Pretty sure he was born in Napier/Hawkes Bay - Likely moved over to Aussie at a pretty young age.
Good to see him given an opportunity. Have been following him for a bit, but was touch and go on whether he'd make the cut.
As for the comment about Marley Leuluai, he's probably focusing on his club commitments as he enters the 2nd year of his scholarship at Burnley. He'll likely need to make more of an impression this season in order to get another deal, as he bounced around the U18's &U21's last season, but didn't find any sort of consistent run in those sides.
https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/142012?newsfeedId=1275622 OFC U19 Champs, Top 2 Sides qualify for the world cup The full squad is:
James BULKELEY Fleetwood United FC, Dubai Lachlan CANDY Waterside Karori FC, New Zealand Adama COULIBALY Western Springs AFC, New Zealand Luka COVENY Western United FC, Australia Fergus GILLION Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand Bruce IZUMI Western Suburbs FC, New Zealand Seth KARUNARATNE Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand Keegan KELLY Flatirons Rush SC, USA Alby KELLY-HEALD Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand Tze-Xuan LOKE Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand Daniel MAKOWEM Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand Eamonn MCCARRON Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand Finn MCKENLAY Eastern Suburbs AFC, New Zealand Oliver MIDDLETON Auckland United FC, New Zealand Lewis PARTIRDGE Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand Codey PHOENIX Auckland United FC, New Zealand Rico PRADHAN Christchurch United FC, New Zealand Gabriel SLOANE-RODRIGUES Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand Luke SUPYK Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand Stipe UKICH Auckland City FC, New Zealand Nathan WALKER Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand Joe WALLIS Auckland City FC, New Zealand Ryan WATSON Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand
Absolutely stacked in attack. Sheesh
Ukich, GSR, Kelly, Walker, Supyk all forwards and all among the best players in the squad