Young Shark Jesse Ramien will wear the green and gold of the Junior Kangaroos against Sharks teammates and Junior Kiwi debutants Briton Nikora and Sione Katoa in the curtain-raiser to the Anzac Test Match on Friday in Canberra.
The three have been selected for their respective nations for the Junior Kangaroos v Junior Kiwis Test in a match which traditionally unveils many of the NRL’s stars of the future.
Ramien, who joined the Sharks midway through 2016 has impressed with his strength and speed in the centres over the past year and a half, with his outstanding pre-season earning him a berth in the Cronulla team for the World Club Challenge match against Wigan back in February.
Since he has played both NYC and in the Intrust Super Premiership with the Newtown Jets.
As for Nikora and Katoa, the pair have been instrumental in the NYC Sharks getting off to an excellent start in 2017.
Nikora a no-nonsense backrower who came to the Sharks from the Gold Coast at the beginning of 2016, and Katoa, an outstanding finisher and hard running winger, have both earned their places in the Junior Kiwi side.
The two teams include a host of NRL and NYC players, bringing together experienced sides across the field.
Australian team coach Justin Holbrook said his team would be looking to continue their form against the Kiwis after securing a 34-20 victory in the match between the two sides last year.
“There’s a lot of depth in this team and some talented players, but we will come up against a quality opposition next Friday night and we need to prepare well this week,” Holbrook said.
“It’s an honour at any level to display the Australian green and gold and I know that the team that we’ve assembled will wear the jersey with pride and will be doing everything they can to ensure a win against the Junior Kiwis.”
The Junior Kangaroos vs. Junior Kiwis will kick off the first of three matches between Australia and New Zealand on Friday in Canberra, with the Harvey Norman Jillaroos and Australian Kangaroos following in the ANZAC Double Header Test Match.
Tickets are available at www.nrl.com/tickets with fans encouraged to get to GIO Stadium early to watch the Junior Kangaroos from 3:15pm.
2017 Junior Kangaroos
1. Corey Allan – Brisbane Broncos
2. Tyronne Roberts-Davis – Gold Coast Titans
3. Enari Tuala – North Queensland Cowboys
4. Jesse Ramien – Cronulla Sharks
5. Curtis Scott – Melbourne Storm
6. Jai Field – St George Illawarra Dragons
7. Brodie Croft (captain) – Melbourne Storm
8. Stefano Hala – Penrith Panthers
9. Reece Robson – St George Illawarra Dragons
10. Blake Lawrie – St George Illawarra Dragons
11. Jaydn Su’A – Brisbane Broncos
12. Sam Stone – Newcastle Knights
13. Cameron Murray – South Sydney Rabbitohs
14. Victor Radley – Sydney Roosters
15. Jack Murchie – Canberra Raiders
16. Ray Stone – Parramatta Eels
17. Emre Guler – Canberra Raiders
18. Gehamat Shibasaki – Brisbane Broncos
Coach: Justin Holbrook – Sydney Roosters Assistant Coach
2017 Junior Kiwis ANZAC Test squad:
Briton Nikora (debut) (Cronulla Sharks)
Caleb Fuimaono (debut) (North Queensland Cowboys)
Chanel Harris-Tavita (debut) (New Zealand Warriors)
Dane Aukafolau (debut) (Paramatta Eels)
Emry Pere (debut) (North Queensland Cowboys)
Erin Clark (debut) (New Zealand Warriors)
Fabien Puletua-Kiri (debut) (Canberra Raiders)
Greg Leleisiuao (Paramatta Eels)
Isaiah Papali'I (New Zealand Warriors)
Jarome Luai (debut) (Penrith Panthers)
Manase Fainu (debut) (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
Moeaki Fotuaika (debut) (Gold Coast Titans)
Patrick Herbert (St George Illawarra)
Reimis Smith (Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs)
Sione Katoa (debut) (Cronulla Sharks)
Siosifa Talakai (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Sitili Tupouniua (Sydney Roosters)
Steven Marsters (debut) (St George Illawarra)
