Live stream: Watch the ASSRL Nationals – Under-18 Boys and Girls, Day 4

It will be an all-NSW boys final on Friday after Queensland let slip a big opportunity. But it’s not all doom and gloom for the Maroons who still can take home a title. Catch up on all the REPLAYS.

The left boot of Endeavour Sports High centre Nikora Williams inspired NSWCHS to a frantic 26-24 comeback win over Queensland and a spot in Friday’s ASSRL U18 Nationals boys grand final.

They will face NSWCCC in an all-Blues decider at 11.40am at Coffs Harbour. The Combined Catholic Colleges beat NSWCIS 28-16 in the earlier semifinal.

Check the full Friday LIVE STREAM schedule below.

NSWCHS trailed 18-0 after 22 minutes and were down 14 points at halftime before a gallant second half recovery saw them snatch the lead just three minutes before fulltime, with Williams the goalkicking hero who played a huge role in the last-gasp win.

Queensland prop Kanaan Magele produced a thumping hit to win the ball late in the game, giving the Maroons one last chance they were, ultimately, unable to take.

His performance, Zane Harrison’s four-from-four goalkicking, Mason Barber’s best game of the championships and Xzavier Timoteo’s two-try effort were all in vain - with Williams’ excellent goalkicking from the sidelines turning the tide to ensure a come-from-behind win for the ages.

Williams kicked five from six, including two tough penalty goals in the final six minutes, to draw level at 24-all and then take the lead 26-24, after they had come out of the sheds with vigour to go ahead 22-18 in the 44th minute.

Queensland jumped out to a 18-0 lead after 22 minutes, with Timoteo grabbing a first half double.

Rockhampton’s Cathedral College outside back Elijah McKay also crossed after Saifiti Junior Saifiti burned down left field, putting NSWCHS on the back foot with a dominant first half showing.

Left centre Toby Winter was at the centre of their comeback, scoring three tries in quick succession to slowly eat away at the buffer.

He scored his team’s first three tries before gutsy halfback Kade Reed snatched NSWCHS’ first lead at 22-18 with a superb individual effort.

BOYS SEMIFINAL REPLAYS

NSW CHS v Queensland (U18 Boys Semi-Final)

NSW CCC v NSW CIS (U18 Boys Semi-Final)

NSWCCC v NSWCIS

With 12 minutes remaining, Patrician Brothers Blacktown enforcer Jacob Halangahu delivered a semifinal dagger to help NSWCCC charge into final.

Halangahu resembled a rampaging Spencer Leniu as he powered over one defender and ducked under NSWCIS’ last line defenders to score. The converted try gave NSWCCC a telling 18-point-lead, 28-10.

Impressive right wing Rex Bassingthwaighte responded immediately for NSWCIS with a fantastic finish in the right corner, but it was too little too late.

A big reason for NSWCCC’s success at the championships has been influential rake Jared Haywood, the Patrician Brothers Blacktown ace.

The headgear wearing hooker has brought boundless energy to NSWCCC’s attack and has been a terrific starting point, bringing the best out of Cody Hopwood, Jacob Halangahu, Jack Hilliar and Co.

Not to mention his pinpoint service has relieved pressure off big five-eighth Cooper Black, whose attacking kicks and playmaking have been quality, despite losing his partner-in-crime Jhett Sydir to an injury on Tuesday.

NSWCIS’ player of the match, Rex Bassingthwaighte, showed his class against a big NSWCCC pack, scoring a cracking try nearing fulltime and assisting on a Samuel Polley try with an excellent grubber kick.

The pacy right wing from the Shore School has long been a high achiever in both codes of rugby.

In the 13-a-side game, his turn of speed and finesse out wide has seen him gain selection in the Roosters Harold Matthews side, while in rugby he has been tormenting Queensland Reds Academy sides for three years in sky blue.

The NSW Waratahs Academy player is just exciting, a light on foot outside back who also holds his own on defence.

The same can be said for the NSWCCC fullback Jack Attard, who has been turning heads with his counterattacking from fullback.

Earlier, the Combined Affiliated States produced a rip-roaring second half performance to claim their first scalp of the ASSRL championships, a 22-10 win over the Australian Capital Territory.

After conceding the first points of the day when Jamie Cowling strode over, the courageous CAS schoolboys responded with 22 unanswered points before Luke Tuialii scored a well-deserved try on full time for the ACT.

REPLAYS

ACT v NSW CIS (U18 Girls Cross Over Pool Match)

NSW CCC v VIC (U18 Girls Cross Over Pool Match)

NT v WA (U18 Girls Cross Over Pool Match)

CAS v ACT (U18 Boys Cross Over Pool Match)

PREVIEW

The Manly Sea Eagles have a Haumole Olakau’atu clone in their ranks who on Thursday will lead the NSW CHS forward pack against a formidable Queensland outfit.

The two sides will clash in one of two under-18 boys semi-finals at the ASSRL Nationals, among six matches live and exclusive on KommunityTV.

NSW CCC tackles NSW CIS in the other boys clash on Thursday for a spot in the grand final.

CHECK OUT TODAY’S LIVE STREAM SCHEDULE BELOW

Imposing Bass Sports High School Year 12 student Simione Laiafi is only a centimetre or two shorter than Olakau’atu (196cm), stands at a similar weight at 115kg and is one of the giants contesting this year’s championships.

But it isn’t his first rodeo.

A prodigy, Laiafi first represented NSW CHS in Year 9 in the 15 Years age group, before being selected in the 16-18 Years team as a Year 10 student in 2022, which has only been done a handful of times in CHS history.

NSW CHS forward Simione Laiafi in action at the ASSRL National Championships. Picture: Darrell Nash/NashysPix

Now in his fourth successive year in the representative side, Laiafi is a tried and tested forward leader who earlier this season represented Manly’s SG Ball Cup team and got a taste of Jersey Flegg Cup Under-21s.

Pretty impressive for a 17-year-old don’t you think?

The Chester Hill Hornets junior grew up in Bankstown, idolising NRL prop Jason Taumalolo and has a bit of the North Queensland Cowboys enforcer about him the way he accelerates through contact.

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Laiafi, who is of Tongan descent, draws inspiration from his family as well as religion.

“I am a religious man,” he said.

“All glory to God.

“Of course (that is my inspiration). Everything I do is for him,” said Laiafi, who likes to pray before and after games.

“I want to make the NRL and help my family. Everything is for the family.”

Originally published as Live stream: Watch the ASSRL Nationals – Under-18 Boys and Girls, Day 4