Promising One New Zealand Warriors fullback Joseph Ratcliffe is the latest player to have his development fast-tracked as he eyes his Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) debut in Saturday’s 10th-round clash against Canberra at Collegians Sporting Complex in Wollongong (12.00pm kick-off local time; 2.00pm NZT).
This time last year the Palmerston North Boys’ High School student – only a month past his 17th birthday – was still basking in the Warriors’ stunning win in their debut appearance in the Harold Matthews Cup (under-17) grand final.
His development curve stepped up markedly this year when still short of his 18th birthday he debuted for the club’s under-19 team in the SG Ball Cup (like the Harold Matthews, a short-form early-season competition).
Ratcliffe played in the side’s last six games, scoring two tries, and has now been moved up to the under-21 grade as his progress leaps forward.
He follows 2024 Harold Matthews teammate Jack Thompson who debuted in the Jersey Flegg last week while two other players from that champion under-17 side, winger Ezekiel Davidson-Fa'aiuaso and prop Gordon Afoa, have also been exposed to the under-21 grade recently.
Thompson lines up again this week as Jett Cleary’s halves partner in a lineup underlining the benefits of the club’s full-scale pathways system which is in just its third season.
Match: Warriors v Raiders
Round 10 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Joseph RatcliffeFullback for Raiders is number 1 Mutua Brown
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Rapheal SioWinger for Raiders is number 2 Atini Tuialii
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Centre for Warriors is number 2 Brandon NorrisCentre for Raiders is number 4 Tim Carson
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Caelys-Paul PutokoCentre for Raiders is number 12 Regan Carr
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Winger for Warriors is number 21 Harry Tauafiafi-IutoiWinger for Raiders is number 5 Bailey Nash
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Jack ThompsonFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Trae Bennetto
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Jett ClearyHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Keahn Skipps
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 Mikaele IlaiuProp for Raiders is number 8 Jake Clydsdale
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Jacob AuloaHooker for Raiders is number 9 Malachi Smith
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Rodney Tuipulotu VeaProp for Raiders is number 10 Caleb Garvie
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kahu Capper2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Bailey Sassall
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Alvin Chong Nee2nd Row for Raiders is number 17 Jordan Uta
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Lock for Warriors is number 16 Presley Seumanu TigafuaLock for Raiders is number 13 Xavier Cacciotti
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 13 Etuate FukofukaInterchange for Raiders is number 3 Siamani Leuluai
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Jeriko Filipi-TalisauInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Taylor Withington
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Jackson KiteInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Tahrell Feaveai
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Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Harry DurbinInterchange for Raiders is number 19 Shalom Uatisone
Reserves
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Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Tallan EganReplacement for Raiders is number 16 Lekani Mpaso
Last updated:
Apart from Ratcliffe and Thompson coming out of the under-17s last year, all but a few of the other players are products of the club’s SG Ball side at some stage over the last three seasons.
The Warriors suffered a setback against top side Melbourne last weekend after a run of solid performances leading into the match. While they competed strongly for a long period of the contest they ultimately lost contact as the Storm prevailed 38-12.
The task this week will be stern as well against a Raiders side running fifth in the competition although their form has been inconsistent.
After winning their first four games, they had an 18-32 defeat by the Sharks and a heavy 6-44 loss to Parramatta, followed by a 56-24 win over the Sea Eagles, a 14-52 trouncing by the Storm and a 34-16 victory over the Panthers.
