NRL NSW Schoolgirl Cup: Matraville SHS v Illawarra SHS, Erindale College v Bass HS

Eight schools are set to fight it out for the NRL NSW Schoolgirl Cup and the 2025 season has started with a bang. Catch the opening round REPLAYS and see how to watch every match.

The NRL NSW Schoolgirl Cup has begun and it is set to be a fiercely contested season.

Eight schools are set to face off for the state title in 2025 and every match will be exclusively broadcast on KommunityTV through News Corp Australia digital mastheads.

See below where you will find links to matches for every round closer to kick off, plus replays of all completed games.

ROUND 1 REPORT AND REPLAYS

A red-time try from Matraville young gun Lita Haumono has denied Illawarra a huge upset win in the opening round of the NRL NSW Schoolgirl Cup on Wednesday.

In the first contest of a triple header to kick off the season at Kirkham Oval, it was Haumono’s try in the final two minutes that secured Matraville the 22-18 win.

Haumono was terrific throughout the contest, imposing her will and physicality throughout, with her two second-half tries reward for strong effort throughout the first.

Despite the loss, it was a strong showing from the rebuilding Illawarra outfit with Madison Hemopo’s opening try proof this side will show plenty throughout the Schoolgirl season.

Matraville front-rower Pesalili-Star Kaliti responded quickly for the eventual victors before another from Logan Fletcher minutes later turned the momentum well and truly in their favour.

But a late try from Illawarra’s Manawa-Jen Tukere, followed by a successful conversion, was enough to give Illawarra a 12-10 lead at the half.

A back and forth opening 10 minutes of the second half was eventually broken open by Haumono’s try but after Jayanarah McLeod found the try line with just over six minutes to play, it was Illawarra that once again took the lead.

A valiant Illawarra did all they good to hold on for a win but it was Haunono’s day to be the hero with her second and final try coming with just two minutes remaining to give Matraville the win.

In the final game of the day, it was Bass that secured a huge 52-4 victory.

REPLAY

Replay: Matraville SHS v Illawarra SHS

Replay: Erindale College v Bass HS

PREVIEW

While he admits they are “not quite ready”, Illawarra Sports High School’s Mark Andrews is confident his side have the building blocks in place to be serious NRL NSW Schoolgirl Cup contenders in the years to come.

Andrews heads up Illawarra’s rugby league program and is working closely with a girls coaching staff that includes St George Illawarra Dragons NRLW star Keele Browne.

Returning to the Schoolgirls Cup in 2025, Illawarra will face a tough challenge against fellow returning outfit Matraville when the competition kicks off with a triple-header of games on Wednesday, available live and exclusive on KommunityTV from 10.30am.

Illawarra Sports High School's Michala Hardy, Laila Poto, Manama-Jen Tukere (MJ), Madison Hemopo and LJ Latu ahead will all feature in the NRL NSW Schoolgirls Cup competition in 2025. Picture: Supplied.

The action continues at 11.45am with the Central Coast Sports College v Westfields SHS before Erindale College and Bass High wrap up the day from 1pm.

While Andrews admits kicking off their season with an early win would be great, he knows it’s much more a longer-term focus for the program.

“I took over the program about five or six months ago and we were in a pretty dark spot to be honest,” Andrews said.

“We did a review and we looked at the areas we had to fix and in terms of the girls program we are probably a few years away from really being where we want to be.

“We are getting the best kids in now to really develop and build and having Keele come on board has been fantastic. She does a great job with them.

NRLW player Keele Browne is coaching Illawarra’s Schoolgirls Cup side in 2025. Photo: Denis Ivaneza

“We have all the right people in place and hopefully in the next couple of years we get there.”

Despite the challenges ahead, Andrews said the group was looking forward to the season and said returning to the schoolgirls cup was already a huge win in itself.

“They are all excited,” he said.

“We have a couple of new girls and they will help us be nice and competitive and in the initial stages we are just looking to show some pride and build our culture up then we will be happy.

“It’s not going to happen overnight but as long as the girls compete really hard and represent the jersey with some respect and show good qualities and character on the field then we know we are on the right path.

“It’s really important (to be back). The girl’s game is really growing and historically we are a strong region down in the Illawarra so we should be striving to represent our school well.

“Once your junior reps finishes, it’s definitely the highest standard of rugby league out there so we want to be out there competing against the best boys and girls in the state.”