Australian Schools Rugby 2023: Upsets galore, stars, standouts, photos from day 1

There were tries galore, blockbusting runs and massive upsets on a day of drama at the Australian schools rugby championship. Result wrap, standouts and PHOTOS.

NSW’s Johannes Logan tackles Queensland’s Tyler Stevens. Picture: Julian Andrews

There were boilovers, blasts of speed and sensational tries as some of the best young rugby talent in the country hit Erik Tweedale stadium and turned the opening day of the Australian schools rugby championships into an unforgettable one.

While our top young female sevens talent competed on one oval, the best young guns from schools and club rugby hit the pitch in a four-game extravaganza which saw favourites fall and underdogs soar.

NSW Schools I coach Mark O’Brien had warned pre tournament he expected upsets at the event but few tipped it to be the defending champions who suffered a first-up defeat at the hands of a determined NSW Juniors side.

And the upsets continued as the Queensland I side also suffered a loss while the Queensland II side recorded a massive win that has now put them in contention for the coveted Australian schools title.

After an extraordinary day of play, the NSW Schools II side will on Tuesday play Queensland II for a spot in the finals while the Barbarians will take on the NSW Juniors in what is expected to be one of the best battles of the tournament.

TOURNAMENT WRAP, TEAMS HERE

DAY TWO WRAP HERE

Joseph Harvey playing for Barbarians. Picture: Julian Andrews

“It was a nice surprise,’’ said NSW Juniors coach Andrew Fraser of their 34-24 win.

“We were probably a bit scrappy but just hung in the contest and after half time we had back-to-back tries that created a bit of energy to build on.’’

In NSW Juniors defeat of NSW Schools, standouts included the halves pairing of Darcy Standfied and Felix Turinui and try scorers John Jacob, Dan Christodoulou, Alisi Leao (2) and Archie Mcgurk.

Queensland’s Sean Weir takes a massive hit. Picture: Julian Andrews

Max Masters in his impressive points haul for NSW Barbarians. Picture: Julian Andrews

“Felix was solid in guiding us around, Dan was also very solid in his carries and set piece,’’ Fraser said. “To be honest all the squad had their moments in the game.’’

Their opposition on day two, the Barbarians, beat the ACT 49-14 in a match fly half Max Marsters proved to be a standout in.

Marsters scored and converted the first try of the match and ended it with two tries and five goals in an impressive display from the young northern beaches gun.

Teammate Sevanaia Tikoduadua, Tunui Jorgensen, Milad El Azar from Southern Districts and Mathew Jarman also scored in the blowout.

The ACT put points on the board in the second half and also manage to keep the Barbarians scoreless in a surprise effort. Joey Lenii and Xander Hoskin both scored for the Canberra side.

Queensland’s Jack Henry tackled by Max Roach. Picture: Julian Andrews

Barbarians player Cooper Hall in the match against the ACT. Picture: Julian Andrews

NSW II’s stars in their 12-5 defeat of Queensland I included try scorers Will Potent from Barker College, Max Roach from Knox Grammar and kicker Hugo Orpin from Shore.

The Queensland II side had speed to burn and used it to befuddle their Victorian rivals in the opening game of the schoolboys tournament.

The Queenslanders ran in nine tries in their 49-5 victory over the Victorians.

Korrbin Skelton from Marsden State High School and Adam Khan from Maryborough State High both scored two tries in the whitewash.

Action from the boys NSW II v Queensland 1 game as Will Potent wins a line out. Picture: Julian Andrews

Phillip Vaoiva from Bellbird State Secondary College and Manaaki Bateman from St Patrick’s College Shorncliffe also went over in the first half.

Grady White from Rockhampton Grammar and Sam I’Iga from Wavell State High School scored early in the second half before Victoria broke through for their first and only try of the match deep in the second half with No. 8 Puluna Vaea from Scotch College picking up the points.

Downlands College Heath Lindenmayer scored the final try of the match.

NSW player Max Roach dives over for a try.

NSW Juniors player Donipate Ravubale. Picture: Julian Andrews

Tunui Jorgensen carries the ball for NSW Barbarians. Picture: Julian Andrews

Australian Schools Rugby U18 Boys day 1 result snapshot

Round 1

NSW 1 U18 24 (Tries: B. Noble, P. Broe, J. Vaalotu, T. Farr-Jones Conversions: H. James (2)) Def By NSWJRU U18 34 (Tries: J. John, D. Christodoulou, A. Leao (2), A. Mcgurk Conversions: F. Turinui (3) Penalty Goals: F. Turinui)

QLD 2 U18 53 (Tries: P. Vaoiva, A. Khan (2), K. Skelton (2), M. Bateman, G. Wight, S. I’iga, H. Lindenmayer Conversions: O. Lane (2), L. Tamanika (2) Def VIC U18 5 (Tries: P. Vaea)

QLD 1 U18 5 (Tries: F. Lawson) Def By NSW 2 U18 12 (Tries: W. Potent, M. Roach Conversions: H. Orpin)

ACT U18 14 (Tries: J. Leuii, Z. Hoskin Conversions: Z. Hoskin (2)) Def By NSWJRU Barbarians U18 40 (Tries: T. Jorgensen, M. El-Azar, M. Jarman, M. Marsters (2), S. Tikoduadua Conversions: M. Marsters (5)

The girls are playing sevens at the tournament. n

Action from the girls NSW 1 v ACT game with NSW’s Imagele Tuesley scoring. Picture: Julian Andrews

Australian Schools Rugby Girls U16 sevens result snapshot

Round 1

NSW Inv. U16 5 (Tries: H. Williams) Def By QLD U16 48 (Tries: F. Tupuola-palale, S. Sauaso, S. Ibrahim, M. Pomerenke, D. Tutakangahau, N. Ngaru (3) Conversions: M. Pomerenke (3), D. Martens)

NSW U16 43 (Tries: M. Madden khan, M. Cashin (2), T. Shipton, R. Smith (2), E. Walker Conversions: L. Lemusu (3), E. Dietrich) Def Lloyd McDermott U16 Girls 7s 0

Round 2

QLD U16 44 (Tries: F. Tupuola-palale (3), M. Vial, N. Ngaru (2), H. Whittaker, S. Ibrahim Conversions: D. Martens, M. Pomerenke) Def Lloyd McDermott U16 Girls 7s 0

NSW U16 29 (Tries: J. Brightwell, T. Shipton, M. Madden khan, M. Cashin, L. Lemusu Conversions: L. Lemusu (2)) Def NSW Inv. U16 0

Sean Weir takes a big hit. Picture: Julian Andrews

Action from the girls NSW 1 v ACT game.

NSW Lakita Dau on the burst. Picture: Julian Andrews

Australian Schools Rugby Girls U18 result snapshot

Round 1

NSW Open 1 46 (Tries: P. Simons (3), C. Falls, P. Marchant, D. Betham, W. Ellis (2) Conversions: L. Boyle (2), C. Halse) Def ACT Opens 0

NSW Open 2 7 (Tries: M. Jones Conversions: B. Bosland) Def By QLD Open 34 (Tries: I. Talau (2), A. Spooner, E. Hamblin, B. Tewake, E. Wynyard Conversions: A. Spooner (2)

Round 2

NSW Open 1 45 (Tries: C. Falls (2), P. Simons (2), W. Ellis (2), S. Thomas Conversions: C. Williams (3), C. Halse (2)) Def NSW Open 2 0

Lloyd McDermott Open Girls 7s 0 Def By QLD Open 43 (Tries: L. Bourke, K. Maclean, A. Spooner, I. Frawley, E. Wynyard, I. Talau (2) Conversions: A. Spooner, L. Bourke (2), I. Talau)

Round 3

QLD Open 0 Def By NSW Open 1 43 (Tries: P. Simons (3), C. Falls (2), P. Marchant, D. Betham Conversions: C. Halse, L. Boyle, S. Thomas, C. Falls)

ACT Opens 7 (Tries: E. Simpson Conversions: C. Smith) Def By Lloyd McDermott Open Girls 7s 19 (Tries: E. Barr (2), E. Lindsay Conversions: E. Barr, E. Stewart-Reid)

Round 4

Lloyd McDermott Open Girls 7s 0 Def By NSW Open 1 64 (Tries: C. Falls (3), P. Marchant, W. Ellis, S. Thomas (3), M. Moleka, D. Betham Conversions: C. Williams (5), L. Boyle, C. Halse)

ACT Opens 7 (Tries: C. Smith Conversions: M. Ravouvou) Def By NSW Open 2 39 (Tries: B. Bosland (2), A. Whitaker, L. Coppola, O. Hall (2), M. Mackenzie Conversions: B. Bosland (2).