National junior rugby champs day 1 stars, standouts, scorers, results, news, great photos, draw
Big scores, fancy team tries and individual brilliance stole the show on day one of the Australian junior rugby championships. See the top results and which players shone bright.
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The unknown mist of the Australian junior rugby union championships has started to clear after some dominant wins on day one from the Sunshine Coast.
All three matches finished as one sided affairs but those results will make for a handful of exciting matchups in the coming days.
NSW Junior Barbarians, South Australia and Victoria claimed some vital ladder points with the leading teams from each pool earning a place in the grand final on Thursday.
See our full day one wrap below with scores, match reports and standout players.
JRU BARBARIANS v QLD T.A.S
In an unknown tournament the Barbarians came into the match as the team to beat and they showed exactly why thanks to a dominant first half performance.
The mismatched side gelled well together in the 64-24 victory with their backline enjoying plenty of praise.
Player of the match Zach Seckold was able to snag a first half hat trick but said his side had room for improvement for the coming days.
“We started really well but we got a bit complacent in the second half and allowed them to get a bit of a roll on and score some points,” he said.
“It was a good win to start our matches but I still think we can get better which is exciting.
“Most of the boys have played a bit of footy with two or three guys so there’s some links there but for the majority we’re all fresh faces to each other.”
The NSW Barbarians coach Michael Nicolletti said it was an allround performance from his team that got them the big win, with special mention of his forward pack.
“It feels amazing to get this win but we know Victoria, our next game, they will be tough,” he said.
STANDOUT PLAYERS
Zach Seckold (NSWJRUB)
Was the player of the match in the opening fixture with a first half hat trick during the Barbarian’s 40-point victory.
The left winger had a great jig-step and acceleration in his locker but also showed good skill with the ball with limited room to move.
Jamie Grant (NSWJRUB)
Was blessed with plenty of the ball and field possession in the opening half as the Barbarians flyhalf let his outside backs shine with great communication and wide play.
He was able to score a nice runaway try of his own which rounded out a nice overall performance.
David-Lavondre Bloomfield (NSWJRUB)
The prop forward was a player to watch coming into the tournament and he showed exactly why with a brutal first half effort.
Bloomfield carried the ball really well, was huge at the scrum and scored a great bulldozing try in the first 35 minutes.
Charley Ogden (T.A.S)
Tried hard all game, was shuffled from flyhalf to fullback early but he created the most attacking opportunities for his side when they had the ball.
Scored a great individual runaway try in the second half.
Eli Fuller (NSWJRUB)
Another player that was able to shine early thanks to some great attacking play and ball control from fullback.
His short burst of threatening attacking play and link-up ability was halted at the halftime break due to being substituted but his overall spatial awareness and long passing was key.
Max Newton (T.A.S)
His forward pack were on the back foot early but the lock forward and vice-captain got his side going in the second half with some nice field possession.
Newton showcased some good tip-on play, smart running and a nice workrate.
NT v SA
It started as a solid arm-wrestle between both sides with neither breaking into their own 22m line but holding strong in defence.
South Australia opted for three first half penalty goals while Northern Territory snagged two tries out wide to make it a one-point game at halftime.
Ten minutes in the sin bin to NT’s fullback Eligh Pomroy dented their chances at staying in the game with SA throwing the ball around and scoring two quick tries.
SA kept their foot on the throttle as the clock ticked down, finishing the match with a 42-10 result.
SA head coach Craig Basford said he was proud of his side’s game management.
“The boys knew at halftime what they had done wrong and where they needed to improve which to their credit they did in the second half,” Basford said.
“We’re big on belief and having a crack because it’s amazing what you can do if you don’t know you can’t.
“We executed well, held the ball and got a good roll on.”
STANDOUT PLAYERS
Jack Bell (SA)
The second rower was in anything and everything in their opening match with great ruck work and carries.
He put in a huge shift that had his side full of confidence.
His work alongside captain Zac Seaton was key.
Mackenzie Morgan (SA)
The SA fly half played smart footy early as he worked his way into the game with ease and gave his side confidence with three early penalty goals.
Turned up the heat in the second half with a strong running game and great general play kicking.
Lemy Abdulmalik (SA)
Had the number seven on his back for SA but Abdulmalik slotted in on the left wing for his side and created plenty of headaches for the NT outside backs.
His acceleration off the mark and stutter-step footwork was great to watch.
Went flying through the air to finish off a lovely team try.
Luan Oberholzer (NT)
Oberholzer was on the wrong side of the scoreline but the number 12 showed plenty of spark on both sides of the ball.
His direct running and link-up play with his fullback Eligh Pomroy gave his side confidence.
TAS v VIC
It was one way traffic in the final game of the day as Victoria piled on 47 points in the opening half of footy.
Tasmania struggled to get their hands on the footy as their southern rivals kept them pinned in their own half for the majority of the contest.
A big hit on a Tasmanian player put a halt on the contest but the match got back underway with 20 minutes to play.
The final whistle eventually came with Victoria winning 76-5.
Victorian head coach Dwayne Tiopira said he was happy with his side’s performance but was eager to match-up against NSW Barbarians on Tuesday.
“It’s been a long 10 weeks as a group so this was our first proper hit out as a team,” he said.
“I’m confident moving forward but tomorrow’s game is one we really wanted to target.
“I think it was a group effort against Tasmania, they lifted in the second half with a man down but proud of everyone.”
STANDOUT PLAYERS
Simona Lafulafu (VIC)
The damaging right side flanker found himself on the edge of some lovely Victorian wide play as Lafulafu made the most of the open space.
His short passing game was impactful and he took joy in bumping off the opposition defenders.
Finished with two tries of his own.
Jeremiah Niupulusu (VIC)
The Victorian number eight got his hands on the ball as much as possible and chewed up plenty of metres from anywhere on the field.
He was tough to bring down and will be a key threat in their match against NSW Barbarians.
Phoenix Monteiro-Sua (VIC)
The flyhalf and captain just flowed through the game with ease, creating plenty of attacking opportunities early on.
He finished with three tries of his own as well as six successful conversion attempts.
NATIONAL JUNIOR RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIPS
MONDAY
10am U18 Boys: NSWJRU v T.A.S.
11:30am U18 Boys NT v SA
1pm U18 Boys: Tasmania v VIC U17
TUESDAY
11:30am U18 Boys VIC U17 v NSWJRU
1:00pm U18 Boys SA v Tasmania
2:30pm U18 Boys T.A.S.v NT3
WEDNESDAY
9am U18 Girls Brisbane City v Rugby WA
10am U18 Girls Sydney Juniors v SA
11am U18 Girls QLD Country v Brisbane City
12pm U18 Girls NSW Country v Sydney Juniors
1pm U18 Girls Rugby WA v QLD Country
2pm U18 Girls SA v NSW Country
9am U16 Girls Sydney Juniors v SA
10am U16 Girls Brisbane City v Combined (TAS)
11am U16 Girls NSW Country v Sydney Juniors
12pm U16 Girls QLD Country v Brisbane City
1pm U16 Girls SA v NSW Country
2pm U16 Girls Combined (TAS) v QLD Country
9am U16 Boys Tasmania v NT
10am U16 Boys SA v Brisbane City
11am U16 Boys NT v QLD Country
12pm U16 Boys Brisbane City v Tasmania
1pm U16 Boys QLD Country v SA
THURSDAY
8:30am U18 Girls Pool A 3rd v Pool B 3rd
9:50am U16 Girls Pool A 3rd v Pool B 3rd
10am U18 Girls Pool A 1st v Pool B 1st
11am U16 Girls Pool A 2nd v Pool B 2nd
12:10pm U16 Girls Pool A 1st v Pool B 1st
1:20pm Presentations - U16 and U18 Girls
8:30am U16 Boys Tasmania v SA
9:30am U16 Boys NT v Brisbane City
10:30am U16 Boys QLD Country v Tasmania
11.30am U16 Boys SA v NT
12:30am U16 Boys Brisbane City v QLD Country
8:30am U18 Girls Pool A 2nd v Pool B 2nd
9:50am NJRC U18 Boys Pool A 3rd V Pool B 3rd
11:10am NJRC U18 Boy Pool A 2nd v Pool B 2nd
12:10pm FINAL
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Originally published as National junior rugby champs day 1 stars, standouts, scorers, results, news, great photos, draw
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