NSW RUGBY LEAGUE
2010 INDIGENOUS UNDER 16’S GAME REPORT
The 2010 NSWRL Indigenous Under 16’s side were a part of history, and what a wonderful experience the week and the game provided for the young men who came from all corners of NSW.
The 2010 team selection process included inviting players from the 2009 U15’s NSW Annual Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout held in Armidale, CRL Divisional teams and schools systems. Players were then invited to participate in the NSWRL Academy Elite Indigenous Coaching and Development Program at the NSWRL Academy Narrabeen headquarters.
The team was selected from this Elite Indigenous Coaching and Development camp that was certainly intense, and players had to work extremely hard to be recognised. The camp proved to be a key element in the whole selection process for the 2010 NSWRL U16’s team.
The 2010 team played with passion and a very strong team ethic, dedicated to working together as a team is what laid the foundation for a fantastic week together and a great win.
NRL One Community Educational Workshops
During the week leading up to the game, the NSW team participated in a series of educational workshops facilitated by the NRL One Community programs team. The programs were related to cultural identity, alcohol and substance abuse, personal development, responsible behaviour and issues associated with using computers and other IT equipment that are now readily available.
The workshops had an enormous impact on the NSW team, and the players were very happy to participate and were excited with the workshop contents and outcomes. The education workshops proved to be a huge hit and highlighted the pitfalls associated with key issues that young rugby league players face on a day to day basis.
The Game
The game was a magnificent spectacle and played at a fast and sometimes furious pace. NSW came out of the dressing rooms ready to go and scored four great team tries in the opening 20 minutes. NSW first try came from a slick backline movement that finished with Jayden Jacky crossing in the corner.
Kingsley Dennison missed a difficult conversion from the sideline hitting the post. Tyronne Phillips, NSW captain, scored two tries and with one of these tries Tyronne showed great strength and skills to carry three QLD players over the line.
Nathan Rose kicked a great goal to make it 14-0. It must also be said that Tyronne Phillips showed why is was named captain and a player of the future, demonstrating his qualities as a leader and team player continually encouraging the team to stay focussed on the job at hand.
NSW Vice-Captain, Matt Gordon also played a crucial roll in keeping the team focussed and his kicking game kept QLD on the back foot up until an ankle injury forced him to leave the field, much to his resistance.
NSW next try, again came from some smart inside ball movement which found Kyle Baxter out wide to cross for NSW fourth try of the first half. Kyle’s “shake a leg” try celebration was too good to miss. Again the conversion was wide from a very difficult position.
The famous QLD spirit started to show with QLD applying pressure from some quality time with possession and scored a crucial try just before half time that took them to the dressing sheds with some much needed momentum.
The second half started in the same manner as the first, hard and fast. QLD kept applying great amounts of pressure on NSW and this paid dividend’s with some ball turnover in good field position. Qld scored another two good team tries through slick ball movement and support play to bring the scores back to NSW 18-QLD 14, but missed a vital kick beside the posts, this missed kick proved to be a huge boost for NSW.
The game then ebbed and flowed showcasing great ball movement, line breaks, support play and a wide range of skills and team play that captivated the whole crowd. The crowd was certainly involved in the match from start to finish, cheering the young men on, no matter who was on top.
To the crowd, the young talent on show was the future of Indigenous rugby league from both NSW and QLD.
Defence was a highlight of the game with several good clean hits and ferocious body contact, again the crowd responded with applause and cheers.
Late in the game NSW kept pressuring the QLD line only to come up with vital mistakes at crucial times in quality field position. Time and time again the NSW players peppered the QLD defensive line, only for QLD to hold firm.
The game was in the balance with 6:20 left on the clock and QLD working the ball out from their own line. Needing to have some urgency with the score reading NSW18 – QLD 14, QLD pushed the ball out wide inside their own 25, an overlap was created and it looked like QLD were about to go the full length of the field when they pushed one pass to many and James Ballangarry swooped onto an intercept and scored under the post for what turned out to be the match winning try. Kingsley Dennison converted the try to leave the final scores at NSW 24 defeating QLD 14.
For NSW Tyronne Phillips and Matt Gordon lead from the front. The NSW man of the match was Kyle Baxter, who came from the bench to play a pivotal roll in both defence and attack and was awarded the game ball from Coach Chris Binge and the team. Needless to say it was a fantastic team effort from all 19 players and particular mention must go to the Head Coach, Chris Binge. Chris’s attention to detail and his ability to bring the team together as one laid the foundation for a great game and win.
The NSW team staff from Assistant Coach Rod Frail, Team Manager Tim Humphries, Trainers Michael Barlow and Paul Huhges and Conditioner Jie Pittman, played a vital roll in supporting Chris and the team throughout the week and need to be commended for their support and guidance throughout the week.
Overall the game was a great advertisement for rugby league and highlighted the importance that the Indigenous Coaching and Development programs play in providing an insight and a pathway to a future in rugby league. Again to be a part of history is something both NSW, QLD players and staff will never forget.
NSW 24
Try Scorers Goals
Tyronne Phillips 2 Kingsley Dennison 1
Jayden Jacky 1 Nathan Rose 1
Kyle Baxter 1
James Ballangarry 1
Defeated
QLD 14
Report by Phil Duncan NSW U16’s Tour Manager.
