Second rower Kayliss Fatialofa, fullback Geronimo Doyle, hooker Makaia Tafua and rugby union schoolboy star Harry Inch are among 13 NRL trialists named for the One New Zealand Warriors’ historic New South Wales Cup trial at Logan Metro Sports Park in South East Queensland on Saturday (12.30pm kick-off local time).
The hit-out between the double premiership winners and Queensland Cup powerhouse Redcliffe is the first time the Warriors have had a reserve grade trial in their history.
Warriors head coach David Tangata-Toa will have almost half of the squad used in the One New Zealand Warriors’ NRL Preseason Challenge match against Manly Warringah in Napier last Saturday.
Doyle made 95 metres from 14 runs, Fatialofa had limited opportunities with the ball but made 16 tackles with no misses, Tafua’s stint was highlighted by his spectacular solo try and Inch had his first taste of rugby league marking his cameo with 21 metres from two runs and five tackles without a miss.
The four are all starters in Logan, as is young halfback Jack Thompson, who threw a superb long ball for winger Harry Tauafiafi’s try in Napier. Tauafiafi is on the bench on Saturday while others being used after last week’s Manly encounter are winger Daeon Amituanai, centre Sio Kali, winger Motu Pasikala, prop Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea, loose forward Paea Sikuvea, interchange dummy half Jaydee Auloa and outside back Brandon Norris.
Among the Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) squad members making the trip are second rower Kahu Capper, centre Nganatatafu Vake and prop Emosi Ravosai along with SG Ball Cup (under-19) players Dezman Laban, Joseph Ratcliffe, Tyson Hansen and Gordon Afoa.
New South Wales Cup trial
One New Zealand Warriors v Redcliffe
12.30pm, Saturday, February 21
Logan Metro Sports Park, Logan
One New Zealand Warriors
1 Geronimo Doyle
2 Daeon Amituanai
3 Nganatatafu Vake
4 Sio Kali
5 Motu Pasikala
6 Harry Inch
7 Jack Thompson
8 Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea
9 Makaia Tafua
10 Emosi Ravosai
11 Kayliss Fatialofa
12 Kahu Capper
13 Junior Sikuvea
14 Jaydee Auloa
15 Mikaele Ilaiu
16 Tepatasi Laumalili
17 Brandon Norris
18 Maui Winitana-Patelesio
20 Josh Tanielu
21 Harry Tauafiafi
22 Tama Darlington
23 Samuel Waterworth
24 Hohepa Chandler
25 Dezman Laban
26 Taipari Wikitera
27 Joseph Ratcliffe
28 Tyson Hansen
29 Gordon Afoa
Coach | David Tangata-Toa
