Sevens Next Gen Series: trifectas, top kickers, stars, photos, results in NSW v Queensland battles
There were blowouts, close calls, a hot boot and multiple try-fectas in the opening round of the Next Gen Sevens rugby series in Sydney. Stars, great photos and Rd 1 result wrap.
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There were blowouts, close calls, a hot boot, multiple try-fectas and plenty to be happy about according to one coach in the opening round of the Next Gen Sevens rugby series in Sydney. The series between NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds teams is designed to throw the spotlight on the rising stars of the game and players who will be pushing to make the LA Olympic team in 2028 and then the Brisbane Game since 2032.
And round one did just that with the two states level pegging at the end of the day but NSW ahead on for and against.
There were stars and standouts from both sides of the border as NSW and Queensland both racked duo two wins each in the opening round of the three-weekend competition.
Stand-in NSW coach Mike Ruthven said he was impressed by the “exciting g young talent’’ in round one.
His side lost their first match, bounced back to win their next two before again falling to Queensland in the final match of the day.
“Both team had lot of good talent,’’ he said. “We won the day on for and against so we are pretty happy with that to be honest.’’
Ruthven said Piper Simons was outstanding for the Waratahs.
“She had good footwork, really was outstanding and played every minute of every game,’’ he said. “She got through a lot of minutes.
“Milla Elaro was fantastic, a highly experienced power forward for us who was good around contact and collision.
Amelia Whitaker, an outside back, played and go some good experience. She is young and we are incredibly excited about her. Helpfully she will be able to cross formats (sevens, 15s) player.’
“Damita (Betham) was great, Athletic and super powerful and a real turn of foot.
“For Queensland Carys (Dallinger) was really great for someone who I understand hasn’t played much sevens.
Queensland coach Marioulla Belessis also rated Dallinger along with a number of her other players.
“I though Carys really stood out. It was the first time playing sevens in a while and she had strong ball running and composure, she was really good,’’ she said.
“We had Faagase Tupuola-Palale who is a young up-and-comer. She is quite young, still at school and a very strong ball runner on the edge.
“Her size and power in contact gives her an edge over other wingers.
“And then Amahli Sieli Hala who is an edge player.. She jumped into the centres and she has played quite a bit at a higher level than some of the others her level. She; s quite young and led by example on and off the field. Her composure and speed and footwork and all around defence effort were great.’’
NEXT GEN SEVENS RD1 STARS, TOP TRY SCORERS, RESULTS
GAME ONE: Queensland beat NSW 26-10
Wallaroos gun Carys Dallinger was named for the opening match of the event played at Forshaw Park and won convincingly by Queensland.
The visitors captain Faythe Manera was one of the stars of this match with three conversions while teammate Rhani Hagan was a multiple try scorer.
No. 14 Faagase Tupuola-Palale and Amahki Sieli Hala also scored.
NSW’s two tryscorers were Tatum Bird and Damita Betham.
GAME TWO: NSW beat Queensland 12-10
Betham then helped NSW to their first win in the closest game of the opening round while captain Piper Simons helped secure the match with a converted try.
Faagase Tupuola-Palale then scored a double to lead the try scorers list with three tries.
GAME THREE: NSW beat Queensland 34-0
Simons was outstanding in the third match of the day as the NSW team kept Queensland scoreless.
She scored a try and made two conversions with other try scorers for NSW including Ella Carlisle, Milla Elaro and Tess Orton.
GAME FOUR: Queensland beat NSW 28-17
It was a different story in game four with Queensland coming out hard to take the 11 point win.
Deadly kicking from Dallinger was a highlight of the match as the Queenslanders outscored NSW four tries to three.
Dallinger also scored a try for Queensland along with Fleur Ginn, Amahli Sieli Hala and Faythe Manera.
Try scorers for NSW were Ella Carlisle, Jacinta Windsor and Betham – who ended the day with three – with Simons making a conversion.
NEXT GEN SEVENS 2024 NSW AND QUEENSLAND SQUADS
NSW Waratahs: Ruby Nicholas (Gordon), Kilahla Duff (Manly), Ella Fountaine (Burraneer), Piper Simons (Gordon), Milla Elaro (Gordon), Mackenzie Davis (Burraneer), Damita Betham (Gordon), Ella Carlisle (Burraneer), Chanel Williams (Sydney University), Logan Lemusu (Manly), Edie Burke (Gordon), Chaela-lee Falls (Manly), Amelia Whitaker (Randwick), Jacinta Windsor (Easts), Georgie Fowler (Gordon), Tess Orton (Gordon), Stephanie Kellaway (Gordon), Tatum Bird (Warringah), Waiaria Ellis (Blacktown Scorpions), Pyper Marchant (Sydney University), Tahlia O’Brien (Wollongong Tech Warriors).
Queensland Reds Sophie Duff (University of Queensland), Emma Stockwell (Wests), Rhani Hagan (Wests), Carys Dallinger (Easts), Amahli Hala (Bond University), Zoe Waters (Toowoomba Bears), Tahli Devine (Easts), Meg Gemmell (University of Queensland), Kaelyn Passi (Bond University), Kianna Maclean (GPS Rugby Club), Caitlin Urwin (University of Queensland), Melanie Wilks (Bond University), Fa’agase Tupuola-Palale (Bond University),
Tahlia Evans (University of Queensland), Emmisyn Wynyard (GPS Rugby Club), Piper Flynn (Easts), Faythe Manera (Bond University), Indiahna Frawley (Wests), Madison Pomerenke (Brothers – Sunshine Coast), Charli Nikola (N/A), Ava Wereta (Bond University), Taleah Ackland (Toowoomba Bears), Fleur Ginn (Wests), Kahli Henwood (GPS Rugby Club), Heidi Dennis (Easts).
NEXT GEN SEVENS SERIES NEXT ROUNDS
Round 2 – Saturday 12 October, Toowoomba Sports Ground, Toowoomba.
Round 3 – Sunday 20 October, Byron Bay Rugby Union Club, Byron Bay.
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