NRL Schoolboys Cup live stream: Phil Hall Cup state final between St Patrick’s College and PBC SHS

Discover how St Pat’s is planning to write history in its first state final appearance in 23 years, along with the players each side can’t go without.

Last time St Patrick’s College featured in a state schoolboys final, none of its current squad was born.

The year was 2000, and, astoundingly, St Pat’s would fall to Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, the very school it’s set to battle for Phil Hall Cup glory this Wednesday.

The Phil Hall Cup final will be exclusively live streamed on KommunityTV from 2pm, Wednesday.

WATCH THE PHIL HALL CUP FINAL LIVE HERE

And while St Pat’s would then slip into a prolonged lull of schoolboys mediocrity, a cycle only recently snapped by a decisive shift in mindset, Palm Beach Currumbin would maintain its status as a powerful juggernaut.

But formidable opponents are yet to phase this St Pat’s side, and coach Ian Schifilliti isn’t about to let that change, maintaining his team will only be focused on their own game.

“They’re a traditionally great team, there’s no doubt about that, and we’ll need to be excellent to win that Phil Hall Cup final,” Schifilliti said.

Jaxon Purdue had a big say in the St Pat’s win over Emmaus. Picture: Michaela Harlow

“But we’re just trying to worry about what we’ve got and polishing our performance.

“That works for us, just worrying about what we’re doing and things we’re working on and trying to get better each week.”

While improvement has been at the forefront of his thinking, Schifilliti was satisfied with the St Pat’s showing against Dolphins Cup winners Emmaus College, coming away 28-6 victors.

“I thought it was a really well-rounded victory,” he said.

“The goals we talked about; holding the ball, working to our areas, really solid defence; all paid off.”

WATCH THE QUEENSLAND SCHOOLGIRLS CUP GRAND FINAL

“We’re still trying to knock the sharp edges off our performances, the most important thing to us is playing a complete game of football.”

And a complete game of football could well lead St Pat’s to a breakthrough appearance in the National Schoolboys Final.

“It’d be great,” Schifilliti offered, careful not to place too much emphasis on the result.

“We always talk about learning the game of rugby league, our boys are students at school but they’re students of the game.

“We’re just trying to get better and wherever it takes us, we want to see how far we can go, but that’s just how we look at it.

“We don’t put too much of a spin on it because we talk about making our own history anyway.”

Broncos-contracted Cohen Jackson in action. Picture: Michaela Harlow

Wednesday’s decider will be hosted at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium, the scene of St Pat’s barnstorming 32-10 Payne Cup final victory over the esteemed Kirwan SHS.

It shapes as somewhat of a ‘home-ground’ advantage for St Pat’s, who have become accustomed to travelling to Townsville.

“It’s been our second home recently,” Schifilliti laughed.

“We’ve got processes set up with the Cowboys being a pathway school, they’ve helped out so much with our preparation so we’ll be using that again. I guess in a way that can be advantageous to us.”

Regardless of the final’s result, St Pat’s is well positioned for a prolonged period of success. Its year 9/10 side went through the Cowboys Challenge campaign undefeated, before demolishing Dolphins Challenge winners Emmaus 44-0.

Check out each Phil Hall Cup team’s Mr Reliables ahead of the big dance below.

PHIL HALL CUP FINAL - MR. RELIABLE’S

Zane Harrison (PBC SHS)

Harrison‘s kicking game has been elite, including his goal kicking.

HIs laser accurate conversions were the difference between winning and losing last week‘s final against Ipswich SHS, while his attacking cross kicks to Sam Stephenson were perfect.

He is the puppeteer with great organising ability and someone PBC SHS can‘t do without in the big end of season games.

Zane Harrison could be decisive for Palm Beach come Wednesday. Picture Glenn Hampson

Xavier Kerrisk (St Pat’s)

The Cowboys-contracted hooker is one of the hottest commodities in Schoolboys footy, and for good reason.

“It’s all the little things he does,” Schifilliti said.

“His line speed, he hits so hard for a guy in the middle as a nine, and what he does with the ball is really important to us.”

Bailey McConnell (PBC SHS)

Five-eighth McConnell has been a revelation this season.

Initially he started the season running the side in the absence of an injured Zane Harrison, this when Harrison returned he blossomed into a potent No. 6 with plenty of run, support play and creation on the outside to his edge forwards and centres.

Jaxon Purdue (St Pat’s)

A creative halfback, Purdue, who’s also contracted to the Cowboys, has shown his game-breaking prowess time after time.

“The kicking, the running of the ball, at some points when he gets the ball in his hands it’s like he doesn’t want us to lose,” Schifilliti said.

Brady Turner and Jett Jackson (PBC SHS)

PBC SHS‘s biggest bopper, Turner brings size and experience to the ruck.

A seasoned campaigner, he is his team‘s front row battleship who has an ability to dent the defensive line and play the ball at pace.

His one-two partnership with the tall, mobile middle forward Jackson gives PBC SHS plenty of go-forward.

Jac Finigan (PBC SHS)

Finigan is an athletic edge forward who can save shut down dangerous movements with his agility or cover defence, while also challenging the opposition with his ball carrying thrusts.