A belated week one of the Junior representative finals has arrived after rain delays. Sadly our girls in the Lisa Fiaola were defeated by the Newcastle Knights yesterday. Today however, see the Harold Matthews face the New Zealand Warriors and the SG Ball take on an archrival in the Canterbury Bulldogs. Both teams are playing for a berth in a grand final qualifier with action kicking off at 10:00AM in the Matts.

You can catch all of the action right here on TCT, or alternatively watch along on NSWRL TV if you have a subscription or use their free trial!

Harold Matthews Team List

1	Cyrus Bloomfield
2	Jeziah Tuaau
3	Andes Johansson
4	Nathan Howlett
5	Lorima Rokosuka
6	Talen Risati
7	Lincoln Fletcher
8	Natututasina Leota
9	Ezra Leota
10	Ryda Talagi
11	Samuel Polley
12	Michael Nauer
13	Maison Tausia-Ong
14	Wesley Pakotu
15	Kasinga Noa
16	Ocean Noah Vaivela
17	Sanjae Ulukini
18	Billy Fanene

Match Updates

 

First Half

 

Parra to field the ball to start this game.

Simple stuff for the Eels early on as Natututasina, Ryda, Ezra take early runes up the guts. Left edge shift finds Nauer before Talagi has a second charge to set up the clearing kick. The Warriors will get a couple of plays inside Parra’s half here though as they set a strong early platform and indeed it is the Warriors who open the scoring following a terrific offload from one of their bookends. It comes late in the tackle and catches the Eels on the backfoot as the ball then goes to their backrower Laban who slices through the frontline and beats Bloomfield to the corner.

Try scored by the Warriors. Conversion successful.

Warriors lead 6-0

4min gone

Some work to do now for Parramatta as they set up for the kickoff. The Warriors are able to drive the ball to halfway before sending the midfield bomb up but Jeziah Tua’au calmly takes to the air and defuses it before picking up the penalty – perhaps for contact while he was off his feet.

Johansson gets us back udnerway as the Eels build to their left. Natututasina has a little bobble heading into the line but regains control just in the nick of time. The shift left continues as Bloomfield attacks the shortside but he is tackled. Back to the right now as the long movement ends up with Johansson to bring up the last. From there Fletcher stabs a kick to the posts and it looks like the Eels have won the chase for the ball but the referee is quick to signal a penalty for offside chasers.

A midcount set restart aids the Warriors in trecking all the way into Parra’s attacking quarter. All hands on deck now but Parramatta find themselves short down their right edge. Even so they have the chance to kill this attacking raid dead in its tracks but get their assignments wrong as a busted tackle leads to the NZ centre Lemana crossing outwide. The Eels have been put on the backfoot hard here with the Warriors exploding out of the gate.

Try scored by the Warriors. Conversion successful.

Warriors lead 12-0

11min gone

Concern for Maison Ong here after he was left on the ground following a tackle attempt. Play carries on as the Warriors work thorugh the post-points set. It culminates in an attacking bomb that sails close to the sideline. Rokosuka lets his opposite play at it and he promptly drops it into touch.

Parra complete the following set after a bit of chaos on the last that leads to Nauer running the ball for the turnover. The touch judges miss a pretty heavy forward pass out of dummy half from the next NZ possession and it then turns into a penalty as Talagi collars the runner high. He goes on report as a result.

The Warriors fail to find touch after a good effort from Rokosuka to keep the ball in play. Another penalty comes for a high shot as Howlett gets us back underway miles down the road. Slow build to the right but the ball gets lost as Bloomfield uses Johansson close to the defensive line. The Eels desperately need to settle here but even as I type that another penalty is blown for a high tackle. Big set incoming as the Warriors set to work jsut shy of halfway.

Some messy play from the Warriors here as a pass hits the deck and they are lucky to avoid a penalty for a shepherd. Rokosuka is called upon to defuse the crossfield kick and positions himself very well to claim the ball.

Nice left edge raid! Howlett finds himself in a bit of space but can’t find a link up man to convert it into a full break. Fletcher clears the ball on the next tackle but sloppy ruck defence allows the Warriors to explode into the attacking half. Bloomfield ends up saving the day twice. Firstly on the break and then later in the set when he knocks the ball loose in a near certain try scenario. Huge plays.

Rokosuka plunders big metres off the 20m restart and it leads to Polley generating a linebreak for Risati who stumbles his way through contact to find Johansson who is held up over the line. The ball then goes back to the posts where a neat inside play has Pakoti over the line but he has lost it like the Warriors before him. The Warriors then channel the previous set from the Eels with a huge run from the 20m restart that is only cut down by a Bloomfield ankle tap! The Warriors are near certainties to score this set and it seems like a done deal with the fullback Ratcliffe surges over but has he run behind an obstructing support player? He has! My oh my how huge is that? The Eels are barely holding on here but someway, somehow they have turned away two near certain tries.

Fletcher’s kick is marked 20m out. Johansson with the tap and go. Vaivela up next before Fletcher plays left to his fullback Bloomfield. Ulu-Kini and Pakoti centre the ball to bring up the last as Risati completes a good set with a kick that is bobbled but held onto by the Warriors.

A tremendous kick from NZ in reply pins the Eels on their goal line and a tough set follows. Risati nearly breaks through but ends up tackled shy of the 30m line as Fletcher drills the ball downfield. It is a good kick but still a net loss in the territorial battle as Parra’s first up contact in the defensive set is lacking. A set restart puts the Warriors in position to take a commanding lead here and it is the right edge that bleeds the points once again as Risati is posted up one-on-one with the backrower Laban who fends him off and secures a first half double.

Try scored by the Warriors. Conversion successful.

Warriors lead 18-0

28min gone

Under 2min left in the first half and the Eels commit a cardinal sin as the referee penalises them for offside chasers from the kickoff. The Warriors suddenly have a bonus chance to secure a monstrous advantage.

Bloomfield saves the day with a juggling snare on a goal line grubber. There is a penalty for pressure on the neck of Rokosuka but with seconds left on the clock it seems purely academic. However, plays continues with a second penalty to Howlett. Vaivela screams onto the ball and earns a third penalty with clock ticking to zero. Must be close to a bin here but no. A chance for a two points here but the Eels want to narrow the gap by more as they tap for one last play. To the right they go where they find Polley who steps back from contact to link up with Bloomfield. The fullback doesn’t have too many options from there as he kicks ahead for himself but the Warriors dive on it to close out the half with a dominant lead.

 

Half Time

New Zealand Warriors 18 lead the Parramatta Eels 0

 

Second Half

 

Eels to kick off.

Plenty of work to do here for Parra and it starts with taking control back of the collision.

Well the hole gets that much deeper because it has taken just the single possession for the Warriors to build on their lead. This one had a little bit of luck for the NZ but seeing as they have created the rest of their points on dominant physicality you can only complain so much.

A miscued attacking bomb sprays back infield where the Warriors win the contest for the shallow kick. The Eels are too slow on wrapping up the ball allowing for a second kick ahead that leads to a try for the winger Davidson-Faaiuaso. Brutal stuff.

Try scored by the Warriors. Conversion successful.

Warriors lead 24-0

33min gone

Simply too much energy from the Warriors here. The missed tackle count must be telling given they are breaking a tackle with near every carry. It is no wonder they are so far ahead on the scoreboard here.

A reprieve, at least a small one, for Parra as an attacking raid from the Warriors is cut short due to a forward pass. As you often see though, one small break leads to a bigger one! The Eels play out a simple set following the forward pass that sees Risati strike a towering midfield bomb. Ratcliffe wants nothing to do with it for the Warriors and lets it bounce and it kicks wildly towards the in-goals as Fletcher races past the NZ custodian to dive on the ball and keep the door slightly ajar for the Eels.

Try scored by Lincoln Fletcher. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels trail 6-24

39min gone

Suddenly there is momentum for the Eels as Talagi tears in for a big charge. Ezra finds Polley for another strong gain and wham. bam, thank you mam the left side switch of play puts the Eels in a position with the overlap as Bloomfield feeds Rokosuka beautifully! Lorima still has work to do as he weaves past the fullback and centres the ball for the extras!

Try scored by Lorima Rokosuka. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels trail 12-24

41min gone

Pakoti takes the opening charge here. Talagi continues to feed on the momentum change with another carry before Bloomfield and Rokosuka combine again to cause havok! No try but Lorima has the right edge of the Warriors fraying. To the right now as Risati digs in deep to the line before tucking the ball and running but he loses it in the tackle! Oh damn. The huge run of the Eels comes to an end there but with 17min left on the clock they still have time.

There is a fumble at the base of the scrum but the ref missed it! Crucial missed call there as the Warriors are able to safely navigate their way out of their half. Worse still it leads to a try as the Warriors run it on the last and catch the right edge of Parramatta out again. It has been a rough day for that side of the field and it continues here as New Zealand likely quench the flames on any kind of comeback from Parramatta.

Try scored by the Warriors. Conversion successful.

Warriors lead 30-12

46min gone

Pretty clear obstruction here but the referee lets the Warriors play on. Set ends with Rokosuka claiming another attacking kick, he has really played his heart out today, to put Parra back in possession.

A stilted set for the Eels ends with Risati going to the bomb again but Ratcliffe is better prepared this time. New Zealand again surge downfield in reply but lose the ball in a tackle to let the Eels off the hook. Lots of one-out stuff for Parra and frankly they need a lot more if they are to mount any sort of challenge in the closing moments of this game.

Rokosuka is involved in just about anything positive the Eels are doing today. He is right in the thick of it again as the Eels run it on the last. Fletcher sorties down the left and draws in defenders before rifling a cracking pass to Lorima who hares down the sideline. Still the fullback to beat as Rokosuka looks back inside to his half but the pass it tipped back by another cover defender. Fletcher stays alive though and dives on the ball to claim the try. Unfortunately he misses the crucial conversion from out wide to leave the Eels still 3 scores adrift.

Try scored by Lincoln Fletcher. Conversion unsuccessful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels trail 16-30

53min gone

Smart footy from Talagi and Ulu-Kini there as Ryda peels off from a tackle to let SAnjae make the strip attempt. He doesn’t steal the ball but he does force an error. With 5min left a win is improbably but they needed something like this.

Fletcher dummies from the scrum win and nearly cuts through. Bloomfield carries defenders for metres to be pulled down short. Right to Howlett who is tackled short of the line. Fletcher kicks to Rokosuka on the last – why wouldn’t you given everything else today – but his winger can’t bring the ball down. It is ruled a Warriors batback and thus dropout though so Parra get another chance although the clock isn’t their ally here.

Hot potato from Parra now and it proves to be a sizzling footy as Rokosuka’s offload to Bloomfield is dropped. NZ turn it over the next tackle and it leads to Johansson fighting his way over but with under 3min on the clock as the ball is marked down the Eels need a miracle from here.

Try scored Andes Johansson. Converison unsuccessful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels trail 20-30

58min gone

Aggressive footy from the Eels, as you would expect. It leads to a linebreak for Ryda but the big man hasn’t got the legs to go the distance. Under a minute to play now as the Eels venture to their right with Johansson but the centre sails too close to the wind and is driven into touch to officially seal the game for the Warriors.

 

Full Time

New Zealand Warriors 30 defeat the Parramatta Eels 20

 

 

SG Ball Team List

1	Ollie McCarthy
2	Mohamed Alameddine
3	Corey Leigh
4	Devonte Vaivela
5	Dominic Farrugia
6	Lorenzo Talataina
7	Dylan Brettle
8	Javahn Stevenson-Hala
9	Lachlan Coinakis
10	Kobi Hurford
11	Jezaiah Funa-Iuta
12	Tyrese Lokeni
13	Max Popo
14	Tyson Sangalang
15	Sebastian Piukala
16	Jai Camilleri
17	Elijah-Shane Tapau-Taylor
18	Mark Williams
19	Dakota Kakoi

Match Updates

 

The last hope for the Eels in the junior reps this year comes down to the SG Ball.

Parramatta will receive the ball in the first half.

Stevenson-Hala gets us underway. Funa-Iuta and Popo follow before Hurford and a second carry for Funa-Iuta bring up the last. Lorenzo Talataina looks to catch the Dogs slacking on the last as he runs the ball and there is the threat of a linebreak back through the middle but he is barely tripped up over halfway and tackled for the turnover. First minor win of the game goes to the Dogs.

A good set of defence follows and it looks like the Eels have trapped the grubber kick in the front line and secured the loose ball with a dive but there is a call for a knock on. Big chance here for the Dogs as they spin the ball wide left from the scrum win. Terrific defence from both Alameddine and McCarthy see the Canterbury winger drilled into touch though!

Good carry from Stevenson-Hala there. It sets up the attacking bomb and while the Dogs defuse it cleanly, good kick pressure and subsequent line speed on the next tackle help force an error! McCarthy tests the left edge of the Dogs with a weaving run but is brought down and the Eels get too trigger happy as the ball swings to the other side of the field as Talataina tries to backboor an offload around a defender and loses it forwards.

An early test for Alameddine arrives at the end of Canterbury’s next set as they send up a sky-high bomb. He passes it with flying colours as he leaps high and claims the ball despite illegal contact. He earns the penalty as a result.

The set fizzles out early on though with Hurford whacked hard and losing the ball.

A bustling carry from the Canterbury #8 Seve has them breaching Parra’s redzone but Corey Leigh makes a big one-on-one tackle that looks to have knocked the ball out. He leaps to his feet to pick it up and begin running downfield but the referee rules it was stripped. Big call as play because from the resultant scrum the Eels get their shape wrong down the left edge and the Dogs stroll over for first points.

Try scored by the Bulldogs. Conversion unsuccessful.

Bulldogs lead 4-0

12min gone

Parra pick up a relieving penalty in their next possession and it sets them up inside Canterbury’s half. They build slowly to the right but Talataina slips on his mark to prevent any real attacking opportunity. Max Popo breaks the line through the ruck on the next tackle but it was a borderline pass to release him and the officials are right on it as they indicate it travelled forwards.

And just like that the Dogs have tacked onto their lead. Sharp ball-playing from the Bulldogs’ halfback and captain in Mitchell Woods as he drifts to his right and finds a flying backrower in Alatini who storms past the frontline of the Eels before fighting past McCarthy as the last line of defence to score.

Try scored by the Bulldogs. Conversion successful.

Bulldogs lead 10-0

18min gone

A roll on for the Dogs now as they earn a penalty for offside defenders. Feels like a pivotal moment in the game now looms. The ball squirts out from the tap restart run but it was stripped. Tap and go from there and it yields points for our rivals as the bookend Smith plays like a half and switches play to the short side to find an overlap for his winger Rinakama. Hot start for Canterbury.

Try scored by the Bulldogs. Conversion unsuccessful.

Bulldogs lead 14-0

21min gone

Error piling up on error now as the Eels hoof it out on the full from the kickoff. I get what we were going for there as the ball is driven in a midrange kick between the centre and backrower and into touch. It is overcooked though and gives the Dogs a prime chance to extend their lead.

Extend it they do. Sharp play down their right proves to be too quick for the Eels to handle as their centre touches down in the corner before McCarthy can arrive in cover. Missed conversions are barely keeping Parra in this.

Try scored by the Bulldogs. Conversion unsuccessful.

Bulldogs lead 18-0

23min gone

No change in score for a while now but errors and penalties have largely left the Eels pinned inside their own half.

The scoreboard does eventually get troubled again as the Dogs run it on the last while attacking the goal line. They are able to spot their backrower up against Talataina and while Lorenzo makes decent contact, he doesn’t have the size to drag down the big forward who slams the ball down over the line.

Try scored by the Bulldogs. Conversion successful.

Bulldogs lead 24-0

34min gone

 

Half Time

Canterbury Bulldogs 24 lead the Parramatta Eels 0

 

Second Half

 

Parra to kickoff with a mountain peak to ascend to if they are to progress to next week.

They are off to a good start with a strong tackle that forces an error. Have to convert from there.

Well they do the opposite of convert as Brettle and Vaivela are on different wavelengths with the centre playing for an unders line but the half passing for an overs ball. Canterbury scoop up the loose ball and race downfield with the chance to pile on even more points but they end up losing control of the pill in a tackle and letting the Eels off.

The stalemate only lasts so long and to little surprise it is Canterbury who break it. Nothing fancy this time. Simple hands with the overlap and the Eels simply don’t have the numbers to cover for it.

Try scored by the Bulldogs. Conversion unsuccessful.

Bulldogs lead 28-0

45min gone

More points for the Dogs as they punish the Eels out of dummy half with a dart and pass to put their right edge backrower over. The game is pretty clearly out of reach for Parramatta at this stage but Canterbury are still hungry to pile on the points.

Try scored by the Bulldogs. Conversion successful.

Bulldogs lead 34-0

53min gone

At least the Eels won’t be shut out today. Following a good carry by Lokeni we see Talataina and Alameddine go back and forth through the ruck to create a try as Lorenzo puts Mohammed through the gap and in turns gets the try with the pass back.

Try scored by Lorenzo Talataina. Conversion successful by Dom Farrugia.

Eels trail 6-34

58min gone

There is some energy in the runs suddenly, although no chance of a result given the time and margin to chase, but they rumble downfield regardless as Jai Camillieri sparks a surge down the left. A set restart gives them more ammo in the chamber to narrow the gap but loose play on the last results in a 20m restart.

Canterbury break through the 40-point barrier with a soft effort to their big man Seve. To be fair to the Parra defenders I am not convinced that ball was grounded and indeed the referee seemed in two minds awarding it but it goes to the scorer’s sheet nonetheless.

Try scored by the Bulldogs. Conversion successful.

Bulldogs lead 40-6

65min gone

Some consolation points for the Blue & Gold as a penalty against the Dogs in possession for an incorrect play-the-ball. It leads to a push down Parra’s right edge that culminates in Ollie McCarthy scooting out of dummy half to burrow over.

Try scored by Ollie McCarthy. Conversion successful by Dom Farrugia.

Eels trails 40-10

68min gone

A late penalty allows the Dogs to add on 2-points and bring the game to an end. That is also a wrap on the Junior Representatives for the Eels in 2024 as all three teams that played this week bowed out on disappointing losses.

Penalty conversion successful by the Bulldogs.

 

Full Time

Canterbury Bulldogs 42 defeat the Parramatta Eels 10