Junior Kangaroos v Kiwis updates

[Geohood]

from http://twitter.com/#!/NSWRL

Kane Evans in for the Jnr @auskangaroos . The big unit was far too strong and reaches out to score. Townsend converts 12-10 to Aus #AusvNZ
4 minutes ago


The Jnr @auskangaroos are in through a brilliant solo effort from Dane Gagai. Chad Townsend converts 10-6 to the Kiwis with 17
8 minutes ago


Off the kick-off, the Kiwis are in again through Michael Parker-Walshe. Havili conversion is wide. Kiwis lead 10-0 #AusvNZ
13 minutes ago


Off the back of a repeat set the Jnr Kiwis score through John Palavi. Havili converts. 6-0 Kiwis 15 gone #AUSvNZ
15 minutes ago

[Geohood]

The Kiwis go back to back again through Wayne Ulugia. Conv successful and the Kiwis are out to a 22-12 lead.
2 minutes ago


Not the start the junior @auskangaroos wanted. Ikahihifo in for the Kiwis conv successful. 16-12 Kiwis #AusvNZ

[Geohood]

A Benji Marshall like flick pass from 17 year old Tautau Moga sets Stewart Mills up down the sideline. Townsend conv 22-18 Kiwis #AusvNZ
18 seconds ago

[Rooster_6]

Haha beat me Geo.

[Geohood]

Smiled when I read that haha waited for him to appear in the highlights

[elo]

Something happened to Adam Henry, injured or sent off not sure which.

[Guest]

Can't wait for Moga to reach 1st grade. He will be a superstar.

[Rooster_6]

Something happened to Adam Henry, injured or sent off not sure which.

Sin binned for punch up

[Geohood]

Are you at the game watching? How are the Rooster boys playing

[Rooster_6]

Are you at the game watching? How are the Rooster boys playing

Nah just going off twitter comments

[Guest]

End score 28-18. Oh well..

[Yak]

I got to the game after the first 15 mins so don't think I missed much in regards to the Roosters players. Moga played on the right side with Pangai on the left his usual position. He was solid without being spectacular for most the game. The halves were pretty disappointing and gave him very little quality ball. The one time he got the ball with space between him and the defence he accelerated through a gap and cleverly drew the fullback and flicked the ball out to Mills to score. Although knowing his ability in the open he would have fended the fullback and scored this was the right option. His defence worries me a little still. His strength saves him quite often and allows him to make very late decisions in defence. Numerous times he held Feki up over the line when it looked like he would score due to Moga's indecision. As the game wore on and he got used to the right side of the field he read the defence much better and put some very solid shots on. His hit up metres are another very good facet of his game. He knew he wasn't going to get any quality ball so he did put his hand up when required and he consistently made 10+ metres each run, half of it with great leg drive with 3 or 4 defenders hanging off him. Townsend really could have won the game with betterdecisions I thought. Often they would run a block play to the right with Groat, Finucane or McKinnon running the block with Massey/Gagai and Moga out the back. I counted 4 times Feki and the second rower came in to take the front man only for Townsend to give it to the runner when a 3 on 2 would've developed by using the sweeper. McKinnon dropped it twice and the others got smashed quite deservedly. It was extremely frustrating as Moga was one of the few Kangaroos to look threatening.

Evans did not get nearly enough game time. He scored almost immediately after coming on. No big runs from him but what I did notice while he was on was that in the sets that the Roos were dominated defensively Evans would never be one that was dominated and saved us position wise in a couple of sets with 12-15 metre charges.

Adam Henry was very impressive. He played right centre and was very comfortable there. Looks quicker than you would expect and often overpowered his opponent in attack. Shut down Pangai with relative ease. Got sin-binned for a dust up with future team mate Kane Evans. And actually landed a nice right hand on Kane's chin that had him reeling out of the fight. I'd say Henry will get the first shot at left wing. Wouldn't mind to see him trialled at fullback if he worked on his fitness a bit.

Ps if we haven't signed Dugan we should definitely go after Dane Gagai. The kid has a shit name but he is an absolute weapon. Super quick and extremely elusive.

[Rooster_6]

Thanks Yak, knew there was a dust up but didn't realise it was between Evans & Henry. Should be an interesting first day at training with Cordner & Aliomai meeting up again too.

Definitely agree regarding Gagai, absolute gun and would be looking for a first team opportunity with seemingly Hoffman and Bale in front of him.

[Guest]

A constant reminder - Moga is seventeen, playing against 20 year olds.

The fact that he is holding his own is ridiculous.

I just hope Smith/Politis/whoever the fuuck makes the footballing decisions at Easts has the balls to give him, Henry, Tagive and guys like Latu/Pritchard a shot at the backline.

[Guest]

If the club are smart with their player management and get the right coaching structure in place, 2013 and 2014 should be good years.

I just hope the club are patient. I would much prefer to look after these kids (as well as the 20-23 y.o's currently playing FG) than buy a short term big name signing and lose half these young guys.