Busy times ahead for age-group aces - NZRL

MEDIA RELEASE

September 19, 2014

NZRL Media Release - Busy times ahead for age-group aces

Several of New Zealand's top teenage rugby league stars will do double international duty over the next two weeks, after being named in the NZ 18s side.

The age-group team will face the New South Wales-based Taurahere Kiwis in a two-test series on September 29 and October 2 in Rotorua, held in conjunction with the "Got A Trade?" NZRL National Youth Tournament.

But six - Nick Lui-Toso (Kelston BHS), Eddie Wulf (Kelston BHS), Erin Clark (Manurewa HS), Rueben Porter (Mt Albert Grammar), Tyler Mohi (Aorere College) and Zion Ioka (Kelston BHS) - will also line up for the NZ Secondary Schools side to take on New South Wales Combined High Schools next Tuesday (September 23) at Westlake Boys High School.

The final group also includes Ofahiki Ogden and Mafoa'aeata Hingano from the Junior Warriors squad. Eight Warriors were named in the extended squad, but most are unavailable due to their continued progress in the NRL Holden Cup competition.

The full NZ 18s squad, to be coached by Tom Ball and assistant Moehewa Armstrong, is:

Joseph Apikotoa (Wellington/Randwick), Erin Clark (Akarana/Pt Chevalier), Mattais Heimuli (Akarana/Glenora), Mafoa'aeata Hingano (Counties Manukau/Pakuranga), Jamel Hunt (Counties Manukau/Otahuhu), Zion Ioka (Akarana/Glenora), Nick Lui-Toso (Akarana/Glenora), Dre Melvin (Wellington/Porirua), Christian Mika (Counties Manukau/Otahuhu), Tyler Mohi (Counties Manukau/Mangere East), Ofahiki Ogden (Counties Manukau/Mangere East), Fabien Paletua-Kiri (Mid Central/Kia Ora), Rueben Porter (Akarana/Te Atatu), Joseph Price (Counties Manukau/Mangere East), Ken Tofilau (South Island/Halswell), Fuaimamao Uta (Akarana/Northcote), Tiaan Wilkins (Counties Manukau/Mangere East), Eddie Wulf (Akarana/Marist), Logan Yates (Akarana/Pakuranga)

Standbys: Connor Purcell (Akarana/Otahuhu), Richard Timoti (Akarana/Ellerslie)

ENDS

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