NRL Highlights: Knights v Warriors
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Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
The Kiwi legends at the heart of Warriors bold Queensland takeover bid
New Zealand Warriors chief executive Cameron George insists the club's move to forge an outreach into Brisbane is not a poaching raid of the Broncos' heartland, as he plots to engage with a host of Kiwi rugby league greats to help make the initiative a success. On Monday, a training academy and community program was announced in Logan, which would provide a hunting ground for new talent from a community that produced Cameron Smith, Josh Papalii and Corey Parker. And George confirmed his intention to reach out to former Warriors star Mark Tookey and Test hooker Issac Luke in a bid to take the pathways forward. Luke forged an illustrious NRL career, amassing 286 games and 43 Test caps, and has since coached at Marsden State High School, along with fellow Kiwi international Zeb Taia. Loading George described Tookey, born and bred in Logan, as 'a great part of our history', along with Luke. 'There's a lot of ex-Warriors that are in and around the area,' he added. 'You'll see us slowly start to build a program and a presence here, and really connect locally and work with the kids and families. 'Those guys will play a part in it for sure.' Australia's NRL clubs are littered with athletes who have been identified in New Zealand – dating back to Benji Marshall's move to Keebra Park, and continuing with Broncos enforcer Xavier Willison, Cowboys prop Griffin Neame and Titans fullback Keano Kini.
The Age
2 days ago
- The Age
The Kiwi legends at the heart of Warriors bold Queensland takeover bid
New Zealand Warriors chief executive Cameron George insists the club's move to forge an outreach into Brisbane is not a poaching raid of the Broncos' heartland, as he plots to engage with a host of Kiwi rugby league greats to help make the initiative a success. On Monday, a training academy and community program was announced in Logan, which would provide a hunting ground for new talent from a community that produced Cameron Smith, Josh Papalii and Corey Parker. And George confirmed his intention to reach out to former Warriors star Mark Tookey and Test hooker Issac Luke in a bid to take the pathways forward. Luke forged an illustrious NRL career, amassing 286 games and 43 Test caps, and has since coached at Marsden State High School, along with fellow Kiwi international Zeb Taia. Loading George described Tookey, born and bred in Logan, as 'a great part of our history', along with Luke. 'There's a lot of ex-Warriors that are in and around the area,' he added. 'You'll see us slowly start to build a program and a presence here, and really connect locally and work with the kids and families. 'Those guys will play a part in it for sure.' Australia's NRL clubs are littered with athletes who have been identified in New Zealand – dating back to Benji Marshall's move to Keebra Park, and continuing with Broncos enforcer Xavier Willison, Cowboys prop Griffin Neame and Titans fullback Keano Kini.
7NEWS
2 days ago
- 7NEWS
Warriors' new Queensland academy causes major blow to Broncos' talent nursery
It's the NRL's worst-kept secret. If you want to win a premiership, you'll need a few Queenslanders. For the New Zealand Warriors, who are chasing their first, the announcement of a new training academy in Logan is a leap in the right direction. The region is no stranger to producing generational talent, including the most capped player in NRL history, Cameron Smith. It was also home to the Broncos ' highest scorer and second most capped player, Corey Parker, and the Canberra Raiders ' games-record holder Josh Papali'i. Lote Tuqiri, Brad Meyers and Jaydn Su'A are other elite stars to have been produced by the Logan Brothers junior powerhouse club alone. Geographically, Logan is sandwiched inbetween the two major Queensland cities Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Where does that leave New Zealand? According to Warriors CEO Cameron George, right in the middle. The club will be basing permanent staff and an elite academy in Logan. 'Our elite academy for boys and girls in Logan will provide a direct pathway to the New Zealand Warriors NRL and NRLW teams,' he said. 'Through the community program we'll also be offering come-and-try days, school visits and talent identification. 'It's about providing opportunities to all young people so they can reach their potential.' The Warriors are looking to harness the region's seemingly endless bumper crop in this new partnership with the Logan City Council. The Broncos have been recruiting young players in the area since the club's inception but, with more teams being added to the Queensland roster, the Logan talent pool has seen an increased demand. The Gold Coast Titans have scouted their fair share of players north of the boarder, including David Fifita. Neither club has ever committed to a permanent academy or program in Logan, leaving it open to an all-out assimilation from the Warriors. The New Zealand team is announcing an academy that offers elite talent identification and training programs, which will extend to careers outside of rugby league. The Warriors will be provided with playing fields and office spaces as part of their partnership with the Logan City Council. Logan Mayor Jon Raven said the club is looking to harness the strong multicultural Queensland city. 'Logan is the leading rugby league nursery in the nation and has one of the largest populations of people of New Zealand and Pacific Island descent outside of Auckland,' he said. 'So many league legends have come from Logan and we're thrilled to welcome the Warriors to our city to nurture more NRL stars of the future. 'The Warriors are known for their strong community connections and supporting development opportunities for young people, which are values we love here in Logan – the youngest, most diverse and fastest growing city in Queensland.' This move is one of many innovative advances that are changing the rugby league landscape. With the game rapidly evolving outside of Australian shores, an international boom seems increasingly imminent.
