ASSRL Nationals scouting report: Day 5 wrap from the rugby league under-18 schools carnival

A blockbuster final between NSW CHS and NSW Combined Catholic Colleges is set after five of the tournament big guns set the carnival alight. WATCH the Day 5 action.

The portents aren’t good for Queensland heading into next week’s State of Origin decider after the Maroons cost themselves a place in the final of the Australian Secondary Schools Championships by throwing away a big lead on day four in Coffs Harbour.

The Maroons led 18-0 after 14 minutes against NSW Combined High Schools but were run down in the second stanza as NSW CHS halfback Kade Reed went to work.

NSW CHS will meet NSW Combined Catholic Colleges in the final on Friday after NSW CCC made short work of NSW Combined Independent Schools, winning 28-16.

The final as well as the other selection matches will be shown exclusively on Kommunity TV from 9am on Friday.

ASSRL Nationals hub: How to watch, full schedules, what you need to know

TOO BIG, TOO STRONG

The commentators at the Australian Secondary Schools Championships said it best when Jacob Halangahu got his hands on the ball in Coffs Harbour on Thursday. Too big and too strong, they declared. He certainly was. The NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (NSW CCC) back rower was standing wide from a scrum and bulldozed his way over the line as his side eliminated the NSW Combined Independent Schools (NSW CIS). Halangahu signed an upgraded deal with St George Illawarra at the end of last season which will see him be part of the extended Dragons next season.

Jacob Halangahu. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

RAMPANT REX

Rex Bassingthwaighte hails from Dubbo and is a star of two codes. On Thursday, he was doing his best to drag the NSW CIS side over the line. Bassingthwaighte wasn’t able to do it in the end but he walked away with his head held high after scoring a brace of tries in their loss to NSW CCC. The Roosters youngster will be back next year.

XZAVIER THE X-FACTOR

Xzavier Timoteo is an Ipswich kid who has found a home at the Bulldogs. He also found a home over the tryline on day four of the championships as he crashed over twice in quick succession. Timoteo helped Queensland get off to a flying start against NSW Combined High Schools before they were run down in the second half as they lost a cliffhanger.

WINTER IS COMING

Classy centre Nikora Williams has been the star of the show for NSW CHS but fellow outside back Toby Winter took centre stage on Thursday afternoon as he sparked one of the comebacks of the carnival. Queensland looked home and hosed as they raced out to an 18-0 lead in Coffs Harbour but a Winter try on the stroke of halftime - off a peach of a pass from halfback Kade Reed - gave his side a sniff. Winter then took advantage of some smart play from Lincoln Fletcher to score two more as his hat-trick set up a grandstand finish. Two Williams penalty goals in the final six minutes secured the win.

KERETI CARVES UP

The ACT started the secondary schools with a roar but they finished it with a whimper. They were no match for the Combined Affiliated States (CAS) on Thursday as the tournament minnows finished with a bang. Fullbacks across the board have been among the standouts this year and Matthew Kereti - a gun in the Melbourne Storm system - added his name to the list on day four. Kereti was a handful for ACT. Just what the Storm needed - another gun fullback!

TRY OF THE DAY

Mason Barber scored arguably the try of the tournament on Thursday as he fielded a kick and beat six NSW CHS defenders on a long run to the line. It was brilliant stuff from the Queensland fullback as he looked to set the Maroons on the path to victory. He didn’t have to wait long to find out how the rugby league Gods can have a nasty streak. From the ensuing kick-off, Barber looked in perfect position to field the ball ..... only to knock on. It can be a quick trip from the penthouse to the outhouse in the Greatest Game of All.

Originally published as ASSRL Nationals scouting report: Day 5 wrap from the rugby league under-18 schools carnival