Jazz Tevaga's 100th: Big day for the boy from 'Kura

Big day for the boy from 'Kura as he hits 100

Author: Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Sat 21 May 2022, 02:00 PM

Jazz Tevaga, always a man for the team cause, has his time in the spotlight as he makes his 100th NRL appearance in today's 11th-round NRL clash against St George Illawarra at Netstrata Stadium in Sydney (3.00pm kick-off local time; 5.00pm NZT).

The 26-year-old Christchurch-born, Papakura-raised utility forward will infuse the occasion with his own brand of energy, passion and intensity as he becomes the 27th player to appear in 100 matches for the Vodafone Warriors.

It’s a singular triumph for Tevaga, a devoted club man who’s the epitome of the true rugby league battler. He was unheralded when he turned up for the Vodafone Warriors' open under-20 trial at Cornwall Park in late 2013, making such an impression he was picked up for the following season.

It launched one of the more remarkable careers in the club's history. From such humble beginnings, the boy from 'Kura has gone on to represent the club 45 times in the old NYC - winning the grand final in 2014 - plus 34 games in the New South Wales Cup.

Now he becomes the 23rd club product to go on to 100 NRL appearances after making his debut with the Vodafone Warriors while the other four on the list started their careers with other clubs (Jacob Lillyman, Micheal Luck and Nathan Fien with the Cowboys and Tuivasa-Sheck with the Roosters).

After his debut against Melbourne in 2016 Tevaga made just 15 appearances in his first two NRL seasons but has been a frontline choice in his last five seasons.

While he reaches 100 games today, long-time teammate Bunty Afoa edges up to 95 appearances, leaving him on track to play his 100th in the emotional Mount Smart Stadium homecoming match against Wests Tigers on July 3.

Second rower Euan Aitken is back for Tevaga's 100th milestone appearance after missing last Saturday's 30-32 Magic Round loss to South Sydney.

Aitken had failed to come through HIA protocols last week after being concussed in a dangerous tackle by Cronulla Sutherland's Jesse Ramien on May 8. He was initially named to face the Rabbitohs only to be ruled out late in the week.

Captain Tohu Harris ultimately made his comeback off the bench after initially being named in the starting line-up for the South Sydney clash last weekend. Following his 29-minute stint against the Rabbitohs he’s listed to start again; it seems unlikely he will be swapped out this week as the Vodafone Warriors desperately search for their fifth win of the season after losing their last two.

The Vodafone Warriors have grim memories of their last clash against the Dragons in the opening round of the season when they had a 16-14 lead early in the second half but fell to a 16-28 loss.

Round 11 - Round 11 - Saturday 21 May

Full Time

Dragons

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Cody Ramsey

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Reece Walsh
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Viliami Vailea
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Talatau Amone

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Daejarn Asi
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 10 Blake Lawrie

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Moses Mbye

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Jazz Tevaga
Prop for Dragons is number 18 Francis Molo

Prop for Warriors is number 15 Ben Murdoch-Masila
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Jack Bird

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Euan Aitken
2nd Row for Dragons is number 15 Tariq Sims

2nd Row for Warriors is number 13 Jack Murchie
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin

Lock for Warriors is number 12 Tohu Harris

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jayden Sullivan

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Aaron Pene
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Aaron Woods

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Bunty Afoa
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Michael Molo

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Freddy Lussick
Interchange for Dragons is number 19 Tyrell Fuimaono

Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Eliesa Katoa

Reserves

Replacement for Dragons is number 23 Josh Kerr

Replacement for Warriors is number 21 Jesse Arthars

Match Officials

Referee: Chris Sutton
Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated: 6/3/2024 4:46:52 AM

While the Dragons remain the Vodafone Warriors’ most challenging opponents (just 10 wins in 33 clashes), the ledger has been far more favourable in recent times. They have won six of the last 10, Tevaga a common denominator in five of them including the first in 2016 when he happened to be the starting hooker in an upset 26-10 win.