The Nitty Gritty

Warriors/Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Tall Ferns on tour, NRLW Kiwis, Wellington Phoenix ALW updates, All Whites squad depth, domestic cricket, and plenty more

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Podcast

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Reading Menu

• Previewing Aotearoa at the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup (Football)

• Flying Kiwis – August 20 (Football)

• New Zealand vs Afghanistan Test Preview (Cricket)

• Five Funky Movers In The 2024/25 Domestic Cricket Contracts (Cricket)

• Three Funky Pockets Of The 2024/25 Domestic Cricket Contracts (Cricket)

• Breaking Down The 2024 Aotearoa Kiwis Squad Mixer (Rugby League)

• Kiwi-NRL Spotlight: Demitric Sifakula Is On The Way (Rugby League)

• NRLWahine Spotlight: Mackenzie Wiki The Canberra Raiders Powerhouse (Rugby League)

• Balancing The Cold Reality Of The New Zealand Warriors 2024 NRL Season With Seeds Of Optimism (Rugby League)

• A New Australian NBL Season Looms And Once Again It’s Chock-Full Of Kiwi Players (Basketball)

• 27fm Weekly Playlist: August 23 (Music)

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Scotty’s Word

NZ Warriors may be signing Erin Clark from Gold Coast Titans. As discussed in our weekly bonus podcast (Subscriber Pod available on Patreon and with a paid Substack upgrade) this highlights a theme in what the two Andys (Webster and McFadden) want in middle forwards. Jazz Tevaga and, apparently, Bunty Afoa are departing. Neither is fast for a middle forward nor are they average/above average passers for their position.

Clark is fast for a middle forward and is an above average passer, who climbed the NZW ranks as a half before moving to hooker. Most importantly, Clark is aggressive and powerful. Not point being fast and skillful in the middle if ya can't handle the nitty gritty.

Aotearoa Kiwis coach Stacey Jones stated that Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will opt to represent Samoa. This seemed likely when I whipped up my NZ Kiwis squad mixer deep dive as NZ Kiwis have Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Keano Kini as fullbacks, with lots of funky centre depth as well. Joseph Manu probably won't play the Tests later this year as he's off to Japanese rugby, leaving Matthew Timoko as a leading contender at centre. Deine Mariner (Samoa) and Jack Howarth (QLD/Australia) are lads to watch out for here as NZ Kiwis need a centre but these two have eligibility decisions to make.

I think Tuivasa-Sheck has had a good season in 2024 with his main role at centre, while covering wing and fullback with class. Many seem to believe that Tuivasa-Sheck has struggled but I reckon he's done pretty well. Tuivasa-Sheck was never a slick passing fullback so that hasn't changed in his move to centre, he's busting just as many tackles as he did as a fullback, he's nearly averaging as many metres as he did at fullback and he has stepped up to the increased defensive workload.

Increased defensive workload like...

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's last five seasons with NZ Warriors

• 2018: 0.1 tries, 0.4 try assists, 0.6 linebreaks, 5 tackle breaks, 3 tackles/1.8 missed tackles, 1.4 offloads, 184.2m

• 2019: 0.3 tries, 0.4 try assists, 0.6 linebreaks, 5.9 tackle breaks, 4.7 T/1.8 MT, 1.6 offloads, 205.4m

• 2020: 0.3 tries, 0.2 try assists, 0.4 linebreaks, 4.7 tackle breaks, 4 T/1.2 MT, 1.4offloads, 220.3m

• 2021: 0.2 tries, 0.4 try assists, 0.6 linebreaks, 4.8 tackle breaks, 3.4 T/1.5 MT, 201.3m

• 2024: 0.3 tries, 0.1 try assists, 0.4 linebreaks, 4.7 tackle breaks, 10.4 T/2.2 MT, 190.2m

Keep in mind that NZW were first for Run Metres and Post Contact Metres prior to round 25. NZW aren't in finals footy but they are one of the best teams in rolling down the field and Tuivasa-Sheck is a contributing factor in this strength of NZW. Here are two examples from the Sea Eagles game of Tuivasa-Sheck eating up 10m - in the middle of the field and not just down his edge…

Roosters are second in NRLW, sharing a 3-1 record with Eels. Roosters have named Tiana Davison and Amber Hall in the starting team to play Titans, with Mya Hill-Moana named to start again at prop. NRLWahine stocks for Roosters were low to start the season as Hill-Moana came off the bench in the first three games while Hall missed round one and then played two games of less than 40mins before 49mins last week. Davison played her first game of the season last week.

Davison (sister of NBL hooper Carlin) made 23 tackles @ 100% in the win over Dragons last week. Hall scored two tries with 11 tackle breaks and Hill-Moana had 10 runs - 104m @ 10.4m/run with 25 tackles @ 96%. All three had season highs for minutes played.

Former Rooster Amelia Pasikala is on the comeback from a major knee injury she picked up playing for the Kiwi Ferns last year. Pasikala has moved to Raiders and is on the extended bench this week, alongside youngster Tatiana Finau.

NRLWahine Stat Leaders

Tries

• Madison Bartlett, Mele Hufanga: 2nd

• Mackenzie Wiki: 8th

Linebreaks

• Mele Hufanga: 2nd

• Mackenzie Wiki, Madison Bartlett: 6th

Post Contact Metres

• Annessa Biddle: 1st

• Alexis Tauaneai: 5th

• Leianne Tufuga: 9th

Tackle Breaks

• Mele Hufanga: 2nd

• Mackenzie Wiki: 8th

Run Metres

• Annessa Biddle: 5th

• Alexis Tauaneai: 10th

Try Assists

• Apii Nicholls: 3rd

• Mackenzie Wiki: 8th

Offloads

• Alexis Tauaneai: 1st

• Amber Hall: 2nd

Tackles

• Georgia Hale: 1st

• Alexis Tauaneai: 3rd

• Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa: 6th

• Brooke Anderson: 7th

Quick round up of South Islanders (mainly Christchurch) named in the competitions below NRL/NRLW. This doesn't include Jack Sandford (CBHS) who played halfback for Raiders U21s last week but is always in and out of Raiders teams. This does include Keilamarita Pouri-Lane who is named on the wing for Sharks and is a recent learning: she is the older sister of gold medal winning Black Ferns Sevens co-captain Risi Pouri-Lane, and they appear to come from Motueka.

Queensland Cup

• Clydesdales: Etelani Pouli (Linwood)

• Falcons: Caius Fa'atili (Hornby)

• Dolphins: Montel Lisala (Halswell)

NSW Cup

• NZW: Tanner Stowers-Smith (Halswell), Makaia Tafua (Linwood)

Under 21 Jersey Flegg

• Bulldogs: Callum Donaldson (WC/Halswell)

• Sharks: Felix Fa'atili (Hornby), Richie Tupuailei (Hornby RU)

• Sea Eagles: Oliver Lawry (WC/Halswell)

• Storm: Josiah-Ekkehard Neli (Hornby), K-Ci Newton-Whare (Riccarton)

NSW Women's Premiership

• Sharks: Keilamarita Pouri-Lane (University RU), Jaydka Tafua (Papanui)

• Knights: Isabella Waterman (Sydenham)

• Magpies: Cassie Siataga (Woolston)

Here are Blackcaps Test stats stretching back to November 1st 2023 to include Tests vs Bangladesh, South Africa and Australia…

Batting

• Kane Williamson: 619 runs @ 56.2avg/50.6sr, 4 x 100, 1 x 50

• Rachin Ravindra: 446 runs @ 55.7avg/55.2sr 1 x 100, 2 x 50

• Glenn Phillips: 314 runs @ 34.8avg/81.5sr, 2 x 50

• Daryl Mitchell: 292 runs @ 32.4avg/47.1sr, 2 x 50

• Tom Latham: 268 runs @ 22.3avg/43.2sr, 1 x 50

• Matt Henry: 138 runs @ 23avg/110.4sr

• Will Young: 135 runs @ 27avg/36.3sr, 1 x 50

• Tim Southee: 122 runs @ 13.5avg/79.7sr

• Tom Blundell: 98 runs @ 9.8avg/60.1sr

• Devon Conway: 94 runs @ 11.7avg/35.8sr

Bowling

• Matt Henry: 23w @ 16.9avg/2.8rpo, 137.2ov

• Glenn Phillips: 17w @ 17.4avg/2.9rpo, 101ov

• Ajaz Patel: 14w @ 23.9avg/3.5rpo, 95.4ov

• Mitchell Santner: 12w @ 17.4avg/2.4rpo, 86ov

• Will O'Rourke: 11w @ 17.3avg/2.8rpo, 67ov

• Tim Southee: 10w @ 52.9avg/3.1rpo, 167.4ov

• Rachin Ravindra: 7w @ 20.4avg/2.4rpo, 58.5ov

• Ben Sears: 5w @ 32.2avg/2.4rpo, 33ov

There wasn't enough movement/funk in the women's domestic cricket contract first round to do a deep dive. I've been pondering how Skye Bowden (uncontracted) moved from Auckland to Northern Districts and Anna Browning moved from Auckland to Otago with a contract. Neither has the mana of Rob O'Donnell who leaves Auckland to join Northern Districts after being Auckland's best batter last season.

O'Donnell led Auckland for Ford Trophy and Super Smash runs, while being fourth for Plunket Shield runs. George Worker was third for Plunket Shield runs and he has retired, so Auckland have lost two of there more reliable batters ahead of this summer

Rob O'Donnell last summer

• Plunket Shield: 428 runs @ 35.6avg/56sr - 4th for Auckland

• Ford Trophy: 635 runs @ 70.5aavg/82sr - 1st

• Super Smash: 192 runs @ 38.4avg/115.6sr - 1st

Bowden (23yrs) and Browning (20yrs) don't quite have the same stats, but Bowden was finished as the leading wicket-taker for Auckland in the Super Smash and their only seamer averaging below 20. Bowden may have been injured as she didn't play many games and didn't get a contract from ND. Remember that ND mentioned Tim Pringle and Zak Gibson as not getting contracts due to injuries; not many regions (men and women) have mentioned players missing contracts due to injury.

Browning averaged below 10 with the bat in both competitions and over 30 with the ball (far better in Super Smash). Don't scoff at those stats because some players earn White Ferns selection with similar stats. Browning (and Bowden) did play a role in a Canterbury Super Smash capitulation last summer though...

Browning bowled 3ov @ 7rpo and Bowden bowled 4ov with 3w @ 9rpo as Canterbury put up 152/7. Auckland were 63/4 in the the 10th over and 9 runs from Bowden took them to 91/5 in the 15th over. Batting with Maddy Green who was dissmied in the 19th over with Auckland on 132/6, Browning found 16 runs @ 160sr to steer Auckland to victory and finish not-out.

Anna Browning and Skye Bowden last summer...

HBJ Shield

• Anna Browning: 7 games, 60 runs@ 8.5avg/46sr | 3w @ 46.3avg/4.5rpo

• Skye Bowden: 2 games, 42 runs @ 21avg/56sr | 3ov @ 5.6rpo

Super Smash

• Anna Browning: 8 games, 68 runs @ 9.7avg/94sr | 5w @ 30.8avg/6.4rpo

• Skye Bowden: 35 runs @ 7avg/70sr | 10w @ 12.2avg/7.6rpo

Speaking of Canterbury, it will be a big summer for the Magicians who finished last in HBJ Shield (2-7) and fifth in Super Smash (2-6). This is the best storyline in the women's domestic cricket circuit along with individual performances as Canterbury are usually a powerhouse.

Musical jam...

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Wildcard’s Notebook

It was an amazing week for Wellington Phoenix prospects named Ella/Ela. The Welly Nix Wahine announced their four scholarship players for the new campaign on Wednesday and those four players were: Ella McMillan, Ela Jerez, Ella McCann... and Aimee Danieli. Perhaps we ought call her Aimee Daniella instead, just to keep the pattern going. These are the four women that Paul Temple and his crew have determined are the premier talents in the academy, one for each line of the pitch.

• Danieli is a goalkeeper who made one 10-minute cameo appearance last season. She was called up to the Football Ferns in the same week as an injury replacement. Started at the last U17 World Cup and is probably going to start at the U20 World Cup which is happening very soon. Won the Kate Sheppard Cup as a 17yo with Auckland United two years ago.

• McMillan is a defender who can also play in the midfield. Has been captaining the WeeNix side pretty much since moving to Wellington (originally from the Waikato). Good on the ball and brave in the challenge. Will be at the U20 World Cup too. Made a pair of ALW appearances last season as an academy player.

• Jerez is an attacking midfielder or winger who is a couple of years younger than the rest of the quartet, still only 16 years of age and she doesn’t even turn 17 until December. Super skilful. Can dribble and pass and score goals... in fact she scored the winner in the KSC final for Western Springs last year whilst still only 15. Originally from Whangarei. Will be one of NZ’s key players at the U17 World Cup later in the year.

• McCann is a striker from Nelson who scored six times for the WeeNix in the last National League, including a hat-trick against Ellerslie. Also part of the upcoming U20 World Cup squad. There actually aren’t that many goal-scoring number nines in system right now, at least not those ready for the big time, which makes McCann’s profile even more valuable.

Arguably more notable than that announcement was the fact that, in order to make room for them all on the scholarship list, both Daisy Brazendale and Olivia Ingham were elevated to senior contracts (the other two schol spots were already vacant with Manaia Elliott having been automatically elevated due to her excessive minutes and Helena Errington seemingly having left the club).

Brazendale made six appearances last season including two starts, impressing with her ball-winning ability and strength in midfield. She’s in a fascinating spot where she could potentially pick up where Kate Taylor left off. Olivia Ingham, meanwhile, missed more than 12 months with an ACL injury suffered in 2022 but she did return in time for an ALW debut late last season and has been able to build up her match fitness again since. She’s a speedy winger/forward who can run in behind. Both Brazendale and Ingham will be at the U20 WC.

Welly Nix Wahine Scholarship Contract History

• 2021-22: Alyssa Whinham, Charlotte Lancaster

• 2022-23: Michaela Foster, Charlotte Lancaster, Te Reremoana Walker, Georgia Candy

• 2023-24: Manaia Elliott, Olivia Ingham, Daisy Brazendale, Helena Errington

• 2024-25: Ella McMillan, Ela Jerez, Ella McCann, Aimee Danieli

We won’t be seeing the Tall Ferns at the next basketball World Cup. Losing their first two games at the FIBA Qualifying Tournament made sure of that outcome, though they did beat Mozambique today to at least walk away with a win from the tour. It was a very young and inexperienced squad that new coach Natalie Hurst took to Mexico, with 4/12 players still teenagers and 4/12 players being previously uncapped, and only one player counting for both of those categories (Bailey Flavell). So, seven out of twelve were either under 20s or uncapped... with a new coach... yeah, this was a development quest from the very beginning.

Game one against Montenegro was going alright, only trailing by two after the first quarter and by five at half-time, but then a shocking third quarter saw the European side soar towards a 24-point win. Even with different squads each time, the Tall Ferns always seem to struggle with their outside shooting and turnovers. Such was the case here, shooting 4/16 from threes and committing 22 TOs. It looked rusty and disjointed and the altitude probably didn’t help in that second half… though at least the nature of the defeat meant that everyone got at least eight minutes on the floor, thus ensuring debut caps for: Charlotte Whittaker, Ashlee Strawbridge, Ella Tofaeono, and Bailey Flavell. Ritorya Tamilo was about the only one to emerge with credit thanks to her 11 points on 5/7 shooting with 6 rebounds.

The second game was against hosts Mexico and saw Tamilo and Tera Reed enter the starting line-up in place of Whittaker and McGoldrick. Reed was superb at getting to the rim and either finishing or drawing fouls. McGoldrick hit a couple of threes. Tamilo carried on where she left off. Ella Fotu had a more imposing performance at point guard. Things were going good when the Ferns outscored their hosts 26-9 in the second quarter to take a double-digit lead into half-time.

Alas, three things happened in the second half:

1. Mexico started hitting some threes after going 1/13 in the opening two quarters

2. The Tall Ferns started to show some fatigue and missed too many shots from in close, struggling to fight back the rolling momentum of Mexico with a loud crowd behind them

3. Gotta admit that there were some hometown calls going the way of the Mexicans too. Particularly a couple offensive fouls.

Esra McGoldrick fouled out and Tera Reed rolled an ankle which kept her off the court in the closing minutes as Mexico, led by a wonderful 22 points from Gabriela Jaquez (whose brother Jaime Jaquez was recently drafted 18^th overall by the Miami Heat), roared to the finish line for a 71-64 win. Mexico had outscored Mozambique 28-13 in the fourth quarter to win their first game. They outscored NZ by 27-13 in the fourth to win the second one. Reed had 14 points and 6 rebounds. Tamilo had 13 points and 8 rebounds.

That made the Mozambique game into a dead-rubber between two winless teams. Changes to the line-up once again with Fotu/Dale/McGoldrick/L.Whittaker/Tamilo getting starts while Reed and Davidson were both inactive. The Kiwis began well to take a 10-2 lead on the back of some strong defence but shooting issues kept it close until Esra McGoldrick went nuts in the second quarter. She had a double-double at half-time with NZ leading 44-30 (after EM grabbed an offensive board and assist for a Lauren Whittaker buzzer-beating triple).

Mozambique kept hitting sporadic threes but Lauren Whittaker took the baton from McGoldrick with a superb array of scoring (outside, inside, cuts, dribbles, spot shots, post-ups, free throws, etc). New Zealand never trailed and eventually won 79-63. Happy days. Incredibly, the Ferns won the rebounding stakes 65 to 32. The stars here were L.Whittaker with 27 points (9/13 fg), 8 rebounds & 4 assists; McGoldrick with 15 points & 18 rebounds; and credit also to McKenna Dale who struggled with her shot during the tournament but scored 12 points (4/11 fg) with 7 rebounds & 4 assists here.

Significnat improvements from the Tall Ferns in each game. I’ll try find time to write more about this, but here are the overall stats from across the three games…

The All Whites have named a 21-man squad to face USA and Mexico next month and it’s a doozy, with pretty much everyone available with the exception of Callum McCowatt (injured). No doubt there’ll be some last-minute withdrawals as usual but right now it’s looking like one of the strongest AWs squads ever selected. I’ll write more about it over the weekend but just to provide some context around the growing depth in Aotearoa footy, here’s a shadow squad of players who didn’t get picked for this tour...

GK – Kees Sims, Nik Tzanev, Henry Gray

DEF – Bill Tuiloma, James McGarry, Sam Sutton, Kyle Adams, Lukas Kelly-Heald, Niko Kirwan, Nikko Boxall

MID – Matt Dibley-Dias, Ryan Thomas, Marco Rojas, Jay Herdman, Cam Howieson

FWD – Callum McCowatt, Max Mata, Alex Greive, Andre de Jong, Oskar van Hattum, Lachie Bayliss

And that’s before Auckland FC gets into official action and before the Wellington Phoenix dip into the next wave of their academy options to replace the folks they’ve sold. One year ago, Finn Surman, Tyler Bindon, Alex Paulsen, and arguably Alex Rufer and Kosta Barbarouses were nowhere near All Whites squads but they’re all in this one. This time next year there could be even more depth on offer.

Musical Jam Offering...