Junior Development

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It is great to see the Tweed Heads Seagulls field an U18 side in the NRRRL competition this season and they certainly have some speed in their side with PCB student Creedence Donovan named at fullback for this weekend's Round One match against the Byron Bay Devils.

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This weekend Layne Hardy will start at right centre in Round One of the NRRRL First Grade competition for the Kyogle Turkeys against the Ballina Seagulls.

In Round One of the 2021 NRRRL First Grade competition, Layne Hardy made his First Grade debut at right centre for the Kyogle Turkeys as they took on the Lower Clarence Magpies.

Layne Hardy’s NRRRL First Grade debut could not have gone any better as he scored a second half try and also recorded a try assist as the Turkey’s accounted for Lower Clarence.

Layne Hardy scored in the 75th minute when he supported his five eight who had cut back down a short right blindside. The five eight drew the fullback to put Layne Hardy into space twenty five metres out from the line and Layne Hardy was able to bring the ball around to put it down close to the goal posts.

Layne Hardy recorded his try assist in the 36th minute of the match when Kyogle spun the ball wide to the right. When Layne Hardy received the ball he ran diagonally to draw in the magpies left winger and put the ball on the chest of his right winger who crossed in the corner.

Layne Hardy also started at right centre in Round Two against the Marist Brothers Rams and recorded a try assist late in the second half when after breaking into space, Layne Hardy drew the Rams fullback and then passing to his right to give his right winger a clear passage to the try line.

Layne Hardy also started at right centre in Round Three against Casino RSM, scoring once again when he was on the end of a Kyogle backline move to his right side, with Layne Hardy receiving the ball fifteen metres out and breaking one tackle on the way to the line.

Layne Hardy scored once again in Round Five against the Bilambil Jets. After starting the match at right centre Layne Hardy found himself on the left in the 53rd minute, receiving the ball twenty two metres from the line. Layne Hardy pushed off the first would be tackled with a right arm fend, broke through a second tackle with pace before shrugging off a third defender who had tried to tackle him around the chest before Layne Hardy beat a fourth as he dived over to score.

Round Six against Murwillumbah saw Layne Hardy move to fullback and he also started at fullback in Round Seven against the Tweed Coast Raiders and Round Eight against the Cudgen Hornets as well as in Round Nine against Northern United and Round Ten against the Mullumbimby Giants.

Layne Hardy continued at fullback in Round Eleven against the Byron Bay Devils as well as in Round Twelve against the Lower Clarence Magpies and Round Thirteen against the Evans Head Bombers.

In 2020 Layne Hardy was once again played in the NRRRL U18 competition but moved to the Ballina Seagulls from the Kyogle Turkeys including starting at fullback and scoring in Round Five as the Seagulls went down 18 – 14 to the Marist Brothers Lismore Rams. Layne Hardy moved to right centre for Round Four as the Seagulls went down 26 – 12 to Casino RSM.

Layne Hardy also started in the centres in Round Seven as the Seagulls defeated Casino RSM 32 – 16. After missing Round Eight, Layne Hardy started Round Nine against Byron Bay from the bench as Ballina recorded a 24- 12 victory.

In Ballina’s 52 – 18 2020 NRRRL U18 Gold Preliminary Final victory over Casino RSM, Layne Hardy was on the bench.

In the 2020 NRRRL U18 Gold Grand Final Layne Hardy started on the right wing for Ballina as they took on the Marist Brothers Rams. Interestingly across the sixty minutes of the match, Layne Hardy alternated on a number of occasions with Liam Green, moving to the right centre position.

It was from the right centre position that Layne Hardy scored from when he received the ball in space to rumble fifteen metres to score ten metres in from the right corner post. In the Grand Final Layne Hardy also threw the final pass to Liam Green for Ballina’s third try in their 30 – 18 Grand Final win over the Rams.

The outstanding fullback started the 2019 season off with a bang scoring often in the 2019 NRRRL U18 competition with the Kyogle Turkeys and finished the season with a strike rate of 60% through his fifteen matches.

Layne Hardy scored a Round One doubles against Ballina, also scored against the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Three and followed that up with a double in Round Five against Evans Head as well as scoring in Round Eleven against Ballina, Round Sixteen against Lower Clarence and Round Seventeen against Lismore Marist Brothers.

2019 is the second season that Layne Hardy has played in the U18 NRRRL competition after playing two matches in 2018, including scoring a double on debut against Casino RSM.

In 2018 Layne Hardy played in eleven matches for Kyogle in the Group One U16.5 competition scoring eight tries and kicking four goals for a total point’s haul of forty.

The talented young Kyogle Turkeys fullback was outstanding when he starred for 2018 Northern Rivers against Newcastle in Round One in the U16 Andrew Johns Cup including scoring a great second half try from a Tyrelle Roberts chip in their 22 – 12 victory.

In total in the Andrew Johns Cup in 2018, Layne Hardy played in all five of the Northern Rivers matches and in addition to the Round One ty against Newcastle, Layne Hardy also scored against the Central Coast Roosters.

Layne Hardy’s selection in the Northern Rivers side in 2018 was the second season in a row that he achieved representative selection as in 2017, he was selected at fullback for the Group One representative side for the New South Wales Age Championships.

In those championships, Layne hardy started all three of Group One’s matches at fullback scoring three tries in the process with all three tries coming in Group One’s Round One match against Group 19.

In relation to his club rugby league in 2017, Layne Hardy represented the Kyogle Turkey’s in the Group One U15 competition, contributing 36 points from seven tries and four goals. Layne Hardy had an outstanding start to the 2017 season, scoring in his first three matches, which were against Clarence Coast and against Casino RSM in two separate matches.

In late June 2017, Layne Hardy scored a double against Clarence Coast and followed that up a week later when he scored once again against Casino RSM. Layne Hardy final try came late in the season against Ballina. From a goal kicking perspective all of Layne Hardy’s goals came in different matches towards the conclusion of the season.

In 2014 Layne Hardy attended school in Kyogle and starred for Kyogle Primary School as part of their Matt King Shield side who finished as runners up with Layne Hardy being named the competitions Best and Fairest.

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One of the unsung hero's of the Grand Final winning Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup side this season was Isaac Harrison and even though he is still U16 eligible Isaac Harrison has been named to start at lock for the Tweed Heads Seagulls Round One U18 NRRRL side for this weekend's match against the Byron Bay Devils.

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The 2022 MM Cup competition for Titans contracted Seth Nikotemo:

Round One of the 2022 MM Cup competition saw Seth Nikotemo named at right second row for the Burleigh Bears against the Easts Tigers however the match was rained out due to extreme weather conditions.

Seth Nikotemo was then named to start at right second row for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies and also started at right second row in Round Three against the Norths Devils with Seth Nikotemo taking the 4th hit-up of the match after Norths kicked-off.

Seth Nikotemo then continued at right second row in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Seth Nikotemo scoring a strong 31st minute try when from eight metres out Seth Nikotemo ran a straight and hard crash line, easily bursting through the initial defender before engaging the Wynnum Manly Seagulls fullback and then breaking clear of the fullback’s tackle with a clockwise spin to get the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.

If there was a hard working index calculation in the MM Cup Seth Nikotemo surely would have scored highly in it in the 48th minute when after Burleigh split the defensive line deep in their onw territory Seth Nikotemo raced through, showing impressive speed and loomed up in the inside of Karauria Stokes-Mahana who had made the break, receiving the uoof-laod on the inside and was able to make a further ten metres before being dragged down from behind. Seth Nikotemo then attempted to get to his feet quickly but that opportunity was denied by the Tigers defence with Seth Nikotemo being awarded a deserved penalty.

Such was the quality of Seth Nikotemo’s performance that he was named in the second row in the Courier Mail’s MM Cup Round Four Team of the Week.

Seth Nikotemo was named to continue at right second row in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins however a late tactical change saw Seth Nikotemo start the the match on the bench. When he came on mid-way through the first half, Seth Nikotemo spent the remainder of the match at left second row.

Seth Nikotemo was also named to start from the bench in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls however a late tactical change saw Seth Nikotemo start the match at right second row.

Seth Nikotemo was also named to start at right second row in the rescheduled Round On match against the East Tigers with Seth Nikotemo taking Burleigh’s second hit-up of the match in the 2nd minute.

Seth Nikotemo had a number of positive defensive moments in the match including in the 11th minute when he along with Josiah Pahulu sandwiched the Tigers halfback just metres from the try line after he had stepped past one Bears defender who had raced out of the line.

Seth Nikotemo was named at right second row for the Burleigh Bears second 2022 trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls after playing for the Titans against the Burleigh MM Cup side in late January 2022.

Seth Nilotemo scored from close range, being less than a metre and to the right of the dummy half in the 17th minute when he pushed his way over the top of two Seagulls defenders.

Seth Nikotemo also made a line break in the 11th minute when he burst twenty metres down the right channel and then was able to off-load to his right to Bears fullback Xavier Asi who had loomed up on Seth Nikotemo’s right.

The in the 14th minute Seth Nikotemo charged onto the ball from a Bears penalty twenty metres from the try line and was able to get the ball inside ten metres before his forward momentum was halted.

Seth Nikotemo also did some great work defensively at marker in the 40th minute when he stopped and then pushed back Seagulls fullback Jett Forbes had tried to sneak over from dummy half from close range.

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Titans contracted Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa transitions back to club rugby league this weekend after playing for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the MM CUp when he starts in the second row for the Southport Tigers against Runaway Bay in Round Four of the GCRL U18 Division One competition.

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Impressively Titans contracted Zane Harrison, a couple of weeks after being named as the player of the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final for the Northern Rivers Titans will captain the Tweed Heads Seagulls U18 NRRRL Round One side tomorrow as they take on the Byron Bay Devils.pl

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The 2022 MM Cup season for Titans contracted Wailer Whaiapu:

Round One of the 2022 MM Cup competition saw Wailer Whaiapu named on the bench for the Burleigh Bears against the Easts Tigers however the match was rained out due to extreme weather conditions.

Wailer Whaiapu was then named to start on the bench for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies, coming on mid-way through the first half. After missing Round Three Wailer Whaiapu was named on the bench for Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Wailer Whaiapu coming off the bench in the 32nd minute to play in the centre third of the field.

Early in the second half in the 41st minute, Wailer Whaiapu got probably the best Bears team movement underway that resulted in fullback Karauria Stokes-Mahara scoring in the left corner. Wailer Whaiapu ran the ball around twenty five metres out and to the right of the play and it looked for all money that Wailer Whaiapu would take the line on but after committing a number of defenders he threw a great ball to Josiah Pahulu who had worked into space on Wailer Whaiapu’s right. After the ball went through Josiah Pahulu’s, Bailey McConnell’s and Arama Hau’s, Karauria Stokes-Mahara scored in the corner.

Wailer Whaiapu then showcased one of his developing skills, being his first receiver ball playing skills in the 59th minute when he took possession of the ball around sixteen metres out from the try line and to the right of the play the ball. Wailer Whaiapu looked as if he was going to take the line on himself but at the last minute as he drew in the B defender got a good ball away to Joseph Shannon who very very nearly scored under the posts.

Wailer Whaiapu showed that he was as good a defender as he is attacker in the 63rd minute when defending just out from his own try line, the Tigers lock ran at the line but Wailer Whaiapu moved to his right and drove his shoulder through the Easts lock, stopping him in his tracks.

Wailer Whaiapu then started at lock in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins and inside the opening minute of the match showcased his passing game when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball around thirty metres from his own line, Wailer Whaiapu drew two defenders in the front line to him and popped a good short ball to his left to a charging Josiah Pahulu who as a result made twelve metres downfield on just the second tackle of the match.

Wailer Whaiapu was also named to start at lock in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and showed his defensive technique and strength in the 26th minute when he along with EJ Finau executed a big front on hit on one of the Burleigh front rowers, forcing him back five metres to near the halfway mark.

Wailer Whaiapu was also named to start on the bench in the rescheduled Round One match against the East Tigers with Wailer Whaiapu coming onto the field mid-way through the first half.

Wailer Whaiapu recorded a try assist in the 21st minute (well I am going to call it a try assist) when after engaging the Tigers defensive line, Wailer Whaiapu got a short pass away (it was a pass in my mind) to his right to K-CI Newton-Whare who rounded the fullback to score.

Wailer Whaiapu then made a strong run out of dummy half when he ran to his right making fifteen metres to keep the Tigers defensive off balance and back peddling.

Wailer Whaiapu made a strong defensive play in the 58th minute when after the Tigers halfback had stepped off his right foot and was threatening to break through the Burleigh defensive line, Wailer Whaiapu drove his left shoulder through the ribs of the halfback with the ball flying loose as a result.

Wailer Whaiapu was named on the bench for the Burleigh Bears second 2022 trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls after playing for the Titans against the Burleigh MM Cup side in late January 2022 with Walier Whaiapu coming into the match late in the first half.

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Former Auckland junior rugby league representative Angus Potaka will start at right second row on the weekend for the Runaway Bay Seagulls in Round Four of the GCRL U20 competition against the Ormeau Shearers.

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15 year old Cooper Cracknell who trialled for the Titans late last year started in the second row for Brothers Blue tonight in Round One of the Ipswich U15 competition as they defeated Springfield 14-8.

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Titans contracted Isaac Togia scored a hat trick tonight for Goonda in Round One of the Ipswich RL U17 Division One competition in a 58-0 victory over Springfield.

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It is great to see teenager Zain Mitchell-Dowding back in northern NSW and this afternoon in Round One of the NRRRL First Grade competition the former Titans Junior Development Squad member will start from the bench for the Byron Bay Devils against the Mullumbimby Giants.

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The Mullumbimby Giants Round One NRRRL First Grade sides bench for tomorrow match against the Bilambil Jets has a youthful look to it with Byron Jones and Chad Jones named.

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Great to see Nicholas Troy who was a key member of the 2021 Ballina Seagulls U18 NRRRL side moves up to start in the second row tomorrow in Round One of the 2022 NRRRL Reserve Grade competition against the Kyogle Turkeys.

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The 2021 Marist Brothers U18 NRRRL side was a talented one and it is great to see two of those players move up to the NRRRL First Grade competition for this weekend's Round One when Harry Sivewright (centre) and Henry Lee (bench) line up against Northern United.

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In 2021 the Grafton Ghosts did not field an U18 side in the Group Two competition which meant a number of Ghosts players played the season with cross river rivals the South Grafton Rebels.

Tomorrow the sides meet in Round One of the 2022 U18 Group Two competition and a number of boys have moved back to the Ghosts and thus will line up against last years team mates, such as Jye Boehme, Ethan Lucas and Oliver Liyou.