Match details
11.00 am [NZ time], Saturday, 18 April
Walter Massey Park, Mangere
Meet the players
Both Newtown Jets teams recorded wins in their Rugby League matches played on Saturday, 18 April.
In the SG Ball Cup sudden-death semi-final played at the CUA Stadium, Penrith, the Jets demolished the Balmain Tigers by 40-18 after having trailed 12-0 in the first half. Across "The Ditch" at the Walter Massey Park in South Auckland, Newtown won their first match of the NSW Cup season in defeating the Auckland Vulcans by 26-24, after looking to be "gone for all money" when they trailed by 24-10 with less than 15 minutes left to play.
The Newtown Jets ended their losing streak in the 2009 NSW Cup competition with a stunning 26-24 win against the Auckland Vulcans at the home ground of the Mangere East Rugby League club.
The Vulcans had the better of the first half but only went in at the break with a narrow 12-10 lead. The result looked to be sewn up after the Vulcans scored two converted tries to extend their lead to 24-10 with 15 minutes remaining.
Newtown's fightback emphasised how critical momentum, possession and field position all are in the modern game. Tries to front-rower, Stanley Waqa, and winger, Alfred Paea, (both converted by centre Chris Tuatara) had the Jets right back in the contest at 24-22, and in the last ninety seconds of play halfback, Tinetali Papalii, kicked for the corner for centre, Smith Samau, to win the race for the ball and claim the winning try.
Player performances
Newtown's best player was backrower, Rohan Ahern, who turned in an outstanding defensive effort. Second-rower, Jimmy Andersen, and hooker, Luke Letele, had strong games, as did front-rowers, Stanley Waqa and Ray Moujalli.
The Jets are back at Henson Park on Anzac Day (25th April) to play the St George-Illawarra feeder club, the Shellharbour Dragons, in the sixth round of the NSW Cup, with this match timed to commence at 3.00pm.
Match summary
Newtown 26 [Luke Letele, Tinitali Papalii, Stanley Waqa, Alfred Paea, Smith Samau tries; Chris Tuatara 3 goals]
Auckland Vulcans 24 [Vince Mellars 2, Malo Solomona, Liam Foran, Aaron Heremaia tries; Liam Foran 2 goals.]
Half-Time: Auckland Vulcans led by 12-10.
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Who played?
| 19 | Luke Hume |
| 2 | Iwi Hauraki |
| 3 | Chris Tuatara [G3] |
| 4 | Smith Samau [T1] |
| 24 | Alfred Paea [T1] |
| 6 | Tavite Vatuvei |
| 7 | Tinetali Papalii [T1] |
| 8 | Stanley Waqa [T1] |
| 9 | Luke Letele [T1] |
| 10 | Khalid Deeb |
| 11 | Jimmy Andersen |
| 12 | Rohan Ahern |
| 13 | Matthew Hall |
Interchange
| 14 | Tere Glassie |
| 16 | Danny Green |
| 17 | Pat Rosser |
| 21 | Ray Moujalli |
Coach: Greg Matterson
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