Live stream: Watch ASSRL National Championships, Day One

It’s been a massive start to the ASSRL Nationals, history was made, a future Tiger earned his stripes and a powerful pack caused a major upset. Catch up on all the action and watch all of the REPLAYS.

The opening day of the ASSRL Nationals is in the bank, and what a day it was.

History was made with the introduction of schoolgirls action to the Under-18s championship for the first time, and one side has pulled off a major upset in the boys competition.

Scroll down to read about all the action, and watch replays from every match.

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BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP

Tigers-bound half shows his prowess as CHS score big win

The NSW Combined High Schools lethal wing combination of Nikora Williams and Luke Laulilii, with Tigers signed five-eighth Lachlan Galvin at the trigger, blew away their NSW Combined Independent Schools rivals 24-6.

In a masterful game, Westfield Sports High School schoolboy Galvin threw his hand up to fill the problematic halves role at the Tigers in the future.

It was a game filled with flair, anticipation, strong running and silky smooth ball playing from the No.6. Ironically, Galvin’s schoolmate Laulillii, who is also signed to the Tigers, had a strong game on the wing as well.

REPLAYS: ASSRL Nationals Day 1 - NSW CHS v NSWCIS (Boys)

Sharks-signed Williams, an Endeavour Sports High School product, also shone brightly, doing a bit of everything off his right wing.

NSWCHS took no time to score their first and it was a brilliant cut-out pass from second rower Logan Spinks who found winger Williams on the right edge.

NSWCHS have started with a win.

NSWCHS have set a high early bar.

For their second try, Williams produced a great catch and offload from a Kade Reed crossfield kick and Spinks was in.

From the kick off, Galvin broke the line and ran 70 metres down field to extend his team’s lead at 14-0.

On the stroke of halftime, Laulili got himself on the scoresheet after a quick one-two with Galvin, again.

NSWCIS fought long into the second half and were finally rewarded when yellow-booted middle Patrick Young muscled his way over with eight minutes left.

NSWCHS 24 (N.Williams, L.Spinks, L.Galvin, L.Laulilii 2 tries; K.Reed 2 convs) def NSWCIS 6 (P. Young); 1 conv).

NSWCHS players celebrate a try. Picture, John Gass

NSWCHS proved too strong for NSWCIS. Picture, John Gass

Forwards strength powers NSW CCC past champions

The NSW Combined Catholic College forwards hit the Queensland schoolboys with a sledge hammer to batter their side to victory 30-6 in game one of the ASSRL under 18 championships at Kayo Stadium.

With a ferocious salvo in both halves, the power game of NSW CCC sent a message to the competition that the side was here to play.

NSW CCC led 18-6 at halftime and then 24-6 just after the break when impressive Parramatta-signed back rower Jacob Halangahu stepped once, then twice and then a third time to cut back and score next to the posts.

With a weight of possession behind them during the opening half, the NSWCCC forwards blasted forward continuously.

REPLAY: QRSS v NSWCCC (Boys)

Middle men De La Salle Va’a and Finau Latu were enormous, with Latu scoring a pile-driving try following a close to the line charge.

Halves Riley Pollard and Heath Mason were also nifty with inside and outside passes, and it added up to a potent cocktail which saw NSWCCC lead 12-0 and then 18-6 headed into halftime.

NSW CCC fullback Jaxen Edgar also threatened down the middle while hooker Zaidas Muagututi’a was as sharp as a tack.

While NSW CCC also defended strongly, Queensland did bomb two certain tries in either half which would have dragged them back into the match, and had a third disallowed late.

Queensland had no answer to the powerful NSW CCC forwards. Pic: John Gass

Jezaiah Funa-iuta hits the line hard.

Jaxen Edgar gets the NSW side moving forward.

Queensland were handicapped for a period after edge forward Jett Bryce was sin-binned, and it was a real man the pumps effort to try and withstand NSWCCC’s power game.

And they were also disadvantaged when ball playing, sharp on his feet No.13 John Fineanganofo had an early break with a shoulder injury.

While Queensland never turned their toes up, this NSW CCC was relentless as the Sydney-siders staked an early claim for the title.

NSW CCC 30 (L. Coinakia, F Latu, K Raven, J Halangahu, D Va’a tries; R Pollard 5 convs) def Qld 6 (M Brown try, C Black conv)

REPLAY: ASSRL Nationals Day 1 - Opening ceremony

SCHOOLGIRLS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Queensland v NSW CIS

Queensland five-eight Esther Pedro put on a mini masterclass as the Maroons schoolgirls powered to victory 21-0 over NSW CIS.

Queensland drew first blood courtesy of smart Ipswich SHS Year 11 student Pedro who scrambled right after a wide spread threatened to break down.

Replay: NSWCIS v QRSS (girls)

Esther’s passing game then came to the fore, with a bullet pass hitting her winger Relna Wuruki-Hosea on the chest. Hosea finished expertly and it was 9-nil.

And soon after Pedro lobbed a nice ball into space, with edge forward Lennice Wright running a gorgeous line to score.

Marsden SHS winger Mercedez Taulelei-Siala then scorched 60m to score and at 17-nil after 10 minutes, the result was decided.

While Pedro and her backs feasted, they have the Queensland forwards to thank for the foundation.

Queensland had started strongly, attacking with their defence and blockading the middle where Armani-Lea Auvae and Reegan Hicks stood like loyal soldiers.

Hooker Nadia Windleborn (Merrimac SHS) was also tenacious.

NSWCHS v NSWCCC

NSWCCC claimed a last second derby win over NSWCHS in a ripping last match of the day from Redcliffe.

There was not a struck match between the teams, with NSWCCC winning 8-5 in a gritty victory after Evie Jones (St Joseph’s) crossed.

Replay: NSWCHS v NSWCCC (Girls)

It came down to the last play of the game, with fullback Elizabeth McGregory (Red Bend Catholic College) sending a pass to centre Jones.

NSWCCC drew battlelines early with stoic defence from fullback McGRegor and five-eight McGrath (St Mary Star of the Sea) who was also a constant threat with the ball.

Twice NSWCCC also held NSWCHS up over the line, but there was no stopping NSW CHS dummy half Mere Rasaku (Bass High School) who capitalised on a bulldozing ruck run by Monica Fasavala-Faamausili.

It was 5-nil, eight minutes into the clash.

NSWCCC were down, but not out, and a surging edge effort from No.13 Paige Bohringer (James Sheahan Catholic High) cut CHS’s advantage to one point - 5-4.

Then late, very late, came Jones’ try for CCC.

Western Australia v Northern Territory

Western Australian centre Phoenix Mahaki scored two tries as WA rose marginally above their rivals to win 13-nil.

Mahaki, from Seda College, shone through the gloom - and WA needed her to in what was a challenging cross border stoush with brave Northern Territory.

Replay: NT v WA (Girls)

Despite the scoreline, there was little in the game and WA needed every point they could muster.

The spirit of NT was emphasised by two magnificent try saving tackles from NT winger Honey Chastain.

NT’s effort was spearheaded by prop Keiko Fordimail.

WA’s third try was scored by Byford Secondary College student Taliana Mika.

ACT v Victoria

Under lights at Kayo Stadium the second last game of day one was here and it was the Australian Capital Territory Secondary Schools girls who dug their heels in and shot out to an early lead – before pinching a 13-12 win in the final stages.

Replay: ACT v VIC (Girls)

Victoria looked to have secured the result when up 12-9 with two minutes to play but ACT hooker Indi Dyball had different ideas when ducking under the defence with a try close to the line, breaking her opponent’s hearts with a telling blow.

Second rower Layla Irving and speedy centre Samantha Nealon dazzled for points. The Victorian Secondary Schools girls took a bit longer to click into gear but when they did it was a scary sight.

First to strike was lock powerhouse Faith Vili of St Albans Secondary College and not long after her it was one of the discovery players of the day in Koreti Leilua.

She was seriously good in all three matches she played on the day.

Victoria took the lead quickly through two try hero Vili to inch ahead 12-9 but Dyball threw her cape on and saved the game with a dummy half scoot.

Queensland v Northern Territory

Queensland prop Alice Shannon was unstoppable while newcomers Lila Parr and Esther Pedro set Kayo Stadium alight as the Maroons powered to a 25-0 win, their second win of the day.

Shannon was a force to be reckoned with, rucking the ball relentlessly into the teeth of the NT pack.

Behind Shannon and her fellow forwards, halves Parr and Pedro were terrific.

REPLAY: NT v QRSS (Girls)

NSW Combined Independent Schools v Western Australia

NSW CIS fullback Juanita Jang (SEDA College) saved the day with the tackle of the championships so far as NSW CIS got out of jail to beat Western Australia 5-0.

With the game scoreless wwell into the second half, fullback Jang felled a runaway WA No.13 Topaz Porter who looked try bound.

Minutes later NSW CIS crossed for the only try of the match.

REPLAY: NSWCIS v WA (Girls)

NSW CCC v ACT

Flashes of enterprise from NSW CCC No.13 Paige Boringer and five-eight Evie McGrath drove their side beyond the clutches of an heroic ACT.

NSW CCC won 17-4, but the scoreline did not reflect the close nature of the schoolgirls match.

NSW CCC scored three late tries, with two of them scored by Boringer (James Sheahan Catholic School) and McGrath (St Mary Star of the Sea).

REPLAY: ACT v NSWCCC (Girls)

NSW Combined HIgh Schools v Victoria

Indie Bostock scored the individual try of day one as NSW CHS prevented a boilover to beat Victoria 16-5.

Bostock, from Warilla High School , halfback Kasey Reh (Figtree High School) and winger Mia Walsh (Illawarra Sports High) were the try scoring heroes, with the trio putting on brilliant exhibitions to score.

REPLAY: NSWCHS v VIC (Girls)

Queensland v Western Australia

Long-striding Tavarna Papalii finished a sensational team try as Queensland schoolgirls made an impressive debut at the ASSRL Nationals on Saturday.

Papalii, from the Keebra Park SHS catchment but with signed with the Sydney Roosters, scored next to the posts after Queensland had swept play right and then back to the left.

Papalii had a big match, including holding up a rival up over the tryline as Queensland posted a 25-0 victory over Western Australia.

REPLAY: QRSS v WA (Girls)

Papalii said she was approached last year to trial for the Roosters and this year hit the Sydney junior girls competition with gusto.

“It (signing with the Roosters) was not something I planned to do,’’ she said.

“Blake Cavallaro (head of pathways, Roosters) approached me and they offered me to play Tarsha Gale.

“It was something out of my comfort zone but I thought it would be good exposure playing Tarsha Gale in Sydney.’’

The Roosters even had plans to blood Papalii in their Harvey Norman women’s squad, but she was too young.

“So I finished off a season with Tarsha Gale (under 19s) and I was offered a contract.’’

She now lives in Sydney but does online learning with Keebra Park SHS on the Gold Coast.

REPLAY: NT v NSWCIS (Girls)

NSW CIS v Northern Territory

NSW CIS surged late to dismantle a willing Northern Territory 17-4.

Second half tries from wingers Charlotte Byrne and Shanelle Lyons and impressive left edge forward Bronte Ryan raised their side to safety after a rousing effort by the Territory girls.

REPLAY: ACT v NSWCHS (Girls)

ACT v NSW Combined High Schools

NSW Combined High Schools five-eighth Lilly-Ann White engineered a convincing 17-0 win.

White was tremendous, putting teammates into space, turning defenders inside out and organising the line.

NSWCHS had plenty of pace about them and from first glance they loomed as the main challengers to Queensland.

NSWCC v VIC (Girls)

VIC v NSWCCC

NSW Combined Catholic Colleges pulled off a thrilling 9-8 win over Victoria.

With ball in hand, NSWCCC were threatening, but it was an eight-minute period of incredible goal line defence which proved the difference.

PREVIEW

NSW Combined Catholic Colleges know they are walking into the lion’s den on the opening day of the Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League Nationals.

But they haven’t come unarmed.

The national championships kick off on Saturday, with a monster day of action including the historic first matches in the ASSRL Schoolgirls Championships.

All of the action kicks off with the tournament’s opening ceremony which will be live streamed from 9am.

WATCH ALL OF THE ASSRL OPENING DAY ACTION IN THE PLAYER ABOVE, CHECK OUT THE FULL DAY ONE SCHEDULE BELOW

The first match of the tournament will pit reigning champions and hometown heroes, Queensland, up against an exciting NSWCCC side from 10.15am.

Queensland have assembled an impressive cast of emerging talent headlined by halves pairing Coby Black and Jaxon Purdue.

It is an ominous task, but one the NSWCCC side is ready to rise to.

With the restructure of the ASSRL Nationals this year, the match becomes a must-win for both sides if they have dreams of playing in the grand final next Friday.

“It is a tough game against Queensland first up,” NSWCCC assistant coach Kyle Churchill said.

“We will walk away from that knowing where we stand in the tournament. There is only three games for each team in the tournament, so if we win this we play for first, if we lose we’re playing for third.

“It means we go into the game with a different mindset. In the past, if you beat a good team early, it was hard to then beat them again in the semi-finals. This year, we don’t have a choice, we have to beat them.”

NSW Combined Catholic Colleges have their own impressive halves ready to fight fire with fire against the Maroons.

Halfback Riley Pollard will play alongside five-eighth Heath Mason, with Panthers young gun Jaxen Edgar lurking out the back of their shape.

Then there is Jett Cleary, the brother of Panthers premiership winner Nathan, waiting to be injected into the game and take over with his controlled kicking game.

It is a recipe that the NSWCCC coaches hope will breed success.

In the other games on the opening day, NSW Combined High Schools will clash with NSW Combined Independent Schools in boys action, while we will stream 12 matches, including every team, of the girls competition.

Originally published as Live stream: Watch ASSRL National Championships, Day One