The Scoot
Brandon Smith funkiness, NBL & NRLW signing seasons, Wellington Phoenix fizz, Plunket Shield decider, plus some domestic footy stuff
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Reading Menu
Kiwi-NRL Spotlight: Will Warbrick's Storm Ascension (Rugby League)
Aotearoa Warriors Diary: Leka Halasima Development & Sunday Sharkies (Rugby League)
All Whites vs China: The Goal Drought Is Over And The Future Starts Now (Football)
Flying Kiwis – March 29 (Football)
Football Ferns In Turkey: Squad Yarns & The Ongoing Journey (Football)
An NBL Free Agency Primer For Breakers + NZers At Australian Teams (Basketball)
Blackcaps vs Sri Lanka Test Series & Test Summer Debrief (Cricket)
Exploring Blackcaps Pipelines: ODIs vs Sri Lanka & Aotearoa 'A' Squad (Cricket)
2022/23 Plunket Shield: Underground King Bharat Popli & Aotearoa 'A' Check In (Cricket)
2022/23 Ford Trophy: The Josh Clarkson Takeover And More Notes From The Final (Cricket)
Scotty’s Word
Roosters defeated Eels last night 28-20 and have started this season with a 3-1 record. Roosters are one of my favourite Kiwi-NRL outfits with layers of impressive recruitment throughout their organisation, led by their NRL team.
Brandon Smith is an easy example as he was already the Aotearoa Kiwis hooker, meaning that Roosters have the best hooker and fullback from Aotearoa with Joseph Manu also in the mix. Smith is a fabulous lad and those curious about the Waiheke Ram have ample opportunities to enjoy his yarns as he chats with James Graham every week; Brandon's nickname on Waiheke Island was Tubby because he loved the Teletubbies.
Brandon's younger brother Jayden is also in the Roosters system, sharing dummy half duties with Tangaroa College's Benaiah Ioelu in the SG Ball team.
My favourite thing about Brandon's footy is how his dummy half runs engage multiple defenders. This was a key staple of Kiwis footy last year in combination with Manu's scoots or support play and while Manu wasn't playing last night, Brandon still offered an example…
When he starts his scoot, it looks like he is attacking the short side with shape. Brandon crosses back to the open side to target the middle forwards (unfortunately one of them is the bro Makahesi Makatoa) with Sam Walker hitting the hole...
Brandon not only scoots to engage defenders, he passes Walker into a hole. Dummy half excellence. He has played 50+ minutes in three games with 26mins against the Warriors due to injury. Averaging 46m/game is lower than his 90+ metres in four consecutive seasons with Storm although he was playing middle forward for much of that. Brandon is also averaging 27.3 kicking metres with 50+ kicking metres in two games, after averaging over 15 kicking metres per game just once in his six seasons with Storm.
Roosters also snared Northcote junior Jaxson Paulo from Rabbitohs and he's played all four games this season. Paulo already has 5 tries and he'll pass last season's 6 tries in half the games. Paulo is also averaging 158m/game after three seasons between 105-120m/game.
While growing up on the Gold Coast, Paulo was a decorated NZRL junior. High pedigree usually lures Roosters in and Paulo has responded well under the Roosters umbrella.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is an absolute monster in the middle, guiding Naufahu Whyte (Bay Roskill) who has played 20+ minutes in three games this season. No Sitili Tupouniua (Marist) yet as he's still recovering from injury and Manu has only played two games.
Here are other notable Kiwi-NRL jokers named in Roosters teams this round...
NSW Cup Roosters: Joseph Taipari (Halswell), Siua Wong (MAGS)
NSW Cup Bears: Junior Pauga (Glenora), Phillip Makatoa (Mangere East)
Jersey Flegg: Lafi Tuinauvai (Waitemata), Matua Robinson (NPBHS)
SG Ball: Cassius Tia (Marist), Benaiah Ioelu (Tangaroa Coll), Salesi Foketi (Manurewa), Javahn Stevenson-Hala (PNBHS), Jayden Smith (Waiheke Is)
Harold Matthews Central Coast Roosters: Demetrius Kilisimasi (Marist), Joshua Kopua (Mangere East)
Harold Matthews Roosters: Kahu Capper (Western Suburbs)
NRLWahine signings have started to flow through with Raecene McGregor joining sister Page McGregor at the Dragons, along with Cortez Te Pou and Alexis Tauaneai. Both Te Pou and Tauaneai have rugby union backgrounds in Aotearoa with Te Pou coming from the Hawke's Bay system and Tauanei coming from Wellington rugby, although Tauaneai won the NZRL Under 18 Girl's Player of the Year last year via the Upper Central team
Both have also been playing league in NSW more recently though, before being snapped up by Dragons. Te Pou is playing on the wing for Bulldogs in the NSW Women's Premiership and Tauaneai is starting prop for this team after dabbling in Tarsha Gale Cup (U19) footy this season. Gayle Broughton is starting the halves for Bulldogs as well.
As I learn my way through this...
Amelia Pasikala, Tatiana Finau and Noaria Kapua are also named in the Bulldogs U19 team this round. Pasikala also comes from Hawke's Bay rugby, Finau played for Akarana Falcons last year and Kapua appears to be from Taupo via Taupo Nui Tia College - all her info is netball based.
Another pocket is Mounties in NSW as they have Kiwi Fern Laison Albert-Joines on their bench, as well as Manurewa's Matua twins Kerehitina and Terehia.
That's just a small dose of Kiwi-NRL youngsters moving into NRLWahine systems. Keep in mind that NRLWahine has no connection to the NSW or QLD Women's Premiership as players in the Bulldogs for example will be signed to Dragons and any other NRLWahine team.
NRLWahine expansion means more opportunities for all ladies and NZ Warriors recently announced that Nadene Conlon as the NRLW academy manager. Warriors will get back into NRLWahine and like men's footy, the growth of Aotearoa rugby league means that there will be too many kiwi wahine for Warriors. Footy abundance flows across genders and codes.
Central District face Auckland in the last Plunket Shield game of the season and a big Central win could deliver the PS championship. There is immense Josh Clarkson funk which I broke down here and Clarkson will be one of the key Stags playing, while their best lads are absent with Aotearoa 'A' vs the Aussies.
Both games start tomorrow. Central have Tom Bruce, Doug Bracewell, Ajaz Patel and Brett Randell in the A-A team. Bruce is their leading run-scorer while the three bowlers are three of Central's top-four bowlers in PS. So, who are Central's best players remaining in a crucial PS game?
Bowlers
Ray Toole: 192.2ov, 24w @ 24.95avg/3.11rpo
Brad Schmulian: 54.4ov, 10w @ 15.7avg/.287rpo
Liam Dudding: 35.2ov, 8w @ 15.12avg/3.31rpo (1 game)
Batters
Brad Schmulian: 555 runs @ 46.25avg, 2 x 100, 2 x 50
Josh Clarkson: 337 runs @ 56avg, 1 x 100, 1 x 50
Greg Hay: 209 runs @ 41.8avg, 1 x 100 (3 games)
Curtis Heaphy: 193 runs @ 24avg, 1 x 50 (4 games)
Musical jam...
Wildcard’s Notebook
Mate, let me tell ya, that NBL free agency stuff is going off right now. The Breakers aren’t quite leading the way but they did get out in front with a new deal for Alex McNaught on a three-year development player gig. He was already a DP and he’s going to remain a DP. Actually he was already signed as a DP for next season so it’s one of those frisky Breakers PR things where it’s not quite as flash as it sounds... but still. Three more years as a DP (no options on the contract) for a promising kiwi fella who has already shown some tidy signs in year one. Doesn’t count against the main roster. That’s good business.
Not quite so glowing on the idea of LiAngelo Ball to the Breakers though. Sorta felt like they’d moved past the sideshow stuff and now here they are playing media games with LaVar Ball... obviously there’s a predecessor here with LiAngelo’s older brother LaMelo having done the Next Star yarns in the past but need I remind you that his Illawarra Hawks team finished dead last with a 5-23 record. Ball won rookie of the year, sure, but he didn’t win many games. Rayan Rupert was a perfect example of a Next Star who put his head down and did what the team needed without worrying about his NBA future. Mody Maor is a great coach. He may well feel he can handle the distractions. But this wouldn’t exactly be making it easy for him.
We’ll see how that goes. They’re gonna get a Next Star one way or the other because the owner loves it and, to be fair, they did have a good experience with the last one. More immediately worrying is the Will McDowell-White scenario because it’s not going to be simple to find a local point guard who can do what he does if they lose him... and with damn near most of the clubs in the league after his services the longer he goes without re-signing with the Breaks the worse the omens become. But hey maybe that’ll all be sorted by the time you’re reading this. Free Agency moves quickly.
For example, Melbourne United didn’t waste a moment in grabbing up the top emerging kiwi player this season: Flynn Cameron on a three-year deal (with a third-year buyout option). Finished up his college efforts at UC Riverside and now here we go.
FC’s one of Pero’s sons, as you no doubt already know, and has had some golden showings for the Tall Blacks in recent times. Dude’s a varied scorer with decent size and carrying the Cameron legacy means you don’t have to worry about the mentality or energy one little bit. And on a three-year deal, that’s fantastic work from United bagging another kiwi international to stick alongside the legend Shea Ili (who along with Chris Goulding was one of only two senior players signed up for NBL24 when the last season ended – although they’ve been busy since). Sam Waardenburg won the Next Generation award this time. Flynn Cameron’s a decent outside shot for next time. Similar calibre college grad. Get amongst it.
Elsewhere Corey Webster’s had his mutual option picked up with the Perth Wildcats. Love that. He took some time getting settled into that team but by the latter stages of NBL23 he was fantastic for them (there was a game against the Breakers where he was the best dude on the entire court in a Perth away win). He’s locked in alongside Bryce Cotton for next time however Tai Webster’s mutual option was not taken up. Tai could still return to Perth on a different deal or he could test those free agency waters. Sounds like he’s probably sticking around in the NBL though. Old mate Olgun threw up Adelaide 36ers as an option for him the other day.
Speaking of Adelaide, those buggers have made the mistake of allowing Hyrum Harris to walk... but that might work out alright for Harris who didn’t quite get the minutes he should have last season. He’d be a wonderful addition for the Breakers if they’re paying attention, I’ve already said that a few times. As long as he ends up somewhere in the NBL then no dramas though.
Also, Tom Abercrombie’s gonna re-sign with the Breakers sooner rather than later. Preeeeetty confident in making that claim. He’s not retiring in a World Cup year with a potential Olympics campaign in 2024. Or having finally got the Breakers back in a competitive place after four years of mediocrity.
Big buzz around Milly Clegg’s first call-up to the Football Ferns. I talked a bit about that on the latest podcast and wrote about it in my Ferns squad yarn – quick story is that it’s beautiful that this has happened and that the timing is just about right. Let her finish the A-League then worry about national team things. It’s all good.
Clegg is now the ninth member of the 2022 U20 World Cup squad to have been called-up to the Fernies. A couple of them already had been when that tourney took place, several more have been since. Of those Kate Taylor, Ava Collins, and Grace Wisnewski are all capped. Then we’ve got Aniela Jensen, Marisa van der Meer, Brianna Edwards, Murphy Sheaff, Alyssa Whinham, and Milly Clegg who’ve been a part of squads but not yet played. I’d happily bet money that Ruby Nathan, Emma Pijnenburg, Tui Dugan, and Macey Fraser all get there too at some stage. Not that you can ever really predict these things.
However, no surprises here, Clegg is the first member of the 2023 U17 World Cup squad to progress to the senior side. Although not the only one to dig into the pro ranks already... Kiara Bercelli’s over in Italy with Sampdoria as of last week. Several more are involved with the Welly Nix academy too. Ella McMillan and Olivia Ingham already were. Pretty sure Helena Errington has dabbled in the past (maybe present/future too). Did see something that Alexis Cook was gonna join them as well, while Aimee Feinberg-Danieli has been pictured with the group.
Top five non-Clegg players to watch out for from that squad (imho): Helena Errington, Ruby Nathan, Aimee-Feinberg-Danieli, Manaia Elliott, and Suya Haering.
Good news from the Wellington Phoenix beat with Alex Rufer agreeing to a three-year contract extension with the club. Rufer’s a solid, reliable midfield force. Holds his position nicely and gets stuck in. Underrated ability to push a progressive pass up there too. Club captain so heaps of off-field mana. He’s not a superstar at A-League level or anything but that’s fine you need guys of his type in a high functioning squad. Rufer does his job and cares passionately for the squad. Sweet as.
Frankly, getting him back on board was a necessity with Clayton Lewis and Steven Ugarkovic both confirmed to be packing their bags. Don’t wanna lose the entire midfield in such a hurry and a bit of that leadership continuity will also come in handy in the expected case that Ufuk Talay also gaps it. Although assistant coach Giancarlo ‘Chief’ Italiano did just get his qualifications and they could do a lot worse than to promote him up in Talay’s place. Already seen the club do that with the wahine, Nat Lawrence replacing Gemma Lewis.
Luckily Talay rubbished the Melbourne Victory links in his latest presser. Doesn’t mean there isn’t fire where smoke has been spotted but it’s soothing to have Talay brush it aside regardless. Helps keep the focus on the task ahead: making the most of a very promising season. Oskar Zawada is back for the Victory game on Saturday. Clayton Lewis got through the All Whites stuff sweet as. Oli Sail made some mad saves for the AWs to give him some healthy confidence. Big fizz for the final six games. And for the final one game of the women’s season where a win will probably see them avoid the wooden spoon... as long as Newcastle don’t beat top of the table Sydney FC. Also the Melly Victory need to win for top four so no easy task on the Nix’s count either.
A couple of things stood out from the first weekend of the various regional football leagues. For the most part we got results as we would have expected although I did take note of the two promoted clubs in the Northern League each getting victories. West Coast Rangers won the second tier last year under the tutelage of former All White Chad Coombes. They did the deed 3-1 at home against Hamilton Wanderers. Meanwhile Manurewa AFC pulled off a proper upset beating Birkenhead 4-2. Took down a National League team away from home. Genuine areas, that.
Birko have lost a couple players, most notably Corban Piper who’s now playing second tier in Ireland (and made his first start last week), but that’s still a very strong team with realistic designs on top four once more. And Rewa turned them over. They could be a pretty funky team to keep an eye on this year with some very tasty players in tow. Monty Patterson, remember him? He scored a double against Birko. Big part of their promotion campaign, not only is he back but he’s also coaching their U23s. Tino Contratti. Shuaib Khan. Connor Probert. James Hoyt. They’re also there. Lots of talent.
Another idea, just a random one, was my curiosity as to how many of the NZ U17s from earlier this year would get week one minutes. Not too many, as it happens, not that that’s any real shocker. Nick Murphy started for Christchurch United while Jackson Cole played off the bench. Ryan Lee got the start for North Wellington. Dylan Gardiner was given a few minutes as a sub for Hamilton Wanderers. And Luke Supyk (Wellington Phoenix Reserves) and Matt Foord (Cashmere Technical) were each unused subs.
There’s also a fascinating scenario unfolding in the NRFL Women’s Prem. Last season, Northern Rovers blitzed the competition to win the title by finishing 11 points clear of their nearest challenger (Western Springs). Only lost one out of 21 games. They were class... but they did get edged out in the Kate Sheppard Cup final against Auckland United and then found themselves third out of two as the National League progressed and Eastern Suburbs and Western Springs surged ahead of all challengers. Meanwhile Auckland United won that KS Cup but only finished fourth in the NRFL and by the end of the National League they could barely put a team together after so much player turnover.
There’s been a lot of player turnover again this year but it’s all going the other way. It started in the dugout, with Ben Bate swapping Northern Rovers for Auckland United... and he’s seemingly brought half his Rovers team along with him. The XI that started last week went: Amberley Hollis (GK), Talisha Green, Jess Philpot, Chelsea Elliott, Danielle Canham, Ruby Nathan, Rene Wasi, Breeze Durham, Alexis Cook, Suya Haering and Shannon Henson. On the bench were Greer MacIntosh, Sarah Carpenter, Kate McConnell, Poppy O’Brien, and Penny Brill.
These are the ones who played National League for Auckland United last year:
Philpot, Brill, Nathan
These are the ones who played National League for Northern Rovers last year:
Green, Elliott, MacIntosh, McConnell, Durham, Wasi, Canham, Cook, and Henson
In contrast, Northern Rovers, now coached by Jordan Roberts, lined up in week one with a grand total of one player who’d featured for them in the National League... that player being Katy Gothard (daughter of Paul) who played once off the bench in the final game of the season. That’s very drastic. Great for AUFC who are now effectively the combined forces of the third and fourth best northern teams of that NL campaign. Not so great for Rovers, who still have some tidy players in there but damn. Also pretty useful for the competition since having the defending champs hit the reset button does potentially leave that fourth NL qualifying spot up for grabs.
By the way, despite all the changes, Auckland United still lost 3-1 to Eastern Suburbs. Goals for Nicole Cooper (5’), Zoe Benson (38’), and Juliette Lucas (90’) overwhelming Suya Haering’s effort (56’). Northern Rovers also lost 2-0 to Ellerslie – goals for Hollie Leona (16’) and Britney Cunningham-Lee 44’) deciding that one.
Righto. Enjoy ya weekend. Happy Vera Ellen album release day for all who celebrate.