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
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
I have Walker as a dark horse for at least a Nix scholarship over the next year or two. Kid can play.
This was my son in 2013. Today, he realised his decade-long dream of playing for New Zealand. Thank you to all our friends, family, coaches, teammates and teachers who helped us along this (ongoing) long and winding road. https://t.co/zhEVIKI0oKpic.twitter.com/72WBeUzMUK
Going to be interesting to see next ALM season, how AFC's U20 players (signed from the domestic leagues) compare to the Nix's U20 guys (all coming through the Academy).
As Carlind mentions in another thread, Greenacre has picked a whopping 11 Nix players, in his 23 man squad. All come from the Nix reserves who sit only 6th in Central League.
Oh & surely Codey Phoenix has been approached to head south to the Weenix Academy!
Tze Xuan Loke (Born 2005) – Captained the WeeNix in their last few games so there are leadership credentials here. TXL is a fullback who can play on either side and the Nix always need fullbacks. Bit of a different style to possession-based guys like Kelly-Heald and Sutton, Loke is more dynamic and will absolutely bomb forward. He joined the academy from Green Island in Dunedin.
1-0 to us. It's hot, with NZ dominating posession, but there hasn't been too much cutting edge up top. New Caledonia quite often with all 10 or 11 camped in their own half. Seems to be stifling some of our more creative outlets, but it gives them nothing going forward...
Sole goal from a dubious handball penalty, converted by Stipe Ukich.
1-0 to us. It's hot, with NZ dominating posession, but there hasn't been too much cutting edge up top. New Caledonia quite often with all 10 or 11 camped in their own half. Seems to be stifling some of our more creative outlets, but it gives them nothing going forward...
Sole goal from a dubious handball penalty, converted by Stipe Ukich.
Pretty tame stuff so far though.
Would have had half the lawns done by now too!
Legend, thank you! Missed the first half as it showed as starting at 12pm on the OFC website - though obviously, that was local time
Even the new Caledonia players are cramping up, why do they play at mid day? Are the lights not adequate, I saw a couple of towers. Hard to judge nz team in these conditions. Coveny and ukich look good.
Geez Coulibaly looks a player. Played at both RB and down the left today with proficiency, plays as a CB at club level, and has been an AM/CM/winger in the past. Versatility personified, plus great composure and touch
Coveny’s improved a ton since U17s it looks, huge with good technique
