2015 Raider Issue 2

TEAM POSTER &

ISSUE 2 | FEB 2015

SEASON DR AW LIFTOUT

SIA & FRANKY

REUNITED AT LAST P14

ISSUE 2 | FEB 2015

IN THIS ISSUE THE 2015 SEASON HAS ARRIVED AND SO TOO HAS THE SECOND ISSUE OF THE RAIDER MAGAZINE. INSIDE THIS EDITION YOU’LL FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE LIFETIME FRIENDSHIP OF NEW RAIDERS RECRUITS FRANK-PAUL NUUAUSALA AND SIA SOLIOLA AND HOW THEY’VE ADJUSTED TO LIFE IN CANBERRA. It’s also player profile time, with the 2015 NRL squad player profiles included in this edition. Don’t forget to visit Raiders.com.au or download the Raiders app from the iTunes or Google Play stores to see the full profiles for both NRL and NYC. We’ve included the Raiders 2015 season draw and jersey sponsor information and the awesome 2015 team poster for you to put up at your home, office or at your local footy club.

For all of your up to date information on what’s happening with the Raiders visit Raiders.com.au or follow us on social media:

CONTRIBUTORS WRITERS Simon McGuinness & Ben Pollack CREATIVE DIRECTION & DESIGN Anthony Nankervis PHOTOGRAPHY Lightbulb Studio

LEFT Jack wears the Raiders away jersey from ISC Sport. Available at RaidersShop.com.au or in-store at Jerseys Megastore.

$159 Mens $129 Kids

ISSUE 2 | FEB 2015

2015 PLAYER PROFILES JACK AHEARN BLAKE AUSTIN

HEIGHT: 187cm WEIGHT: 86kg POSITION: Fullback, Five-eighth

HEIGHT: 187cm WEIGHT: 93kg POSITION: Five-eighth

Jack Ahearn is a talented local junior who will endeavour to make his NRL debut in 2015 after a stellar NYC career in which he was selected in the NYC Team of the Year and the Junior Kangaroos in 2013, representing NSW Residents last year whilst playing for Mounties.

KURT BAPTISTE

Following the departure of Terry Campese, Austin is seen as the heir to the former Captain’s number six jersey and at just 23 years of age he has an opportunity to own it for quite some time.

MITCH BARNETT

HEIGHT: 168cm WEIGHT: 84kg POSITION: Hooker

HEIGHT: 186cm WEIGHT: 100kg POSITION: Second Row, Prop

In his five matches in 2014, Baptise proved to be impressively sharp with his service out of dummy half, creative with the ball in hand and with a clever kicking game to boot.

His performances resulted in a two year contract extension keeping him at the Raiders until 2016.

Mitchell Barnett was rewarded with an NRL contract after starring for the club’s Holden Cup side in 2015. His consistently ferocious displays up front saw him awarded the NYC Player’s Player at the Meninga Medal.

SHANNON BOYD

GLEN BUTTRISS

HEIGHT: 194cm WEIGHT: 122kg POSITION: Prop

HEIGHT: 179cm WEIGHT: 88kg POSITION: Hooker

At just 22 years of age, Boyd is already a man mountain weighing in at 122kg and standing at 194cm.

With talent to match, Boyd is viewed by many as one of the finest up and coming front rowers in the game.

Boyd was awarded the Rookie of the Year at last year’s Meninga Medal.

With over 100 NRL games in lime green to his name, Buttriss is a loyal clubman who plays his absolute heart out each time he takes the field for the Raiders.

Away from the field, Buttriss works as a youth worker at Kingsford Smith Primary School after completing a Certificate III in Youth Work last year.

FULL PROFILES @ RAIDERS.COM.AU | 5

JARROD CROKER (C) HEIGHT: 185cm WEIGHT: 94kg POSITION: Centre If Croker’s dazzling form over the last couple of years hadn’t already cemented his position as the side’s premier left-edge centre, then being granted with the honour of captaining this proud club certainly did. A tremendous goal kicker, Croker now sits in third position on the list of most points scored for the club behind Clinton Schifcofske and David Furner.

MITCH CORNISH

MITCH CRONIN

HEIGHT: 179cm WEIGHT: 85kg POSITION: Halfback

HEIGHT: 185cm WEIGHT: 88kg POSITION: Utility

After a stellar junior representative career, Mitch Cornish progressed through to make his NRL debut in 2014 and strongly pressed his claims to be the club’s long term number seven. He also became a father last year, welcoming his baby son Noah into the world.

Although he is yet to make his NRL debut, Mitch Cronin remains a player of immense promise.

Tremendously versatile, Cronin played his junior football at fullback or at five-eighth but the coaching staff sees his future at hooker.

JOEL EDWARDS HEIGHT: 185cm WEIGHT: 100kg POSITION: Second Row, Lock Since his arrival in 2013, Edwards has been welcomed with open arms into the Nation’s Capital after his consistently wholehearted displays on the field and his willingness to immerse himself in the ACT community off the field.

SHAUN FENSOM HEIGHT: 182cm WEIGHT: 101kg POSITION: Lock A dual Meninga Medallist, the statistics that Fensom continuously compiles are mind-boggling and convey exactly why he is such a favourite with NRL Fantasy coaches all over Australia.

5

2015 Raiders

2015 PLAYER PROFILES

JEREMY HAWKINS

JOSH HODGSON

HEIGHT: 186cm WEIGHT: 97kg POSITION: Wing, Centre

HEIGHT: 180cm WEIGHT: 97kg POSITION: Hooker

Although he didn’t start playing rugby league until he was 14, Hawkins has progressed at a rapid speed since, representing New Zealand in Under 15s, 16s and in the Junior Kiwis and now breaking through for his NRL debut in 2014.

After showcasing his wares against the best countries in the world at the 2014 Four Nations tournament, Hodgson is steeling himself to test his ability in the toughest club competition in the world, the NRL.

JARRAD KENNEDY HEIGHT: 186cm WEIGHT: 98kg POSITION: Second Row 2015 can undeniably be titled as Kennedy’s breakthrough year with the hard working back-rower establishing himself as a regular feature of Ricky Stuart’s top 17.

Ranked as the club’s fittest forward during pre-season.

RHYS KENNEDY HEIGHT: 197cm WEIGHT: 104kg POSITION: Prop Despite being five years younger than Jarrad, Rhys is the bigger of the Kennedy brothers, weighing in at 104kg and standing 197cm.

EDRICK LEE HEIGHT: 197cm WEIGHT: 103kg POSITION: Wing, Centre In such a brief period of time, Lee has announced himself as one of the hottest and most charismatic young prospects in the game after netting 15 tries from just 24 appearances.

BRENKO LEE

JEFF LYNCH

HEIGHT: 192cm WEIGHT: 101kg POSITION: Centre, Wing

HEIGHT: 188cm WEIGHT: 105kg POSITION: Prop, Lock, Second Row

Brenko Lee is primed to take the next step in his budding NRL career in 2015 after debuting last year, and he is well-placed to snare the vacant right centre position.

years of injury behind him and push for first grade honours.

Back Row (L–R):Lynch Josh Hodgson, Kilu Pangai, Bill Tupou, Mitch Barnett, Tevita Pa is a tough-as-nails utility Middle Row (L–R): Jarrad Kennedy, Jeff Lynch, Joel Edwards, Rhys Kennedy, Kyle O’Donnell, Edrick Lee, David forward with a work-rate to match Front Row (L–R): Sisa Waqa, Glen Buttriss, Joshwho McCrone, is looking toBlake put twoAustin, horrific Iosia Soliola, Jarrod Croker (Captain), Ric

s NRL Squad

angai Junior, Jack Ahearn, Patrick Mago, Brenko Lee, Sam Williams, Kurt Baptiste.

Shillington, Dane Tilse, Shannon Boyd, Mark Nicholls, Jordan Rapana, Luke Page, Mitch Cronin, Jeremy Hawkins. cky Stuart (Coach), Shaun Fensom, Paul Vaughan, Jack Wighton, Josh Papalii, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Mitch Cornish.

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2015

SEA

R1

SHARKS V RAIDERS

SUN 8 MAR | 6.30PM

R2

RAIDERS V WARRIORS

SUN 15 MAR | 6.30PM

GIO STADIUM

R3

RAIDERS V DRAGONS

SAT 21 MAR | 5.30PM

GIO STADIUM

R4

ROOSTERS V RAIDERS

SUN 29 MAR | 2PM

R5

SEA-EAGLES V RAIDERS

SAT 4 APR | 6.30PM

R6

RAIDERS V STORM

SUN 12 APR | 2PM

GIO STADIUM

R7

TIGERS V RAIDERS

SUN 19 APR | 3PM

LEICHARDT OVAL

R8

RABBITOHS V RAIDERS

SUN 26 APR | 4PM

BARLOW PARK

R9

RAIDERS V TITANS

SAT 9 MAY | 3PM

GIO STADIUM

R10

DRAGONS V RAIDERS

SUN 17 MAY | 2PM

WIN STADIUM

R11

RAIDERS V BULLDOGS

SUN 24 MAY | 4PM

GIO STADIUM

R12

RAIDERS V BRONCOS

SAT 30 MAY | 5.30PM

GIO STADIUM

R13

KNIGHTS V RAIDERS

SAT 6 JUN | 3PM

6

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REMONDIS STADIUM

ALLIANZ STADIUM LAVINGTON SPORTS GROUND

HUNTER STADIUM

ALLBIDS.COM.AU P: 02 6239 2262 W: allbids.com.au

Get the official ISC range of 2015 jerseys, tees, training gear, and more in our new online shop!

Club members receive a 10% discount on all clothing.

ASON DRAW R14

BYE

R15

RAIDERS V COWBOYS

SAT 20 JUN | 3PM

GIO STADIUM

R16

WARRIORS V RAIDERS

SAT 27 JUN | 5PM

MT SMART STADIUM

R17

BYE

R18

RAIDERS V KNIGHTS

FRI 10 JUL | 7.45PM

GIO STADIUM

R19

RAIDERS V SHARKS

SAT 18 JUL | 3PM

GIO STADIUM

R20

PANTHERS V RAIDERS

SUN 26 JUL | 2PM

PEPPER STADIUM

R21

COWBOYS V RAIDERS

DATE & TIME TBC

1300SMILES STADIUM

R22

RAIDERS V TIGERS

DATE & TIME TBC

GIO STADIUM

R23

RAIDERS V SEA-EAGLES

DATE & TIME TBC

GIO STADIUM

R24

TITANS V RAIDERS

DATE & TIME TBC

CBUS SUPER STADIUM

R25

RAIDERS V PANTHERS

DATE & TIME TBC

GIO STADIUM

R26

EELS V RAIDERS

DATE & TIME TBC

PIRTEK STADIUM

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CANBERRA TOYOTA

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13

2015 Raiders

Back Row (L–R): Josh Hodgson, Kilu Pangai, Bill Tupou, Mitch Barnett, Tevita Pa Middle Row (L–R): Jarrad Kennedy, Jeff Lynch, Joel Edwards, Rhys Kennedy, Kyle O’Donnell, Edrick Lee, David Front Row (L–R): Sisa Waqa, Glen Buttriss, Josh McCrone, Blake Austin, Iosia Soliola, Jarrod Croker (Captain), Ric

s NRL Squad

FULL PROFILES @ RAIDERS.COM.AU |

PATRICK MAGO

JOSH MCCRONE

HEIGHT: 191cm WEIGHT: 104kg POSITION: Second Row

HEIGHT: 180cm WEIGHT: 89kg POSITION: Halfback, Hooker

Patrick Mago is an outstanding young prospect who will push heavily for first grade honours in 2015 after representing Queensland Under 20’s and the Junior Kangaroos last year.

MARK NICHOLLS

11

McCrone is the most durable player at the club having not missed a game in four years and is set for a positional switch this season after spending the pre-season at hooker.

FRANK-PAUL NUUAUSALA

HEIGHT: 194cm WEIGHT: 104kg POSITION: Prop, Second Row

HEIGHT: 184cm WEIGHT: 105kg POSITION: Prop, Lock

After nearly two years away from the bright lights of the NRL, Nicholls is fiercely determined to fight his way back into the Raiders’ top 17 in 2015. Is studying an Masters of Business Administration at the University of Canberra.

A ‘wrecking ball’ style of player with 15 Test Caps for New Zealand, Nuuausala was a vital ingredient in the Sydney Roosters premiership winning outfit of 2013.

KYLE O’DONNELL

LUKE PAGE

HEIGHT: 193cm WEIGHT: 108kg POSITION: Prop

HEIGHT: 186cm WEIGHT: 108kg POSITION: Prop

O’Donnell, younger brother of former Australian Test forward Luke, earned a contract extension last year after his impressive return to first grade.

Luke Page is poised to make his NRL debut in 2015 after taking out the Queensland Cup Player of the Year Award last year whilst playing for the Souths Logan Magpies.

KILU PANGAI

TEVITA PANGAI JUNIOR

HEIGHT: 184cm WEIGHT: 110kg POSITION: Prop

HEIGHT: 190cm WEIGHT: 110kg POSITION: Second Row

rugby league in the Newcastle area. Older brother of Tevita.

have been excited about for quite some time.

angai Junior, Jack Ahearn, Patrick Mago, Brenko Lee, Sam Williams, Kurt Baptiste.

Powerfully built with good ball Tevita Pangai Junior is a supremely Shillington, Dane Tilse, Shannon Boyd, Mark Nicholls, Jordan Rapana, Luke Page,talented Mitchyoung Cronin, Jeremy Hawkins. skills, Kilu Pangai is a fine young back-rower cky Stuart (Coach), Shaun Fensom, Paul Vaughan, Jack Wighton, Josh Papalii, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, prospect who played his junior whom the coaching staff and fans Mitch Cornish.

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2015 PLAYER PROFILES

JOSH PAPALII HEIGHT: 183cm WEIGHT: 110kg POSITION: Second Row With a granite-like frame, a powerful running game and shoulders that show no mercy in defence, Papalii once again confirmed his standing as one of the best young forwards in the world in 2014.

JORDAN RAPANA

DAVID SHILLINGTON

HEIGHT: 188cm WEIGHT: 98kg POSITION: Wing/Fullback

HEIGHT: 194cm WEIGHT: 112kg POSITION: Prop

After a five year exile due to a Mormon mission and a brief flirtation with rugby union, Rapana returned to the NRL in 2014 and earned himself a contract extension after impressing in his two appearances at fullback.

Shillington continues to be a pillar of strength for the Raiders on and off the field; leading the way up front and proving to be an excellent ambassador for the game in the community.

IOSIA SOLIOLA HEIGHT: 187cm WEIGHT: 97kg POSITION: Second Row, Lock, Centre Soliola is a classy back-rower who brings to the Raiders a wealth of experience from the NRL, English Super League and the international stage.

BILL TUPOU HEIGHT: 183cm WEIGHT: 99kg POSITION: Wing, Centre Bill Tupou is a powerful and elusive ball runner who represented Tonga last year in their Test match against Papua New Guinea.

FULL PROFILES @ RAIDERS.COM.AU |

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PAUL VAUGHAN HEIGHT: 190cm WEIGHT: 110kg POSITION: Lock, Prop

DANE TILSE HEIGHT: 200cm WEIGHT: 112kg POSITION: Prop

In just his second year of first grade, the self-titled ‘Italian Stallion’ has evolved into an integral member of Ricky Stuart’s top 17, and as he famously proved against the Melbourne Storm at GIO Stadium last year, a match-winner.

Tilse is a towering prop forward who is the most capped current player at the club and an integral member of the side.

SISA WAQA HEIGHT: 186cm WEIGHT: 98kg POSITION: Wing, Centre Growing up in Suva in his native Fiji, Waqa dreamt of donning the famous lime green jersey of the Raiders in the NRL just like his idol Noa Nadruku.

JACK WIGHTON HEIGHT: 188cm WEIGHT: 92kg POSITION: Fullback, Centre, Five-eighth After playing every position in the backline bar halfback in his three year NRL career, the dynamic attacking talents of Jack Wighton looks set to fill the fullback role in 2015.

SAM WILLIAMS HEIGHT: 179cm WEIGHT: 84kg POSITION: Halfback Local junior Sam Williams returns to the Nation’s Capital in 2015 after a year which took him from the south coast of Australia to the south of France.

COVER STORY BY SIMON MCGUINNESS

REUNITED AT LAST

THINGS WERE GOING PRETTY SWIMMINGLY FOR FRANK-PAUL NUUAUSALA; HE WAS A PREMIERSHIP WINNER, A NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL AND WAS SETTLED IN HIS LIFE AT BONDI AFTER SEVEN SUCCESSFUL YEARS AT THE ROOSTERS. Alas, as his door in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney was unexpectedly closed, another opened in the Nation’s Capital, and with that, the chance to reunite Nuuausala with his best friend.

“It was tough to leave the Roosters,” Nuuausala said candidly. “I came to Sydney when I was just 18 and all I grew to know was the Roosters, so they became my family and the area became a home for me. It was tough to leave because I had been there for a long time and I’d like to think that I’m a pretty loyal person.

“But as they say, when one door closes, another one opens and now is the opportunity to start something fresh and build something special with the Raiders alongside my best friend Sia Soliola.”

Nuuausala and Soliola were childhood friends growing up in New Zealand. They opposed each other at a junior club level but grew to become close friends after playing in various district representative sides.

The closeness of their friendship deepened when Nuuausala migrated to Australia and joined Soliola at the Roosters in 2005. The pair, who has 17 New Zealand Test caps between them, then went onto play three seasons together at the tricolours before Soliola left to join St Helens in the English Super League.

“Sia and I have always been good mates since we were about eight years old in New Zealand,” Nuuausala said. “We used to play with and against each other as kids and over the years we really bonded and our friendship grew. He went to the Roosters first and I came over two years later and our friendship grew even more. He’s my best friend now.

“Playing with Sia is an unreal feeling; just the bond that we have and knowing that we have each other’s back no matter what is indescribable.

Having him in the defensive line again will be awesome because he can really whack. People may have forgotten about Sia Soliola since he left for the English Super League but I guarantee you that people are soon going to remember how good he is. I believe he will put his stamp of authority onto the year.

15

“When I first came down to Canberra I moved straight in with Sia. He was a big reason in why I came to the club, but he wasn’t the only reason; I see this club building towards great success in the future and we’ll start this year with the aim of making the top eight. It’s easy to say that but we’ll look to work hard and prove people wrong with our actions.”

“As much as I wanted him to come to Canberra, as a friend I just wanted him to be happy first and foremost,” Soliola said. “I was over the moon when he told me he was going to sign with the Raiders and it’s great to see how happy he is here and how focused he is on success.”

In Soliola’s absence at the Roosters, Nuuausala went onto win the 2013 NRL Grand Final whilst Soliola capped off his five year stint with St Helens by scoring a try in their 2014 Grand Final triumph.

Whilst both were overjoyed with each other’s accomplishments, they shared slight feelings of discontent in the fact that they hadn’t walked the lap of honour side-by-side.

The pair had dreamt of winning a premiership together since they were kids and now they plan on making that dream a reality by rebuilding the Raiders and ultimately winning the club’s first premiership since 1994.

“It will be special to play with him again and even more special to finish our careers off with a premiership ring around our fingers,” said Nuuausala, who came off the interchange bench in New Zealand’s 2010 Four Nations victory.

“With the talent we have here I do believe that we can make a run for the championship if we continue to work hard and improve each year. It all comes with discipline on and off the field though and buying into the culture that we’re trying to create here.

“What I’ve achieved before coming here doesn’t mean anything now; I want to earn the respect of my new team mates, the coaching staff and the Raiders fans. That’s my priority; to play good footy for Canberra and earn my stripes here in green.”

“We didn’t come here to waste our time or the club’s time, we want success,” added Soliola. “It’s a new chapter for us and it would mean absolutely everything to win a premiership with Franky.

“There’s nobody more that I’d love to do a lap of honour with than Franky. I was proud of him that he won the premiership at the Roosters but a little bit disappointed that I wasn’t doing the lap of honour out there with him.

“We’ve come here to win premierships and we truly believe that it’s Canberra’s turn to win a premiership. We’ve got the potential and we’re heading in the right direction as a group.”

ABOVE Sia wears the padded vest with hood from ISC Sport. Exclusively available at RaidersShop.com.au

$79 LEFT Frank-Paul wears the Raiders home jersey from ISC Sport. Available at RaidersShop.com.au or in-store at Jerseys Megastore.

$159 Mens $129 Ladies $129 Kids $79 Toddlers PAGE LEFT Sia wears training singlet and shorts, Frank-Paul wears training t-shirt and shorts all from ISC Sport.

Available at RaidersShop.com.au or in-store at Jerseys Megastore.

$59 Training Singlet $69 Training T-shirt $59 Training Shorts

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