City v Country rugby 2025 stars, standouts as City dominate junior rugby showdown
City teams dominated a dramatic junior rugby showdown in Newcastle, with one Country captain playing through a suspected broken nose in a day of thrilling contests.
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There were thrillers, blowout, heroics, an unusual draw - and even a player who stayed on for a full game with a suspected broken nose - in a memorable City v Country junior rugby showdown at Newcastle.
If there was a tough guy award it would have gone to Country U14s captain Beau Hobbs who played almost an entire match with an injury to his face and nose.
“His nose is sideways and he couldn’t breathe out of it,’’ said coach James Austin said after Country put in a stirring fight but ended up beaten by just two points in the opening match of the day on Sunday.
Girls coach Ian Bond described his teams fightback in the next match as “a hell of a comeback’’ as City continued its winning run in the U14 girls.
The U15 boys then racked up another victory to extended their long winning run - dating back to 2002 — over Country
In the U16 girls, City again triumphed to bring it to four straight wins for the City sides.
In the U16 boys both sides were left unsatisfied by their 31-31 draw - only the third time in history a game has been deadlocked at the end of time.
The Under 18s girls played out a great game with the scoreline of 26-10 to City belying the closeness - and ferocity of the match with the City U18s scoring a hard-fought victory in the final match of the day.
We take a look at how the matches panned out and some of the stars and standouts of the tournament below.
UNDER 14S WRAP
The U14 boys battle was arguably one of the games of the day.
It had everything, from young gun Hobbs who played with a suspected broken nose to a fierce comeback followed by a rally which eventually saw City take the honours 29-26.
“We fought the whole time, worked really hard and managed to sort out some problems on the pitch,’’ said City coach Tom Ritchie.
“I was really pleased to see them finish on a real high.’’
The coach said it was difficult to pick a standout but the No 10, Karepe (Faulkner, Southern Districts) was outstanding.
“They have really outdone themselves. I am very proud of them all.’’
Ritchie also commended Kaine Beavan and Joshua van der Reyden, Setil Maka and Sudip Bhetwai.
Country coach James Austin said he was proud of his teams fight.
“Really, really proud. They were down but they didn’t put their heads down. The game could have got away from them but it didn’t,’’ he said.
Country’s player of the game was Cruz Carter (Central West), our No. 13 and outside centre.
“I though he had an absolutely defensive game,’’ he said.
Worth special mention was young gun Hobbs who the coach believes broke his nose in the opening few minutes of the game and played on.
“Beau played brilliantly, probably with a broken nose,’’ Austin said.
UNDER 14S GIRLS
Country stamped their dominance on this battle early and looked the goods until just after halftime with their two unanswered tries
But a pair of quick tries from the City girls levelled the match with a successful conversion proving the difference in the 12-10 win racked up with a City player red carded.
“It was a hell of a comeback,’’ said coach Bond.
“The girls showed a lot of resilience, grit I think is an on trend word nowadays, and character.
Bond said his players were keen to put on a show in front of selectors in the stands working on a NSW side to take on Queensland in an upcoming interstate battle.
“I really liked our fullback Jamaica Poilly (Sydney Uni). She took a hit early on and did a couple of try saving tackles in the fullback position,’’ Bond said.
“Nariyah Ngau (Randwick) and Sienna Knight (Randwick) were really consistent.’’
Evie (Messiter, Randwick) and Mele Manuofetoa were also standouts.
U15s preview HERE
U16S preview HERE
U18s preview HERE
UNDER 15 BOYS
City proudly defended an impressively long winnings streak in the U15s battle.
City have now won every fight for the Steve Tuynman Cup since 2002 after beating Country in a big 25-3 victory on Sunday.
“We wanted to get your there and put first points on the board but they got the first penalty kick,’’ said coach Kaya Brown.
“We had the wind against us in the first half so we were keen to get down and get some points on the board.
“Once we got the momentum going we just went with it.’’
Brown said his player of the match was big Southern Districts prop Sam Kaklueni.
“Cruz Holmes (Eastwood) stepped in as No. 9 when our starting nine Riley Carr turned up with an injury, and he was great
“Levi Perrett came on and he was good. The backs really gelled well and the forward worked well.’’
Scorers for City were Josiah Manuofetoa, Luca Ghoreyshi, Devida Hopoate and Perrett.
UNDER 16 GIRLS
City continued their winning way in the next match, taking a 24-5 victory over a big Country side.
It ended Country’s recent dominance of the age group.
“Country generally bring a strong team and we generally struggle against them’’ said coach Chad Collins.
“We have lost the past few years but we were lucky to bring a strong team here that have been together quite a while so it was exciting to turn up with a strong and bonded team.
“They were a lot bigger but we were lucky to front up and face them with courage.’’
Collin said Skye Mertose Two Blues), Layla Tonga (Manly) and Scarlett Mitchell (Manly) were among the City standouts.
“The player of the final, that is tricky, but it would be Layla. She really stuck it out there. She is not a loud individual but she just foes what the team, requires of her.
“She didn’t hold onto the ball, she wasn’t greedy and made sure she sent it every time. It was just good to see her lead the team well.”
Tonga, Lara Murray, Silia Tuafu and Leilani Ainscough all scored tries for City
UNDER 16 BOYS
It was one of the most a anticipated games of the day and it lived up to expectations - even if the result left both sides a little unsatisfied.
City and Country played out a 31-31 draw after City players produced stirring form in the final minutes to level the score.
“It was a fair result,’’ said City coach Ben Kooyman.
Kooyman was impressed by a number of clutch players at the end of the game which delivered City the draw including a kick from Oscar Forsey and the conversion by Ross Jackson that tied up the game.
“It was classy and mature,’’ he said.
Kooyman identified Hammi Miller with his clutch pilfers, Archie (Hill) and Billy (Miller) and Will Aitken in the front row who “stuck to their guns against bigger opposition and Oscar Forsay who led from the front and Makoto Chapamn who “came on and added spark from the scrum base” among his standouts.
“It’s bittersweet. we just didn’t play to the conditions today,’’ said Country coach Garry Walsh.
“We made some critical turnovers, so we had our opportunities to score and we didn't take them. “It’s part of the learning curve for these young boys.
“But I couldn't be more proud of them.’’
Walsh identified numerous players who stood out in the draw.
“I think Manni Campbell (Central Coast) was good at seven, Ollie McGarity, our 10 in the first half, I though our No. 9 Thijs Beckett was great in the first half, his service was good and I think Kingston Finau was just outstanding.’
“Our captain (Noah Vaotangi) was also great but it was a whole hearted effort from all of them,
UNDER 18S GIRLS
City claimed the next battle against Country in a game which repeatedly had the crowd on its feet.
City coach Lee Sullivan paid tribute to the Country side which put on a great show against his players.
“They were physical, they bought their A game,’’ he said.
“We made a lot of mistakes and kept inviting them back into the game but we grafted always and got the chocolates.’’
Sullivan said he had numerous standouts in the 26-10 win.
“I though Charlotte Sparks (Manly) was outstanding and I though my inside centre Jewel Faaui (Sydney Uni) was outstanding and Sophia Wilson (Randwick) was all over it,’’ he said.
“And Ella Walker is class. She is special. She led the girls from the front. An amazing skipper.
Koula Salote, Tenaria George, Elissa Langi and Waker scored City’s tries.
DOING RUGBY DIFFERENTLY
TOP SHOTS FROM AUSSIE SCHOOLBOYS
CLASS ACT: SCHOOL GIRL WINNERS
The day ended with a ripper game in the U18s with City just outlasting a Country side playing with passion and determination.
Playing under lights in droppie g temperatures, City led 15-11 at halftime but had to contend with a surging Country in the second half before escaping with the win.
City coach Junior Ta’ale said his side, which underwent four late changes due to injuries in Colts games on Saturday, had learned valuable lessons in the match.
“I think the team learned about the respect side,’’ he said.
“I think they thought they could come in and dominate this game and full credit to the country team they really came out tonight.’’
Read more from AMANDA LULHAM HERE
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