Next Gen Sevens Rugby stars, standouts, NSW, Queensland, Rising Stars Rd 1 result wrap

A former Australian athletics champion and the sister of a rising star of NRL are among the stars of the AON Next Gen Rugby Sevens series. Standouts and Rd 1 result wrap.

There were some fantastic games in the opening round of the series.

A former Australian sprint champion turned football gun and the sister of a rising star at the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles were among the stars and standouts of the opening round of the AON Next Gen Rugby Sevens series played in Brisbane on Sydney.

Designed to continue the flow of young talent into the Australian Sevens squad, the five-leg series is being fought out by NSW, Queensland and a Rising Star team.

The talent-laden Queensland put their stamp on the competition, winning their early matches on Sunday in convincing style before being held to an unexpected draw by the Rising Stars.

NSW beat the Risings Stars in their first match but were also held to a draw by the team of players from across Australia in their second game.

For Queensland, a standout was former Australian sprint champion Kaitlin Shave who scored three tries in one match alone and had a hand in about every other.

Action in the opening round of the Next Gen 7s series. Pics: Supplied/Queensland Reds

Teammate Isabella Nasser was another shining light for Queensland along with Sid Taylor, Natalie Wright and Amahli Hala.

Betty Koula, whose brother Tolutau is a Tonga international and with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the NRL, was one of NSW’s standouts with Bridget Clark and the super-fast Alice Gregory.

For the Rising Stars their early scorers included Haidee Head, Meg Gemmell and Piper Flynn with Ella Carlisle, Tamika Jones and Jess Gentle also standouts.

Queensland scored the most tries of any team in round one. Pics: Supplied/Queensland Reds

Action in the opening round of the Next Gen 7s series. Pics: Supplied/Queensland Reds

ROUND ONE WRAP, RESULTS, SCORERS

NSW BEAT RISING STARS 31-5

NSW shared the scoring round in the first match against the Rising Stars which the Blues won 31-5.

Anaia Cruickshank opened the scoring with Bridget Clark scoring two and Betty Koula and Piper Simons one each.

Tamika Jones was the lone try scorer for the Rising stars.

The matches were thrilling and physical.

QUEENSLAND BEAT RISING STARS 40-12

Kaitlin Shave and Isabella Nasser scored twice for Queensland in this match with Natalie Wright scoring a try and accurate with the boot with her four conversions

Tamika Jones and Ella Carlisle scored for the Rising Stars.

Action in the opening round of the Next Gen 7s series. Pics: Supplied/Queensland Reds

QUEENSLAND BEAT NSW 41-0

In the biggest blowout of the day Queensland ran over the top of the NSW side.

It was the ‘Shave Show’ with the gun scoring a trifecta.

Again Bella Nasser was integral, chipping in two while Wright kicked three.

NSW threatened at times but were unable to find their feet in the super fast-paced game.

There were some fantastic games in the opening round of the series.

NSW DREW WITH RISING STARS 17-17

The Rising Stars made it a lot tougher for the NSW side in their second meeting in round one.

NSW lead heading home but a late try from Piper Flynn locked the score at 17-17.

Alice Gregory used her speed to open the scoring with Bridget Clark and Betty Koula also scoring.

For the Rising Stars Haidee Head, Meg Gemmell and Flynn went over.

Action in the opening round of the Next Gen 7s series. Pics: Supplied/Queensland Reds

RISING STARS DREW WITH QUEENSLAND 24-24

The Rising Stars continued to show major improvement by holdings the much-fancied Queenslanders to a 24-24 draw in the next match.

Ella Carlisle scored two, Tamika Jones and Jess Gentle one each in the match

Kaitlin Shave continued to impress with another two tries with Sid Taylor and Amahli Hala also going over.

Queensland dominated the opening round of the Next Gen 7s series. Pics: Supplied/Queensland Reds

QUEENSLAND BEAT NSW 31-7

In the final match of the day Queensland continued their winning way with a 12-point win over NSW.

Again, Kaitlin Shave shone as did her teammate Bella Nasser.

They both scored two tries each in the win with Georgia Sim also going over..

Bridget Clark ending the long day with another try for NSW which Piper Simons converted.

AON NEXT GENERATION SEVENS RUGBY SERIES 2023

Rd 1: January 22 Bond University, QLD

Rd 2: February 10-11 Dangar Park Narrabri, NSW

Rd 3: February 18 Daceyville, NSW

Rd 4: February 26 Bond University, QLD

Rd 5: March 11 Toowoomba, QLD

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Originally published as Next Gen Sevens Rugby stars, standouts, NSW, Queensland, Rising Stars Rd 1 result wrap