Fullback and stand-in captain Jeremiah Lemana was the only survivors from last year’s premiership-winning side who lined up for the One New Zealand Warriors again in their Harold Matthew Cup (under-17) grand final win over Newcastle at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney today.
Captain Tyson Hansen, the only other survivor, was cruelly ruled out of a second grand final appearance with injury.
Winger Junior Pua and hooker Dreytin Marriott were the only other players in the lineup who had game time last year with one appearance each.
Three of the premiership-winning interchange players are still only 15 – Asolelei Fretton, Kenny Lafituanai and Hanita Takulua – while back rower Tusi Fanolua, also on the interchange, turned 16 in February.
Ten of the 21-man squad are from schools outside Auckland including four from St Thomas of Canterbury College and one from Christchurch Boys’ High School.
Harold Matthews Cup |
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Grand final squad |
1 | Fullback Jeremiah Lemana (16) Born: July 31, 2008 Kelston Boys’ High School, Auckland |
2 | Wing Justice Pua (17) Born: January 24, 2008 St Paul's College, Auckland |
3 | Centre Parekaahu Keepa (17) Born: April 9, 2008 Kelston Boys’ High School, Auckland |
4 | Centre Soane Ma’asi (16) Born: May 25, 2008 Sacred Heart College, Auckland |
5 | Wing Hinckley Ioka (16) Born: September 16, 2008 (Kelston Boys’ High School, Auckland) |
6 | Standoff Tyson Hansen (16) captain Born: May 5, 2008 Rotorua Boys’ High School, Rotorua |
7 | Halfback Alapati Soagia (17) Born: February 9, 2008 St Peter's School, Cambridge |
8 | Prop Lucian Mikaele (16) Born: July 11, 2008 Saint Kentigern College, Auckland |
9 | Hooker Dreytin Marriott (17) Born: March 21, 2008 Te Kōpuku High School, Hamilton |
10 | Prop Krushil Koteka (16) Born: August 13, 2008 Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate, Auckland |
11 | Second row Dougal Grant (16) Born: May 12, 2008 Christchurch Boys’ High School, Christchurch |
12 | Second row Bishop Neal (16) Born: May 10, 2008 St Thomas of Canterbury College, Christchurch |
13 | Loose forward Ronan Byford (17) Born: February 22, 2008 Trident High School, Whakatāne; Mount Albert Grammar School, Auckland |
14 | Interchange Tusi Fanolua (16) Born: February 2, 2009 De La Salle College, Auckland |
15 | Interchange Asolelei Fretton (15) Born: October 10, 2009 Kelston Boys’ High School, Auckland |
16 | Interchange Kenny Lafituanai (15) Born: May 19, 2009 St Thomas of Canterbury College, Christchurch |
17 | Interchange Hanita Takulua (15) Born: June 6, 2009 Mount Albert Grammar School, Auckland |
18 | Reserve Christiano Elia (16) Born: February 25, 2009 St Thomas of Canterbury College, Christchurch |
20 | Reserve Kaian Olsen (16) Born: January 2, 2009 Kelston Boys’ High School, Auckland |
21 | Reserve D’Angelo Mikaele (16) Born: July 11, 2008 Saint Kentigern College, Auckland |
22 | Reserve Jacksyn Hill (17) January 9, 2008 Rotorua Boys’ High School – Raukura, Rotorua |
23 | Reserve Calieb Fidow (17) Born: February 2, 2008 St Thomas of Canterbury College, Christchurch |
Road to grand final glory |
Regular season: v Sea Eagles Won 28-10 v Panthers Won 22-20 v Steelers Lost 16-22 v Storm Won 20-8 v Magpies Won 34-10 v Tigers Won 22-12 v Rabbitohs Won 20-18 v Roosters Lost 24-26 Finals: v Roosters Won 20-4 v Rabbitohs Won 28-8 Grand final: v Knights Won 30-16 |