the distinctive blue jersey with green, red and white trim with the deep chevron from the original 1995 jersey. The team logo also celebrates the 1995 colours and the jersey further acknowledges the anniversary with a 25th season 1995–2019 commemorative logo on the lower back.

The opening match of the 1995 season against the Brisbane Broncos has gone down in New Zealand sporting folklore.

The Warriors invested previously unheard of sums in the spectacular pre-game show.

A mock war was staged on the pitch and featured an ANZAC theme with helicopters circling overhead, thick smoke, rock show lighting and explosions going off at ear-splitting levels. A cast of hundreds performed the extravaganza led by members of the New Zealand Army.

Today’s team has a strong connection to that unforgettable night as coaches Stephen Kearney and Stacey Jones were part of the original 1995 squad.

for the game with some friends and even we were shocked to be fair cause the Storm were the team to beat.

“Then you can’t take away the two grand finals we have been to in 2002 and 2011.

In 2011, I took the Prime Minister John Key to the grand final, which was a bit of a hoot.”

Sir Peter would rather not dwell on why so many talented Warriors teams have failed to make the top eight or why the team has made just two grand finals in 25 years.

He admits it has been a rocky road at times but his faith has never waned.

“I’ve rode the waves and I’ve rode the storm because it’s my club, it’s my team.

I love the players and we have some wonderful fans. You meet them at the stadium and get to know them. They’re just genuine people, mate.”

When asked what his personal highlight is over those 25 years he immediately plumps for the unexpected 20–12 victory over the Melbourne Storm to make the grand final in 2011.

“That game in Melbourne is when no one expected us to win. I happened to fly over

SIR PETER LEITCH AND STACEY JONES CELEBRATE THE 2012 SEASON.

He would much rather talk about the greatest player for the club – his little mate Stacey Jones, who played 261 games at halfback.

“I keep in touch with many of them. I was on the phone to Jason Death, Albert Vete and Russell Packer in recent days and Kevin Campion is coming to stay with me ahead of the first game this season which is Old Boys’ Day as well. I’m still in touch with Ian Robson, the CEO from 1995.

“We have had some wonderful players over the years but Stacey has always been my favourite. We have a special bond. I still run the Stacey Jones Lounge at Mt Smart every home game, which is an honour for me to run that for the little general.”

“GO THE MIGHTY VODAFONE WARRIORS IN 2019.”

DEAN BELL LEADS OUT THE WARRIORS IN THE 1995 SEASON OPENER.

MANLY SEA EAGLES v VODAFONE WARRIORS, CHRISTCHURCH STADIUM, CHRISTCHURCH, 5PM ON SATURDAY MARCH 30, 2019 – TICKETEK.CO.NZ

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VODAFONE WARRIORS’ YOUNG TALENT IN GOOD HANDS

ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S MOST REVERED JUNIOR RUGBY LEAGUE COACHES IS IN CHARGE OF THE JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AT THE VODAFONE WARRIORS.

By PETER WHITE Greg Boulous joined the club last November as head coach of the Future Warriors’ Programme.

A key part of his role is to coach the Junior Warriors side in the Jersey Flegg Under-20 competition, which was reintroduced last year after a 10-year absence.

The Warriors join 13 other teams, with 10 based in Sydney and three teams based out of Newcastle, Wollongong and Melbourne.

Boulous brings exceptional credentials to the Warriors.

He has developed young players through coaching junior representative teams at the Parramatta Eels and North Sydney Bears.

But it his 13 years as coach of the famed rugby league programme at Westfields Sports High School that makes him the ideal person to oversee the pathways for talented junior players.

Westfields Sports’ alumni includes Israel Folau, Dene Halatau, Jarryd Hayne, Krisnan Inu, Feleti Mateo, Mark Minichiello,

David Klemmer and Warriors playmaker Blake Green.

“It is all about creating a pathway for players on and off the field, focusing on education, welfare and it is more important that we are creating good young men,” says Boulous.

“Along the way they will be developing their rugby league skills and develop relationships and friendships with their teammates.”

Boulous has a relatively young side to prepare for the Jersey Flegg competition with the players aged between 17 and 19.

“It is more of a development focus. Again it is another young squad with many of them playing last year and having gained that experience as 17 and 18-year-olds.

“We are looking to continually improve and not so much focus on results but focus on improving themselves as players.”

Boulous regards the Jersey Flegg competition as hugely positive for the aspirations of his younger players who all dream one day of making it in the NRL.

“Yeah it is a great competition. For our club in particular it gives the boys the opportunity to have that week-to-week competitive competition, which allows them to develop as footballers and ultimately have that progression and pathway from playing Under-20s into the ISP (Intrust Super Premiership) and then transferring to our NRL squad, which is our ultimate goal.

“Breeding local young players, bringing them through our system so the fans can watch them progress from ages 18 and 19 through to the NRL team is the goal.”

Getting the balance right with the young players is fundamental to the success of the programme, says Boulous.

“It is pretty tough for boys training part-time actually. A lot of them are at work or studying or still at school and they have to be very disciplined to be able to train a couple of hours, three or four nights a week.

“They are at different stages of their lives and they have to balance stuff outside of footy as well.”

THE VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS CELEBRATE THEIR 22–14 WIN OVER THE SYDNEY ROOSTERS DURING THE 2018 JERSEY FLEGG CUP.

VODAFONE WARRIORS v CRONULLA SHARKS, WESTPAC STADIUM, WELLINGTON, 8PM ON FRIDAY JULY 19, 2019 – TICKETEK.CO.NZ

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↑.COM

MOVEMENTS AT THE 16 NRL CLUBS

ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES VODAFONE WARRIORS |

BRISBANE BRONCOS |

CRONULLA SHARKS |

GOLD COAST TITANS |

CANBERRA RAIDERS |

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS |

ST GEORGE-ILLAWARRA DRAGONS |

SYDNEY ROOSTERS |

IN: Eddie Blacker (Norths Devils), Lachlan Maranta (rugby union), Steven Masters (Dragons ISP), Corey Norman (Eels), Mikaele Ravalawa (Mounties), Jason Saab, Hayden Lomax (Dragons Jersey Flegg), Jonus Pearson, Korbin Sims (Broncos), Lachlan Timm (Storm).

OUT: Leeson Ah Mau, Patrick Herbert (Warriors), Reuben Garrick (Sea Eagles), Nene Macdonald (Cowboys), Kurt Mann (Knights), Jason Nightingale (retired), Hame Sele (Panthers).

IN: Egan Butcher (Roosters ISP), Angus Crichton (Rabbitohs), Craig Garvey (Raiders), Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos), Brock Lamb (Knights), Brett Morris (Bulldogs).

OUT: Kurt Baptiste (Cowboys), Mitch Cornish, Frank-Paul Nu’uausala, Eloni Vunakece (retired), Blake Ferguson (Eels), Grant Garvey, Dean Matterson (released), Ryan Matterson, Paul Momirovski (Wests Tigers), Dylan Napa, Chris Smith (Bulldogs), Sean O’Sullivan (Broncos), Reuben Porter (Raiders).

IN: Leeson Ah Mau, Patrick Herbert (Dragons), Lachlan Burr (Bulldogs), Jackson Frei (Wyong Roos), Adam Keighran (Panthers).

OUT: Manaia Cherrington, Zac Santo (released), James Gavet, Mason Lino (Knights), Anthony Gelling (Widnes Vikings), Shaun Johnson (Sharks), Simon Mannering (retired), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Raiders), Albert Vete (Storm).

IN: JJ Collins (Knights), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors), Reuben Porter (Roosters), Bailey Simonsson (rugby sevens), John Bateman, Ryan Sutton (Wigan Warriors), Andre Niko, Brendan O’Hagan, Kyle Paterson, Hudson Young (Mounties).

OUT: Blake Austin (Warrington Wolves), Shannon Boyd (Titans), Masivesi Dakuwaqa (released), Craig Garvey (Roosters), Charlie Gubb (Widnes Vikings), Liam Knight (Rabbitohs), Junior Paulo (Eels), Mikaele Ravalawa (Dragons).

IN: Thomas Dearden (Tweed Heads Seagulls), Shaun Fensom (Cowboys), Thomas Flegler (Souths Logan Magpies), Sean O’Sullivan (Roosters), Ilikena Vudogo (rugby union).

OUT: Jordan Kahu, Josh McGuire, Tom Opacic (Cowboys), Jonus Pearson, Korbin Sims (Dragons), Marion Seve (Storm), Sam Thaiday (retired).

IN: James Gavet, Mason Lino (Warriors), Tim Glasby (Storm), Hymel Hunt (Rabbitohs), David Klemmer, Zac Woolford (Bulldogs), Edrick Lee, Jesse Ramien (Sharks), Kurt Mann (Dragons).

OUT: Jack Cogger, Nick Meaney (Bulldogs), JJ Collins (Raiders), Cory Denniss (Rabbitohs), Chris Heighington, Jacob Lillyman (retired), Brock Lamb (Roosters), Chanel Mata’utia, Pat Mata’utia, Dylan Phythian (released), Ken Sio (Salford Red Devils), Luke Yates (London Broncos).

IN: Shaun Johnson (Warriors), Aaron Woods, Josh Morris (Bulldogs), Braydon Trindall (Sharks Jersey Flegg).

OUT: Kurt Dillon (Rabbitohs), Trent Hodkinson (Sea Eagles), Edrick Lee, Jesse Ramien (Knights), Ricky Leutele (Toronto Wolfpack), Luke Lewis (retired), Joseph Paulo (St Helens RLFC), James Roumanos (Bulldogs).

IN: Jesse Arthars (Rabbitohs), Shannon Boyd (Raiders), Ryley Jacks (Storm), Brian Kelly (Sea Eagles), Tyrone Peachey (Panthers), Tyrone Roberts (Warrington Wolves).

OUT: Kane Elgey, Brendan Elliot (Sea Eagles), Joe Greenwood (Wigan Warriors), Konrad Hurrell (Leeds Rhinos), Ryan Simpkins (retired).

MELBOURNE STORM |

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS |

PARRAMATTA EELS |

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS |

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS |

MANLY SEA EAGLES |

PENRITH PANTHERS |

WESTS TIGERS |

IN: Tom Eisenhuth (Panthers), Marion Seve (Broncos), Albert Vete (Warriors).

OUT: Louis Geraghty, Young Tonumaipea (released), Tim Glasby (Knights), Ryan Hoffman, Billy Slater (retired), Ryley Jacks (Titans), Lachlan Timm (Dragons).

IN: Jack Cogger (Knights), Christian Crichton, Corey Harawira-Naera (Panthers), Morgan Harper, Tui Katoa (Bulldogs ISP), Nick Meaney (Knights), Dylan Napa, Chris Smith (Roosters), James Roumanos (Sharks), Sauaso Sue (Wests Tigers).

OUT: Lachlan Burr (Warriors), Greg Eastwood, Asipeli Fine, Clay Priest (released), Matt Frawley (Huddersfield Giants), David Klemmer, Zac Woolford (Knights), Moses Mbye (Wests Tigers), Brett Morris (Roosters), Josh Morris, Aaron Woods (Sharks).

IN: Kurt Baptiste (Roosters), Ben Barba (St Helens RLFC), Peter Hola (Northern Pride), Nene Macdonald (Dragons), Jordan Kahu, Josh McGuire, Tom Opacic (Broncos), Dan Russell (Souths Logan Magpies).

OUT: Lachlan Coote (St Helens RLFC), Shaun Fensom (Broncos), Josh Chudleigh, Sam Hoare, Shaun Hudson, Kyle Laybutt (released), Kane Linnett (Hull Kingston Rovers), Johnathan Thurston, Antonio Winterstein (retired).

IN: Jade Anderson, Luke Metcalf, Cade Cust, Haumole Olakau’atu (Sea Eagles ISP), Kane Elgey, Brendan Elliot (Titans), Reuben Garrick (Dragons), Trent Hodkinson (Sharks), Albert Hopoate (Sea Eagles Under-18s), Sean Keppie (Eels Jersey Flegg), Semisi Kioa (Sea Eagles Jersey Flegg), Corey Waddell (Panthers).

OUT: Lewis Brown, Jonathan Wright (retired), Jackson Hastings, Joey Lussick (Salford Red Devils), Brian Kelly (Titans), Shaun Lane (Eels), Darcy Lussick (Toronto Wolfpack), Akuila Uate (Huddersfield Giants), Tom Wright (rugby union).

IN: Dylan Brown (Eels Jersey Flegg), Andrew Davey (Townsville Blackhawks), Blake Ferguson (Roosters), Shaun Lane (Sea Eagles), Junior Paulo (Raiders), Maika Sivo (Panthers), Stefano Utoikamanu (Wentworthville Magpies).

OUT: Kirisome Auva’a, Beau Scott (retired), Kenny Edwards (Catalan Dragons), Cameron King (Featherstone Rovers), Suaia Matagi (Huddersfield Giants), Corey Norman (Dragons), Tony Williams (released).

IN: Dean Blore, Shawn Blore (Panthers Jersey Flegg), Spencer Leniu, William Burns, Brian Too (Panthers ISP), Tyrell Fuimaono (Rabbitohs), Tim Grant (Wests Tigers), Brayden McGrady (Tweed Heads Seagulls), Hame Sele (Dragons), Malakai Watene-Zelezniak (Wests Tigers).

OUT: Oliver Clark (Wests Tigers), Christian Crichton, Corey Harawira-Naera (Bulldogs), Tom Eisenhuth (Storm), Adam Keighran (Warriors), Soni Luke (released), Trent Merrin (Leeds Rhinos), Tyrone Peachey (Titans), Maika Sivo (Eels), Corey Waddell (Sea Eagles), Tim Browne, Jayden Walker, Peter Wallace (retired).

IN: Corey Allan (Souths Logan Magpies), Tom Amone (Sea Eagles ISP), Cory Denniss (Knights), Kurt Dillon (Sharks), Rhys Kennedy (North Sydney Bears), Liam Knight (Raiders), Matt McIlwrick, Bayley Sironen (Wests Tigers).

OUT: Jesse Arthars (Titans), Jason Clark (Warrington Wolves), Angus Crichton (Roosters), Tyrell Fuimaono (Panthers), Hymel Hunt (Knights), Robbie Farah, Zane Musgrove (Wests Tigers).

IN: Oliver Clark (Panthers), Zane Musgrove, Robbie Farah (Rabbitohs), Moses Mbye (Bulldogs), Ryan Matterson, Paul Momirovski (Sydney Roosters).

OUT: JJ Collins (Raiders), Taane Milne, Pita Godinet (released), Tuimoala Lolohea (Leeds Rhinos), Bayley Sironen, Matt McIlwrick (Rabbitohs), Kevin Naiqama (St Helens RLFC), Sauaso Sue (Bulldogs), Tim Grant, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak (Panthers).

MANLY SEA EAGLES v VODAFONE WARRIORS, CHRISTCHURCH STADIUM, CHRISTCHURCH, 5PM ON SATURDAY MARCH 30, 2019 – TICKETEK.CO.NZ

WWW.WARRIORS.KIWI

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2019

VODAFONE WARRIORS

Back Row (left to right) | Patrick Herbert, Taane Milne, Agnatius Paasi, Sam Lisone, Bunty Afoa, Chris Satae, Tom Ale, Karl Lawton, Selestino Ravutaumada, Sam Cook, Nathaniel Roache, Neria Fomai, Solomone Kata.

Middle Row (left to right) | Adam Keighran, Ligi Sao, Ken Maumalo, Brody Tamarua, Jackson Frei, Leivaha Pulu, Blake Ayshford, Eliesa Katoa, Adam Pompey, Lachlan Burr, Hayze Perham, Chanel Harris-Tavita.

Front Row (left to right) | Isaiah Papali’i, David Fusitu’a, Gerard Beale, Tohu Harris, Blake Green, Stephen Kearney (head coach), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (captain), Adam Blair, Peta Hiku, Leeson Ah Mau, Issac Luke, Jazz Tevaga.

16

NRL TELSTRA PREMIERSHIP 2019

2019 NRL DRAW ROUND

HOME

AWAY

|

ROUND HOME AWAY

ROUND 1

STORM KNIGHTS ROOSTERS WARRIORS WESTS TIGERS COWBOYS PANTHERS TITANS

v v v v v v v v

BRONCOS SHARKS RABBITOHS BULLDOGS SEA EAGLES DRAGONS EELS RAIDERS

ROUND 8

RABBITOHS COWBOYS SHARKS RAIDERS SEA EAGLES ROOSTERS WARRIORS EELS

v v v v v v v v

BRONCOS TITANS STORM PANTHERS BULLDOGS WESTS TIGERS KNIGHTS DRAGONS

ROUND 2

DRAGONS RAIDERS BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS SEA EAGLES BULLDOGS WESTS TIGERS

v v v v v v v v

RABBITOHS STORM COWBOYS TITANS PANTHERS ROOSTERS EELS WARRIORS

ROUND 9

ROUND 3

BRONCOS RAIDERS EELS SEA EAGLES COWBOYS PANTHERS WESTS TIGERS RABBITOHS

v v v v v v v v

DRAGONS KNIGHTS ROOSTERS WARRIORS SHARKS STORM BULLDOGS TITANS

TITANS WESTS TIGERS SEA EAGLES BULLDOGS WARRIORS STORM ROOSTERS RABBITOHS

v v v v v v v v

SHARKS PANTHERS BRONCOS KNIGHTS DRAGONS EELS RAIDERS COWBOYS

ROUND 10

ROOSTERS WARRIORS PANTHERS SEA EAGLES COWBOYS EELS STORM KNIGHTS

v v v v v v v v

BRONCOS TITANS WESTS TIGERS RABBITOHS RAIDERS SHARKS BULLDOGS DRAGONS

STORM PANTHERS BRONCOS TITANS COWBOYS RAIDERS DRAGONS SHARKS

v v v v v v v v

WESTS TIGERS WARRIORS ROOSTERS BULLDOGS EELS RABBITOHS KNIGHTS SEA EAGLES

ROUND 11

BRONCOS TITANS COWBOYS RABBITOHS KNIGHTS SHARKS DRAGONS RAIDERS

v v v v v v v v

WESTS TIGERS PANTHERS STORM WARRIORS SEA EAGLES ROOSTERS BULLDOGS EELS

EELS SEA EAGLES KNIGHTS RAIDERS WARRIORS RABBITOHS BULLDOGS DRAGONS

v v v v v v v v

PANTHERS TITANS ROOSTERS COWBOYS BRONCOS WESTS TIGERS STORM SHARKS

ROUND 12

PANTHERS EELS BULLDOGS TITANS

v v v v

SEA EAGLES RABBITOHS RAIDERS COWBOYS

SHARKS BULLDOGS STORM WARRIORS DRAGONS TITANS RAIDERS EELS

v v v v v v v v

PANTHERS RABBITOHS ROOSTERS COWBOYS SEA EAGLES KNIGHTS BRONCOS WESTS TIGERS

ROOSTERS STORM BULLDOGS PANTHERS WESTS TIGERS BRONCOS SEA EAGLES KNIGHTS

v v v v v v v v

DRAGONS WARRIORS COWBOYS RABBITOHS TITANS SHARKS RAIDERS EELS

MARCH 14–17

MARCH 21–24

MARCH 28–31

ROUND 4 APRIL 4–7

ROUND 5

APRIL 11–14

ROUND 6

APRIL 18–22 EASTER WEEKEND

ROUND 7

APRIL 25–28

ANZAC DAY THURSDAY APRIL 25

MAY 2–5

MAY 9–12

MAY 16–19

MAY 23–26

MAY 30–JUNE 2

QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY MONDAY JUNE 3

BYES: BRONCOS, DRAGONS, KNIGHTS, ROOSTERS, SHARKS, STORM, WESTS TIGERS, WARRIORS

ROUND 13

RABBITOHS WESTS TIGERS WARRIORS SHARKS COWBOYS BRONCOS PANTHERS BULLDOGS

v v v v v v v v

KNIGHTS RAIDERS STORM EELS SEA EAGLES TITANS ROOSTERS DRAGONS

ROUND 14

RAIDERS TITANS COWBOYS STORM RABBITOHS EELS SEA EAGLES ROOSTERS

v v v v v v v v

SHARKS WARRIORS WESTS TIGERS KNIGHTS PANTHERS BRONCOS DRAGONS BULLDOGS

JUNE 7–10

JUNE 13–16

↑.COM 17

ROUND

HOME WESTS TIGERS DRAGONS ROOSTERS TITANS KNIGHTS EELS WARRIORS BULLDOGS

v v v v v v v v

AWAY RABBITOHS COWBOYS STORM SEA EAGLES BRONCOS RAIDERS PANTHERS SHARKS

DRAGONS WESTS TIGERS KNIGHTS SHARKS

v v v v

STORM ROOSTERS WARRIORS BRONCOS

PANTHERS KNIGHTS RABBITOHS BRONCOS STORM ROOSTERS WESTS TIGERS DRAGONS

v v v v v v v v

TITANS BULLDOGS SEA EAGLES WARRIORS SHARKS COWBOYS EELS RAIDERS

ROUND 18

BRONCOS WARRIORS PANTHERS ROOSTERS RAIDERS COWBOYS TITANS SEA EAGLES

v v v v v v v v

BULLDOGS SHARKS DRAGONS KNIGHTS WESTS TIGERS RABBITOHS STORM EELS

ROUND 19

SHARKS KNIGHTS RABBITOHS EELS TITANS STORM BULLDOGS PANTHERS

v v v v v v v v

COWBOYS WESTS TIGERS DRAGONS WARRIORS BRONCOS SEA EAGLES ROOSTERS RAIDERS

ROUND 15 JUNE 27–30

ROUND 16 JULY 4–7

BYES: BULLDOGS, COWBOYS, EELS, PANTHERS, RABBITOHS, RAIDERS, SEA EAGLES, TITANS

ROUND 17 JULY 12–14

JULY 18–21

JULY 25–28

ROUND 20 AUGUST 1–4

ROUND 21 AUGUST 8–11

ROUND 22

AUGUST 15–18

WESTS TIGERS WARRIORS BRONCOS SEA EAGLES BULLDOGS SHARKS ROOSTERS DRAGONS

v v v v v v v v

COWBOYS RAIDERS STORM KNIGHTS PANTHERS RABBITOHS TITANS EELS

COWBOYS WARRIORS PANTHERS DRAGONS EELS BULLDOGS RAIDERS RABBITOHS

v v v v v v v v

BRONCOS SEA EAGLES SHARKS TITANS KNIGHTS WESTS TIGERS ROOSTERS STORM

SEA EAGLES TITANS BRONCOS KNIGHTS STORM RABBITOHS ROOSTERS SHARKS

v v v v v v v v

WESTS TIGERS EELS PANTHERS COWBOYS RAIDERS BULLDOGS WARRIORS DRAGONS

|

ROUND HOME AWAY v EELS BULLDOGS v COWBOYS

PANTHERS AUGUST 22–25 v BRONCOS RABBITOHS v SHARKS WARRIORS WESTS TIGERS v KNIGHTS v DRAGONS ROOSTERS v STORM TITANS SEA EAGLES RAIDERS v

ROUND 23

ROUND 24

COWBOYS WARRIORS BRONCOS KNIGHTS SEA EAGLES ROOSTERS SHARKS DRAGONS

v v v v v v v v

BULLDOGS RABBITOHS EELS TITANS STORM PANTHERS RAIDERS WESTS TIGERS

ROUND 25

RABBITOHS EELS STORM RAIDERS BULLDOGS TITANS WESTS TIGERS PANTHERS

v v v v v v v v

ROOSTERS SEA EAGLES COWBOYS WARRIORS BRONCOS DRAGONS SHARKS KNIGHTS

AUGUST 29— SEPTEMBER 1

SEPTEMBER 5–8

FINALS SERIES WEEK ONE: SEPTEMBER 13–15 — QUALIFYING SEMI-FINALS GAME #1 (QF1)

1st

v

4th

GAME #2 (QF2)

2nd

v

3rd

GAME #3 (EF1)

5th

v

8th

GAME #4 (EF2)

6th

v

7th

WEEK TWO: SEPTEMBER 20–21 — SEMI-FINALS GAME #1 (SF1) GAME #2 (SF2)

Loser QF1 Loser QF2

Winner EF1 v v

Winner EF2

WEEK THREE: SEPTEMBER 27–28 — PRELIMINARY FINALS GAME #1 (PF1) GAME #2 (PF2)

Winner QF1 Winner QF2

v v

Winner SF2 Winner SF1

NRL TELSTRA PREMIERSHIP GRAND FINAL GRAND FINAL ANZ Stadium

SUNDAY OCTOBER 6, 2019 Winner PF2

Winner PF1 v

KEY: QF (Quarter-Final), EF (Elimination Final), PF (Preliminary Final).

18

WWW.WARRIORS.KIWI

VODAFONE WARRIORS PLAYERS PROFILES HERE’S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE WARRIORS PLAYERS – INCLUDING DEBUT INFORMATION, KEY STATS, REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS AND MORE. BLAKE AYSHFORD

GERARD BEALE

DAVID FUSITU ’A

BLAKE GREEN

CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA

PETA HIKU

SOLOMONE KATA

ADAM KEIGHRAN

KEN MAUMALO

BORN: JUNE 5, 1993 IN APIA, SAMOA JUNIOR CLUB: OTAHUHU LEOPARDS POSITION: FULLBACK HEIGHT: 182cm WEIGHT: 96kg REP HONOURS: 16 TESTS for NZ (2013–17); WORLD CUP (2013, 2017) PREVIOUS CLUB: SYDNEY ROOSTERS (2012–15) FIRST GRADE DEBUT: SYDNEY ROOSTERS v GOLD COAST at ALLIANZ STADIUM on 27/07/12 (round 21) CLUB DEBUT: v WESTS TIGERS at CAMPBELLTOWN SPORTS STADIUM on 05/03/16 (round 1) AWARDS: DALLY M MEDAL WINNER 2018 BORN: JULY 18, 1990 IN BRISBANE, QLD JUNIOR CLUB: LOGAN BROTHERS POSITION: CENTRE/WING/FULLBACK HEIGHT: 182cm WEIGHT: 97kg REP HONOURS: 11 TESTS for NZ (2011–18); FOUR NATIONS (2011, 2014, 2016); WORLD CUP (2017) PREVIOUS CLUBS: CRONULLA (2015–17); ST GEORGE-ILLAWARRA (2013–14); BRISBANE (2009–12) FIRST GRADE DEBUT: BRISBANE v MANLY at SUNCORP STADIUM on 10/05/09 (round 9) CLUB DEBUT: v PARRAMATTA at ANZ STADIUM on 18/05/18 (round 11) BORN: SEPTEMBER 19, 1986 IN FAIRFIELD, NSW JUNIOR CLUB: CABRAMATTA POSITION: HALFBACK HEIGHT: 179cm WEIGHT: 97kg REP HONOURS: — PREVIOUS CLUBS: MANLY (2017); MELBOURNE (2015–16); WIGAN (2013–14); HULL KINGSTON ROVERS (2011–12); CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN (2010); CRONULLA (2008–09); PARRAMATTA (2007) FIRST GRADE DEBUT: PARRAMATTA v CANBERRA at PARRAMATTA STADIUM on 07/04/07 (round 4) CLUB DEBUT: v SOUTH SYDNEY at PERTH STADIUM on 10/03/18 (round 1)

BORN: DECEMBER 4, 1992 IN GISBORNE JUNIOR CLUB: MANUREWA MARLINS POSITION: WING/CENTRE/FULLBACK HEIGHT: 181cm WEIGHT: 105kg REP HONOURS: 11 TESTS for NZ (2014–17); FOUR NATIONS (2014); WORLD CUP (2017) PREVIOUS CLUBS: WARRINGTON (2017); PENRITH (2016–17); MANLY (2013–15) FIRST GRADE DEBUT: MANLY v CRONULLA at BROOKVALE OVAL on 14/04/13 (round 6) CLUB DEBUT: v SOUTH SYDNEY at PERTH STADIUM on 10/03/18 (round 1)

BORN: APRIL 24, 1997 IN SYDNEY, NSW JUNIOR CLUB: WYONG ROOS POSITION: HALFBACK/FIVE-EIGHTH HEIGHT: 183cm WEIGHT: 91kg REP HONOURS: AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLBOYS (2015) PREVIOUS CLUBS: PENRITH (2018); CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN (2017) CLUB and FIRST GRADE DEBUT: YET TO MAKE NRL DEBUT

BORN: APRIL 15, 1988 IN SYDNEY, NSW JUNIOR CLUBS: PADDINGTON TIGERS; COOGEE WOMBATS POSITION: CENTRE HEIGHT: 190cm WEIGHT: 98kg REP HONOURS: — PREVIOUS CLUBS: CRONULLA (2014–15); WESTS TIGERS (2009–13) FIRST GRADE DEBUT: WESTS TIGERS v BRISBANE at CAMPBELLTOWN SPORTS STADIUM on 22/05/09 (round 11) CLUB DEBUT: v WESTS TIGERS at CAMPBELLTOWN SPORTS STADIUM on 05/03/16 (round 1)

BORN: OCTOBER 16, 1994 IN AUCKLAND JUNIOR CLUB: MARIST SAINTS POSITION: WING HEIGHT: 189cm WEIGHT: 106kg REP HONOURS: 6 TESTS for TONGA (2016–18); 2 TESTS for NZ (2016) PREVIOUS CLUB: — CLUB and FIRST GRADE DEBUT: v ST GEORGE-ILLAWARRA at EDEN PARK on 15/03/14 (round 2)

BORN: APRIL 3, 1999 IN AUCKLAND JUNIOR CLUBS: PAKURANGA JAGUARS; MT WELLINGTON WARRIORS; HOWICK HORNETS POSITION: FIVE-EIGHTH/HALFBACK HEIGHT: 183cm WEIGHT: 88kg REP HONOURS: JUNIOR KIWIS (2017–18) PREVIOUS CLUB: — CLUB and FIRST GRADE DEBUT: YET TO MAKE NRL DEBUT

BORN: DECEMBER 3, 1994 IN NEIAFU, TONGA JUNIOR CLUB: HOWICK HORNETS POSITION: CENTRE HEIGHT: 177cm WEIGHT: 104kg REP HONOURS: 6 TESTS for TONGA (2014–17); 5 TESTS for NZ (2016) PREVIOUS CLUB: — CLUB and FIRST GRADE DEBUT: v NEWCASTLE at HUNTER STADIUM on 07/03/15 (round 1)

BORN: JUNE 16, 1994 IN AUCKLAND JUNIOR CLUB: PAPATOETOE PANTHERS POSITION: WING HEIGHT: 191cm WEIGHT: 111kg REP HONOURS: 5 TESTS for NZ (2018); 4 TESTS for SAMOA (2016–17) PREVIOUS CLUB: — CLUB and FIRST GRADE DEBUT: v PARRAMATTA at PIRTEK STADIUM on 16/05/15 (round 10)

WARRIORS NRL PLAYER PROFILES CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

PLAYERS – BACKS

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20

WWW.WARRIORS.KIWI PAGE WEB ADDRESS

BUNTY AFOA

LEESON AH MAU

ADAM BLAIR

LACHLAN BURR

TOHU HARRIS

KARL LAWTON

SAM LISONE

ISSAC LUKE

AGNATIUS PAASI

ISAIAH PAPALI’I

LEIVAHA PULU

BORN: DECEMBER 20, 1989 IN AUCKLAND JUNIOR CLUBS: PAPATOETOE PANTHERS; OTAHUHU LEOPARDS POSITION: PROP HEIGHT: 185cm WEIGHT: 111kg REP HONOURS: 5 TESTS for NZ (2018); 16 TESTS for SAMOA (2013–17); FOUR NATIONS (2014); WORLD CUP (2013, 2017) PREVIOUS CLUBS: ST GEORGE-ILLAWARRA (2012–18); NORTH QUEENSLAND (2010–11); WARRIORS (2009) CLUB and FIRST GRADE DEBUT: WARRIORS v PARRAMATTA at MT SMART STADIUM on 14/03/09 (round 1)

BORN: SEPTEMBER 27, 1992 IN SYDNEY, NSW JUNIOR CLUB: REVESBY HEIGHTS RHINOS POSITION: PROP HEIGHT: 188cm WEIGHT: 103kg REP HONOURS: — PREVIOUS CLUBS: CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN (2018); SHEFFIELD (2017); LEIGH (2017); GOLD COAST (2015–16); CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN (2013) FIRST GRADE DEBUT: CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN v PENRITH at ANZ STADIUM on 31/08/2013 (round 25) CLUB DEBUT: YET TO PLAY FOR WARRIORS

BORN: NOVEMBER 29, 1995 IN MURWILLUMBAH, QLD JUNIOR CLUB: BURLEIGH BEARS POSITION: HOOKER HEIGHT: 185cm WEIGHT: 93kg REP HONOURS: — PREVIOUS CLUB: GOLD COAST (2016–17) FIRST GRADE DEBUT: GOLD COAST v WARRIORS at MT SMART STADIUM on 02/07/16 (round 17) CLUB DEBUT: v WESTS TIGERS at MT SMART STADIUM on 05/05/18 (round 9)

BORN: MAY 29, 1987 IN HAWERA JUNIOR CLUB: HAWERA HAWKS POSITION: HOOKER HEIGHT: 175cm WEIGHT: 93kg REP HONOURS: 43 TESTS for NZ (2008–18); WORLD CUP (2008, 2013); FOUR NATIONS (2009–2011, 2014, 2016); ALL GOLDS (2008); NZ v COOK ISLANDS (2013) PREVIOUS CLUB: SOUTH SYDNEY (2007–15) FIRST GRADE DEBUT: SOUTH SYDNEY v MELBOURNE at OLYMPIC PARK on 02/06/07 (round 12) CLUB DEBUT: v WESTS TIGERS at CAMPBELLTOWN SPORTS STADIUM on 05/03/16 (round 1)

BORN: SEPTEMBER 20, 1998 IN AUCKLAND JUNIOR CLUBS: TE ATATU ROOSTERS; RICHMOND ROVERS POSITION: SECOND ROW/LOOSE FORWARD HEIGHT: 182cm WEIGHT: 108kg REP HONOURS: 1 TEST for NZ (2018); 1 TEST for SAMOA (2018); JUNIOR KIWIS (2016–18) PREVIOUS CLUB: — CLUB and FIRST GRADE DEBUT: v NEWCASTLE at MT SMART STADIUM on 05/03/17 (round 1)

BORN: AUGUST 20, 1996 IN AUCKLAND JUNIOR CLUB: PT CHEVALIER PIRATES POSITION: PROP HEIGHT: 183cm WEIGHT: 111kg REP HONOURS: 5 TESTS for SAMOA (2016–18); WORLD CUP (2017) PREVIOUS CLUB: — CLUB and FIRST GRADE DEBUT: v GOLD COAST at MT SMART STADIUM on 02/07/2016 (round 17)

BORN: MARCH 20, 1986 IN WHANGAREI JUNIOR CLUB: NORTHLAND CARVERS POSITION: PROP/LOCK HEIGHT: 188cm WEIGHT: 109kg REP HONOURS: 48 TESTS for NZ (2006–18); FOUR NATIONS (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2016); WORLD CUP (2008, 2017); TRI NATIONS (2006) PREVIOUS CLUBS: BRISBANE (2015–17); WESTS TIGERS (2012–14); MELBOURNE (2006–11) FIRST GRADE DEBUT: MELBOURNE v WESTS TIGERS at LEICHHARDT OVAL on 02/04/06 (round 4) CLUB DEBUT: v SOUTH SYDNEY at PERTH STADIUM on 10/03/18 (round 1) BORN: JANUARY 7, 1992 IN HASTINGS JUNIOR CLUB: TAMATEA SPORTS CLUB POSITION: SECOND ROW HEIGHT: 195cm WEIGHT: 112kg REP HONOURS: 16 TESTS for NZ (2013–16); FOUR NATIONS (2014, 2016) PREVIOUS CLUB: MELBOURNE (2013–17) FIRST GRADE DEBUT: MELBOURNE v ST GEORGE-ILLAWARRA at AAMI PARK on 10/03/13 (round 1) CLUB DEBUT: v SOUTH SYDNEY at PERTH STADIUM on 10/03/18 (round 1)

BORN: FEBRUARY 19, 1994 IN AUCKLAND JUNIOR CLUB: OTAHUHU LEOPARDS POSITION: PROP HEIGHT: 184cm WEIGHT: 110kg REP HONOURS: 4 TESTS for SAMOA (2015–17) PREVIOUS CLUB: — CLUB and FIRST GRADE DEBUT: v NEWCASTLE at HUNTER STADIUM on 07/03/15 (round 1)

BORN: NOVEMBER 30, 1991 IN LAPAHA, TONGA JUNIOR CLUB: MANGERE EAST HAWKS POSITION: PROP HEIGHT: 182cm WEIGHT: 114kg REP HONOURS: NZ SQUAD (2018); 1 TEST for TONGA (2014) PREVIOUS CLUBS: GOLD COAST (2015–17); WARRIORS (2014) CLUB and FIRST GRADE DEBUT: WARRIORS v BRISBANE at SUNCORP STADIUM on 19/07/14 (round 19)

BORN: MARCH 27, 1990, IN AUCKLAND JUNIOR CLUB: MARIST SAINTS POSITION: SECOND ROW/PROP HEIGHT: 192cm WEIGHT: 110kg REP HONOURS: 1 TEST for TONGA (2017) PREVIOUS CLUB: GOLD COAST (2016–17) FIRST GRADE DEBUT: GOLD COAST v NEWCASTLE at CBUS SUPER STADIUM on 06/03/16 (round 1) CLUB DEBUT: v SOUTH SYDNEY at PERTH STADIUM on 10/03/18 (round 1)

WARRIORS NRL PLAYER PROFILES CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

BORN: JULY 2, 1999 IN TAUPO JUNIOR CLUB: PIKIAO POSITION: FIVE-EIGHTH/FULLBACK HEIGHT: 184cm WEIGHT: 91kg REP HONOURS: JUNIOR KIWIS (2018); NZ RESIDENTS 18s (2017) PREVIOUS CLUB: — CLUB and FIRST GRADE DEBUT: YET TO MAKE NRL DEBUT

PLAYERS – FORWARDS

HAYZE PERHAM

22

WWW.WARRIORS.KIWI

WARRIORS NRL PLAYER PROFILES CONTINUED from PAGE 20

NATHANIEL ROACHE

LIGI SAO

CHRIS SATAE

JAZZ TEVAGA

BORN: APRIL 15, 1996 IN AUCKLAND JUNIOR CLUB: RICHMOND ROVERS POSITION: HOOKER HEIGHT: 180cm WEIGHT: 94kg REP HONOURS: JUNIOR KIWIS (2016) PREVIOUS CLUB: — CLUB and FIRST GRADE DEBUT: v WESTS TIGERS at CAMPBELLTOWN SPORTS STADIUM on 05/03/16 (round 1)

BORN: OCTOBER 22, 1992 IN TOFOA, TONGA JUNIOR CLUBS: GLENORA BEARS; PT CHEVALIER PIRATES POSITION: PROP HEIGHT: 191cm WEIGHT: 114kg REP HONOURS: NZ RESIDENTS (2016) PREVIOUS CLUB: — CLUB and FIRST GRADE DEBUT: v NORTH QUEENSLAND at 1300SMILES STADIUM on 22/07/17 (round 20)

BORN: OCTOBER 11, 1992 IN AUCKLAND JUNIOR CLUB: MANUREWA MARLINS POSITION: PROP/LOCK HEIGHT: 187cm WEIGHT: 109kg REP HONOURS: 1 TEST for SAMOA (2018) PREVIOUS CLUB: MANLY (2013–15) FIRST GRADE DEBUT: MANLY v NORTH QUEENSLAND at 1300SMILES STADIUM on 15/07/13 (round 18) CLUB DEBUT: v CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN at WESTPAC STADIUM on 16/04/16 (round 7)

BORN: SEPTEMBER 4, 1995 IN CHRISTCHURCH JUNIOR CLUBS: BURNHAM CHEVALIERS; PAPAKURA SEA EAGLES POSITION: LOCK/HOOKER HEIGHT: 178cm HEIGHT: 94kg REP HONOURS: 4 TESTS for SAMOA (2017); WORLD CUP (2017) PREVIOUS CLUB: — CLUB and FIRST GRADE DEBUT: v MELBOURNE at MT SMART STADIUM on 20/03/16 (round 3)

STACEY JONES ASSISTANT COACH 2017–

TONY IRO ASSISTANT COACH 2018–

TODD PAYTEN ASSISTANT COACH 2019–

PREVIOUS COACHING POSITIONS: MAORI KIWIS ALL-STARS HEAD COACH (2019); NZ ASSISTANT COACH (2018–19); WARRIORS INTRUST SUPER PREMIERSHIP HEAD COACH (2015–16); JUNIOR WARRIORS HEAD COACH (2014); WARRIORS JUNIOR RECRUITMENT AND PATHWAYS COACH (2013); ARL FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (2012); POINT CHEVALIER COACH (2010–11); WARRIORS SKILLS COACH (2008)

PREVIOUS COACHING POSITIONS: WARRIORS RECRUITMENT AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (2016–17); WARRIORS ASSISTANT COACH (2015; 2010–12); NZRL GENERAL MANAGER HIGH PERFORMANCE (2012–14); WARRIORS ACTING HEAD COACH (2012); NZ ASSISTANT COACH (2009–10); JUNIOR WARRIORS HEAD COACH (2008–09); AUCKLAND LIONS NSW PREMIER LEAGUE ASSISTANT COACH (2007); WARRIORS DEVELOPMENT COACH (2006–07); NZ ASSISTANT COACH (2006–07); NEW ZEALAND-A COACH (2005–06); WARRIORS IT AND VIDEO ANALYST (2005)

PREVIOUS COACHING POSITIONS: NORTH QUEENSLAND ASSISTANT COACH (2015–18); NORTH QUEENSLAND NYC HEAD COACH (2015); WESTS TIGERS ASSISTANT COACH (2014); NEW SOUTH WALES UNDER-18 COACH (2013–14); WESTS TIGERS NYC HEAD COACH (2012–13)

BORN: MAY 7, 1976 IN AUCKLAND

PLAYING CAREER: 46 TESTS for NZ (1995–2006); 261 FIRST-GRADE GAMES for WARRIORS (1995–2005, 2009); 45 GAMES for LES CATALANS (SUPER LEAGUE) (2006–07)

BORN: MAY 30, 1967 IN AUCKLAND

PLAYING CAREER: 25 TESTS for NZ (1988–1998); 184 FIRST-GRADE GAMES for MANLY (1990–93), SYDNEY ROOSTERS (1994–96), HUNTER MARINERS (1997), ADELAIDE (1998) and SOUTH SYDNEY (1999); 61 GAMES for LEIGH (1990–91) and WIGAN (1988–89)

BORN: JANUARY 18, 1979 IN SYDNEY, NSW

PLAYING CAREER: 259 FIRST-GRADE GAMES for CANBERRA (1996–2002); SYDNEY ROOSTERS (2003) and WESTS TIGERS (2004–11)

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24

↑.COM

CLUB PREVIEWS: SEASON 2019 GET A HEAD START ON THE SEASON WITH ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED TO MAKE YOUR PREDICTIONS FOR 2019

BRONCOS

LAST YEAR: PRELIMINARY FINALIST HEAD COACH: ANTHONY SEIBOLD CAPTAIN: DARIUS BOYD HOME GROUND: SUNCORP STADIUM WEBSITE: www.broncos.com.au TICKETS: www.broncos.com.au/ticketing CONTACT: Level 1, 92 Fulcher Road, Red Hill, QLD 4059 POSTAL: Locked Bag 3005, Paddington, QLD 4064 PHONE: +61 7 3858 9111 TAB ODDS: $8.00 The old adage that familiarity breeds contempt certainly hasn’t applied to the Brisbane Broncos. The club qualified for the finals in the last 21 of Wayne Bennett’s record-breaking 25 seasons as coach.

One of the biggest challenges for new head coach Anthony Seibold in taking over at Red Hill will be building a quick rapport with the squad. The franchise is aiming to break the longest premiership drought in their history. But aside from Seibold’s burgeoning status as the NRL’s best young coach, the ex-South

CANTERBURYBANKSTOWN

BULLDOGS

LAST YEAR: 12TH PLACE HEAD COACH: DEAN PAY CAPTAIN: JOSH JACKSON HOME GROUNDS: ANZ STADIUM; BELMORE SPORTS GROUND WEBSITE: www.bulldogs.com.au TICKETS: www.tickets.nrl.com/team/500010 CONTACT: Belmore Sports Ground, Edison Lane, Belmore, NSW 2192 POSTAL: PO Box 123, Belmore, NSW 2192 PHONE: +61 2 9789 8000 TAB ODDS: $51.00 It’s a new year for the Bulldogs and time to put last season’s woes behind them.

The dust has settled on the club’s salary cap dramas and although it was at the expense of a number of their high-profile players, it’s a chance to start fresh.

Captain Josh Jackson is looking forward to finally having no outside noise affect the team.

CANBERRA

RAIDERS

LAST YEAR: 10TH PLACE HEAD COACH: RICKY STUART CO-CAPTAINS: JARROD CROKER and JOSH HODGSON HOME GROUND: GIO STADIUM WEBSITE: www.raiders.com.au TICKETS: www.tickets.nrl.com/team/500013 CONTACT: 2 Eade St, Bruce, ACT 2617 POSTAL: PO Box 3315, Belconnen Business Centre, ACT 2617 PHONE: +61 2 6253 3515 TAB ODDS: $21.00

It tends to be the same script for the Raiders each year.

On paper they have one of the most exciting and dynamic teams in the competition, and while they have the ability to beat any team with their entertaining brand of footy, they’ve struggled to have success in recent seasons.

They’ve made the finals just once in six years – narrowly missing out on qualifying for the grand final in 2016.

Heading into the new season, it’s the same story for the Green Machine.

Sydney mentor has a valuable trump card up his sleeve. “There are around 20 players I’ve worked with in the past, so that gives me a starting point for the group,” he says. “They know what I’m about.”

While Bennett’s father-figure status means the coaching change will be a significant adjustment for many Broncos, the squad will benefit from being free of the soap opera that dragged on throughout the 2018 campaign and into December.

Seibold has been impressed with his new charges’ commitment to embracing fresh ideas.

“It’s a new environment for the playing group and some of the staff, but it’s been really positive. They’re in very good condition and they want to get better. It’s been challenging for them but it’s a learning environment and we feel like we’re taking steps in the right direction.”

Seibold is not getting ahead of himself or worrying about final outcomes. “There is expectation on every club in the NRL – you wouldn’t want to be in an environment or organisation that didn’t have expectation,” he says. “But that is one of the things that makes you want to be part of the Broncos. As far as my expectation goes, it’s that the players roll in every Monday and get better. Outside of that I am not looking ahead to outcomes or results at the end of the year.”

“All we have to concentrate on as players is what we’re doing and so far it’s been really good,” he says. “Everyone has brought in a really great attitude, all the new guys have been fantastic and the guys that have been here before have been really good as well. We don’t have anything to worry about other than performing now.”

The new guys are marquee signing Dylan Napa, former Wests Tigers workhorse Sauaso Sue, former Panthers duo Corey Harawira-Naera and Christian Crichton, and former Knights pair Nick Meaney and Jack Cogger. They may all be putting their best foot forward in their new colours but it’s Sue who has particularly caught Jackson’s eye.

Kiwi Kieran Foran has been below his mercurial best through injuries and off-field issues since he left Manly in 2015, including a forgettable season with the Warriors in 2017.

He managed 12 games for the Bulldogs last season until a toe injury that required surgery ruled him out for the rest of the season.

But Foran is talking up his prospects ahead of the new season.

“I am optimistic I can have a big year. It was a tough year for me last year as I picked up a few injuries and struggled to find form before I got injured but hopefully I can have a big year,” he says.

“We have had a really big pre-season together as a group.”

We all know they have the potential to give the competition a genuine shake but that means nothing if they can’t deliver success to their fans.

“I don’t really know why or how we’re going to make the top eight but I just hope it happens,” Raiders co-captain Jarrod Croker says. “Obviously finals football is the goal for every team and we’re no different – we want to play finals football – there’s not a bloke out there who doesn’t. We’ve just got to get ourselves to the finals and then reassess and go again because it’s a different game once you get there.

“Unfortunately for us we haven’t been getting there over the past two years, so it’s time to change.”

Canberra have signed talented utility back Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad from the Warriors. Auckland-born Nicoll-Klokstad joined the Warriors from Melbourne in 2016. The 23-year-old made his NRL debut in 2017, impressing with seven tries from seven games as a winger but did not feature in first grade last season.

Raiders Recruitment and High-Performance Director Peter Mulholland says Nicoll-Klokstad gives the team a player who can play several positions. “Charnze is a very talented player who can play wing, fullback and in the halves,” Mulholland says.

“Charnze is also a wonderful representative for the game off-field and does some great work as an ambassador for Physical Disability Rugby League in New Zealand.”

* TAB odds quoted throughout the magazine were correct on March 1, 2019. To check if any odds have been updated please visit tab.co.nz

NRL CLUB PREVIEWS CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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26

CLUB PREVIEWS: SEASON 2019 CONTINUED CRONULLASUTHERLAND

SHARKS

LAST YEAR: SEMI-FINALIST HEAD COACH: JOHN MORRIS CO-CAPTAINS: PAUL GALLEN and WADE GRAHAM HOME GROUND: REMONDIS STADIUM WEBSITE: www.sharks.com.au TICKETS: www.tickets.nrl.com/team/500028 CONTACT: 461 Captain Cook Dr, Woolooware, NSW 2230 POSTAL: PO Box 2219, Taren Point, NSW 2229 PHONE: +61 2 9527 8200 TAB ODDS: $17.00 If there’s one team that’s had a more disruptive pre-season than most, it’s the Sharks.

Their premiership-winning coach Shane Flanagan was deregistered by the NRL after an investigation discovered he had severely breached the terms of his one-year ban in 2014, and he subsequently resigned.

Flanagan’s resignation was tough for his players, particularly co-captain Paul Gallen.

GOLD COAST

TITANS

LAST YEAR: 14TH PLACE HEAD COACH: GARTH BRENNAN CAPTAIN: RYAN JAMES HOME GROUND: CBUS SUPER STADIUM WEBSITE: www.titans.com.au TICKETS: www.titans.com.au/tickets CONTACT: 76-122 Napper Road, Parkwood, QLD 4214 POSTAL: PO Box 841, Gold Coast Mail Centre, QLD 9726 PHONE: +61 7 5656 5650 TAB ODDS: $41.00 While hype surrounds defending premiers the Roosters and the other usual title contenders, this year the Gold Coast Titans are likely to sneak right under the radar.

They’ve had the most impressive recruitment spree in the club’s history and have added some serious depth to just about every position.

Players including Shannon Boyd, Tyrone Roberts and Ryley Jacks now call the Gold Coast home, but marquee signing

MANLY WARRINGAH

SEA EAGLES

LAST YEAR: 15TH PLACE HEAD COACH: DES HASLER CAPTAIN: DALY CHERRY-EVANS HOME GROUND: BROOKVALE OVAL WEBSITE: www.seaeagles.com.au TICKETS: www.seaeagles.com.au/tickets CONTACT: Sydney Academy of Sport, Wakehurst Parkway, Narabeen, NSW 2101 POSTAL: PO Box 994, Narrabeen, NSW 2101 PHONE: +61 2 9970 3000 TAB ODDS: $41.00 Everything old is new again on the northern beaches with Des Hasler back on deck to help the Sea Eagles turn things around following their lowest finish in club history last season.

When Hasler first joined the club as coach in 2004, the Sea Eagles were reeling after back-to-back 13th and 14th-place finishes. Things didn’t exactly improve in his first season in charge, but once the zany professor found his groove things

“I’ve got to give credit to him [Flanagan], he could have dragged it out and made it an issue, but he put the playing group first and settled it with the club pretty quickly. It’s done and we can move forward, which I think is positive,” Gallen says.

John Morris, a successful lower grade coach and former star for the Sharks, signed-on as new head coach for the next three years.

Morris played 105 NRL games over five years at Cronulla.

Having been a part of the club for so long, Morris found it easy to step into the role.

“Obviously it was a bit of a distraction and an unfortunate circumstance but with me being here and having a good handle on the systems and the way we play, it was a pretty smooth transition,” Morris says.

“I’ll certainly be working hard to repay the faith the club has shown in me. I have this outstanding opportunity to lead a club I am extremely passionate about. It is a huge honour for me.”

Former Warriors playmaker Shaun Johnson is also looking forward to a new start. ”I want to win a comp too and that’s why I’ve come here.

I believe that this club can win another comp and I want to be a part of it.”

Tyrone Peachey is undoubtedly the biggest addition to the line-up this season.

The former Panther had a stellar season last year after signing a three-year deal with the Titans in March.

Coach Garth Brennan says it was Peachey’s spark and big game experience that made him so appealing to the Titans.

“He brings competitiveness. He’s won a comp in New South Wales Cup, played semi-finals and other big games. He’s played Origin now and he’s been away with the Australian squad,” Brennan says.

“So he brings that winning culture and he brings an x-factor.

He’s a game-breaker, when Peach has the ball in his hands something happens and people stand up because of that.”

The Titans have real depth in the halves this season with Ash Taylor, Tyrone Roberts, Ryley Jacks and AJ Brimson vying for the two starting positions.

“It is something I didn’t have last year,” Brennan says. “At times last year I had to put Bryce Cartwright at six because I had no one else. AJ came on and did a really good job but I didn’t have too many options. This year I do and it will come down to trials form.”

Is this the Titans’ year?

quickly turned and Manly made seven consecutive finals series under his watch – winning two titles along the way.

Having finished just one win off the wooden spoon in 2018, things had to change. Former coach Trent Barrett wasn’t happy with the facilities afforded to him and sought a release from his contract, which opened the door for Hasler to swoop back in after a year away from the game.

He’s been back for a matter of months, but his fingerprints are all over a new-look approach that has a couple of star players quietly confident heading into 2019.

“It’s been really good to see him back in Manly colours,” skipper Daly Cherry-Evans says of the man who handed him his NRL debut in 2011.

One player hopeful of getting back into the action this year is Lachlan Croker after a third knee reconstruction.

The young five-eighth suffered a season-ending left-knee injury last April. What followed was more surgery, eight long months of rehab and the constant mind battles of pushing his body through it all again.

“It [being an NRL player] is still the best job in the world.

Obviously, I would change things if I could but you can’t.

You just have to move on,” Croker says.

↑.COM 27

NRL.COM

LAST YEAR: RUNNER-UP HEAD COACH: CRAIG BELLAMY CAPTAIN: CAMERON SMITH HOME GROUND: AAMI PARK WEBSITE: www.melbournestorm.com.au TICKETS: www.tickets.nrl.com/team/500021 CONTACT: 60 Olympic Boulevard, Melbourne, VIC 3001 POSTAL: PO Box 155, Richmond, VIC 3121 PHONE: +61 3 8412 4900 TAB ODDS: $8.50 There’s a reason the New England Patriots contested their third straight Super Bowl this year. It’s the same reason Roger Federer, at 37, is still one of the greatest athletes on the planet.

Few teams or individuals have been able to unlock it. Is it luck?

Partly, but for the crème de la crème, success is where preparation and opportunity meet.

Time and time again, the experts have been proven wrong about the Patriots and Federer, and the same can be said of the

LAST YEAR: 11TH PLACE HEAD COACH: NATHAN BROWN CO-CAPTAINS: JAMIE BUHRER and MITCHELL PEARCE HOME GROUND: McDONALD JONES STADIUM WEBSITE: www.newcastleknights.com.au TICKETS: www.tickets.nrl.com/team/500003 CONTACT: 32 Industrial Drive, Mayfield, NSW 2304 POSTAL: PO Box 152, Wickham, NSW 2293 PHONE: +61 2 4028 9100 TAB ODDS: $15.00 For the first time in half a decade there’s a real sense of expectation in the Hunter Valley. Following three consecutive wooden spoons and a missed opportunity last season, the Knights are a genuine top-eight chance and have a team that can push for the title.

Their fans have stuck by their side the whole time and now there’s plenty of excitement ahead of the new season in Newcastle.

Melbourne Storm. For as long as you can remember, pre-season predictions have had them missing the top eight.

Under the tutelage of master tactician Craig Bellamy, the Storm have seen-off roster overhauls to feature in eight of the past 13 grand finals.

Champion fullback Billy Slater retired after that match, prompting most to recycle their doom and gloom predictions, but in a huge boost for the club Cameron Smith signed on for two more seasons.

Like Tom Brady, people have been writing Smith off for ages.

But in Melbourne, those close to the captain are expecting more of the same from the Immortal-in-waiting.

“We lost Billy and Ryan Hoffman last year and we lost Cooper the year before that. They are all great leaders, so to have Cameron around for two more years is massive,” Kiwi Jesse Bromwich says.

“We’ve got a lot of good young players coming through, but they’re going to need time, and having good leaders around makes their lives easier.”

“There’s definitely more expectation this season and we’re going to embrace it,” coach Nathan Brown says.

“Last year, expectations got a bit higher when Kalyn (Ponga) and Pearcey (Mitchell Pearce) came on board, and we had our ups and downs, but with the good signings we’ve made – expectations have gone up again.”

“There should be expectations. Hopefully we can get the best out of this group. We certainly feel we’ve made some good improvements and only time will tell if we’ve made enough.”

The draw has served the Knights well. They are scheduled to play four of their first five games at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Co-captain Jamie Buhrer says there is a lot of excitement ahead of the season start both within and outside the Newcastle region.

“We know playing at home, we grow an extra leg there, so that support will be good but whether we're at home or away, come round one you just want to be ready to go.”

“He won’t be far from the club and he’ll have a bit of a role here.”

TICKETS: www.cowboys.com.au/tickets CONTACT: Golf Link Drive, Kirwan, QLD 4817 POSTAL: PO Box 587, Thuringowa Central, QLD 4817 PHONE: +61 1300 462 692 TAB ODDS: $15.00 A new era has officially begun in North Queensland.

For the first time in 15 seasons the Cowboys will be without the great Johnathan Thurston.

Losing a player of Thurston’s calibre is never easy, and it could take a while for the side to adjust. But the club has recruited well and the team is still stacked with a number of representative players.

“We’re getting on with it,” coach Paul Green says. “A guy like JT is so influential around a place – not only on the field but

KNIGHTS

“We’d prefer to have the players we have now with the expectation that comes with it than the expectation of winning the wooden spoon,” Brown says.

off the field as well. When he’s not there it’s a big adjustment.

WEBSITE: www.cowboys.com.au

NEWCASTLE

That expectation brings increased pressure but that’s certainly not concerning the coach.

HEAD COACH: PAUL GREEN HOME GROUND: 1300SMILES STADIUM

STORM

Cooper Cronk was there for the bulk of that period but left at the end of 2017. How did they go the following year? They made the grand final – again.

LAST YEAR: 13TH PLACE CAPTAIN: MATT SCOTT

MELBOURNE

Though Green knows it could take a while for his team to click, he’s optimistic a new group of players can carry the team into the future.

“From a footy point-of-view it gives some of those younger guys a chance to step up and take a bit more responsibility,” he says.

“I’m excited to see what some of our younger players can do and I’m sure they’ll play well.”

Jason Taumalolo says their forward pack is one other teams will envy.

“Most teams are going to think we can shake up the competition with this forward pack. We are going to have to work hard and get some chemistry going but I am excited to see how far we will go with this forward pack and where it will take our game.

“I can always get better. I am still working on the offloading side of my game and trying to create some second phase.

That is something we have really lacked over the last few years in our team.”

NORTH QUEENSLAND

COWBOYS

28

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CLUB PREVIEWS: SEASON 2019 CONTINUED EELS

LAST YEAR: 16TH PLACE HEAD COACH: BRAD ARTHUR CAPTAIN: TIM MANNAH HOME GROUND: BANKWEST STADIUM WEBSITE: www.parraeels.com.au TICKETS: www.ticketmaster.com.au/ Parramatta-Eels-tickets/artist/1297220 CONTACT: 2 Eels Place, Parramatta, NSW 2150 POSTAL: PO Box 2666, North Parramatta, NSW 2150 PHONE: +61 2 8843 0300 TAB ODDS: $34.00 A year is a long time in rugby league. It’s a well-worn idiom, but one that few teams understand better than Parramatta.

This time last year they were riding high.

They were seen as a genuine premiership contender with an exciting halves pairing and were expected to make consecutive finals series with a squad that had seen minimal changes in the off-season.

PENRITH

PANTHERS

LAST YEAR: PRELIMINARY FINALIST HEAD COACH: IVAN CLEARY CAPTAIN: JAMES MALONEY HOME GROUND: PEPPER STADIUM WEBSITE: www.penrithpanthers.com.au TICKETS: www.penrithpanthers.com.au/tickets CONTACT: 123 Mulgoa Road, Penrith, NSW 2750 POSTAL: Locked Bag 8322, Penrith, NSW 2751 PHONE: +61 2 4720 9100 TAB ODDS: $11.00 After years of speculation surrounding the futures of Ivan and Nathan Cleary, the father-son duo has finally been united – and at the club no one ever thought Ivan would return to.

The former coach was sacked by Panthers boss Phil Gould just three years ago, but now returns to work under that very same man.

Initially it was reported Nathan would most likely link up with his dad at the Wests Tigers – it was the most logical result. But ultimately it was Ivan who returned to the foot of the mountains

SOUTH SYDNEY

RABBITOHS

LAST YEAR: SEMI-FINALIST HEAD COACH: WAYNE BENNETT CAPTAIN: GREG INGLIS HOME GROUND: ANZ STADIUM WEBSITE: www.rabbitohs.com.au TICKETS: www.tickets.nrl.com/team/500005 CONTACT: Level 4, 265 Chalmers Street, Redfern, NSW 2016 POSTAL: Locked Bag 1, Redfern, NSW 2016 PHONE: +64 2 8306 9900 TAB ODDS: $9.00 They fell one game short of last year’s grand final with a rookie at the helm.

Now, with an almost identical roster, the Rabbitohs have the ‘Super Coach’ calling the shots, and there’s a buzz around Redfern that the locals haven’t felt since 2014.

Few could have predicted the influence Anthony Seibold would have on the side in 2018, and while his departure is a big loss, it’s hard to complain when your club nabs Wayne Bennett in a straight swap.

They may have lost Semi Radradra, but the return of prodigal son Jarryd Hayne softened the blow and left fans confident of success.

But that was where it ended.

A run of six-straight losses was the worst possible start and the team struggled to recover. The Mitch Moses-Corey Norman partnership that had served the club so well the year before failed to deliver, the formerly bruising pack was regularly dominated and Radradra’s input was sorely missed.

After soaring so high just 12 months before, they hit rock bottom and finished with the wooden spoon.

The new season is a clean slate, and not just because the Eels finally get to return home. After two years based in Homebush, they’re finally back in Parramatta with the brand-new Bankwest Stadium ready to be called home.

But as exciting as that prospect may be, the Eels know it’s no guarantee of a turnaround.

“It’s fantastic, there’s no denying that,” says coach Brad Arthur about the homecoming. “But we’ve got to earn the right to have our fans want to come and watch us. They need to believe in us, and the only way we can help them do that is through our actions on the field.” in 2019, claiming he has “unfinished business”. His departure from the Tigers caused plenty of controversy, which will set up tasty fixtures between the two clubs in rounds four and nine.

“I am honoured to be back as head coach of the Panthers and look forward to being part of the future journey,” Ivan says.

The arrival of his dad as head coach has just added to the pressure on star playmaker Nathan. But he is trying to keep all the hype to an absolute minimum.

“I’m probably more prepared than I've ever been,” Nathan says.

“I’m the hungriest I’ve ever been for success and to be playing well. I don’t think Dad coming puts any more pressure on, there is already enough and has been since I made my debut. Good or average games turn into poor games for me now because there's that much more expectation.

“High expectations from others make me rattled. If we’re on a losing streak I’m pretty rattled then. The expectations of what people have for some reason make me nervous if I read them, and I’m trying to get out of it.

“That’s something I want to implement into this year that you can’t please everyone and I’ve got to stop caring about what everyone else thinks about my game and just care about what the team and staff thinks.”

“He just jumped straight in. He’s got enough runs on the board to demand that. He’s got that aura when he walks into a room, the players respect him,” captain Greg Inglis says.

“He’s a bit old school in that he cares about the players before anything, and that’s the way he’s coached throughout his career.

He’s been in the job so long because he knows what he’s doing.

“He looks after the players. What you see is what you get and what he tells the players might be hurtful for some but we get over it and move on.”

The Rabbitohs are pleased to extend the contract of international front-row forward Thomas Burgess until the end of 2023.

Burgess, 26, has made 119 NRL appearances since making his debut against Parramatta in 2013, after joining his three brothers, Sam, George and Luke, at South Sydney.

“Souths is all I’ve known and I’m really pumped to be signed up long-term now,” Burgess says.

“The club gave me a chance when I came to Australia for the first time, a 20-year-old young lad, not knowing what to expect.

I’m still enjoying my football here.

“To play my 100th game with Souths last year was really significant for me, but now it’s about quality rather than quantity and I want to play my best each week.”

NRL CLUB PREVIEWS CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

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CLUB PREVIEWS: SEASON 2019 CONTINUED ST GEORGEILLAWARRA

DRAGONS

LAST YEAR: ELIMINATION FINALIST HEAD COACH: PAUL McGREGOR CAPTAIN: GARETH WIDDOP HOME GROUNDS: JUBILEE OVAL; WIN STADIUM; ANZ STADIUM

WEBSITE: www.dragons.com.au TICKETS: www.dragons.com.au/tickets CONTACT: 124 Princes Highway, Kogarah, NSW 2217 POSTAL: Locked Bag 1500, Ramsgate, NSW 2217 PHONE: +61 2 9587 1966 TAB ODDS: $13.00 After reaching the second week of the finals for the first time since 2011, and only missing out on a preliminary final spot by a point despite a devastating injury toll, there’s plenty of optimism in the Dragons camp for a strong 2019.

Their finals heroics, as well as providing big-game experience, had an added psychological benefit. It proved to the squad that they could still remain competitive without their inspirational captain Gareth Widdop, after their fate had seemingly rested

SYDNEY

ROOSTERS

LAST YEAR: PREMIERS HEAD COACH: TRENT ROBINSON CO-CAPTAINS: BOYD CORDNER and JAKE FRIEND HOME GROUND: ALLIANZ STADIUM WEBSITE: www.roosters.com.au TICKETS: www.tickets.nrl.com/team/500001 CONTACT: Entertainment Quarter, Lang Rd, Moore Park, NSW 2021 POSTAL: PO Box 693, Paddington, NSW 2021 PHONE: +61 2 8063 3800

TAB ODDS: $4.50 The Three-Eyed Raven taught Bran Stark plenty during their time together in Game of Thrones. However, there was one line that stood out: “The past is already written. The ink is dry.”

Roosters coach Trent Robinson – AKA the Two-Eyed Rooster – possesses one of the best minds in the game and, like his small-screen counterpart, knows the feats of the past mean nothing in 2019.

WESTS

TIGERS

LAST YEAR: NINTH PLACE HEAD COACH: MICHAEL MAGUIRE CAPTAIN: MOSES MBYE HOME GROUNDS: CAMPBELLTOWN SPORTS STADIUM; LEICHHARDT OVAL; ANZ STADIUM WEBSITE: www.weststigers.com.au TICKETS: www.weststigers.com.au/tickets CONTACT: Concord Oval, Loftus Street, Concord, NSW 2137 POSTAL: PO Box 169, North Strathfield, NSW 2137 PHONE: +61 2 8741 3300 TAB ODDS: $26.00 Three coaches in four years. That sums up the tumultuous time that the Wests Tigers have faced recently.

Ivan Cleary and Jason Taylor are gone and the club have now recruited 2014 premiership-winning coach Michael Maguire for the next three seasons.

It’s not a position the joint venture expected to be in this time last year, but now it’s full steam ahead for the playing group, who have started fresh – albeit for a third time.

on his fitness and form for so long. It’s a boost they’ll need after Widdop announced that 2019 will be his last year in the Red V, citing a desire to return home at the end of the campaign.

“It was at the end of a training session one morning,” says Widdop’s halves partner, Ben Hunt.

“Mary (coach Paul McGregor) called us all together and said Gareth had something to say. It was a massive shock to everyone, but he’s told us his reasons and we’re happy for him.”

Just like his players, McGregor supports his captain’s decision.

“Gaz has always wanted to return home and play in the Super League, as well as be closer to his grandparents, who he’s been away from for an extended period,” the coach says.

“Selfishly, I was saddened when I was first made aware but as a coach and friend I understand his reasoning and I fully support his decision.”

McGregor says after reviewing last season he knows what they need to do.

“We’ve been working on a rounded approach to try and improve 10 per cent on how we played last year because when we did the review of 2018 we thought we were probably 10 per cent behind those top-four sides for the journey of the competition – even though we were in the top four for 20 rounds.”

The Tricolours went all the way last season and head into the new campaign as overwhelming favourites to go back-to-back.

But Robinson knows that'll mean little when they kick-off their season against the Rabbitohs in round one.

“The slate gets wiped clean as far as competition points and all of that, so a rebuilding process for every team starts this time of year. Everything goes back to zero,” he says.

“It’s a new season, so you take the stuff that you valued out of last season and carry on and try to continue to get that going, but there’s no kudos that gets carried over.

“You've got to earn it again and you've got to make sure you respect every year.”

One of the young stars of the 2018 campaign was 20-year-old lock Victor Radley who established himself as one of the most fearless players in the NRL. “It probably took five or six weeks to start trusting me at lock.

If one of the other boys like Jared (Waerea-Hargreaves) are right next to me, he’ll stand in front and get a carry and maybe a bit of it was I hadn’t proven myself,” he says.

“Once they started trusting me and knowing I could do the job at lock, I think that's when I started getting a lot better and people started to know how I play and started to support me.”

Cleary’s departure was a fiasco. Though the club were the ones who called time on Taylor’s tenure, they were powerless in Cleary’s decision to break his contract and head to the foot of the mountains, driven by his desire to coach his son at NRL level.

However, when one door closes another opens and since the arrival of Maguire, leadership group member Chris Lawrence says it’s been smooth sailing in Tigers camp.

“Obviously he [Maguire] came late in the piece, not far before the start of pre-season. Everyone’s been able to see things and try and buy into what he’s bringing and so far, so good.

He’s a passionate guy, very detailed in everything he does and he’s going to get the best out of a lot of the boys.”

Club legend Robbie Farah has indicated 2019 will likely be the last season in the Telstra Premiership for the 35-year-old hooker.

Farah re-signed with the Wests Tigers in August last season after returning to the club following an 18-month stint with South Sydney. While Kiwi Benji Marshall, 33, extended his deal for a further season with the Tigers.

“For myself, Benji and the older guys, we’re not just building what we want to this year but trying to leave a lasting legacy so this club can have long-term success,” Farah says. “I’m really excited about the year ahead and what we can achieve as a group. The club’s in a great space at the moment and everyone is heading in the right direction.”

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