World Footy News

With the pre-tournament favourite and reigning title holder PNG prevented from defending their title after what was a shock loss to Tonga in the downpour of Thursday afternoon; the New Zealand Hawks more accurate finishing provided them a solid 21 pt win over Nauru in the Grand Final of the AFL Youth Oceania Cup.

The final day of action started with the hosts, and to this point winless Fiji against debutants Vanuatu.

5 v 6 Play Off : Fiji 13.5.(83) def Vanuatu 2.1.(13)

3 v 4 Play Off : PNG 11.8.(74) def Tonga All Stars 1.1.(7)

Grand Final : New Zealand 8.4.(52) def Nauru 4.7.(31)

 The AFL report that the BOG for the Grand Final was New Zealands Shem Tatupu.

 Also that the Individual country best players were :

Vanuatu : Kiki Whitford

Fiji : Richard Niulevu

Tonga : Sione Tupou

PNG : Jasno So ong

Nauru : Yoshi Harris

NZ : Ben Miller

With higher regional representation honours on the line, the Oceania Under 16 squad of 28 players to compete in the 2012 NSW State Trials will be named next week.

The South Pacific Squad of 35 players for the NAB AFL Under=16 Championships will also be named next week.  The Fiji Times reports that 4 Fijian players have been named in an extended 40 man training squad.

The Fiji Times also reported on the fifth placing of the Fiji Junior Tribe.  Fiji coach and AFL Development officer Glen Butler stating "We used some of our young and new players in the tournament and we were lucky to win this game."

The following Grand Final Match report is courtesy of the NZ AFL website where you can review the progress of the new champions during the week.

Oceania Cup Grand Final

	1st.	2nd.	3rd.	Total
New Zealand	4.1.	6.3.	6.3.	8.4.(52)
Nauru	0.1.	0.2.	2.5.	4.7.(31)

Best Players (NZ): Ben Miller, Rhys Panui-Leth, Dayne Emms, Jesse Mager, Kade Riddell, Mitch Ryan

Goal Scorers (NZ): Kyle Smith, Rhys Panui-Leth, Kade Riddell, Craig Morgan, Jesse Mager, Callum McKenzie, Luke Cunis, Cody Max
        
NZ went into the game minus key midfielder Brock Messenger who was absent with an infection.  That Messenger has been selected in the South Pacific extended squad illustrates his value in the earlier games.  Captain Rhys Panui-Leth played on despite a suspected broken foot, and started on fire with the opening goal.

NZ came out hard, leading by 24 at quarter time and 37 at the main break.  Nauru however responded and came out playing harder and tighter, locking down the play.  Held scorely in the 3rd, NZ's lead had been reduced to 22, and but for a 2.5 scoreline, Nauru might have been closer.  The last quarter was pretty even on the scoreboard and NZ held on to win by 21 points.

For more detail and an appraisal of the value of the various NZ footy development programs, visit the NZ AFL website via the Grand Final match report link above.

Oceania Squad-NZ: Kade Riddell, Alex Frew, Hugo Phillips, Chris McNoe, Alex Chapman, Cody Max, Luke Cunis

South Pacific Squad-NZ: Callum Mckenzie, Brock Messenger, Shem Tatupu, Dayne Emms, Rhys Panui-Leth, Denzel Panapa, Ben Miller, Mitch Ryan.