Schoolboy rugby: stars, scorers, photo gallery at NSW Waratahs, U18 schools, NSW Juniors trials
It was their last chance to impress and NSW’s teen rugby players left nothing to chance on a day of big hits and tries galore as they battled for rep spots. Standouts, top shots and result wrap
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It was their last chance to impress selectors and NSW’s top teen rugby players left nothing to chance as they battled for spots in six rep teams at Eric Tweedale stadium on Friday.
The best under 18 talent in the state were on show as they chased selection in a variety of squads, including the NSW Waratahs.
And they didn’t disappoint with tryfests in some games, big hits and trifectas in others and sensational speed from numerous young guns keen to make their mark in the game.
Some results were expected, others were not with many players reaching new heights as they chased a rep squad selection.
Photographer John Appleyard was there to catch all the action from the six matches closely monitored by selectors.
Friday’s games followed on from an assortment of other trials matches earlier this week with selectors on Friday working on the shape and style of our top junior squads.
Check out some of the best photos from Friday’s matches below along with a result wrap.
CAS II V CHS II
It was one-way traffic in the opening match of the day.
A 30 point second half saw CAS take the match by a whopping 45-10.
CAS lead 15-3 at halftime before eventually outscoring CHS seven ties to one.
Issac Baker scored CHS’s only try.
Noah Tofaeono went over twice for CAS II with Felix Turinui converting three.
The other scorers were Sam Nuilala, Will Potent, Ethan Kotarac, Noah Jackson, Noah Wicks and Henry Colvin.
CAS I v CHS I
CAS again hit the ground running in the morning match at Eric Tweedale.
They opened the scoring and lead 26-5 at halftime.
While CHS were able to add two tries in the second half thanks to Narrabri’s Sid Harvey and Homebush Sports High’s Jethro Rinakama, by game end the CAS players had racked up an additional 21 points to take the match 47-17.
Jono Ryan scored three tries.
Other scorers were Will Goddard, Orly Hatton-Ward, Reilly Caswell, Hamish McDonald and Malakye Enasio.
CCC v SJRU
This was the closest match of the day with the score locked at 10-10 in the first half before Sydney Juniors broke the deadlock with a try just prior to the break.
CCC came back to take the lead for the first time in the second half before two quick tries from Sydney Juniors in response saw them take the match 30-22.
Lachlan Doheny, Samu Tuisau, Kian Edmed, Paul Vaokakala, Ben Fineganand Archie McGurk all went over for Sydney.
Jonathan Irma scored two for CCC with Charlie Alexander also scoring.
AICES V COUNTRY
AICES scored two tries early to take control of his match.
At halftime the side were up 14-7.
AICES added another 12 points in the second half to outscore Country four tries to two for the 26-10 win.
AICES scorers included Michael Vanderos, James Burton, Pat Hall, Blake Pasfied and Siaosi Mahe.
Corey McInnes and Callum McMenemy went over for Country.
GPS II V ISA II
The most emphatic win of the day.
GPS produced a dominating performance for their whopping 48-5 victory,
Nate Titii, Josha Va’alotu, Tom Farr-Jones (two), Aidan Gow (two), Tallis McEwen and Patrick Broe all scored while Henry James converted four.
GPS I V ISA I
GPS made it back to back wins in the afternoon with their top teams dominating the final
Hadley Tonga and Boston Fakafanua both scored in their big win.
But it was Casey McLean from Newington College who starred, going over twice.
Hugo Orpin converted two for GPS.
Cooper Edwards from St Patricks College starred for ISA with two tries with one converted by Sam Blank from St Augustines.
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