Reds fall short against rivals in U16,U19 rugby thrillers
The future of Queensland-New South Wales rugby rivalries is in good hands judging off Sunday’s skirmish at Norths in the Super Rugby Under-16s and Under-19s competition. All you need to know here.
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The New South Wales Waratahs Under-19s staked their Super Rugby title claims on Hugh Courtney Oval at Norths on Sunday when they finished on top in a classic Queensland-New South Wales rugby rivalry game.
The Waratahs beat the Queensland Reds 42-31, the visitors not once trailing in a clash that to-and-froed up until the 66th minute when a timely try by Matteo Cleverley put a canyon between the two sides.
Cleverley sprung free from a tackle to score his team’s most important five-pointer, the dagger, after his side battled hard to fend off the opposition while having their noses ahead for much of the match.
It was a match with everything. Tries were scored fast and often with blokes like James Martens (Reds), Darcy Rowan (Reds), Xavier Rubens (Reds), Joey Fowler (Waratahs), Sid Harvey (Waratahs) and Liam Grover (Waratahs) all showing some class at some point in a highlight-laden clash.
Grover scored two tries for the visitors, who were led from A to B by tactical kicking weapon Fowler who kicked two 50-22s in the tussle.
The 70-minute performance of Reds prop Trevor King set the tone for the home side, who more than once close the gap to three points but could not go on to capture a lead.
DEJA VU
The Reds had just come within striking distance, trailing 34-31, before Cleverley scored a crucial try to get valuable breathing room.
Breathing room was hot commodity on a day where the Reds, with the King boys Trevor and Finlay to the fore, were breathing down their rivals’ necks for the entire 80 minutes.
Flame-haired fullback Sid Harvey then called game when he sunk Queensland with a penalty goal from in front two minutes from time. It was the finishing touches that capped off a faultless showing from the first rate fullback.
Just five minutes prior the Reds had moved in when right wing Dan Malum rushed forward in defence, reeled in loose ball and burst away 40m to score under the sticks and spark some life into the Reds.
It was an important try by Malum who dashed clear of defenders jamming in from both directions. It invoked memories of the prime-moving Sunnybank Dragon who was one of the most instinctual backs in the Colts 1 competition.
Earlier this year he made a habit picking off errant passes and making the opposition pay and that was exactly the case on Sunday when he scored the Queenslander’s last try in fine fashion.
SLIPPERY SID
Narrabri fullback Sid Harvey had his fingerprints all over the Waratahs’ best moments across this match with his counter-attacking kicking the Waratahs into gear.
He got what he wanted, Harvey finding space in the defensive line when counterattacking and offering plenty with his kick returns.
He just found ways to get himself into the game. He identified the space expertly and scored a cracking try which handed the ‘Tahs a telling 34-24 with just under 20 minutes to go.
The classy Fowler, the tactical kicking NSW flyhalf, dabbed in a deft chip kick over the Reds defence and Harvey swooped to score the try of the day to capture a comfortable 10-point-buffer nearing fulltime.
It was something special.
KING CASHES IN
The Reds came out of the gates slow and Waratahs weapons Tom Klem and Angus Grover both scored to open up a 12-0 lead after 17 minutes.
With the scheming running game of halfback James Martens, pilfering of No.8 Vaiuta Latu and good touches from Xavier Rubens making a difference, the Queenslanders fought their way back and it was hooker Finlay King who drew first blood.
The busy Wests hooker scored his second try in the 33rd minute that drew the Reds within five points trailing 17-12.
It was a clinical first half showing by the best hooker in this year’s Colts 1 competition.
His fight, which summed up how gutsy the Reds were, showed that if the two teams meet again in the big dance, there will be no favourites.
SHARPLES’ SERVICE
In grudge matches like these, the smallest things can make a difference.
The service of Waratahs’ young veteran Hwi Sharples was a standout aspect of his game and it was summed up perfectly on the stroke of halftime when he shifted into flyhalf and put Liam Grover in for a try.
The Reds had just worked so hard to make it 17-all and Sharples made them pay by sending a flat right to left pass into the breadbasket of two-try centre Grover who crashed over to recapture the lead.
He played just one half and looked sharp.
In the under-16s clash, the New South Welshman weren’t at their best but still posted a comprehensive 50-20 victory with devastating long distance tries their bread and butter in a showcase of running rugby.
The visitors scored eight tries to three and a twinkle-toed trio were at the epicentre of a backline blitz that produced a handful of stunning tries. Crafty flyhalf Talen Risati, outside centre Cyrus Bloomfield and slippery fullback Kden Carter were influential in the team’s hit-and-run mission having landed in Brisbane on Sunday morning and leaving the same day.
Outside backs Darcy Feltham (two tries) and Jarryd King (two tries off the bench) added the finishing touches and it was a magical mix of speed, footwork and offloading the three boys possessed that laid a foundation for victory.
Bloomfield and Carter had their hands in at least five tries and their involvement was felt across the match as the Queenslanders worked to gain an upper hand.
Reds No.8 Agapetos Lote-Felo led the way as captain and there were great signs from fullback Dylan Terblanche, centre Tai Taka, wing Hemi Rakuita, flanker Lincoln Dalton and prop Sio Kite but the home side had no answer for the a slick NSW backline division.
Churchie super-subs Alfie Bowman (halfback) and Angus Underwood (flyhalf) challenged hard off the bench but the war was won with 15 minutes to go when Waratahs captain and flanker Justice Taumoepeau scored to move clear 38-20.
BLOOMFIELD BRILLIANCE
The Waratahs landed three long distance tries in the first half to gain a 19-13 halftime advantage and exciting outside centre Bloomfield had his hand in two of them.
The Oakhill College young gun, who earlier this year made a name for himself playing fullback for the Parramatta Eels Harold Matthews Under-17s, showed he was the full package midfielder with his footwork and crisp handling on show for all.
For the Waratahs second try, a 60m special, Bloomfield ignited a backline blitz with an impressive flick pass in contact to set free fullback Kden Carter. Creighton Meafou and Justice Taumoepeau had touches as well before scrumhalf Flynn Farrell scored.
Bloomfield was at the centre of the ‘Tahs clinical counterattack moments later when he paired and in-and-away step and cut-out pass to his winger Darcy Feltham to set up another five-pointer.
Feltham dabbed in a grubber kick which was regathered and scored by inside centre Keone Anitelea-Tsiiussis.
Pacy left wing Feltham scored a stunning try, his fourth of the tournament, to open the scoring in the second half and set up an 13-point buffer. Feltham scored his second shortly after when flyhalf Risati and Bloomfield combined on the left edge to put him over and make it 33-20.
DALTON’S DEDICATION
Few were as busy as Reds flanker Lincoln Dalton.
The Brisbane Grammar School sporting high-achiever continued to enhance his reputation as one of the best on-ballers in this age group with a handful of pilfers getting his team out of trouble.
His best moment came immediately after the half time break when the Waratahs pounded the line.
He came up with a crucial breakdown penalty. Had the ‘Tahs scored the score could have been 33-13 and the game would have been lost.
Dalton was equally as impressive with his defensive effort and willingness to take the ball forward before coming off in the 53rd minute.
Originally published as Reds fall short against rivals in U16,U19 rugby thrillers
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