League: Swords' George in merit team

Eli George

Northern Swords' Eli George has kept the flag flying for Northland despite his team dipping out of playoff contention early in the 2015 NZRL Premiership.

George was named in the 2015 NZRL National Premiership Merit Team, a serious feat considering the merit team is mostly made up of players from the Counties Manukau Stingrays and Canterbury Bulls finalist sides.

Also reaching new heights off the back of a good season for the Swords, 18-year-old prop Kawana Marsden has been selected for NZ Universities to play Australia in a two-match series this week.

Match one is being played in Christchurch this Thursday, followed by match two in Greymouth this Sunday.

Meanwhile, the NZRL Premiership final ended up being a one-sided affair at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday.

Counties Manukau Stingrays were in control from the get-go, carving out a resounding 41-10 victory over defending champs, Canterbury.

The Stingrays created history by winning their maiden title, washing away the disappointment of 2014 when they were disqualified from the final due to fielding ineligible players during the season.

A satisfied Counties Manukau coach Rod Ratu said gaining redemption played a big part in his dominant side's build-up to the decider.

"It feels great, especially for the boys - particularly the ones that were there last year," Ratu said.

"We were in that space last year leading into the final, so this year was about retribution and setting that straight."

The Stingrays scored seven tries to two, but their relentless drive in defence and attention to key effort areas underpinned the win.

2015 NZRL National Premiership Merit Team:

George Edwards (Counties Manukau Stingrays), Joseph Oti (Wellington Orcas), Matt Sauni (Canterbury Bulls), Simione Ma'amaloa (Counties Manukau Stingrays), Andrew Tusiane (Counties Manukau Stingrays), Tevin Arona (Canterbury Bulls), Ray Talimalie (Counties Manukau Stingrays), Saipani Aiolupo (Counties Manukau Stingrays), Kruz Tupo (Counties Manukau Stingrays), Chris Bamford (Canterbury Bulls), Sione Feao (Counties Manukau Stingrays), James Baxendale (Canterbury Bulls), Nick Read (Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions), Uila Aiolupo (Counties Manukau Stingrays), Eli George (Northern Swords), Erwin Sauni (Canterbury Bulls), Jeremy Siulepa (Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions).