ASSRL Day 1 live stream: Queensland Maroon v NSW CHS (U15), Queensland v ACT (U18)

A Cowboys star has played a big part in Queensland U15s opening win while the Titans should be delighted with one of their young guns. RELIVE the action from the opening two games.

Queensland Under 15s coach Chris Little has revealed that a video chat from Tom Deardon helped inspire his baby Maroons to a first up win over NSW.

On a day of domination for Queensland with the Under 18s flogging the ACT in the other match, the All Schools rugby league carnival began in Redcliffe with the Maroons outlasting NSW CHS to win 10-6 in a game that included a send-off.

Speaking after playmaker’s Marley McLaren and Braithen Scott combined to deliver his team a first up win, Little said his star halves were inspired by a call from North Queensland ace Deardon.

“We had Tommy Deardon do a video for us while we were in camp,” Little said.

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“And I think the boys got a lot out of it and learned a few tips of him. I think the halves were very good today. They are both a little different but they combine really well. Their footy IQ is amazing and they really led the way.”

Following a scrappy first half that was marred by errors made in the wet, Queensland scored two second half tries to set-up the win.

Led by five-eight McLaren, Queensland were forced into a fight when winger Cohen Dittman was sent off for making a mid-air tackle on NSW fullback Jayden Carter.

“The judiciary will meet to determine what step to take next,” Little said.

“They will review the footage and then make a decision. I am not sure where we stand there but I am proud of the boys for holding NSW with 12 players. They did whatever it took to get the win.

While he admitted it was not pretty, Little was happy with the first up performance.

“It didn’t go the way we planned but we got the job done,” said Little.

“We are pretty happy with the performance given the conditions and that it was our first game. I think both teams managed to play some good footy once they composed themselves.”

Queensland outgunned the ACT in the second and final match of the day.

Led by Titans-signed Queensland schoolboys fullback Keano Kini, the Queensland 18s opened their account with a 58-0 win over the ACT.

New Zealand-born Kini, wearing Titans-blazing blue boots, is one of the Gold Coast’s next generation players who gives hope to suffering fans that the tide will turn at the Robina-based club.

After being spotted by an astute Titans’ scout, of all things, playing touch football in 2020 in his homeland, Kini then moved to Palm Beach Currumbin SHS in 2021 where he helped the champion league school to the Phil Hall Cup Queensland schools state title.

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The boys from the nation’s capital have been handed what is billed as the toughest assignment of the tournament to open the Australian schoolboys nationals, but they aren’t running scared.

The ACT Under-18s side will face off against host state, and reigning ASSRL champions Queensland, to open the tournament on Saturday afternoon.

Owen Hromow could be key to the success of the ACT team.

For coach Ash Barnes, it is an opportunity for his side to prove themselves as the dark horses of the nationals.

The clash, which will be the second of an opening day double header, will be exclusively live streamed by KommunityTV as part of our comprehensive coverage of the tournament.

“When we got handed the draw and saw it was Queensland on day one, we knew it was a tough assignment, they won the last championships in 2019,” Barnes said.

“We aren’t shying away from it, we are excited by it. That is what schoolboys’ league is all about, testing yourself against the best opposition. What better than Queensland in Queensland?

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“We have a lot of guys that have played junior reps in Harold Matts (for the Raiders) that had a really successful campaign, they have played at a strong level. They are ready for this challenge.”

The ACT side won’t have to look far for inspiration on the field with co-captains Owen Hromow and Regan Carr two of the top talents coming out of Canberra.

Both players have proven they have the respect of their peers with Hromow named the Raiders Player’s Player in the SG Ball Cup this season while Carr took out the award for the Harold Matts’ side.

The pair have also been hardened by a tough winter playing among men in the Canberra Raiders Cup first grade competition.

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Barnes, who coaches 12 of the ACT’s 20-man squad at Erindale College, said the strength of the bond in his side would stand the test of the week in Redcliffe.

“We have five guys playing first grade in Canberra currently,” he said.

“That is another thing, they are playing against men each week who are big and strong. Coming up against these guys (Queensland), in terms of physicality, shouldn’t be daunting for them.”

Originally published as ASSRL Day 1 live stream: Queensland Maroon v NSW CHS (U15), Queensland v ACT (U18)