Australian schools rugby 2025 winners, stars, standout, try scorers, match results

Stinging from missing the final a year ago, this team of rising stars are the 51st Australian schools rugby champions after a ferocious battle between friends and old teammates. Result wrap

The decider of the Australian schools championships. Pictures: ASRU Rachael Wright.

Stinging from missing the final a year ago, NSW I’s rising stars are now the 51st Australian schools rugby champions after a ferocious battle between friends and old teammates

The finale of the annual event was fought out between schoolmates and clubmates with NSW I tackling NSW II, the defending champions, in an engrossing final.

With NSW I and NSW II locked at 11-11, the NSWI side went into second gear with a try from Jarryd King breaking the deadlock and sparking a NSW I revival which saw them take out the title with a 28-11 victory.

“We knew it would be a tight contest, we knew the two’s would be coming out with something to prove,’’ said coach Anthony Calavassy.

“At halftime I said to the boys I’m comfortable, just remain calm.”

And they did with tries from Brock Prideaux and Cyrus Bloomfield along with two conversions and two extra penalty kicks from Harrison Dene sealing the deal.

The decider of the Australian schools championships. Pictures: ASRU Rachael Wright.

Action on the final day of the Australian schools. Photos: ASRU/Rachel Wright, Alex Polizzi

Calavassy said players including captain Dylan Simmons and Chayse (Gros) were standouts.

“And Henri Dempsey, just unbelievable. He is a workhorse,’’ he said.

Chasye Gyros. who was a member of the winning NSW II side a year ago, was named player of the final.

Action in the finale of the Australian schools championships. Picture: ASRU/Rachael Wright

THIRD PLACE PLAYOFF: NSW JUNIORS 12 DEF BY QUEENSLAND I 26

A 12-12 halftime deadlock in the third place playoff between Queensland I and New South Wales Juniors fell the way of Queensland I in the second half.

Rohan Nichol and Malaki Lemalu got their names on the scoresheet alongside first half try scorers Koby Kelland and Cyrus Suniula.

Isileli Moli and Jaziah Swann were able to score for NSW Juniors as the match ended 26-12 in favour of the home state.

Queensland I head coach Ben Cameron said the improvement from his side was amazing.

“We knew they were going to be physical and that’s what we struggled with against New South Wales I on day two,” he said.

The decider of the Australian schools championships. Pictures: ASRU Rachael Wright.

The decider of the Australian schools championships. Pictures: ASRU Rachael Wright.

“Our discipline and defence was really strong, we continued to build and grow as a side as the tournament went on.

“They were absolutely immense today and they’ve put their best foot forward for selection in the Australian Schoolboys side.”

Queensland I captain Angus Tagicakibau said he was proud of his teammates.

“We worked so hard for each other today, we knew we had our backs against the wall in certain areas but everyone dug in and played very much like a brotherhood,” he said.

“In every game the opposition is a class above where you can feel yourself and your teammates lift to another level as well which really brings the best out of everyone.

“New South Wales are always so tough so it’s been a great experience all around.”

Action on the final day of the Australian schools. Photos: Rachel Wright, Alex Polizzi

Action on the final day of the Australian schools. Photos: ASRU/Rachel Wright/Alex Polizzi

Other results on Thursday saw the ACT win the playoff for seventh and eight place at the event on the Sunshine Coast.

The ACT ran in eight tries to two.

Aidan Wunsch and Fletcher Burrows both scored two tries each for the ACT.

Their other scorers were BJ Pumpa, Denzel Veikune, Lucas Quester and Max Furniss .

The playoff for fifth and sixth was the closets match of the championships with Western Australia just edging Queensland II.

Oliver Kennedy converted his own try for Queensland while Kaiawha Heke kicked the penalty for WA.

The decider of the Australian schools championships. Pictures: ASRU Rachael Wright.

Action on the final day of the Australian schools. Photos: ASRU/Rachel Wright/Alex Polizzi

Australian schools rugby championships 2025 results

Day 1

NSW Juniors v Vic 55–13

Qld 1 V WA 48–5

NSW 1 v ACT 50–10

NSW 2 v QLD 2 59 – 12

Day 2

NSW 1 v Qld 1 38–5

NSW 2 v NSW juniors 51–29

WA v ACT 13–10

Qld 2 v Vic 67–12

Day 3

NSW 1 v NSW 2 28-11

NSW Juniors v Qld 1 12-26

ACT v Vic 46-12

WA v Qld 2 8-7

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Originally published as Australian schools rugby 2025 winners, stars, standout, try scorers, match results