NRL Schoolgirls Cup live stream: Kirwan State High v Mabel Park State High, Queensland state final

With a number of players looking ready for the step up to the next level, Mabel Park turned in a master class to comfortably win in the Queensland Schoolgirls title. Relive all the action.

Mabel Park State High School progressed to the national final of the NRL Schoolgirls Cup with a suffocating 38-0 triumph over Kirwan State High in Townsville.

Mabel Park’s attacking structure outshone Kirwan and allowed the visitors to make easier metres in each set with fast and clean passing.

Mabel Park’s irrepressibly fast play-the-ball speed ensured the Grizzlies were always on the back foot, while masterful control of the ruck stagnated any Kirwan ball.

There was plenty of fearsome defence to admire. Pic: Shae Beplate.

Kirwan was starved of possession as a result and the weight of so much defending took its toll as the game slipped further out of reach.

Mabel Park took an 18-0 lead into halftime with captain and five-eighth Malaela Sua scoring a double and having a hand in everything in the attacking red zone.

It wasn’t only their work with the ball that impressed. Mabel Park was a brick wall playing a brutal rushing defence against the Kirwan attack which lacked shape and movement.

Kirwan’s few chances to attack the line were turned away and a poor kicking game didn’t do the school any favours.

Backrower Athena Vili had a number of powerful carries for Mabel Park as part of a dominant forward pack that damaged the Grizzlies on both sides of the ball.

Prop Lhylla Williamson was the standout of Kirwan’s forward pack, but even her strong shoulders couldn’t carry her team to any success in the centre of the field.

Mabel Park gave the Kirwan defence no rest. Picture: Shae Beplate.

No way through the tough Mabel Park defence. Pic: Shae Beplate.

Mabel Park ran on with it after the break with four more tries through Nazlyn Waaka-Rhind, Harlem Walker, Danielle-Elizabeth Tutakangahau and Sia Asomua – the winger’s second try of the match.

Kirwan appeared to have scored a consolation try in the dying second of the game but the referee called for a handover.

The visitors barely made a mistake and a number of Mabel Park’s players looked ready for the step up to the next level, with NRLW careers surely on the horizon for the talented young athletes.

The Grizzlies will need to work on their structures in the future to compete with Australia’s top rugby league schools that are becoming more and more professional.

Mabel Park will go on to play Hills Sports in the national final in Sydney in September.

PREVIEW

Kirwan State High School has the chance to create history on Wednesday when it takes on Mabel Park SHS in the state final of the NRL Schoolgirls Cup at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

The Kirwan Grizzlies take on Mabel Park at 12pm ahead of the final of the Phil Hall Cup between St Patrick’s College and Palm Beach Currumbin SHS at 2pm.

The state final will be exclusively live streamed on KommunityTV.

The winner of the Schoolgirls Cup final will progress to a national final for the first time in the competition’s history.

Kirwan has enjoyed a successful albeit short season, besting The Cathedral College from Rockhampton 22-10 in the semi-final.

RE-WATCH: KIRWAN BOOK STATE CUP FINAL SPOT

Mabel Park overcame a 26-0 halftime deficit in its regional final to win 28-26 off the back of some incredible expansive footy and offloading.

Grizzlies coach Hannah Norford said they would be prepared for their toughest challenge of 2023.

“We definitely know that they’re going to be competing up until the final whistle and they’re definitely going to keep working throughout the entire game,” Norford said.

“So endurance and stamina is going to be a big part of this game and we know the physicality of this game is going to be a lot higher compared to our previous games, so we’ve been preparing for that.”

Mabel Park fullback Malaela Su'a. Picture: Leonie Key

Kirwan High fullback Anaseini Malupo. Picture: Supplied.

For Mabel Park, the state final provides a chance to prove themselves on the competition’s biggest stage, but coach Chace Carey was adamant her group’s legacy would remain intact regardless of result.

RE-WATCH: MABEL PARK STUN SEQ RIVALS IN THRILLING FINAL

Much like in their Titans Schools Cup final win, Mabel Park has made a habit of overcoming hurdles put in front of them this season.

“The resilience that is exemplified in the team is a testament to what they have endured,” Carey said.

“Regardless of the result - these girls can hold their heads high knowing that they are laying the foundation of success for future generations and leave behind them a legacy that will enable others to follow in their footsteps.”

Originally published as NRL Schoolgirls Cup live stream: Kirwan State High v Mabel Park State High, Queensland state final