The Intrust Super Premiership NSW Residents squad has touched down in Brisbane in preparation of their clash against Queensland this Sunday at Langlands Park.
Coach Rip Taylor is looking to retain the shield he took back from his Queensland counterparts last year, and has his say on every player from his squad looking to do so.
1. Dylan Edwards (Penrith Panthers)
Coach Rip Taylor says: A very exciting young player who likes to be around the football; he’s a great linkman and an NRL player of the future.
2. Chris Centrone (Wyong Roos)
Coach Rip Taylor says: Chris has worked very hard to get to where he is and has been great on the wing, he had a great back-end to last season and he had a full pre season.
3. Jordan Drew (Newtown Jets)
Coach Rip Taylor says: Jordan is just a competitor who is very good at his job, buys into the team environment and is good to be around.
4. Matt Allwood (New Zealand Warriors)
Coach Rip Taylor says: A guy with a lot of experience who does his job, doesn’t shirk any of the hard work and people like to play with him.
5. Bureta Faraimo (Wentworthville Magpies)
Coach Rip Taylor says: He’s a competitor; he’s a great finisher and puts you on the front-foot in your get-out set so he deserves to be here.
6. Jayden Nikorima (Wyong Roos)
Coach Rip Taylor says: ‘Jaydo’ is a character, he’s a running footballer that likes to back himself and I think this will be good for him.
7. Mitch Cornish (Wyong Roos)
Coach Rip Taylor says: Mitch has been around Rugby League for a while, he’s really matured in the last couple of years, he’s a handy footballer for any club to have with a great kicking game and knows how to get people through holes.
8. Andy Saunders (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Coach Rip Taylor says: Andy is just another competitor, he takes it personally if it’s perceived that other front-rowers are getting on top of him and we hope he brings that to the game.
9. Craig Garvey (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Coach Rip Taylor says: A quality player that has played NRL, and probably should play a lot more of it in the near future.
10. Moses Leota (Penrith Panthers)
Coach Rip Taylor says: Moses deserves to be here, he’s a great yardage man and good for the young guys to follow off the back of.
11. Jack Williams (Newtown Jets)
Coach Rip Taylor says: Tough. I haven’t seen a lot of Jack to be honest, but what I have seen is that he’s a kid with a future and what stands out about him is that first word, he’s tough.
12. Asipeli Fine (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Coach Rip Taylor says: ‘Az’ is a great footballer, if he gets enough chances he’ll hold his own with any company and it’s great to have him on board.
13. Cheyne Whitelaw (North Sydney Bears)
Coach Rip Taylor says: Uncompromising and tough, and I think he is the type of player we need for the environment we’re going into.
14. Tyrone May (Penrith Panthers)
Coach Rip Taylor says: Great utility that can play any position and plays those positions well.
15. Tautalatasi Tasi (North Sydney Bears)
Coach Rip Taylor says: Again, great utility value that can play from back-row to wing; he skips across a tired opposition and he’ll hold his own.
16. Lindsay Collins (Wyong Roos)
Coach Rip Taylor says: He’s a Queenslander, but is straight up and down and likes to own the middle of the park, he’s been very good this year.
17. Toafofoa Sipley (New Zealand Warriors)
Coach Rip Taylor says: ‘Big T’, he’s a handful with the football; the Warriors have done a great job this year with their boys' fitness, they’re getting great minutes out of them and he’s a player earmarked to go further.
18. Josh King (Newcastle Knights)
Coach Rip Taylor says: Josh has worked hard to get himself where he’s at, Newcastle are a better team when he’s in it.
19. Nick Meaney (Newcastle Knights)
Coach Rip Taylor says: A young fella that has come through the Knights system, very elusive and good around the football, if he gets his chance he won’t let anyone down.
