Live stream: Watch all the King of the Country rugby action over the Easter weekend (King of the Country)
Shanuka Silva made an instant impression in his new colours by scoring a brilliant solo try as Helensvale Hogs took the U14 honours in style. Relive all the action from a big day.
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Just last year he was heralded as a player to watch throughout the Gold Coast junior rugby ranks, and Shanuka Silva was quick to announce himself in his new colours to help Helensvale claim the under-14s King of the Country crown.
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE DAY ONE AND TWO REPLAYS
Having shone for Surfers Paradise last season, the crafty and versatile back donned the Hogs jersey over the Easter weekend, and took less than five minutes to score a brilliant solo try on his side’s way to an emphatic 32-7 grand final win on Saturday.
CATCH ALL THE DAY THREE AND FOUR ACTION HERE
Taking on representatives from the Far North Coast, Silva was given the license to move off the back of a scrum in his own half, showcasing brilliant footwork to maneuver around his rivals and score.
It kick started a procession for Hogs, who showed off an attacking brand of rugby that gave their opposition few chances to breath.
The under-14s triumph continued a fine weekend from the Helensvale bretheren, with the under-13s finishing with bronze medals after taking down Nambour 41-12 in the third place play off.
However with that title on the line, it was Far North Coast’s chance to bring some silverware back home, charging to a 19-0 victory over Noosa Dolphins in a palpable display.
The Dolphins under-13 side finished the opening day of the Easter Weekend tournament undefeated, however could not quite get the job done at the final hurdle.
Don’t miss a minute of Saturday’s finals action right here, on KommunityTV.
SATURDAY REPLAYS
King of the Country Day 2 - Bears v Noosa (U14 Bronze)
King of the Country Day 2 - FNC v Bears (U13 grand final)
King of the Country Day 2 - Nambour v Helensvale (U13 bronze medal)
King of the Country Day 2 - Noosa v Bears (U14)
King of the Country Day 2 - Helensvale v FNC (U14)
King of the Country Day 2 - Bears v Nambour (U13)
King of the Country Day 2 - Helensvale v FNC (U13)
FRIDAY REPLAYS
Replay: King of the Country Day 1 - Noosa v Helensvale (U14)
Replay: King of the Country Day 1 - Bears v FNC (U14)
Replay: King of the Country Day 1 - Bears v FNC (U13)
Replay: King of the Country Day 1 - Helensvale v Nambour (U13)
Replay: King of the Country Day 1 - Helensvale v Bears (U14)
Replay: King of the Country Day 1 - Noosa v FNC (U14)
Replay: King of the Country Day 1 - Nambour v FNC (U13)
Replay: King of the Country Day 1 - Helensvale v Bears (U13)
KOTC Preview: Expect the unexpected from Eagles heavy hitter
Expect the unexpected from Tremayne Patelsio.
That was the declaration of Gold Coast Eagles coach Grant Steffek, as his under-16s side plotted their charge to the King of the Country mantle.
Patelsio comes into the championships — to be livestreamed on KommunityTV from April 7-10 — as arguably one of the most multiskilled forwards in his age group.
A member of the Queensland Reds under-15s squad last year, the teen sensation has been given a license by Steffek to take the game on and not limit himself to the brute force game often synonymous with the forward pack.
Who knows, the Eagles coach said, there may even be the odd kick in behind the line from the talented middle man.
“He’s really mature I think for his age and that’s probably because he’s been playing with older kids ahead of his natural playing grade,” Steffek said.
“He’s just a mature kid and he’s got really good all around skills. You name it; pass, tackle run and he’s a forward who’s a fantastic kicker as well so he can do everything – it’s pretty special.
“Everyone has got a license to play how they think they should play. Really my job is to make sure they understand options in front of them and they’ll make the decisions in the game.
“Quade Cooper did not throw his first flick pass when he made the Wallabies; he was doing it in under 10s, and doing it now. I think it’s wrong as a coach to tell a kid he can’t do something.
“This is how it is in the team, and this is why Tremayne is a really interesting example where he will try everything because he feels he can and he’s allowed to.”
The theme of the unexpected will be on show for more reasons than the nature of the Eagles attacking brand of rugby.
While regulars of the King of the Country competition, never have the club faced off with Sunshine Coast champions Maroochydore and Darling Downs leaders in the University of Southern Queensland.
Yet for all the size that their country rivals may bring their way, Steffek has a not so secret weapon of his own: a kennel of “greyhounds” ready to torch the sidelines.
Right across his backline, Steffek said there was not only plenty of speed to burn, but an energy and desire to make an impact that had rarely been matched in side’s he has coached.
“We’ve got these really zippy backs; it starts from our halfback through to our wingers. None of them are hulking brutes but they’re just these greyhounds, they’re built like pencils but jeez they’re athletic,” Steffek gushed.
“They’ll leap through the air, do these one handed flick passes, these really light footed stepping … they just remind me of a bunch of greyhounds.
“It’ll be interesting to see what happens if the come against a big backline but I just love the confidence, I’m loving the athleticism.
“This team is really exciting. To be honest what makes it really exciting is the energy and fun this team has and just the vibe in the team and culture is really positive.”
Each contest from the U13, U14, U15 and U16 King of the Country divisions will be livestreamed here via KommunityTV, with the action kicking off from 9am on Good Friday.
Helensvale Hogs will be out to continue their impressive run of form among their juniors, with last year’s Gold Coast District Rugby Union premiership-winning U13s set to announce themselves as dominant contenders once again.
The Hogs will also field sides in the U14 and U15 divisions.
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