National junior rugby championships day 2 results, standout players, draw
A rising South Australian superstar has stolen the show on day 2 of the Australian junior rugby championships ahead of some mouth-watering finals on Thursday. See which players were the standouts.
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The top sides have punched their ticket into Thursday’s finals after some top team performances on day two of the Australian junior rugby union championships from the Sunshine Coast.
The JRU Barbarians will take on South Australia in the main final while T. A. S, Northern Territory, Tasmania and Victoria will contest the other matches.
South Australian outside back Lemy Abdulmalik stole the show on day two thanks to some stunning individual and team play in his side’s victory over Tasmania.
Abdulmalik, who was born in Uganda but moved to South Australia in 2024, has scored four tries in his side’s two matches and definitely looks like a player to keep an eye on.
See our full day two wrap below with scores, match reports and standout players.
VIC v JRU BARBARIANS
After both teams secured big wins on day one the battle for a place in Wednesday’s final was always going to be an attractive one.
With a move to the stadium field the Barbarians made the most of the wider field playing some great sideline to sideline footy as they made Victoria work in defence.
A yellow card to Victorian winger Vaiolini Petelo Taukatelata was an invitation for Barbarians to hit the front with Saxon Gaw scoring an early double.
Victoria hit back to close the gap but another standout try from Barbarians left winger Zach Seckold gave his side a 10-point lead at halftime.
The Barbarians enjoyed their fair share of the ball in the second half scoring three straight tries before Victoria finally got their hands on the ball and created some decent field possession.
Victoria were able to snag two late tries but unfortunately their efforts of a comeback was too little too late with the Barbarians claiming a 36-17 victory.
Barbarians co-coach Peter Gibson
“It was a different standard of opposition early on as the guys just had to maintain patience which they did,” he said.
“We’ve got some really capable centres and outside backs so it’s a matter of playing to our strength and getting the ball to them when we can.
“We earned the right to play wide through the work of our forwards so everyone did a good job today.”
STANDOUT PLAYERS
Charlie Tanner (NSWJRUB)
Was one of his side’s best thanks to his exceptional work at the breakdown.
The rising flanker controlled the ruck but also turned the ball over in his side’s favour.
Alex Futialo and Jamie Grant (NSWJRUB)
The Barbarians number eight and 10 both added plenty of energy and spark once they entered the match.
Futialo was strong through the middle and Grant had plenty of time when he got his hands on the ball.
Filipe Hauhulu and Etonia Kamotu (NSWJRUB)
The damaging centre pairing have been a step above any opposition defensive line through the opening games.
They have shown their class with some great bashing runs and wide passing play.
Gregor Pickford (VIC)
The lock forward showed off his solid workrate against the Barbarians forward pack that controlled the majority of the match.
Pickford carried the ball really well and was good in support.
Zach Seckold (NSWJRUB)
Started really well and found himself in everything out wide.
He created plenty of attacking spark and opportunities for his side with great speed on the touchline or link up play with his outside backs.
Finished with two tries, one thanks to a strong right arm fend.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA v TASMANIA
South Australia came out with a point to prove to book their place in Thursday’s grand final as they blitzed away to score five unanswered tries to start the match.
Tasmania crossed for their first and only try just before the 30th minute mark but things only got worse as SA went on to win 62-5.
Electrifying winger Lemy Abdulmalik, who crossed for three tries of his own, said he was proud of his performance.
“I started playing club rugby but to now play for my state makes me very happy,” he said.
“It feels delightful, it’s really a pleasure to play for South Australia and the dream is to go pro.”
Abdulmalik has scored four tries in his sides opening two matches.
After being born in Uganda, Abdulmalik and his family moved to South Australia in 2024 and quickly joined their local club Souths.
“I’m very happy with how I played again today, most of my moves I learned from Cheslin Kolbe who is my idol,” he said.
“I’m short like him, some footwork and speed so I love watching him play.”
STANDOUT PLAYERS
Lemy Abdulmalik (SA)
A hat trick of tries that were all capped off by some stunning swan dives, his acceleration and footwork made him very tough to stop.
Always looked to offload where he could and get his teammates into open space.
Zac Seaton (SA)
Was everywhere against Tasmania.
Played in the backline, at the ruck, carried well in his forward pod and enjoyed the open play.
Kaea Mauheni-Edwards (SA)
Was powerful with the ball in hand and very tough to handle at the breakdown.
Took pride in throwing opposition players off him when carrying the ball past the advantage line.
T. A. S v NORTHERN TERRITORY
The Associated Schools knew if they could keep the ball in their hands they had enough firepower to run Northern Territory off their feet, and that’s what they did.
Two tries in the opening 10 minutes had them quickly on the front foot before Northern Territory strung together a few nice phases to get themselves on the scoreboard.
A try right on time for T. A. S meant they held a 19-7 lead at halftime before both sides muscled up in defence with neither side giving an inch.
T. A. S finally scored to extend their lead in the 59th minute but Northern Territory quickly hit back to find themselves down 10 with six minutes on the clock.
With the clock ticking down both sides threw all they had at their opposition with some final try scoring efforts in the dying stages before the match ended 29-21.
T. A. S head coach Mosiah Christian said he was proud of his side.
“We couldn’t convert any set piece yesterday which was a very different story today where we converted most of it, especially our scrum,” he said.
“We also had a lot of front foot ball and were able to play wide which we didn’t get to do yesterday and that is a credit to the Barbarians.
“Our forwards worked really hard on both sides of the ball so our backs could stay deep and wide which allowed us to get down their end.”
STANDOUT PLAYERS
Sitaleki Tafa (T. A. S)
Despite picking up a second half yellow card the second rower was extremely physical and strong in everything he did.
Was a focus point off the back of the ruck and made plenty of tackles.
Jack Brown (T. A. S)
Came off the bench yesterday against the Barbarians but was called upon for a full game on Tuesday where he stood tall on both sides of the ball.
Scored a game-sealing try in the second half.
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