2025 NRL U17 CAST Championships: Watch the replays from all three days of action

The NRL U17 CAST Championships finished with a flurry as the two premier teams put on a thrilling finale for the ages. WATCH THE REPLAYS from all three days of action.

Victoria claimed the NRL U17 CAST Championships after a thrilling 20-18 win over Western Australia at Seabrook Reserve.

WA needed just over two minutes to hit the scoreboard, with hooker Tom Sinclair catching his opponents napping from close range.

Victoria needed a spark and it came in the 15th minute through some individual brilliance from Jeriah Papatua, grubbering ahead a dropped ball and getting the perfect bounce to race 50m to level the scores.

They quickly made it two on the bounce when Harlen Smith broke through the line, finding Archie Whyley to put them in front for the first time.

Victoria’s lead grew to 10 on the stroke of halftime with a clean break from Aidan Ilaoa seeing him bust through before stepping the fullback to give them full ascendancy.

With WA needing to arrest momentum, it was Lincoln Williams who proved the man to start the second half, firstly grubbering and regathering to score, before Taniela Te Rauna made a break and found Williams to give them the lead once again in the blink of an eye.

Just as Western Australia looked to be on top, some fancy footwork was capped off with Ilaoa crossing for his second to put Victoria ahead with six minutes remaining.

It caps off the championships after Invitational scored a late winner to down NT 18-12.

NT enjoyed a dream start with winger Murphy Yunupingu unleashing a brutal right-foot step to leave his marker bamboozled and crossing out wide inside three minutes.

Despite having all the territory, Northern Territory was unable to capitalise further on their advantage, and found themselves locked up in the 16th minute when Kendrick Simiona barged his way over from close range on a rare chance for Invitational.

With the scores locked at 6-all at the break, NT came out of the blocks firing and Deacon Summerville set up his halves partner perfectly with a lovely short ball at the line putting Jayden Mick over.

Their advantage didn’t last long, with an error from the next set giving Invitational a chance in good ball, with Palu Tauelangi carrying four defenders over the line to give his side its first lead of the contest.

A gift two points helped NT tie the scores up with 10 to play, setting up a grandstand finish.

Invitational had multiple chances with time winding down, and finally Sale Tunumafono crashed over with three minutes remaining to give them their first win of the tournament.

SUNDAY’S REPLAYS

Invitational vs Northern Territory

Victoria vs Western Australia

SATURDAY’S REPLAYS

Western Australia v Northern Territory

Victoria v Invitational

FRIDAY’S WRAP AND REPLAYS

Western Australia made an early statement on the opening day of the NRL U17 CAST Championships on Friday, while Victoria survived a scare in the late clash.

The boys from WA were far too strong for the Invitational side, romping to a 40-4 victory in the opening clash of 2025.

Three tries in the opening 10 minutes became the catalyst for the victory, with another five coming in a dominating display right until the final siren.

Macgee Panapa scored the Invitational’s only try at the 23 minute mark.

In the later contest, it was also an early charge that proved crucial in Victoria’s win over the Northern Territory.

The 22-12 victory was built off four early tries from the Vics, before two consecutive tries from the NT gave them a glimmer of hope heading into halftime.

They eventually fell just short with the action to continue from 4pm on Saturday.

Catch Friday’s replays below.

Victoria v Northern Territory

Western Australia v Invitational

PREVIEW

A chance to compete for national selection will be on offer when the 2025 NRL U17 Combined Affiliated States and Territories (CAST) Championships hit Melbourne on Friday.

Players from Victoria, Western Australia, Northern Territory and South Australia will descend on Seabrook Reserve for six matches from September 19-21.

Every game will be exclusively live streamed on KommunityTV and follows coverage of the senior championships earlier this year.

Friday night’s opening clashes will see WA take on the Invitational side – made up of players from SA and Victoria – at 5pm before the host state takes on the NT from 6.30pm.

NRL Pathways & Education Manager Matt O’Brien said the tournament served as a lead up to the 2026 Combines Affiliated States Schools Program, which will compete at next year’s national carnival.

Victoria will host the 2025 championships at Seabrook Reserve. Picture: Supplied

“This is an exciting opportunity for the players to represent their State of Territory in a representative program,” he said.

“We look forward to a great three days of competition in Melbourne.”

The U17 tournament traditionally runs alongside the senior competition, which was held in June, but has been broken out on its own giving rising talents from states that aren’t traditional rugby league powerhouses a chance to put their names in lights.

Originally published as 2025 NRL U17 CAST Championships: Watch the replays from all three days of action