Between The Sticks
Between The Sticks
Warriors vs Manly, Tall Ferns WCQs, All Whites goalie rankings, Kate Sheppard/Chatham Cup semis, NRLW, Blackcaps & more
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A New Australian NBL Season Looms And Once Again It’s Chock-Full Of Kiwi Players (Basketball)
Why Aren't The New Zealand Breakers Signing New Zealand Players? (Basketball)
How Have Those NZ Breakers Next Star Lads Been Tracking Since Their NBA Drafts? (Basketball)
Kiwi-NRL Spotlight: Demitric Sifakula Is On The Way (Rugby League)
Breaking Down The 2024 Aotearoa Kiwis Squad Mixer (Rugby League)
Exploring New Zealand Warriors Halves Depth For 2025 And Beyond (Rugby League)
Flying Kiwis – August 13 (Football)
Five Funky Movers In The 2024/25 Domestic Cricket Contracts (Cricket)
Three Funky Pockets Of The 2024/25 Domestic Cricket Contracts (Cricket)
Exploring The Blackcaps Test Mixer For The Great Asia Adventure Of 2024 (Cricket)
Scotty’s Word
New Zealand Warriors had three losses against Manly Sea Eagles this weekend. Losses in the NRL and Jersey Flegg were expected, while the NSW Cup team went down 22-28 via a late Sea Eagles try. There were lots of niggly changes to the NSW Cup team so I'm not too fussed about the result and they are still all but locked in for finals footy, with the final 17 featuring seven U21 lads.
Three losses vs Sea Eagles leads into a battle vs Bulldogs next weekend. The NSW Cup team will play prior to the NRL game and as Bulldogs are better in NRL/Jersey Flegg, the NSW Cup game is the most even match up of the three games.
One thing that has stood out for the NRL Warriors all season: tries being disallowed due to 'obstruction'.
The culture/connection wrinkle of NZW isn't looking so flash at the moment. This is evident in players of all levels making basic errors, clunky attacking motions and minimal defensive grit among other mediocre footy pockets. However, it seems like at least once a game NZW have a try ruled out due to the decoy runner stopping in the defensive line and/or making contact with a defender.
This reflects poorly on the connection between players and coaching details. Good teams have decoy runners ensuring they hit the gap and avoid defenders. NZW have had this happen on both edges and with a bunch of players involved, but the latest example is Kurt Capewell on the left edge in what should be a basic attacking shape.
Most of the problem is Capewell slowing down to stop in the defensive line right in front of Daly Cherry-Evans. Capewell's run is stunted by him reacting to Shaun Johnson and despite this clearly being a planned shape, there is a disconnect between the players involved.
Bowling wides and no-balls in cricket feels like similar sloppiness. In rugby union it might be lineout/maul execution. Corners and free-kicks feels like a footballin' example. Basketball has plays from timeouts. You'll know better examples in your favourite sport but every NRL team runs these shapes and every team has decoy runners - some teams score tries, other teams concede penalties.
NRL.com is slow with the stat updates so I'm not sure if these are from before round 24 or after, but either way they amplify the funk. NZW are first for decoy runs (only team over 1,300) and first for line engaged (only team over 540), yet they are 11th for tries and 13th for linebreaks.
The decoy runs and line engagements ain't working. I reckon this is split between the attacking system not working and players not operating on the same wavelength. Connection ... NZW are disconnected and there isn't one player at fault, it's just a team that is not connected with each other or their coaching.
Shaun Johnson has lost eight games in a row, hasn't won since round five. This is his worst season by winning percentage of his career...
2024: 21%
2022: 24%
2012: 36%
2017: 39%
2013: 46%
Pantheon of modern Aotearoa halves...
Stacey Jones (Auckland)
46 Tests, 1 x NRL GF, 5 wins vs Australia
Benji Marshall (Whakatane)
31 Tests, 1 x World Cup Champ, 1 x NRL Champ, 2 wins vs Australia
Kieran Foran (Auckland)
31 Tests, 1 x NRL Champ, 4 wins vs Australia
Shaun Johnson (Whangaparaoa)
32 Tests, 1 x NRL GF, 4 wins vs Australia
Jahrome Hughes (Wellington)
10 Tests, 2 x NRL Champ, 1 win vs Australia
Sea Eagles are a funky organisation because of the hefty crew of wahine in their NSW Women's Premiership team. The NRL team only has Josh Aloiai playing consistently. Toafofoa Sipley has lost his top-17 spot for smaller, quicker forwards and the two outside backs from Aotearoa in Jaxson Paulo and Raymond Tuaimalo-Vaega have also been overtaken this season.
Sea Eagles have a few Kiwi-NRL juniors rolling through consistent U21 footy with Oliver Lawry and Devante Mihinui dabbling in NSW Cup. There was noise last year about Sea Eagles linking up with Auckland Rugby League and perhaps this led to at least five young wahine from Auckland playing consistently for the NSW Women's Premiership team.
Young wahine from Auckland: Mollie Tagaloa (Te Atatu), Lavinia Tauhalaliku (Southern Cross), Aleksandra Tunufai (Howick), Makayla Eli (Manurewa), Alianna Tonu'u (Otara)
Sea Eagles also have Kiwi Fern veteran Tanika-Jazz Noble (Mt Albert) and former fringe Black Fern Jay Jay Taylor (Kaitaia) in their squad. That's seven wahine from NZ who played for Sea Eagles over the weekend and this is another example of the explosion of women's rugby league in Aotearoa as this is below the NRLW level.
Manly Sea Eagles
Josh Aloiai (Glenora), Toafofoa Sipley (City Newton)
Jaxson Paulo (Northcote), Raymond Tuiamalo-Vaega (Marist)
Oliver Lawry (West Coast/Halswell), Devante Mihinui (Glenora), Una Uasi (Linwood)
NSW Women's Premiership
Mollie Tagaloa (Te Atatu), Lavinia Tauhalaliku (Southern Cross), Aleksandra Tunufai (Howick), Makayla Eli (Manurewa), Tanika-Jazz Noble (Mt Albert), Alianna Tonu'u (Otara), JayJay Taylor (Kaitaia)
Two NRLWahine made their debuts this weekend. Matekino Kahukoti-Gray played 40 minutes for Titans in their loss vs Cowboys and apparently Kahukoti-Gray went to Rotorua Girls High School before moving to Marsden State High School in Queensland. Tenika Willison played on the wing for Knights to join the Taharoa team (Xavier Willison, Te Maire Martin, Taine Tuaupiki) and the former Black Ferns Sevens crew.
Matekino Kahukoti-Gray vs Cowboys
40mins, 4 runs - 33m @ 8.2m/run, 1 tb, 22 tackles @ 91%
Tenika Willison vs Sharks
1 try, 12 runs - 102m @ 8.5m/run, 2 tackle breaks, 3 tackles @ 75%
Below is a group of NRLWahine who haven't played for Kiwi Ferns yet. This includes women who joined NRLW from rugby union for this season as well as Gayle Broughton, Tafito Lafaele, Mackenzie Wiki, Kerehitina Matua and Alexis Tauaneai who didn't play for Kiwi Ferns last year. I couldn't quite get to 13 with just those two groups, so I included the young NRLWahine with Kahukoti-Gray joined by Jaydika Tafua (extended bench for Sharks this week) and Tatiana Finau (Raiders) who isn't a dummy half but I had to get funky...
Fullback: Stacey Waaka (BF7)
Wingers: Tenika Willison (BF7), Isabella Waterman (SRA)
Centres: Mackenzie Wiki (Manurewa), Grace Kukutai (SRA)
Halves: Gayle Broughton (BF7), Rosie Kelly (BF)
Middles: Tafito Lafaele (BF), Kerehitina Matua (Manurewa), Alexis Tauaneai (Wanuiomata),
Edges: Jaydika Tafua (Papanui), Matekino Kahukoti-Gray (Rotorua)
Hooker: Tatiana Finau (Mt Albert)
NRLW stats haven't been updated yet but here is my NRLWahine upper echelon of excellence...
Mele Hufanga: Broncos, Southern Cross
Georgia Hale: Titans, Long Bay College/Richmond
Annessa Biddle: Sharks, Otara
Apii Nicholls: Raiders, Manurewa/Papakura
Amber Hall: Roosters, Richmond
Alexis Tauaneai: Dragons, Wainuiomata
Mya Hill-Moana: Roosters, Taniwharau
Team CKB's mahi in UFC since start of 2023...
Israel Adesanya: Win, loss, loss
Dan Hooker: Win, win
Kai Kara-France: Loss, win
Carlos Ulberg: Win, win, win
Kevin Jousset: Win, win
Shane Young: Loss, loss
Lydia Ko 2024 results:
1st, 2nd, T34, T4, T13, T18, T17, T35, Cut, Cut, T46, T27, T39, T8, 9th
Re-upping with a young NZ men's cricket team...
Tim Robinson (BC - 22yrs)
Rhys Mariu (22yrs)
Gareth Severin (24yrs)
Dean Foxcroft (BC - 26yrs)
Mohammad Abbas (20yrs)
Mitch Hay (W/k -23yrs)
Zak Foulkes (BC - 22yrs)
Nathan Smith (26yrs)
Tim Pringle (Netherlands - 21yrs)
Kristian Clarke (23yrs)
Matthew Fisher (24yrs)
Will Clark (22yrs), Jock McKenzie (22yrs), Thorn Parkes (24yrs), Curtis Heaphy (21yrs), Adithya Ashok (21yrs)
Musical jam...
Wildcard’s Notebook
Some kiwi footballer things that have happened over the past few days...
Ben Old debuted for Saint-Étienne, becoming only the second NZer to play Ligue 1
Chris Wood scored for Nottingham Forest, in the process ensuring that we’ve now had at least one kiwi play in 21 consecutive English Premier League seasons
Matt Garbett scored for NAC Breda in an upset win against big dogs Ajax
Andre de Jong scored Stellenbosch FC’s first ever continental goal as they won 3-0 against Nsingizini Hotspurs (Eswatini)
Indi Riley made her first preseason appearance for Crystal Palace and it was against Macey Fraser’s Utah Royals – Fraser was an unused sub as she works back from her ankle issues but the two kiwis were stood next to each other for the combined group photo
Ben Waine scored the first goal of the Wayne Rooney era at Plymouth Argyle
Max Crocombe got dropped for game one of Burton Albion’s season despite being the reigning Player of the Year... but then he saved a penalty in the League Cup and immediately won his spot back for game two
Matt Dibley-Dias made his senior football debut on loan at Northampton Town
Marko Stamenic debuted for Olympiacos
The Tall Ferns are currently in Mexico getting ready for some pretty important games. They’ve got a Pre-Qualifier tournament to try and progress in World Cup qualification – seeking to make it to the main event for just the second time in history (the first was when Australia hosted in 1994 so the Oceania spot reverted to Aotearoa). Here’s the 12-woman squad that has been named...
McKenna Dale, Penina Davidson, Bailey Flavell, Ella Fotu, Pahlyss Hokianga, Esra McGoldrick, Tera Reed, Ashlee Strawbridge, Ritorya Tamilo, Ella Tofaeono, Charlotte Whittaker, and Lauren Whittaker.
Quite a big difference there compared to the Olympic qualifiers from six months ago, which itself was an injury-ravaged squad. Only Reed, McGoldrick, Dale, Tamilo, L.Whittaker, and late replacement Hokianga remain from that crew... though that’s mostly a good thing because it means that the likes of Penina Davidson and Ella Fotu have been able to return to contention. That’s not the case for the likes of Charlisse Leger-Walker and Tahlia Tupaea who remain injured but we already knew that’d be the case. Davidson, McGoldrick, Reed, and Tamilo were also part of the Asia Cup fourth-placed squad from last year. For Fotu, it’s her first Tall Ferns squad since 2019 having recovered from an ACL injury.
Bailey Flavell is the funkiest addition, the 17yo having averaged 18.9 points per game at the U17 World Cup recently which was good for third top scorer at the entire event. Yes, she’s the daughter of Judd Flavell. She’s also not even the youngest player in the squad, that honour goes to Pahlyss Hokianga (16yo) who debuted alongside Lauren Whittaker (18yo) at the Olympic qualifiers. Hokianga was CLW’s injury replacement (and also took CLW’s record as youngest ever Tall Fern). Tori Tamilo is still a teenager so that’s a quarter of the squad. But there is some strong experience thanks to Nina Davidson, Tera Reed, and Ella Fotu, while Esra McGoldrick and McKenna Dale are becoming regular internationals themselves.
Charlotte Whittaker is the older sis of Lauren. She’s one of four potential debutants along with Flavell, Ashlee Strawbridge, and Ella Tofaeono. Other than Flavell, the other three debutants have all been playing NBL1 in Australia so they’re match-fit. In fact, Tofaeono was recently signed by the UC Capitals as a development player for the upcoming WNBL season, having been a DP for Townsville Fire last year... she’s a new recruit to the Aotearoa cause, sweet as. Born in NZ but raised in AU. Always keen for more centre depth, especially after the absence of Davidson proved so crucial at the Olympic quals.
The task is simple: the Tall Ferns must win the tournament to stay in World Cup consideration. Same format as the Olympic qualifiers. Gotta get top two in a group with Montenegro, Mexico and Mozambique, then win both a semi-final and a final. South Korea, Mali, Czechia, and Venezuela are the teams on the other half of the draw. The Ferns are definitely capable of winning but this isn’t a squad that’s played a whole lot together – let alone the fact that Natalie Hurst is fresh in the head coaching job. Ella Bradley, Maia Jones, Eva Langton, Tara Manumaleuga, Kaylee Smiler, Dominique Stephens, and training player Olivia Williams were also part of the extended travelling squad. The first game is Tuesday at 11.30am against Montenegro – all matches are live on FIBA’s YouTube.
Sidenote: As it stands, Ella Tofeaono is the only NZer contracted for the next Aussie WNBL season. Penina Davidson & Tera Reed (Geelong United), Tahlia Tupaea & Jade Kirisome (UC Capitals), plus Esra McGoldrick, McKenna Dale & Ritorya Tamilo (Bendigo Spirit) all seem to be free agents as far as I can tell. Plenty of time for that to be sorted out... although it’s going to get harder now that Tauihi has moved its season ‘til October to December and is therefore going to have some serious overlap with the WNBL – which last year ran from November to March.
I might spin a yarn next week about All Whites (and Footy Ferns) goalkeeping depth. The Ferns hierarchy is pretty clear with Anna Leat starting all three games at the Olympics after re-signing with Aston Villa. Big hopes for her being the number one at ACFC this upcoming season. Vic Esson is the back-up and she’s been in great form with Rangers – they’re playing Arsenal in a Champions League qualifier in a few weeks which hopefully Esson will be between the sticks for.
Beyond them, Erin Nayler’s taken a step back in her career which has allowed Murphy Sheaff and Brianna Edwards to battle it out for the third spot in squads. Sheaff is still at college in the USA. Edwards just left the Wellington Phoenix to potentially become the starter at defending champs Sydney FC. After them, it might be Aimee Danieli from the Welly Nix Academy, who should be the main gloveswoman at the U20 World Cup and has been called up to one Ferns squad before. That U20 WC squad should be named any minute now.
The All Whites goalkeeping yarns are nowhere near that clear... so allow me to take a guess as to what the current depth chart looks like...
Max Crocombe (Burton Albion) – Just hanging on to the number one spot, as evidenced at the Nations Cup when he was picked ahead of Paulsen. Got a battle on his hands for regular starts at Burton as they demand more passing from their GK, though that should up-skill him for All Whites duty.
Alex Paulsen (Auckland FC via AFC Bournemouth) – Hard not to be disheartened by AP having to repeat the dose in the A-League again when he’s clearly good enough to play at a higher level. But after the 12 months he’s had, he’s going to be making every All Whites squad.
Kees Sims (GAIS) – He’s only 21 and still uncapped at senior level but you could argue very convincingly that Sims is playing at the highest level of any of these dudes. Swedish top division. Has made four appearances this season... although got sent off in the most recent.
Oli Sail (Perth Glory) – Had an up and down season with Perth last time. Is he going to be the number one this season? Anything less and he won’t be adding any new caps in a hurry. Went to the Nations Cup but didn’t get any game time.
Henry Gray (Ipswich Town) – Struck a bargain in signing with the Tractor Boys right after they were promoted to the English Championship then they got promoted again to the Premier League. Gray had an excellent non-league loan then finished the term with ITFC’s first team. Played in their first U21s game of the campaign this week though could yet go out on loan again. We shall see. Big things are coming either way.
Nik Tzanev (Northampton Town) – Has made a move back up to League One but in doing so he’s going to have to serve backup duties until he can prove himself. Right there on the fringes but won’t be picked unless he’s playing.
Michael Woud (Auckland FC) – Finally escaped from the wilderness in which he’d found himself in Japan and then AFC go and sign Alex Paulsen ahead of him. Kinda rude, to be honest. Woud is good enough to be a very useful A-League goalie yet it doesn’t look like he’ll get the chance this year.
Scott Morris (Stoke City) – In a similar situation to Gray, except at a Championship club. Listed with the Stoke U21s on the website but wasn’t involved in their season opener over the weekend so not really sure where he’s at (Moz is 23 but goalies get an exception at U21 level in England).
Alby Kelly-Heald (Wellington Phoenix) – The natural successor to Paulsen at the Nix but will need to follow Paulsen’s example by serving as the backup for a year first. Level up on the training pitch then be ready to rock maybe as soon as next year. They’ve signed an import goalie for this season however AKH is probably still moving up from third choice to second choice.
Zac Jones (Haverfordwest County) – Wee bit surprised that he’s still in Wales, having performed as well as he has done there (especially in their Europa Conference League qualifying run a year ago) – with a penchant for saving penalties. Kept a cleanie in Hwest’s season opener recently.
Some honourable mentions: Jamie Searle (Forest Green Rovers), Matt Gould (Yeovil Town), Joe Knowles (Auckland FC), Dublin Boon (Wellington Phoenix), Lawton Green (Kuala Lumpur City), Cameron Hogg (FC Trollhattan)
Kate Sheppard/Chatham Cup Roundup
The cup finals are set. All the semi-finals were played over the weekend and we’ll begin with the Kate Sheppard Cup where a fascinating clash unfolded between Auckland United (undefeated in the NRFL Prem and striding towards a title) and the Wellington Phoenix Reserves (who are in their first KSC quest and otherwise play in the Central League Boys U15 division, only facing other female teams in the cup and in the National League). Lots of players with cross connections here: Chloe Knott and Saskia Vosper in the AUFC side; Manaia Elliot (who won the KSC with AU a few years ago) for the WeeNix.
On an extremely wet and windy afternoon in the capital, with two well-organised defences, the Nix had trouble getting out of their own half but they did keep AU from putting them under too much pressure as the teams hit the sheds still at 0-0. Felt like AU were most likely to score and they almost did when Neary tipped an Alexis Cook shot onto the bar... then instead it was the WeeNix who broke the deadlock when Georgia Furnell finished at the back post off a Manaia Elliott cross after 58 minutes.
Led by Ella McMillan at CB, the WeeNix defended with massive courage and that got then within sight of the finish line and a place in the final. But no closer than that. Auckland United tied things up in the 87th minute when Chelsea Elliott turned turned in a deft touch at the near post off a Vosper cross (central defender Elliott was chucked up front with ten to go, a common Plan B from this team) and then, in the 90+8th minute, AUFC turned the ball over on the press and Elliott rolled the ball back to Estelle Harrison on the edge of the area who scored and that was that. 2-1 to Auckland United.
They’ll face defending champs Western Springs in the final after the Swans beat Dunedin City Royals 3-0 down in Dunners. Bit of a surprise to see the margin of victory there. The Northern League is stronger than the South Island stuff overall but DCR have been going fantastic this year while Springs have been up and down. But then that’s why it’s important to start fast on the big occasions. Liz Savage set up Rina Hirano to score in the third minute, then got Hirano set up Savage in the fifth, before Rebecca Burrows made it 3-0 after 24 minutes. That was it right there. The Royals never recovered, meaning that DCR not only lost their first game of the year but they also conceded their only goals in the Kate Shepp for 2024... those goals were all it took. The 2024 Kate Sheppard Cup final will see the two previous champions up against each other.
Then over in the Chatham Cup we’ll have a repeat of last year’s National League final. Auckland City have continually managed to find ways to win this season and although they needed extra time against Birkenhead United they did so once again. Monty Patterson had diverted one into the net on 33’ to give Birko a valid lead but a handball penalty allowed Angus Kilkolly to tie things up from the spot just before the break (43’). Ryan De Vries then scored a belter on 56’, stepping forward and curling low inside the post... but Sam Philip popped up off the bench soon afterwards to level things back up. Birko certainly had chances to win this thing. There were great saves from both Conor Tracey and Silvio Rodic in the respective goals. Ultimately it was Kilkolly who scored twice in extras (99’ & 120’) to seal the deal. 4-2 to ACFC after ET. Ryan De Vries set up both of those late Kilkolly goals. Kilkolly scored a hatty in the previous round too... he only has three Northern League goals in 2024 but is gobbling them up in the cup.
ACFC will face Wellington Olympic in the decider, after the Greeks had a much simpler time of it against Coastal Spirit. Alejandro Steinwascher did put Coastal (playing their first ever Chatham Cup semi-final) up after 13 mins but Hamish Watson was quick to respond for the visitors. Then came some unfortunateness as Ellis Hare-Reid, the Spirit goalie, was forced off with a head knock and there was no reserve keeper on the five-man bench (why there are only five-man benches for a cup semi-final is not entirely clear). Ryan Stanley had to don the gloves as the emergency goalie... and he did well enough to keep it at 1-1 until half-time... then Jack-Henry Sinclair scored (53’) and Isa Prins scored (72’) and both Watson (80’) and Prins (83’) added further goals for a 5-1 final result. The Greeks keep charging onwards. Spirit will hope for a revenge match later in the year if they can finish the Southern League strong enough to qualify for Nats.
Domestic Football Roundup
Would you believe it, there were a whole bunch of league games too. Exhausting stuff. In the Men’s Northern League, Auckland City’s week was made even better when Eastern Suburbs lost 2-1 to Western Springs, leaving ACFC needing just one more win from their last two matches to clinch the title. Also, while Auckland United did win 3-1 against Manurewa, they’ve run out of runway thus Western Springs clinch the fourth and final MNL spot. Auckland City, Birkenhead United, Eastern Suburbs, and Western Springs will be going to the main show. But the relegation battle isn’t quite done after Melville United inexplicably thrashed Bay Olympic 5-0 with Sean Leadley and Jama Boss each scoring twice, and Hamilton Wanderers won 2-0 against Tauranga City. Plus West Coast Rangers won 2-1 against East Coast Bays thanks to a late winner from Connor O’Malley. Presumably not this one though. Manurewa are the team in the most danger of being caught – having not won a Northern League game since beating Hamilton Wanderers on 4 May. Four wins in eight to begin the season, none in 12 since.
No Men’s Central League fixtures this week... but in the Men’s Southern League, Cashmere Technical and Christchurch United both took advantage of Coastal Spirit focussing on the cup by logging heavy victories. Chch Utd won 9-0 against Selwyn Utd with Matt Brazier and Joel Stevens both grabbing hatties. Cashy Tech only won 6-0 against Nomads but guess what? Garbhan Coughlan scored five of the goals. He’d gone scoreless in his first couple games since returning to the country now he’s more than made up for lost time. There was also a 3-2 win for Nelson Suburbs away to Ferrymead Bays and a 2-1 win for Dunedin City Royals away to Universities of Canterbury.
One game got played in the Women’s NRFL Premier Division and that was Eastern Suburbs 3-1 Ellerslie. Important win for the Lilywhites that puts them back in the top four, albeit having played one game more than their rivals. Two games were played in the Women’s Central League, with Waterside Karori winning 2-1 away to Moturoa, rallying back from being a goal down at the half thanks to Kendall Pollock’s brace. The other was a 5-1 win for Petone vs Victoria Uni. WKAFC are back ahead of Wellington United on the table but the Diamonds would change that if they win their game in hand. And down in the Women’s South Island League, four goals from Annalie Longo and three from Lara Wall set up an 11-0 win for Cashmere Technical vs Roslyn Wakari. Plus Melanie Cameron scored twice for Coastal Spirit as they won 3-0 against Nelson Suburbs. Dunedin City Royals still lead there but Tech, and to a lesser extend Spirit, are keeping the pressure on.
And finally, a plethora of Musical Jams...