Live stream: Storm Cup 2025 Round 1, Hallam v Victoria University, The Grange v Mt Ridley

The 2025 Storm Cup kicked off with two of the competition powerhouses flexing their muscles in big wins on Tuesday ahead of a blockbuster meeting in round two. Watch the REPLAYS here.

Big wins from Hallam and The Grange in the opening round of the 2025 Storm Cup have set up a blockbuster grand final rematch between the two outfits in round two.

On the opening day of the competition on Tuesday, the two powerhouse outfits flexed their respective muscles to cruise to victory.

CATCH THE REPLAYS IN THE PLAYER ABOVE AND BELOW

Hallam dominated Victoria Uni in the first game of the day to romp to a commanding 44-14 win at Seabrook Reserve.

The reigning premiers wasted no time in reminding the rest of the competition who sat at the top of the pecking order with a flurry of tries midway through the first-half paving way for the 30-point win.

Despite star young gun Waka Hammond not lining up for Hallam, it was all one way traffic for the majority of the contest despite Victoria Uni opening the scoring 10 minutes into the match.

Jayden Matatumua’s responding try kick started a chain of four straight for Hallam with a terrific run from Phoenix Woods followed by another from Latrelle Cordtz extended their lead at the half to 22-4.

Phoenix Woods, pictured here playing in the NSWRL 2024 Junior Reps, was one of Hallam’s best in round 1. Picture: Sean Teuma

The domination continued in the second-half with Hallam extending that lead to 44-4 before Victoria Uni finally found the try line again late.

Woods was one of Hallam’s best in the win while Micah Wareha had multiple assists across the course of the contest.

The Grange followed up with their own 44-18 demolition of Mount Ridley that was as equally as impressive as Hallam’s victory.

A 24-0 first-half set-up the win with Faatoelau Mauola Iakopo helping himself to a hat-trick in an impressive offensive display.

Despite their poor first-half showing, Mount Ridley produced one of the highlights of the game when Kyu Fiaui produced a thrilling try late in the second-half.

After securing the ball at mid-field after a scrum, Fiaui broke away with breakneck speed to find the try line and be swamped by teammates despite the lopsided scoreline.

The two best sides in the Storm Cup will now meet in an early season blockbuster and 2024 grand final rematch.

REPLAYS

The Grange v Mt Ridley – 2025 Storm Cup Round 1

Victoria University v Hallam – 2025 Storm Cup Round 1

PREVIEW

Hallam Secondary College excitement machine Waka Hammond is back to turn heads in the Storm Cup as he and his teammates seek to defend their title.

Hammond made headlines during last year’s Peter Mullholland Cup when his school became the first Victorian team to qualify for the tournament’s quarter-finals.

Now he will be hoping to help Hallam kick start their 2025 season with victory in the Storm Cup on Tuesday against Victoria University Secondary College.

That clash will be the first of a big double-header broadcast live and exclusive on KommunityTV from 12.45pm, followed by The Grange against Mt Ridley at 2.15.

Cast your mind back to 2024 and you might remember Hammond sidestepping opponents and breaking three tackles on his way to a last minute try.

He enters the clash on the back of a significant season where he represented the Melbourne Storm in SG Ball where the Victorian side made the finals.

Currently contracted to the Storm, he spends some days learning from current stars Jerome Hughes and Cameron Munster and rugby league legends including Billy Slater.

The young gun has previously played in the halves and fullback and Hallam assistant coach Jamie Fardell said a decision on his position is yet to be decided.

Hallam’s Waka Hammond (right). Picture: Sean Teuma

“He can play anywhere which is a really good thing for us,” he said.

“He’s our co-captain as well. In Year 10, we played him as a hooker. We like when we have him at fullback because there’s a real sense of freedom.”

Hammond isn’t the only player connected to the Storm either with co-captain Micah Warena, who plays at lock and hooker, expected to play a key role.

Prop Phoenix Woods is another prospect to keep an eye on after playing in the SG Ball tournament.

“Micah is a real leader and that’s why we made him captain of the senior team when he was in Year 10,” Fardell said.

“He can steer the ship and is really hard working. Phoenix has really engaged with the school community since he’s been here, he’s a really well liked character around the school.”

Fardell said the group was determined to make their mark on the competition.

“Many of this group were in Year 11 when we won for the first time,” he said.

“It drives a little passion. We’ll have KommunityTV going in the library, the theater and there’s learning spaces teachers will take classes to.

“There’s a lot of passion about our involvement.”

The Storm Cup coverage is part of a partnership between KommunityTV and the NRL to live stream every NRL National Schoolboy and Schoolgirl Cup match in 2025.

Originally published as Live stream: Storm Cup 2025 Round 1, Hallam v Victoria University, The Grange v Mt Ridley