Following on from last week’s injury to Justin O’Neill that will keep him sidelined for a further five weeks, Alehana Mara, Patrick August and Roger Tokona have joined O’Neill on the injured list. In better news Samsen O’Neill and Javarn White’s games will both be featured on television this weekend.
NRL
Justin O’Neill’s Melbourne Storm has continued their perfect start to the season with a 22-18 victory over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. While Melbourne won, it wasn’t as comfortable as previous weeks and they certainly missed O’Neill who has been in career best form to date.
U/20’s – National Youth Competition
Younger brother Samsen O’Neill’s moved to the wing, after originally being named in the centres in North Queensland Cowboys U/20 side that defeated the Newcastle Knights 26-20 in Newcastle on Monday night. O’Neill ran 9 times for 97 metres, including 5 tackle breaks and made 2 tackles.
O’Neill has been selected to start on the wing for the Cowboys U/20’s clash with the New Zealand Warriors on Easter Monday at Mt Smart Stadium (Auckland, New Zealand) with kick off at 3:30pm (1:30pm Vanuatu time) with the match to be shown LIVE on Fox Sports 1.
NSW Cup
In the NSW Cup, Alehana Mara injured his ankle as his Auckland Vulcans were defeated by the Newcastle Knights 30-10 in Newcastle on Saturday. Mara is expected to be sidelined for a number of weeks. The injury comes at a bad time as good early season form by the Vulcans and Vanuatu Test hooker had him knocking on the door of promotion to the New Zealand Warriors NRL side to add to his 16 games since his debut in 2010
QLD Cup
Vanuatu Captain James Woods and co-Captain of the Tweed Head Seagulls couldn’t prevent a 42-22 loss to defending champions the Wynnum Manly Seagulls despite scoring two tries last Sunday on the Gold Coast. In better results Javarn White’s Ipswich Jets had a 32-26 victory over the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles on Sunday on the Sunshine Coast. Also on Sunday Ben Henaway’s Souths Logan Magpies defeated Norths Devils 28-18 in Brisbane.
All three have been chosen for this weekend’s games. Woods will start in the centres in the Seagulls clash with Premiership favourites the Redcliffe Dolphins at Dolphin Oval (Brisbane, Australia) on Easter Sunday at 3pm (4pm Vanuatu time). Henaway will start at fullback for the Magpies clash with the Northern Pride at Barlow Park (Cairns, Australia) on Saturday at 6:30pm (7:30pm Vanuatu time).
While White will start at fullback in the Jets clash with the Easts Tigers at Ipswitch Reserve (Brisbane, Australia) on Sunday at 2pm (3pm Vanuatu time). The match will be shown LIVE on Channel 9 Queensland.
Regional Leagues
In regional leagues throughout Queensland, Patrick August season has ended as quickly as it begun, suffering a season ending knee injury playing for Souths Mackay. Patrick will require an operation after snapping his cruciate ligament and will begin his rehabilitation immediately following the operation and should be fit to resume training later in the year for the 2014 season.
Up in Townsville, Kunro Kalo scored a try for Brothers Townsville in A Grade against the Burdekin Roosters. Roger Tokona injured his knee playing Reserve Grade for the Burdekin Roosters and Ian Vuti played strongly for the Burdekin Roosters Under 19s.
Full results and team lists for NRL and the U/20’s National Youth Competition can be found at www.nrl.com
Full results and team lists for NSW Cup can be found at www.nswrl.com.au
Full results and team lists for QLD Cup can be found at www.qrl.com.au