NSWRL Junior Reps Grand Finals: Results wrap and 100+ gallery from CommBank Stadium
There were historic victories and swags of good footy at CommBank Stadium. We look back at the NSWRL Junior Reps grand finals with our full wrap and huge gallery.
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After three months of preliminaries all roads headed to Parramatta for the NSWRL Junior Reps grand finals.
The best of the state’s rising rugby league talent chased glory in the Lisa Fiaola, Harold Matthews, Tarsha Gale and SG Ball Cup deciders.
We look back at all the action from CommBank Stadium with our full wrap and huge photo gallery.
LISA FIAOLA CUP
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS v WESTS TIGERS
Canterbury-Bankstown completed an undefeated season to claim the inaugural Lisa Fiaola Cup with a 36-0 victory over the Wests Tigers.
Chasing a 10th straight victory, Canterbury’s under-17 girls were never threatened, putting in a complete performance before a vocal crowd at CommBank Stadium.
The Tigers found themselves on the back foot in the opening set. After coughing up possession, Canterbury then wasted no time striking the first blow through a familiar face.
After shifting the ball from left to right, winger Asha Taumoepeau-Williams planted the ball in the corner for her 12th of the season.
With their foot in the door, the minor premiers attacked in waves adding another three tries to lead 18-0 in the 21st minute.
Star backrower Aliahana Fuimaono crossed first and then was on hand for Taumoepeau-Williams’ second after regathering a Olivia Vaalele chip kick.
Plagued by turnovers, Wests only chance in the first half spilt free as five-eighth Agnews Faaui charged at the line.
Chasing a fifth straight win, the Tigers continued to press the line after the break but were continually swamped by a bigger and imposing Canterbury defence.
Taumoepeau-Williams then capped off a fine season finishing the day with an astonishing four tries, and the points kept flowing through centre Lahnayah Daniel and five-eighth Evelyn Roberts, who bagged a double.
Amid wild post match celebrations, Canterbury coach Michael Stuart praised his side’s commitment throughout the season.
“Today’s result came through hard work, dedication and a lot of talent,” said Stuart of his squad assembled from locals and players from interstate and New Zealand.
“They’ve just come in and done the job since November, I’m really proud of them.
“It certainly helps with players like Evelyn Roberts and hooker Mary-Jane Taito combining them all together.”
Pressed on who fans should watch out for in the coming seasons, the coach highlighted two regular contributors.
“Lock Trinity Tauaneai, I think she’ll definitely kick on, and Mary-Jane is one to keep an eye on.”
As for wanting more from try scoring winger Taumoepeau-Williams, fans may have to wait.
“Asha is still only 15, she turns 16 in November. She’s actually a backrower but we trained her up on the wing and she’ll be available for Lisa Fiaola next season.”
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Mary-Jane Taito (Canterbury)
PLAYER OF THE SEASON: Evelyn Roberts (Canterbury)
HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP
WESTERN SUBURBS MAGPIES v NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
The Warriors have conquered the NSW Junior Rugby League at their first attempt, after the New Zealand side overcame an early deficit to defeat Western Suburbs 34-16 in the Harold Matthews Cup grand final.
In a remarkable turnaround in their first season of under-17s, the Warriors overcame a slow start to just squeeze into the finals. They then knocked over heavyweights Parramatta and Canterbury before meeting the undefeated Magpies.
Wests jumped out of the gates and led 10-0 in the sixth minute with tries to Pheonix Godinet and five-eighth Jhevon Lele.
But as they have done all season, the Warriors regrouped and struck back with the next four tries to open an unlikely 24-10 halftime advantage.
Halfback Jack Thompson was in everything for the Kiwis. He stepped through to score his side’s first and backed up a break by fullback Joseph Ratcliffe to score on halftime.
Wests looked dangerous in the second half and threatened on many occasions, but the Warriors continued to scramble and shut down three Magpie raids that appeared destined to end over the stripe.
And when Wests fullback Ali Hicham Karnib fumbled a clearing kick, the Warriors swooped. Winger Ezekiel Davidson-Faaiuaso cleaned up the error and the Warriors were never headed when replacement Boston Krone backed up to make it 28-10 with 13 minutes to play.
“We’ve been in this position before where we have been behind,” said Warriors coach TJ Ashford.
“The boys have learned from that and thankfully we managed to bring it home.”
Among a host of top performers including star lock Lennox Tuiloma, Ashford highlighted the efforts of Thompson, his rising playmaker.
“Jack is a special player, he’s been carrying an injury and has been touch and go the last couple of weeks. But he came out and he delivered on the big stage, and no one can take that away from him now.”
The successful Warriors coach believes the win will have lasting effects back home.
“The importance of boys being able to stay in New Zealand rather than coming to Australia is significant,” said Ashford.
“Kids back home can dream about wearing the Warriors jersey and know that they can stay in the pathway and still get the same success as everyone over here.”
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Lennox Tuiloma (Warriors)
PLAYER OF THE SEASON: Heamasi Makasini (Magpies)
TARSHA GALE CUP
ILLAWARRA STEELERS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
The Illawarra Steelers are Tarsha Gale Cup champions after rounding out an unbeaten season with a 24-12 grand final win over Newcastle Knights.
Nerves got the better of the Steelers at the start, and they paid the price after dropping the kick off when Knights winger Lilly McNamara slid over in the next set.
The Steelers quickly settled and they levelled through Maria Paseka, after the No.5 won the race to a Evie McGrath kick.
With the game in the balance, Indie Bostock – the younger sister of Dolphins NRL winger Jack – set the game alight with two moments of individual brilliance.
First, the centre steamed onto a cross field kick to score. Then with nothing seemingly on offer, she exploded one pass off a scrum and raced the length of the field to give Illawarra a 16-4 lead.
Newcastle struggled to keep their heads above water but headed to the break with all the momentum after tries to centre Aylah McCulloch and a clever effort from hooker Malaki Poa.
Trailing 18-12, the Knights returned from the break with all the running but couldn’t crack a resolute Steelers defence.
Chasing their first title since 2019, Illawarra stepped up a notch and iced the contest when supersub Bronte Wilson steamed onto a Kasey Reh pass to put the result beyond doubt with seven minutes left to play.
“The girls were a bit nervous at the start, and we knew Newcastle would start strong,” said Illawarra coach Courtney Crawford.
“We eventually settled. We don’t have the biggest pack but we worked hard.
“Wilson and Hope Millard were strong in the middle and they stuck to our game plan and then stood up in defence.”
Quizzed on the efforts of Bostock, Crawford couldn’t have been more pleased for the gifted flyer.
“She’s got the nickname “Ferrari” for a reason. She’s a special talent and I’m sure we’ll see her at higher levels, although she’s still a year young and can play Tarsha again next year.”
Alongside a strong season in the under-17s, the Tarsha success points to a positive pathways future.
“It’s a great system,” explained Crawford.
“NRLW coach Jamie Soward comes to training every week. And to his credit, he’s passing on knowledge and really believes in our pathways program.”
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Indie Bostock (Steelers)
PLAYER OF THE SEASON: Kasey Reh (Steelers)
SG BALL CUP
ST GEORGE DRAGONS v CANTERBURY BULLDOGS
When it rains, it pours. After more than three decades in the SG Ball Cup wilderness the St George Dragons have claimed the trophy in style with a comprehensive take-down of Canterbury at CommBank Stadium.
Trailing early, the Red-V finished full of running in the 40-18 victory – the club’s fourth under-19s title and first since a raw-boned Anthony Mundine hit the scene in 1992.
Cheered on by the former Blues Origin star and Shane Flanagan, St George conceded the opening try before taking stock and racing to a 26-4 halftime advantage.
Fullback recruit Tyler Peckham-Harris delivered one of several sublime cut-out passes for Zachariah Nachar to cross for the first of five St George opening half tries. Electric winger Jesse Williams bagged two, including his 20th of the season.
Led by big men Ryan Hutchinson and Jacob Halangahu, the Dragons marched forward at will as halves Shadi Hammoud and Brandon Tikinau continued to feed an elusive array of backline talent.
Long term Bulldogs signing Mitchell Woods tried hard behind a beaten pack, but when the halfback was sin binned midway through the first half any hopes of a comeback were extinguished.
Bulldogs winger Ratu Rinakama scored the first of three Canterbury four-pointers after the break, but with the trophy already on the way to Kogarah, the damage was done.
For victorious Dragons coach and former Canterbury centre Willie Talau, the victory marks a monumental shift in the St George pathways program.
“Obviously we’re building a brand of footy that suits the type of athletes we have and there are some serious athletes here,” said Talua.
“We like to play at a high intensity and we train that way, and to the boys credit they really bought in.
“We have a mix of locals and players from interstate. The club has a really good relationship with some of the schools in Queensland and we’ve focused on attracting the right type of people.”
Peckham-Harris is one of those players, signed from Ipswich, the fullback is blessed with pace and all-round skills.
“Tyler competes at a high level and has a high footy IQ,” said Talua. “He is actually a hooker, and those tries he saved, he does that stuff for fun.”
Alerted to Mundine’s support on the sidelines, the coach couldn’t be any prouder.
“He’s a big supporter of our pathway. He’s been down to a couple of games, so hopefully we’ve unearthed a couple of NRL players for the future.”
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Jacob Halangahu (Dragons)
PLAYER OF THE SEASON: Mitchell Woods (Bulldogs)
WEEKEND PHOTO GALLERY
SG BALL CUP
TARSHA GALE CUP
HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP
LISA FIAOLA CUP
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