NSW CHS rugby league teams named for 15s boys, 16s girls Australian secondary schools titles

Fast, unbelievable passing, tough. The best young footy players in the NSW CHS system have been identified for the upcoming Australian secondary schools rugby league championships.

Some of the stars and standouts at the CHS trials.

After three days of trials the best young footy players in the NSW CHS system have been identified ahead of the Australian secondary schools rugby league championship and the coaches are impressed with the “incredible’’ standard of the teenagers.

Boys coach Adam Blake said he has ended up with a strong mix of speed, athleticism and skill in his squad named for the September championships.

“It’s a good mix,’’ Blake said of his squad.

“We have a bit of size, speed and some kids who play in multiple positions which is what we wanted.

“There is also probably the largest contingent from western which is great as well.’’

Sydney Gold fullback CJ Udeh dives in for a great solo try at the trials. Picture: Steve Montgomery

Blake said Westfield Sports young gun Siotame Havea was one of the standouts of the trials.

“He was the player of the series,’’ Bake said.

“He was really strong across the three games, very hard to tackle, good with the offload and a lock. Lock is a position we had quite a bit of strength in this year.’’

Blake said other players who stood out at the championship included Lachlan Metcalfe and CJ Udeh.

“Lachlan is from Hills Sports and just calm, a good organiser and has a good kicking game,’’ he said.

“CJ is from Westfields and good on his feet and quick and hard to tackle. He’s a bit electric.

“And I though the guy from Western Ravai Tuleva, a backrower from Orange High, was great. He ran a good line and had a good offload.’’

NSW CHS 15S BOYS RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM

Billy Toms Warners Bay HS, Braith Sloan Condobolin HS, Callum Elsley Kurri Kurri HS, Chip Valentish Newcastle HS, CJ Udeh Westfields Sports, Hayden Bell Westfields Sports, Jamie Curren Endeavour Sports, Jhovan Lele Westfields Sports, Kemp Riches Cowra HS, Khaled Kairouz Westfields Sports, Lachlan Metcalfe The Hills Sports HS, Liam Challenor Endeavour Sports, Logan Longbottom Endeavour Sports, Mason Andrews Kiama HS, Mikal Papalii-Talanai Sir Josephs Banks, Noah McNamara Rutherford HS, Ravai Tuleva Orange HS, Siotame Havea Westfields Sports, Talmage Brown Westfield Sports, Triston Ross Condobolin HS. Coach/Staff: Adam Blake Albion Park HS, Glenn Mallon Erina HS, Brett Kelly Illawarra Sports HS.

Tahilia O'Brien from Southern U16 schoolgirls makes a break. Picture: Steve Montgomery

Bass Hill High’s Jon Wilson said he is delighted his charges will be part of history as the 16s girls prepare to make their debut at the famous rugby league event at Port Macquarie in September and with the talent named on Wednesday in his squad.

“To be honest there’s not that much difference between them and the boys. The boys are faster but some of their hits are bigger than the boys,’’ Wilson said.

Wilson said standouts at the trials who have made the squad for the upcoming Australian titles include players from across multiple schools and regions with Ellie Brander named player of the championship.

“She’s from Hunter Sports High and is just so tough. She ran good lines and consistently tackled,’’ Wilson said.

The NSW 16s girls rugby league team. Pictures: Steve Montgomery

“Tia Matthews from The Hills Sports High is a lock and very energetic and runs the ball everywhere and Trinity Tauaneai from Bass Hill High, her sister (Alexis Tauaneai) plays NRLW with St George, is outstanding. She is just tough, skilful and takes it forward and dominates the middle.

“There were a few girls from last year who stood out like Olivia Vaalele from Hills Sports, Tahlia O’Brien from Fig Tree High and Koffi (Brookfield), the No. 9 from Kiama High.

“Anastasia Leutupue from Hills Sports is just 14 and outstanding. She just bought the ball back quick and plays on wings and in the centres.

Ellie Brander Hunter Sports High School with NSW CHS Rugby league convener Mr Tim Wykes

“Waiaria Ellis is from Castle Hill High and her passing game is unbelievable. She’s also got good footwork and reads the game well.

“And Ava Jones from Castle Hill High is also good.’’

The Australian secondary schools rugby league championships for 15 year boys and 16 year girls will be played at Port Macquarie from September 23-29.

“It’s the first time the girls are playing and it’s very exciting. It’s about time,’’ Wilson said.

The NSW CHS 16s girls will play against NSW CCC, NSW Independents and WA in their pool at the championships.

The other pool contains Queensland, Victoria, the ACT and Northern Territory.

Stars and standouts of the CHS rugby league trials.

NSW CHS 16S GIRLS RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM

Ellie Brander Hunter Sports High School, Koffi Brookfield Kiama High School, Lacey Cross Northern Beaches Secondary College-Makellar, Waiaria Ellis Castle Hill High School, Lauren Filip Hunter Sports High School, Khyliah Gray Northern Beaches Secondary College-Makellar, Ella Greatz Warilla High School, Ava Jones Castle Hill High School, Ella Knowles Hunter Sports High School, Anastasia Leutupue The Hills Sports High School, Meleseini Makaui Bankstown Girls High School, Tia Matthews The Hills Sports High School, Manua Moleka The Hills Sports High School, Tahlia O’Brien Figtree High School, Brandy Simpson Hunter Sports High School, Paige Tauaneai Bass High School, Trinity Tauaneai Bass High School, Alaianne Toia Rouse Hill High School, NaiokaTuipulotu The Hills Sports High School, Olivia Vaalele The Hills Sports High School. COACHES/STAFF Jonathan Wilson Bass High School, Scott Sablowsk Bomaderry High School AdamSargent-WilsonFigtree High School.

EARLIER: Coach Adam Blake is looking for players with a particular skills set at selection trials this week for the NSW CHS 15s team he will take to the Australian secondary schools championships in September.

Blake, in his third year of coaching the 15s, said he is working to build a squad of players with a particular strength ahead of the national championships to be played at Port Macquarie.

YOUTH GAMES: Stars, medallists, results

Western halfback Callum Miskell unloads on day one of the NSWCHS 15s schoolboys state trials at Collegians Sports Ground. Picture: Steve Montgomery

“The kind of team I’m aiming for is one that is versatile,” said Blake, from Albion Park High School.

“It’s the third year I’ve done this and I know you go away and loose a few players to injury and it makes it hard.

“I’m looking for people who can play multiple positions but are also tough and resilient.

“If you make the final it’s four games in a week so by the time they get to the final, if they don’t have the ability to bounce back, they struggle.”

Blake said CHS’s loss to NSW CIS in the 15s age division a year ago still stings.

“Last years we made the final and were beaten by NSW CIS,” he said.

“We were up and they scored in the last minute and a half, kicking a goal to win it. It was tough to take.”

Some of the stars and standouts at the CHS trials.

A year earlier a mini tournament was played by NSW teams in the wake of Covid.

“We had a tri series with NSW CIS, CHS and CCC and we beat CIS but lost to CCC,” he said.

Blake said playing at the selection trials and the Australian championships is a massive opportunity for the rising stars of rugby league.

“People watch these kids,” he said.

“There’s someone from every club here at the trials.”

The likes of Junior Paulo, Jake Trbojevic, Reuben Garrick, Zac Lomax, and David Klemmer came through the NSW CHS system.

The Australian secondary schools rugby league championships for 15 year boys and 16 year girls will be played at Port Macquarie from September 23-29.

The girls competition is being played for the first time with the under 18 girls competing at the Australian secondary schools championship in Queensland for the first time in July.

More from AMANDA LULHAM here

Originally published as NSW CHS rugby league teams named for 15s boys, 16s girls Australian secondary schools titles