We’re excited to announce the teams and details of Auckland Rugby League’s second Australia tour for U16 Boys and U17 Girls teams at the end of April. Following on from the U16 Shaun Johnson Shield and U17 Georgia Hale Cup, the teams wearing the blue and white will embark on their 2024 tour after the success of 2023. 

The five-day tour will see teams travel to Brisbane and the Gold Coast to face development teams for the Broncos and Titans, along with a game for the boys against Wavell State High School. The U16 Boys side will also play an additional game ahead of the tour against the NZ Warriors Academy. 

Last season, the 2023 touring sides embarked on the first international tour in over 10 years, winning 4 of their 6 games, and seeing the Girls team go undefeated (3/3). It’s a unique opportunity for our up-and-coming grassroots players, coaches, and managers to experience what it’s like to be in the professional environment and test themselves against Australian opposition. 

Both teams will take a tour through Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos facility. 

They will be in Australia from April 23-27, including ANZAC Day, where they will partake in an ANZAC Day Morning Service at Surfers Paradise. 

We’d like to congratulate all the players and staff involved in our pre-season youth teams, along with those selected for the 2024 tour. 

U17 Girls: 

BETSY FIFITA  (Mangere East Hawks) 

EMACYN IEREMIA  (Marist Saints / Richmond Roses) 

FAITH TAVITA  (Howick Hornets) 

JAYDA PEO  (Richmond Roses) 

JONESHA KATIPA-BLAKELOCK  (Manurewa Marlins) 

LAVINIA LIUFAU  (Manurewa Marlins) 

LEVONAH MOTULIKI  (Pakuranga Jaguars) 

LIMILAITI PAEA  (Mangere East Hawks) 

MALENA LAVEA  (Richmond Roses) 

MALIA-LUCIA SIO-NAMULAUULU  (Otara Scorpions) 

MAUDE (DOLLY) HAVEA  (Otahuhu Leopards) 

MONICA BEN  (Otara Scorpions) 

RILEY FRUEAN-OTINERU  (Mangere East Hawks) 

RILEY PASESE  (Richmond Roses) 

SHAFENIOR LUI  (Mangere East Hawks) 

SHANTHIE LANUTALEI LUI  (Mangere East Hawks) 

SHAKIRA LHARA LUI  (Mangere East Hawks) 

TIARE-ANNE LEAUGA  (Otahuhu Leopards) 

VIOLET HIKU  (Manurewa Marlins) 

ZAIRA-MIA TALAU-BROWN  (Mangere East Hawks) 

COACH - MICHAEL MUNDAY  (Auckland Vulcans) 

COACH - CHARLOTTE SCANLAN  (Richmond Roses / Pt Chevalier Pirates) 

MANAGER - RUANA MARUARIKI (Ellerslie Eagles)  

U16 Boys:

BASTION ARMSTRONG  (Auckland Grammar) 

CAIRO WHEELER  (Otahuhu Leopards) 

CHARLESTON TE RORE  (Otara Scorpions) 

 CJ HENRY POUTOA  (Otahuhu Leopards) 

DREYTIN MARRIOTT  (Otara Scorpions) 

FILIPE FAKAUHO  (Otahuhu Leopards) 

HINCKLEY IOKA  (Marist Saints) 

ISAIA TENGARU  (Otara Scorpions) 

JEREMIAH LEMANA  (Mt Albert Lions) 

KAIAN OLSEN  (Marist Saints) 

KINGSTON PUPUKE-ROBATI  (Otahuhu Leopards) 

MADDAX BERNARD  (Marist Saints) 

RYLAN MUAULU  (Otahuhu Leopards) 

MAZ BURNS  (Marist Saints) 

PETELO MAKA  (Manurewa Marlins) 

RICO DANIELL FINAU  (Marist Saints) 

RONAN BYFORD  (Mt Albert Lions) 

SHANNON PAI  (Ellerslie Eagles) 

TUPOUNIUA OTUTAHA (Ellerslie Eagles) 

VICTOR KENESE  (Manurewa Marlins) 

COACH - JETHRO FRIEND  (Howick Hornets) 

COACH - JORDAN PAPA  (Auckland Vulcans) 

MANAGER - RUANA MARUARIKI (Ellerslie Eagles) 

Stay tuned to Auckland Rugby League (ARL) social media channels and our website for more updates and coverage in the lead up and throughout the tour. 

Article added: Monday 08 April 2024