True Blues legend Paul Sironen gives his verdict on each of the NSW u-20s Origin players. The NSW U-20s play Queensland in the curtain-raiser before Origin III tonight at ANZ Stadium. Catch the stream right here on www.NSWRL.com.au.
Here are Sironen's thoughts on each of his squad members:
1. Matt Dufty - St George Illawarra Dragons
Employment: Community Development Officer-Traineeship
Education: Cert IV - Fitness
Matt is super quick, this is his third year of under-20s now, a prolific try-scorer who is very safe under the high ball and a great attacking player.
2. Brian Kelly - Gold Coast Titans
Employment: Teacher’s Aide - Mudgeeraba State School
Education: Cert III - Education
He is a blockbusting strong winger who was an absolute standout in last year’s game with four tries. He’s had a disrupted season this year with injury but he’s a well known performer at this level.
3. Cory Denniss - Newcastle Knights
Employment: Telecommunications Technician - Commworkx
Meteoric rise to first grade this year, Cory has he’s proved himself capable at NRL level. When he dropped back to this level he’s been very strong.
4. Curtis Scott - Melbourne Storm
Employment: Apprentice Carpenter / Fulltime NRL Squad
Education: Cert III - Carpentry
Class player, played NRL but had an injury earlier in the season and is coming back from that, but again he’s a proven match-winner at this level. Very aggressive and great footwork.
5. Reuben Garrick - St George Illawarra Dragons
Employment: Building Labourer
Education: Bachelor of Commerce
He played in the NSW u-18s Origin side last year; he’s had huge improvement in his physical dimensions. He’s playing with a lot of confidence, but the improvement in his game from the past 12 months is remarkable.
6. Lachlan Croker - Canberra Raiders
Employment: Fulltime NRL Squad
Education: Bachelor of Sports Science @ UC
Croker is another one who has played NRL, played Intrust Super Premiership NSW level this year and last year and he’s a proven guy at this level. He’s been here before, battled a few injuries but is a class player, a good organiser, got a good kicking game and will steer us around the park.
7. Jack Cogger - Newcastle Knights
Employment: Fulltime NRL Squad
Education: Bachelor of Social Science at UN
Currently playing NRL and has really stood up to the rigours of that. He had a fantastic game against Canberra the other week and handled Josh Papalii for 80 minutes and did a great job, he will be really dominant coming back to this level, and along with Croker will get us around the park. He’s our captain and been with us in this program for the past few years.
8. Oliver Clarke - Penrith Panthers
Employment: Fulltime NRL Squad
Education: Bachelor of Physiotherapy at WSU
He played in the NSW u-16s, u-18s and u-20s Origin sides. He played last year and this is his fifth year in the development program, and is a tireless worker, we’ve got big wraps on him. A tradesmen like performer, he does his job, good motor and always ready to go.
9. Grant Garvey - Sydney Roosters
Employment: Gym Assistant
Education: Cert III - Sport and Recreation
Grant is another one who played last year because he’s a good aggressive player, gets a lot of good touches out of dummy half and will have a good combination with the halves pairing.
10. Alex Twal - Parramatta Eels
Employment: Fulltime NRL Squad
Education: Bachelor of Business & Commerce @ ACU
This is the second year of u-20s for Alex, and played u-18s too so he’s a guy that’s been in the program for several years. He’s very similar to Oliver Clark, a good motor and will just keep going.
11. Tyrell Fuimaono - Parramatta Eels
Employment: Fulltime NRL Squad
Education: Bachelor of Business & Commerce at WSU
Tyrell was one of our best last year in the u-20s, was definitely in the top three players. He’s a classy centre/back rower, strong on the edges; he’s another kid that’s played u-16s, u-18s and u-20s for NSW. Great footwork, strong fend, good ball-carrier and a strong aggressive defender.
12. Bayley Sironen - Wests Tigers
Employment: Fulltime NRL Squad
Education: Bachelor of Marketing & Business at ACU
Bayley will do his job on that edge, he’s been pretty good for the Wests Tigers. He’s another one with a good engine, he will make his tackles and do his job, and will look to link with his outside backs as well.
13. Nat Butcher - Sydney Roosters
Employment: Fulltime NRL Squad
Education: Diploma of Financial Planning
If you haven’t seen his stats, look them up. Butch has a great motor, leading the NYC in a lot of areas, he’s just a work-a-holic, a great kid with a massive future in the game.
14. Zac Woolford - Canberra Raiders
Employment: Cleaner
Education: University Foundation Course at UC
Second year in u-20s and is a big improver, he’ll get out of dummy half and gets the forwards coming onto the ball. He’s a great talker, very aggressive, and good to have around camp too, he’s very chirpy, a bit like his old man.
15. Taniela Paseka - Wests Tigers
Employment: Factory Labourer
Education: Diploma of Business
Big Taniela has probably been the find of the past couple of months in the NYC. He’s got a huge frame and is a powerful runner of the ball, and he’s devastating in defence when he gets a hold of guys. He’s a kid who is only 18 that will be training full time with the Wests Tigers next year and they have earmarked him for big things.
16. Max Elliott - Brisbane Broncos
Employment: Warehouse Administator
Education: Bach of Sport and Exercise Science at ACU
Max is a product of Lismore, very similar to Oliver Clark and Alex Twat in terms of his big engine and a good work ethic. He moved from the Gold Coast up to the Broncos. Just a tradesmen-like front-rower, he will carry the ball for you all day, poke his nose through the defence and get a good play the ball, and he’ll wrap up the middle too.
17. Tevita Cottrell - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Education and Employment: Landscape Gardener
Education: Bachelor of Sports Science @ ACU
Tevita could play centre or in the back-row, a product of the South Sydney system who has been here before in the u-16s and u-18s. He knows what’s expected of him, and when he’s given his chance he’ll come on and fill a couple of spots in the side. A devastating ball runner and a strong defender.
