17th October 2014

McInness names Junior Kangaroos Captain

Rabbitohs hooker Cameron McInnes has been named as captain of the Junior Kangaroos who are set to take on the Junior Kiwis tomorrow night in Auckland. McInnes, who made his first grade debut against the Dragons in round five this year, has played 39 under 20s matches and seven NRL matches in his fledgling career, and now tops off his final year of under 20s football with the captaincy of the nation’s under 20s representative team. McInnes captained the Rabbitohs’ under 20s outfit throughout 2013, a year in which he was named the Club’s best & fairest and players’ player amongst the under 20s squad, and led the Rabbitohs at stages throughout the 2014 season to their third consecutive finals appearance, in which he has played a role in all three campaigns. McInnes, a South Sydney junior from the Botany Rams, is learning his trade alongside Kiwi international Issac Luke, and Head Coach Michael Maguire is very pleased to see his leadership qualities shining through at representative level. “It’s great recognition for the leadership qualities he has,” Coach Maguire said. “It’s a great honour for him and we’re looking forward to him bringing his experience at this level back to the first grade squad in pre-season training.” Junior Kangaroos Coach Kelly Egan said: “He has been professional in everything that he has done.” McInnes will face off against Rabbitohs team mate Sam Manuleleua who was selected for the Junior Kiwis last week. The Junior Kangaroos will take on the Junior Kiwis at Mt Smart Stadium tomorrow evening, Saturday 18 October, at 7pm NZ time.

Saumamao and Manuleleua Junior Kiwi Selections

Rabbitohs NYC players Tulsa Saumamao and Sam Manuleleua have today been added to New Zealand’s Junior Kiwi’s squad. Both players played integral roles in the Rabbitohs’ NYC season in 2014 - Saumamao as a versatile utility, while Manuleleua plied his trade on the wing. Both players will now take their place in the Kiwis’ as yet to be finalised squad as they prepare for their Test against the Junior Kangaroos on October 18.

Rabbitohs NYC winger Sam Manuleleua has been selected in New Zealand’s Junior Kiwis side to take on the Junior Kangaroos. Seven players from the NRL Holden Cup Team of the Year have been named in the Juniors Kiwis line-up to take on Junior Kangaroos later this month. Coach Brent Gemmell has been able to choose a strong line-up to face the Australians on October 18, including two players - Sam Lisone and Adam Tuimavave-Gerard - from the championship-winning Junior Warriors. Lisone, five-eighth Te Maire Martin, hookers Manaia Cherrington and Danny Levi, second rowers Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Joseph Tapine, and prop Addin Fonua-Blake were members of the competition merit team named last month, and form a strong nucleus for the Junior Kiwis. "The Junior Kiwis have always provided a direct pathway into the senior national side, with several more of last year's team pushing for higher honours in the near future," says NZRL high performance general manager and former Rabbitohs, Tony Iro. "We expect this very talented group will be no different." The Junior Kiwis v Junior Kangaroos showdown will form part of a blockbuster doubleheader, with the Pirtek NZRL National Premiership final scheduled as the opening fixture.