City v Country junior rugby 2025 top shots gallery and action from the Newcastle event

There were big hits and some hair-raising action – literally – at the 2025 City v Country junior rugby tournament. Check out some of the top shots.

Dajetikai Palelei from Southern Distyricts is all wrapped up in the U14 City v Country battle. Photos: Adam Yip

There was passion, power, hair-raising antics and top shots at the 2025 City v Country junior rugby tournament at Newcastle on the weekend.

Photos of determination, grit, pain and elation as the top rugby teens in the state battled in this iconic annual event.

In a major show of power City won all but one of the age groups, from the U14s to the U18s.

But in the U16s City and Country battled to an extraordinary draw = only the third one in the history of the event.

The two side played out a 31-31 draw to share the Ella Cup, named in honour of the famous Ella brothers.

“It was a fair result,’’ said City coach Ben Kooyman.

Photographer Adam Yip was son the sidelines to capture some of the big hits, grimaces of pain and elation on a great day of footy organised by the NSW Junior Rugby Union.

It’s always great to score a try in the opening match of the day – the U14s battle. All photos: Adam Yip

The tournament was also of great importance to a number of players as it doubled as a selection for the Waratahs U16s squad which is being aimed at a defence of the Super Rugby U16s title.

It will also be used to meld NSW U15s, U16s and U18 girls teams for a new Tri-Series tournament against the ACT and Victoria later this year in Wagga.

Country in control but but City took the U14s match honours.

High flying antics in the Under 14s. Yip

U14s previews: HERE and HERE

U15s preview HERE

U16S preview HERE

U18s preview HERE

Hair-raising! The under 16 girls.

NSW player getting plenty of attention in the U16s

This U14s match was the second of the day and played in good conditions. –

A close encounter in the U18 Girl.

A NSW player in the U18s.

Glassie Glassie was one of the stars of the show for the Under 18 boys in the final match of the day.

No room to move for this City plater in the U18s.

Dajetikai Palelei from Southern Districts is all wrapped up in the U14 City v Country battle. Photos: Adam Yip

Action in the Under 15 boys

The U14s girls was a hotly contested match,

Country all over their City rival in the Under 14s.

Action in the U16 Boys match.

No where to go for this City player in the Under 14s,

Under 15 boys action.

Under 18 action.

Big hits in the Under 18s battle.

The Under 18s match was a rollercoaster.

Action in the U14s.

Trying times in the under 16s.

And again for Country.

The U16s was a close encounter.

More U16s action.

City won the U15s battle.

Action from the tournament opener

A big hit in the U14 Girls.

No where to go in the Under 14s.

High flyers in the U16s.

The U15s match.

More action from the U15s.

Crunch time in the U15s.

All in a tangle in the U18s.

Try time in the U18s.

Read more from AMANDA LULHAM HERE

Originally published as City v Country junior rugby 2025 top shots gallery and action from the Newcastle event