Pacific Youth Rugby Festival 2023 live stream: Victoria Samoa out to surprise Queenslanders, players to watch

They are the interstate marauders the host state ‘knows very little about’. Can Victoria Samoa turn anonymity into a title-winning run at the Pacific Youth Rugby Festival? Catch them LIVE.

There’s a small club from a rival state out to spoil the Queensland party at next weekend’s Pacific Youth Rugby Festival in Brisbane.

Twelve months ago, Victoria Samoa travelled to Queensland but fell short of their goal of winning the event.

Now they are returning and have their eyes on the U16 boys title.

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Coach Dennis Sua, also the president of the Victoria Samoa Rugby, said the fact few of their Queensland rivals know his players could well play into the hands of the interstate marauders.

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“We are sight unseen and no one really knows us,’’ Sua said.

“We are hoping to surprise and be the quiet achievers.

“The Queenslanders are good and provide great competition, but we reckon we have a team able to do well, to be really pushing them.

“We definitely want to bring that Cup back.’’

The Victorian Samoa team have big aspirations at the Pacific Youth Rugby festival.

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Victoria Samoa were defeated by Queensland Samoa in the semifinals last year.

“So we are coming back to see if we can push it further this time,’’ Sua said.

“Basically, we have a whole new crew. Out of my team last year. there are only five players returning.

“But we had some missed out on the Rebels U15s, so this is like a second opportunity for them.”

Sua insisted a number of his players will turn heads at the tournament.

“Sebastian Elia is a lock. He’s a great lineout jumper and has an all-round high workload,” Sua said.

“Phoenix Montero-Sua also missed out on the (Melbourne) Rebels camp.

“He’s a fullback and winger and has a good rugby IQ. His game management is very good, and he’s an all-round player who can tackle anything in the backline.

“Cooper Brown is a family oriented young man who has a passion for rugby.

“A dominant fast runner who loves to break the line, Cooper has played a few different positions – back, wing, centre – and steps up to the challenge every time, winning the best back for under 15s in 2023.’’

The Victorian Samoa team are ready to take on the Queenslanders.

Jarrell Sagote-Mears, 16, a fly half, inside centre from the Footscray Bulldogs Rugby Union Club is another to keep an eye on.

“His father has played over 200 senior games for the club, and if you add up Jarrell’s games as a junior, he would be near that as well,’’ Sua said.

“A big body for a fly half, a calm demeanour and a rugby brain, silky passing and an eye for

putting his runners into space. He also has a big boot on him and can kick goals from any

part of the field.

“He is a natural leader having played finals rugby every year as a junior. You won’t hear

much from him off the field, but you’ll have no doubt who is in charge on it.’’

Another expected to make his mark at the event is Lahtrelle Beazley-Folomu, a No.8, blindside flanker and prop, also from Footscray Bulldogs Rugby Union Club.

“The reason why you just heard the crowd gasp and yell in unison is because Lahtrelle has

just made another telling tackle or bruising run,’’ Sua said.

“Having played along side Jarrell Sagote-Mears since they were six at Footscray, you would be hard pressed to find a more impressive, inspirational player on the field in any of his games.

“A fast, damaging runner with good ball skills and a reputation as a fearless defender, there’s

not many players in Melbourne that enjoy running into his shoulders.

“Quiet off the field, he let’s his game do all the talking on.’’

Sua said he had hoped to bring a girls teams to the festival but his young players were tied up with rugby league and other sports and could not commit to the training and travel.

Originally published as Pacific Youth Rugby Festival 2023 live stream: Victoria Samoa out to surprise Queenslanders, players to watch