Australian Schools rugby championships: teen star Ella Koster making mark, finals schedule

She’s likely to be at the centre of a rugby and league tug of war in the future but right now this teen has found her happy place. Australian Schools rugby championship latest, photos

There were big hits, close calls and hair-raising action at the Australian Schools Rugby Championships. Pic: Jeremy Piper

The NRLW, 15-a-side rugby or Olympic sevens - the sporting world is Ella Koster’s oyster

The 16-year-old has already been earmarked for future success but on what pitch is still to be determined.

The talented student, also a development player for the Illawarra Steelers in the Tarsha Gale, is this week playing sevens and representing NSW A as girls rugby makes its debut at the Australian schools rugby union championships at Knox.

DAY TWO: HISTORY MADE, RESULT WRAP

DAY ONE WRAP AND PHOTO SPECIAL

Ella Koster is a rising star of the game.

“I was into netball first then OzTag, then rugby league and then sevens and 15s,” she said.

“Everyone’s asking what I like the best but they are also different. I don’t know yet.”

Koster has long been identified as a football talent of the future with the Waratahs sending her out in Super W earlier this year when just 16 years seven months and 13 days old, the youngest Waratah player ever to take the field.

Australian Schools Rugby Championship open between NSW B and Queensland.

In two weeks she will also represent City in their match against Country at Bathurst.

But playing sevens and potentially campaigning for an Olympics in the future is also very appealing to the Illawarra Sports high school student from Albion Park.

Australian Schools Rugby Championships play on Friday.

NSW B player Olivia Vaalele cherishes the ball.

The Australian championships wind up on Saturday with NSW 1 playing the NSW Barbarians in the final of the boys competition which started on Wednesday.

Koster and her NSW A teammates will take on Queensland in the girls Under 18 competition decider after some big performances on Friday and an undefeated run at the event.

Action at the Australian Schools rugby championships at Knox.

Battle for the ball, on Friday.

Big hits, touch tackling and explosive speed has earned the NSW A side its spot in the final.

NSW’s Mia MacKenzie, playing for the NSW B side at the event, said the physicality of the game is what has attracted her to sevens rugby.

Hair-raising action on Friday.

The competitions concludes on Saturday.

ACT and Queensland.

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“At first it felt a little unnatural to jump on someone,’’ said the Barker 17-year-old who also plays netball.

“But we got on the bags and got taught the right way to do things.

“And I just love it. Now its heads down and let’s go.’’

While the girls competition ran on Friday the boys resumes on Saturday with NSW I taking on the NSW Barbarians in the final of the under 18 competition following the girls under 18 decider at 1.20pm. SEE SCHEDULE BELOW

Action in the ACT v Queensland match.

NSW Barbarian's William Clark with the ball in the match against Victoria

A lineout in an under 16 game.

NSW's Quinn Dickinson with the ball for NSW against Queensland.

BOYS FINAL DAY SCHEULE

9:00 Game 9 – Boys VIC v QLD 2

10:35 Game 10 – Boys QLD 1 v NSW JUNIORS

12:10 Game 11 – Boys NSW 2 v ACT Knox

13:45 Boys Championship Final NSW Barbarians V NSW 1

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