2020 NRL Schoolboy Cup semi-final: Hills Sports High vs Westfields Sports High
Westfields Sports High has secured a spot in the NRL Schoolboy Cup grand final with a thrilling victory over Hills Sports High. Watch the replay now.
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Usually, you’d find big Solomone Saukuru in the frontrow.
But this year, the Westfields Sports High student has shone at both centre and fullback in the NRL Schoolboy Cup.
And on Wednesday, it was Saukuru, who inspired his school’s 28-22 semi final victory over Hills Sports High at Bankwest Stadium.
Westfields will play the winner of the semi-final between Patrician Brothers Blacktown and Endeavour Sports High. who clash at 1.30pm on Wednesday afternoon.
WATCH A FULL REPLAY OF THE WESTFIELDS VS HILLS CLASH IN THE PLAYER ABOVE NOW.
Both teams were locked up 18-18 in the second half, when the Bulldogs junior crashed over on the left.
The clutch try gave Westfields the momentum they needed to book their spot in next week’s NRL Schoolboy Grand Final.
“It’s always good to get a try, but it’s tiring, I’ve got to work on a lot of things,” Saukuru said.
“It’s special to play with these boys from schools, you almost play for more.”
Saukuru teammate Caleb Tohi admitted that the Westfields side had finally clicked - just in time for the final.
“That last game against St Doms we were lucky to get the win,” Tohi said.
“We were telling ourselves we were the championship team. But our coach Wayne said ‘no, last year’s team was the championship team.’
“We realised that we have to get the wins ourselves and let everyone know that we can win this competition again. Today we showed everyone that we’re not underdogs.”
The reigning NSW champions looked threatening in attack, but a youthful Hills side gave them a good scare.
Hills school captain Samuel Pinomi - who returned from injury in time for the semi - said he felt blessed to play footy with his mates in 2020.
“It was an improvement from the previous game, we started real sloppy and had to catch up. … but unfortunately we couldn’t get the win today,” Pinomi said.
“For me personally I’m very blessed I got the opportunity to go out there and play.”
Pinomi is confident that the young Hills side will return even stronger in 2021.
“We’re going through a big rebuilding phase, this year 12 group has left a mark, I hope the year 11 boys pick up on that and that they drive the culture next year. I think they’ll kill it next year.”
Hills opened the scoring via tough lock Lipoi Hopoi, who spun over after four consecutive sets in the 9th minute. Blake Metcalfe slotted the conversion to give the underdogs a 6-0 lead.
After a shaky start, Westfields pack clicked into gear. A strong run by Caleb Kirikiti allowed Tohi to put Justin Matamua over under the posts in the 13th minute. Carson Kaho converted to level the score 6-6. Parramatta SG Balls star Taho followed suit in the 17th minute and Kaho added the 2 to extend Westfields lead to 12-6.
In the 28th minute, Hills were rewarded with an exciting team try. Bunting and Taylor Mauala combined to find Kamoe Fekitoa in space. The winger beat two defenders and sent Mikey Tannous over. Metcalfe converted to lock up the score 12-12 at half time.
Hills started their second half strong as Mocevakaca took an intercept and sprinted 70 metres. The fast break set Bunting up to dummy and spring over. Metcalfe booted the conversion and Hills led 18-12.
Westfields responded minutes later via centre Saukuru who was simply too strong and barged over. Kaho missed the conversion but booted a penalty kick minutes later to lock it up 18-18.
But Saukuru’s clutch play gave Westfields enough momentum to turn the game.
Joseph O’Neill spotted an overlap in the 45th minute and put Sinclair over. Kaho’s conversion was waived away but Wesfields led 22-18.
In the closing minutes, Ashoton Kolinisau sealed the deal with an intercept try and Kaho slotted the conversion to secure Westfields a 28-18 victory
WESTFIELDS TRIES: Justin Matamua, Caleb Tohi, Solomone Saukuru, Cooper Sinclair, Ashoton Kolinisau; CONVERSIONS: Carson Kaho 3/5 (conversions), Carson Kaho 1/1 (penalty)
HILLS TRIES: Lipoi Hopoi, Mikey Tannous, Tylor Bunting; CONVERSIONS: Metcalfe 3/3
TEAMS
HILLS SPORTS HIGH
1. Blake Metcalfe 2. Siaosi Kaliti 3. Joshua Mocevakaca 4. Harry Hassett 5. Kamoe Fekitoa 6. Mikey Tannous 7. Tylor Bunting 8. Adam Runchel 9. Drew Lloyd 10. Taylor Mauala 11. Luron Patea 12. Xavier Osekerita 13. Lipoi Hopoi BENCH: 14. Tevita Petelo 15. Terence Patolo 16. Samuel Pinomi 18. Sioeli Hopoi 19. Marley Hunter 20. Spencer Tuala
Coach: Scott Jones
WESTFIELDS SPORTS HIGH
1. Carson Kaho 2. Solomone Saukuru 3. Vaiala Tamati 4. Ashoton Kolinisau 5. Keane Tavui 6. Joshua Parke 7. Joseph O’Neill 8. Solomon Akama 9. Vlado Jankovic 10. Apisalome Saukuru 11. Brayden Guyan 12. Caleb Kirikiti 13. Caleb Tohi BENCH: 14. Justin Matamua 15. Raymond Lole 16. Semisi-Taufui Lavula 17. Sam Iese 18. Jarvis Leafa 19. Rick Siofele
Coaches: Wayne Lambkin, Troy Weedon, Luke Vella
WESTFIELDS VS HILLS MATCH PREVIEW
Both Hills and Westfields were tested in the quarter-finals.
Hills had to claw themselves out of a 16-point deficit to beat Holy Cross College in a thriller at Ringrose Park.
And Westfields - stopping two potential match-winning tries in the last two minutes - managed to hold off a St Dominic’s College comeback.
MORE SCHOOLBOY CUP
SEMI-FINAL 2: Live stream Pats Blacktown vs Endeavour Sports from 1.30pm
HIGH ACHIEVERS: Schoolboy league stars kicking goals off the field
It wasn’t pretty but both schools dug deep to earn their spot in the semis.
On Wednesday, Hills and Westfields will be looking to better execute their game plans and up the intensity.
“It wasn’t our strongest performance against Holy Cross, full credit to them, they’re a tremendous team,” Hills coach Scott Jones said.
“Setting ourselves into such a big hole that we had to dig ourselves out of, it shows great resilience, it’s a showing of character.”
“We’ve just been looking at our own backyard, because we were far from our best.”
Despite the wet weather and HSC examination period, Westfields coach Troy Weeden said his boys were feeling positive heading into the contest.
“The boys are excited, they all know each other, a lot of kids play junior reps together at Parramatta,” Weeden said.
“We did better in our second game (against St Dominic’s College) so we weren‘t too disappointed, even though it got a bit tight towards the end. I think we’re on the right track,” Weeden said.
“The boys know the mistakes they’re making and they’re working pretty hard to correct them … working on the basic skills, catch and pass, defensively I think we’ve been okay, I think it’s more the errors with the ball, so that’s been the focus.”
LAST TIME THEY MET:
Westfields 54 v Hills 14 (2019)
Hills SHS
National titles won: 2
NSW titles won: 2
Notable NRL alumni: Wade Graham, Jorge Taufua, Oregon Kaufusi, Jeremy Marshall-King, Addin Fonua-Blake, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Dylan Brown, Shawn Blore, Tom Amone, Peni Terepo
2020 Schoolboy Cup results: Defeated Holy Cross College (26-24), defeated Chifley College (58-4)
2020 tries: 15
2020 try scorers: Mocevakaca (4), Daniel Reardon(2), Mikey Tannous (2), Drew Lloyd, Tevita Petelo, Blake Metcalfe, Joshua, Adam Runchel, Siaosi Kaliti, Taylor Mauala, Siaosi Fekito.
Westfields SHS
National titles: 1
NSW titles: 3
Notable NRL alumni: David Klemmer, Moses Suli, Jarryd Hayne, Issac Luke, David Fifita, Tommy Talau, Brandon Wakeham, Jason Saab, Blake Green, Tony Williams.
2020 Schoolboy Cup results: Defeated St Dominic’s College (16-12), defeated Patrician Brothers Fairfield (20-12)
2020 tries: 7
2020 try scorers: Carson Kaho, Caleb Kirikiti, Semisi-Taufui Lavulo, Caleb Tohi, Solomone Saukuru, Ashton Kolinisau, Justin Matamua.
The 2020 NRL Schoolboy Cup NSW Grand Final will be held at 2pm on Wednesday, November 11 at Leichhardt Oval 2:00pm.
To watch all NRL Schoolboy Cup games, head to www.dailytelegraph.com.au at scheduled kick off times.