NSW WIN INDIGENOUS CLASH
Story & Photo : ARL
Monday, 2nd April 2007

NSW U16 Koori's win 1st '07 game Vs old enemy Queensland.

New South Wales Under 16 Koori's dominated the Queensland Under 16 Murri's at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night after a bruising opening fifteen minutes where both sides displayed some physical defence.

Dane Gagai opened the scoring for QLD with a penalty goal in the 8thminute, and when things settled NSW Centre Kevin Heath scored a fine try in the 18th minute before rangy Koori lock Jordon Bolt dived through the QLD defence for a try which was converted by Tyrone Roberts in the 23rdminute.

Queensland's outstanding Lock forward Casey Fraser scored a sensational solo try in the 26th minute using skill and brute strength to score under the posts, which was duly converted by Gagai, but NSW hit back through Tyrone Roberts a minute before halftime, which he converted to take NSW into the break leading 18-8.

NSW started the second half strongly and after seven minutes it was the talented Roberts sprinting away for a superb try after outstanding lead up work from the mercurial NSW captain Albert Kelly. Roberts again converted.

Minutes later Koori's halfback William Beale - younger brother to new NSW Waratahs sensation Kurtley Beale - scored under the posts again after Kelly sliced through the QLD defence before offloading.

Four minutes later bulldozing prop Lance Whitnall busted through the QLD line for another converted try to give NSW a lead of 34-8.

Queensland Centre Dane Gagai scored an excellent try for QLD, which Mathew Currie converted, to leave the final score 34-14 New South Wales.

Victorious NSW coach Scott Meini, who played three years in the NRL with the Gold Coast Giants, and has built an outstanding coaching record in NSW country, was ecstatic and extremely proud to be named the Australian Indigenous Under 16 coach - the side that was selected from this interstate game.

"Albert Kelly was the best player on the field closely followed by Queensland's Casey Fraser", Meini said, with the two players named captain and vice captain respectively in the Australian side.

Meini also credited front rowers Ryan James and Lance Whitnall with laying the foundations for NSW's victory and centre Tyrone Roberts and Dewayne Sampson for their exciting play. Meini said he was proud to be involved with a group of young Indigenous footballers.

Former QLD Test and Origin centre Tony Currie said the Murri's started well but NSW finished too strong in the end.

"We lacked ball control and had to defend for long periods" Currie said.

Currie said he felt his team needed a better preparation as far as days in camp, but was happy to get seven players into the Australian side for the "Junior Test" against the New Zealand Under 16 Indigenous side, to be played as a curtain raiser to the ANZAC Test on April 20th at Suncorp Stadium.

Game 1. - Suncorp Stadium on March 30. at Suncorp Stadium
	14 - 34	NSW
TRIES : Casey Fraser, Lindon Law GOALS: Lyndon Law 2, Matthew Currie		TRIES : Tyrone Roberts 2, William Beale, Lance Whitnall, Kevin Heath, Jordon Bolt GOALS: Tyrone Roberts 5

NSW ON TRACK FOR SERIES WIN
Story By : QRL Media
30th March 2007 WITH more steps than the Kangaroo Point Cliffs and bigger hits than Festival Hall, the annual Indigenous Challenge brought its special brand of razzle dazzle to Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Friday.

Winding up 34-14 to New South Wales, the match needed to be entertaining to placate the Maroon-loving crowd.

That fact was never in doubt however and in 60 minutes of fast paced action, the two sides crammed in plenty of highlights.

And well they might, with spots in the Australian Indigenous Under 16s team up for grabs and an opportunity to play before the Trans Tasman Test on April 20.

Two Queenslanders to submit an early claim were the supremely
impressive duo of Lyndon Law and Casey Fraser.

Centre Law brought the first cheer of the game when he pulled off a massive tackle on Blues opposite Tyrone Roberts. It was to be a feat he would recreate regularly throughout the clash.

Eight minutes in Law also grabbed the first points, slotting a penalty from within throwing distance.

Unfortunately for the Queenslanders that was to be the last time they would lead as New South Wales quickly grabbed the ascendancy.

Hitting back with three converted tries before halftime the Blues stormed to an 18-8 advantage at the break. Centre Kevin Heath grabbed the first for the visitors in the 19th minute, followed by a simple scooting try from lock Jordon Bolt four minutes later.

Yet the try that hurt most was Roberts’ effort 54 seconds from the siren, finishing great ball movement through several sets of hands on the left.

It was a fantastic team effort that nullified an outstanding individual try from Maroons lock Fraser moments before.

Charging up the middle and jinking twice powerfully to evade the defence, Fraser earned a deserved reward for a strong all- round game.

While a 10-point margin didn’t look insurmountable on paper, when the teams returned for the second stanza it was clear New South Wales had the wood on the opposition.

Queensland hooker Ricky Barber managed to bat down the last pass on a certain try five minutes in but then the floodgates opened.

In quick succession William Beale and Lance Whitnall crossed, while Roberts grabbed his second for the night. Earning a points decision over Law after their earlier confrontation, Roberts also slotted five goals for a personal haul of 18 points.

In the shades of fulltime the game degenerated in terms of handling, but not in defence.