Australian schoolgirl rugby sevens 2025 State of Origin battle and sensational photo special, gallery

NSW were pipped for victory at the Australian schools sevens but the State of Origin battle with Queensland got very interesting when it came to who the selectors liked. Wrap, photo special

Action from the Australian Schoolgirls U16s rugby union championships. Picture: Rachel Wright/ASRU.

NSW were pipped for victory at the Australian school girls sevens tournament but the State of Origin batte with Queensland got very interesting when it came to who the selectors liked best.

While Queensland were able to defy NSW’s favouritism in both the under 16s and under 18s events at the three-day tournament on the Sunshine Coast to claim titles in both.

But that wasn’t reflected when it came to selecting merit squads which will form the basis of the Australian schools sevens team named later this year for the Global Sevens in New Zealand.

In the under 18s team six NSW players made the cut along with three honorary selections unable to play due to others senior commitments in Keira Callaghan, Maia Madden-Khan, and Wallaroo Waiaria Ellis.

Queensland had four players named in the squad.

In the under 16s NSW ruled with seven players named compared to just two Queenslanders, the same number of Western Australians named.

Action at the Australian schools girls sevens. Photos: Rachel Wright

Action from day one of the Australian Schoolgirls rugby union championships. Picture: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

Hunter Sports High in Newcastle produced the most named players in Maronay Smuts (U18), Anika McCarthy (U18), and Ellazae Elers (U16).

Mackellar Girls High also had a number of players selected in Coco Marsters (U18) and Talia Berryman (U16, NBSC Mackellar Girls Campus).

Action at the Australian schools girls sevens. Photos: Rachel Wright

Under-18s MERIT SQUAD 2025

Jenna Aiono, VIC, Copperfield College

Fofoa Tulimafono, VIC, Greater Shepparton Secondary College

Kaelyn Passi, QLD Maroon, Kings College

Madison Pomerenke, QLD Maroon, Wynnum State High School

Coco Marsters, NSW 1, MacKellar Girls High

Georgina Hayes, NSW 1, Mater Dei Catholic College

Matilda Vial, QLD Maroon, Keebra Park State High School

Darcie Prosser-Shaw, NSW 1, Barker College

Maronay Smuts, NSW 1, Hunter Sports High School

Chloe Sivewright, NSW 1, Richmond River High School

Reese Orcher, Lloydies, Clayfield College

Mia Byrnes, QLD Maroon, The Glennie School

Anika McCarthy, NSW 1, Hunter Sports High School

Honorary Selections:

Keira Callaghan, NSW

Maia Madden-Khan, NSW

Waiaria Ellis, NSW

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Action at the Australian schools girls sevens. Photos: Rachel Wright

The Under 16s tournament. Photos: Rachel Wright

Under 16’s MERIT SQUAD

Billie Backs, QLD Maroon, King’s Christian College

Ellazae Elers, NSW 1 (U18), Hunter Sports High School

Zoe Quigley, ACT (U18), Daramalan College

Zhara Petia, WA (U18), Butler College

Cobi Ryan-Last, NSW 1, St Catherine Waverley

Shekinah Bainivalu, NSW 1, Westfields Sports High School

Sedeequa Clevin, Lloydies, Harristown State High School

Darci Turinui, NSW 1, St Clare’s College Waverley

Talia Berryman, NSW 1, NBSC Mackellar Girls Campus

Mia Shelley, WA, Peter Moyes Anglican Community School

Tarnaya Smith, NSW 1, Chifley College Shalvey Campus

Emma McRae, NSW 1, Newcastle High School

Aimee Henry, QLD Maroon, Canterbury College

CHECK OUT SOME OF THE TOP SHOTS FROM THE EVENT BELOW

Day one of the Australian Schoolgirls rugby union championships. Under-16s in action. Picture: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

Day one of the Australian Schoolgirls rugby union championships. Under-16s in action. Picture: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

Great shot. Pictures: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

Action from the final day of the Australian Schoolgirls rugby union championships. Picture: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

Queensland celebrations. Picture: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

Action from day one of the Australian Schoolgirls rugby union championships. Under-18s in action. Picture: Polizzi Studio/Alexander Polizzi.

Australian Schoolgirls rugby union championships. Under-18s in action. Picture: Polizzi Studio/Alexander Polizzi.

Under-16s in action. Picture: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

Under-18s players. Picture: Polizzi Studio / Alexander Polizzi.

There were players from around the country. Picture: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

Australian Schoolgirls rugby union championships. Picture: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

Action from day two of the Australian Schoolgirls rugby union championships. Picture: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

Australian Schoolgirls rugby union championships. Under-16s in action. Picture: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

Queensland in action at the Australian Schoolgirls rugby union championships. Pictures: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

Queensland and NSW in under 16s. Picture: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

The Australian Schoolgirls rugby union championships. Picture: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

NT's Chloe Johnstone in action. Picture: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

Battles between Queensland and NSW were epic. Picture: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

Action from the final day of the Australian Schoolgirls rugby union championships. Picture: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

Action from day two of the Australian Schoolgirls rugby union championships. Picture: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

No where to go, Picture: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

Action from day one of the Australian Schoolgirls rugby union championships. Under-18s in action. Picture: Polizzi Studio / Alexander Polizzi.

Australian Schoolgirls rugby union championships. Under-18s in action. Picture: Polizzi Studio / Alexander Polizzi.

Australian Schoolgirls rugby union championships. Picture: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

The event showcased the best young talent in the game.

Not letting go! Picture: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

Happy days for NSW in the under 16s Picture: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

Day one of the Australian Schoolgirls rugby union championships. Under-16s in action. Picture: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

NSW playing at the Australian school girls rugby. Photos: Rachel Wright

NSW playing at the Australian school girls rugby. Photos: Rachel Wright

Action from day two of the Australian Schoolgirls rugby union championships. Picture: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

My ball! Photos: Rachel Wright

NSW player Darci Turinui.

Action at the Australian schools girls sevens. Photos: Rachel Wright

There were long days at the Australian schools rugby sevens

Matches between NSW and Queensland were feisty..

Action from day one of the Australian Schoolgirls rugby union championships. Under-16s in action. Picture: Rachel Wright, ASRU.

Action from day one of the Australian Schoolgirls rugby union championships. Under-18s in action. Picture: Polizzi Studio / Alexander Polizzi.

Action from day one of the Australian Schoolgirls rugby union championships. Under-18s in action. Picture: Polizzi Studio / Alexander Polizzi.

Originally published as Australian schoolgirl rugby sevens 2025 State of Origin battle and sensational photo special, gallery