ASSRL Nationals scouting report: Day 3 wrap from the rugby league under-18 schools carnival

As the big guns brought order back to the Australian secondary schools championships, five future NRL and NRLW stars put their name in lights. Day 3 scouting report.

Day three of the Australian secondary schools championships came and went with the big guns stamping their authority on the carnival in Coffs Harbour.

After their giant-killing win on Monday, ACT struggled to back up as they fell to NSW Combined High Schools.

The Combined Affiliated States also battled as they succumbed to NSW Combined Catholic Colleges.

In the womens’ games, NSW Combined Independent Schools and Queensland enjoyed big wins. Here’s five things we learned from day 3.

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TOO BIG, TOO STRONG

Cody Hopwood came into the Australian secondary schools championships as the No.2 ranked player in the nation. If he keeps his form up, he may be top of the pops by the time the tournament is over. The NSW Combined Catholic Colleges prop was a powerhouse again on day three of the carnival, showcasing the potential that convinced the Newcastle Knights to recently upgrade him to a top 30 deal. Hopwood scored a try in the first half as he bullocked over the line with three Combined Affiliated States players trying to hold him up. He was just too strong and too powerful. He added another four-pointer in the second half when he loomed in support of Jack Thompson and crashed over. It was a five-star performance.

PANTHERS SECURE ANOTHER PRODIGY

The Penrith production line shows no signs of slowing down and another of their young stars emerged on day three of the tournament. Jack Attard was a constant threat at fullback for the NSW Combined Catholic Schools and showed another string to his bow with four goals in a 38-0 win over CAS. The St Dominic’s captain is a member of the emerging Panthers pathways program and spent the SG Ball season with Penrith.

Jack Attard is proving to be a super set shot at goal. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

THE HALVES KEEP COMING

So much for the lack of halves in the game. If this tournament is anything to go by, there are some quality No.7s emerging through the secondary school system. Kade Reed was outstanding in NSW Combined High School’s opening game and he backed it up as they beat the ACT 26-10. The St George Illawarra youngster had a hand in everything and controlled the win with his smart kicking game. One to watch.

RAIDERS RISING

ACT centre Luke Tuialii is on the books at Canberra until at least the end of 2026 and it seems like a shrewd signing after his efforts through the opening two games of the tournament. The ACT weren’t able to back up their stunning opening win over NSW CIS but they were in the fight for much of the game against NSW CHS. Tuialii was a constant handful.

Raiders junior Luke Tuialii. Picture: Sue Graham

ELECTRIC ELLA

NSW CIS fullback Ella Knowles was the star of the show as they rolled over Western Australia on day three of the tournament. Knowles had a hand in five tries as the Combined Independent Schools made light work of WA. Four of those assists were in the first half as NSW CIS ran away with the game.

TRY OF THE DAY

It wasn’t spectacular but there was some real class about the first of Zailen Campbell-Cook’s two tries against ACT on Tuesday. It started with halfback Kade Reed digging into the line, continued when Beau Hill came up with an offload and then hit a crescendo when classy centre Nikora Williams got his hands on the ball, creating the space for Campbell-Cook to score.