High drama as youth semis set

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

HIGH DRAMA AS YOUTH SEMIS SET
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The fine line between pleasure and pain was never more sharply demonstrated than during the final day of pool play at the NZRL National Youth Tournament in Rotorua.

With three of the four semi-final spots in each grade already decided, competition was intense for the remaining vacancies, with countback rules required to determine the successful teams.

Wai-Coa-Bay Colts and Wellington Orcas squared off in the day’s opening game for a place in the 15s playoffs. Wing Albert Talakai recorded a hat-trick of tries for the local side, but when the Orcas crossed for a converted try in the final minutes, an 18-18 draw resulted.

The points-differential countback saw Wai-Coa-Bay progress.

“We’re just happy to be there,” said coach Chris Langley. “All the hard work and the grind we’ve put in to build this campaign … the brotherhood really stepped up today.

“Those were probably the longest three minutes of our lives, but it wouldn’t be rugby league, if we didn’t have those moments.”

Their reward is a showdown with unbeaten Counties Manukau Stingrays, while Akarana Falcons take on Auckland Vulcans in the other knockout encounter.

In the 17s, the contest was even closer, with three teams battling for one spot.

Firstly, wing Joseph Faleafaga recorded a hat-trick of tries, as winless Wellington Orcas toppled Northern Swords 32-18 and both sides finished with one win, two losses.

Auckland Vulcans joined them, defeated 36-10 by a rampant Stingrays outfit, but advanced on a points-differential countback by finishing within 36 points.

“The boys just dug deep,” said Vulcans coach Paul Clarke. “They were pretty tough conditions, but we came out and put in as much effort as we could.

“I knew what we needed to do, but kept that away from the boys and just let them play some football.”

They too face Falcons at the next stage, while Counties Manukau take on South Island Scorpions.

“A lot of the boys actually played for the Falcons last year, so they’re ready to go up against their friends and team-mates,” said Clarke. “We knew, coming in, that we’d have to go through them to get to the final.”

NZRL NATIONAL YOUTH TOURNAMENT
Puketawhero Park, Rotorua

Wednesday, September 28
15s
Wai-Coa-Bay Colts 18 (Albert Talakai 3 & Sean Field tries: Rhemus Rutene goal) Wellington Orcas 18 (Blaine Betham-Ta'ape 2 & Ielu Apineru tries; Keelan Ng 3 goals)

Akarana Falcons 24 (Tuinamo Tepulolo, Christian Tuipolotu, Etuate Laui & Daneous Sosaiete tries; Tepulolo 3 goals) South Island Scorpions 4 (Zachariah Amituanai try)

Counties Manukau Stingrays 32 (Diaz Taihi 2, Marco Talagi, Semisi Tapa, Aamon Dean & Etuale Lui tries; Te Napi Waipouri 4 goals) Auckland Vulcans 8 (Quinnlan Tupou try; Siona Moala 3 goals)

Central Vipers 20 (Tyrese Ratahi, Brooklyn Herewini, Zamaya Lilo & Arama Meihana tries; Herewini 2 goals) Northern Swords 16 (Siakini Taulangau 2 & Palei Huihui tries; Eroni Biukoto 2 goals)

17s
Wai-Coa-Bay Colts 24 (Lennox Jarratt, John Friis, Taelem McGregor, Phoenix Hodge & Te Ranga Kihi tries; Sheldon Rogers 2 goals) Central Vipers 18 (Saiasi Qiokata, Neihana Johnson, Jahlon Governor & Zach Henderson tries; Henderson goal)

Wellington Orcas 32 (Joseph Faleafaga 3, Isiah Tauri 2, Te Aorere Wanoa & Darius Patau tries; Bradley McEwean & Tominiko Maiava goals) Northern Swords 18 (Diani Timms, Ngati Manukau-Togiavalu & Hoani Rogers-Brown tries; Levita Levita 3 goals)

Akarana Falcons 44 (Carlos Henry 2, Starford Toa, Mathew Timoko, Sean Mullany, Xavier Tutaki, Quesi Brmingham-Campbell & Samuela Vaegi tries; Regan McClennan 6 goals) South Island Scorpions 10 (Jordan Leigh 2 tries; Brad Campbell goal)

Counties Manukau Stingrays 36 (Asu Kepaoa 2, Eteine Nanai Seturo, Philip Makatoa, Potusa Fuilala, Xavier Tuigamala & Bayley Poto tres; Alfred Smalley & Dylan Tavita 2 goals) Auckland Vulcans 10 (Connor Jackson Lopesi & Kenshin Tsutsui tries; Tsutsui goal)

Thursday, September 29

15s
10.30am – (5-8) Wellington Orcas v Northern Swords

11.45am – (5-8) South Island Scorpions v Central Vipers

12.30pm – (semi) Akarana Falcons v Auckland Vulcans

1.45pm – (semi) Wai-Coa-Bay Colts v Counties Manukau Stingrays

17s
11am – (5-8) Wellington Orcas v Central Vipers

12.20pm – (5-8) Northern Swords v Wai-Coa-Bay Colts

1pm – (semi) Counties Manukau Stingrays v South Island Scorpions

2.20pm – (semi) Auckland Vulcans v Akarana Falcons

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