Pasifika Youth Rugby Cup 2024 winners, standouts, results, top nation and photos
It had everything from players helping rescue a bogged ambulance to five try heroes and hot boots. Stars, standouts and great photos from the Pasifika Youth Rugby Cup 2024.
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It was wet and wild at time but the rising stars of NSW rugby still got to shine in the latest edition of the Pasifika Youth Rugby Cup at Whalen in Sydney’s west.
The now annual event was bigger and better than ever before with increased numbers across the board as rugby fans and families threw their support behind the tournament which started on Friday and concluded last on Sunday.
There was everything from massive scorelines, upsets and close calls to some Samoans players and supporters helping push an ambulance out of the muddy conditions.
There were also extra teams and selectors watching closely as they worked on selecting a President’s XV for U16s and U18s girls to play in an upcoming tournament.
Photographer John Grainger was also out at the tournament on Sunday checking out the matches and has produced a stunning gallery of action shots showing the colour and passion of the 2024 Pasifika Youth Rugby Cup.
Check out the photos below and grand final results from an action-packed event.
Under 18s girls grand final
The Cooks Islands defeated Tonga 15-0 in this battle.
Chaela-lee Falls and Olivia Saley both scored tries with captain Tenaria George kicking a penalty and conversion.
Under 18s boys grand final
Fiji and Samoa fought out for this crown late on Sunday and there was nothing to seperate the two with the match a 3-3 draw,
Daniele Tailasa and Matavius-James Petaia nailed their penalty conversions.
Under 15 boys grand final
NSW Wales Samoa v Tonga
Samoa won this tight encounter 8–5.
Both sides scored a try (Payton Tarau and Selkirk Halabgahu) with the match decided by a successful penalty goal from Tarau.
Under 16 girls grand final
NSW Samoa dominated this encounter to beat NSW Maori 33–7.
Rugby rising star and captain Bailey Ma-Chong went over twice in a great performance and converted four in the match.
Under 16 boys grand final
NSW Maori won the under 16 boys competition with a 13–0 win over Samoa.
Reihana Hawea and Ryan Webster were their try scorers.
Under 14 girls grand final
Tonga defeated NSW Maori 14–7 in this decider.
Sillia Tuitufu and Faith Ata scored a try each with Tiamarni Vai converting both.
Under 14s boys grand final.
NSW Samoa defeated Fiji 7–5.
Both teams scored a try with a successful conversion of Righteous Roberts’ try from captain Mathias Toailoa delivering Samoa this grand final win.
Under 12s girls grand final
NSW Samoa took this match 17–14.
Shiloh Love Fukofuka scored two tries to help Samoa to the win.
Jeneva Sautia-Tonga also scored two tries for Tonga.
Under 12 boys grand final.
Tonga defeated NSW Samoa 7–12 in this battle.
EARLIER AT THE PASIFIKA YOUTH RUGBY CUP 2024
There were some big scorelines in matches on Saturday with NSW Samoa beating the Cook Islands 56–0 in the 16s girls and Tonga beating Koori Red 51–0.
Anastasia Leatupue went over for two tries for Samoa and made a conversion with Anita Papalli also scoring tries in the match.
Makayla Vakauta and Talaki also scored two tries for Tonga in that battle.
Maronay Smuts played a starring role in the Koori’s 28-17 win over NSW Māori in the 18s girls with two tries and conversions. Teammate Natayah Wells scored twice and was also accurate with the boot.
There was another four try performance in NSW Maoris win over the Harlequins in the 16s girls.
Sasha Turinui was again the star of the show after scoring five tries earlier in the day in her teams big defeat NSW Samoa.
Kaylani Faavae-Eli scored two tries in Samoa’s 40–5 win over the Koori team in the 12s girls and Payton Tarau ran riot in the 15s boys battle between Samoa and Newcastle Pasifika.
The vice-captain scored two tries and made five conversions to collect more than half his teams points in a fabulous performance.
Hiva Mahe also put in a great kicking display in Tonga’s 80–5 win over Samoa in the 16s girls.
In this match, Leisiliva Betty Tanaki and Shekinah Bainivalu also scored two tries each.
The Barbarians defeated the Cook Islands 58–5 in the 14s girls with Emily Afonso scoring four tries while NSW Samoa beat the Cook Islands 47–0 in a 12’s battle.
Other high scoring matches at the vent Tonga defeated NSW Maori 50–5 in the 18 girls while NSW Maori defeated the Cook Islands 81–5 in the 14 girls.
Tonga also had a big win over the Cook Islands in the 12 girls with their 50–0 victory.
Other big wins included Tonga’s 62–0 victory over the Harlequins in the 12 boys, NSW Samoa’s 84–0 win over Maori NGA in the 12 boys, Samoa 76–5 victory over Fiji in the 16 girls and Tonga’s 71–0 win over the Cook Islands in the 14 girls
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Originally published as Pasifika Youth Rugby Cup 2024 winners, standouts, results, top nation and photos
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