ASSRL Nationals scouting report: Spotlight on the rugby league under-18 schools carnival

The second day of the ASSRL Nationals produced the first big shock of the carnival, while the brother of a Brisbane Broncos playmaker nearly orchestrated another upset. See our scouting report.

The second day of the Australian secondary schools championships produced the first big shock as the ACT stunned the highly-fancied NSW CIS team in Coffs Harbour on Monday.

Another boilover almost followed straight after as Combined Affiliated States took it up to Queensland, the Maroons eventually holding on to win 20-16.

There were plenty of big performances and highlights as the best secondary school students in the country played some quality football in dire conditions. Here is the best of it:

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DARMODY THE GIANT KILLER

NSW Combined independent Schools came back to earth with a thud on Monday when they were stunned by the ACT in Bellingen. ACT were already in control in the second half when a pass hit the deck and fullback Braydan Darmody picked it up, beat a tackle and streaked the length of the field to secure the win and put the exclamation point on a shock performance from the team from the nation’s capital. Three years ago, Raiders fullback Chevy Stewart finished the championships as the No.1 ranked schoolboy in the nation. Canberra may have another star on their hands in Darmody.

MITCH THE MASTER

ACT hooker Mitchell Brophy was one to watch before the tournament began and he confirmed as much with a gritty display against NSW CIS, working himself to a standstill to help inspire an unlikely win. Brophy showed all the signs that convinced the Canberra Raiders to lock him down until the end of 2026. An Australian schoolboys jersey could be in the offing.

ROGERS TO THE RESCUE

Brisbane are expected to call on Josh Rogers to help save their season in the absence of Adam Reynolds and Jock Madden in coming weeks. Meanwhile, his younger brother Darius Rogers was trying to inspire an upset at the Australian secondary schools championships as the Combined Affiliate States gave Queensland an almighty fright. CAS were well in the game at halftime and could have taken the lead when Rodgers stepped through and reached out to score. The ball came loose but he atoned for the mistake by picking himself up and chasing down Sam Stephenson with an expert cover tackle as the Maroons centre looked set to race away. Rogers got the try he deserved late in the second half when a Waqa Hammond kick deflected and he was the first to react.

SLAMMING SAM STREAKS AWAY

Sam Stephenson was a handful for the CAS side on the second day of the championships and he laid a marker early on. The game had only just begun when Stephenson charged onto a ball and sliced through the CAS defence. The big Palm Beach Currumbin centre looked like he had spiders on him as he raced through to score. The Gold Coast Titans have a star on their hands.

Queensland U19s centre Sam Stephenson. Picture: NRL

MERCEDEZ ALL CLASS

Queensland winger Mercedez Taulelei-Siala helped herself to three tries in the Maroons big win over Western Australia. The opposition wasn’t strong but Taulelei-Siala showed she was an adept finisher with some classy play at the end of the Maroons slick backline.

Try of the day

It wasn’t spectacular but by gosh, it was important. Time was up in the first half of the game between the ACT and NSW CIS at the national secondary schools championships when the team from the nation’s capital were given a penalty for an illegal strip. Rather than take the shot at goal they took the tap and went for it. Moments late, halfback Jonah Anderson hit Luke Tuialii with a flat pass and the centre did the rest, spinning out of a tackle to score. Braydan Darmody landed the conversion and the ACT took a 16-8 lead into halftime. They went on to win 20-8 in a major boilerover.