Queensland I 36 — Western Australia 15
by “Lee Grant”
Queensland I was the highest rated team of their pool but their state rep teams are young for Opens sides—but at least their opponents were young themselves.
First half
Flyhalf Nicholas Jooste opened the scoring early with a penalty goal for WA.
There was nice interplay at twelve minutes when 9 Harry Nucifora passed to 4 Darcy Taimua-Swain, wrapped around then swept around defenders before passing inside to 10 Alex Horan to score. It was good attacking rugby and when Nucifora converted Qld were ahead 7-3.
At the 20 minute mark 8 Harley Fox got hold of loose lineout ball from WA on their 22 and charged for the line and dragged two tacklers over. Try !! The extras made the score 14-3.
Queensland I were hitting their straps and their big men were wearing out the WA players.
But WA got down in the Qld 22 and when the defenders in red seemed to be set and matched up 15 Kauri Cudd stepped them and scored in the tackle. It was game on again when Jooste converted at 25 minutes.
At half time the score was still Queensland I 14 — Western Australia 10
It looked like WA were at the movies and the scary part hadn’t happened yet.
Second half
About ten minutes in 11 Joey Fittock put on one of his David Campese moves and scored to get the tally to 19-10.
WA were down in the Qld 22 and got a five metre scrum but the red pack pushed them off the ball and spoiled their attack. Then Qld turned the WA ball over and reserve back Tyrone Southern dashed 60 metres down touch. After he was tackled the ball went through the hands to 7 Connor Moroney for a try—and zippy fullback Clifton Setu was in not long afterwards also.
With no much to lose and a tackle approaching Cudd kicked through near the Qld 22 and the ball eventually popped up for Jooste to score for WA
There was one try left for Qld when the ball got passed back and forth and somebody got hit on the head but it didn’t stop 13 Dean Bender from scoring.
Final score 36-15
The players
Queensland
Alex Mafi didn’t shine exactly but he had the bulk and the know-how of a senior player and was brutal in tight work. No 8 Harley Fox had some Mark Loane moments and his likely battle with Angus Crichton on Saturday will be a contest to savour. Winger Joey Fittock displayed all the elusiveness that he showed for NSW Under 16s on the same ground a couple of years ago and was hard to stop one-on-one.
Western Australia
Fullback Kauri Rudd scored their first try and set up the other one, and was ably supported by steady flyhalf Nicholas Jooste. 7 Tevin Ferris was a livewire and always backing up.
The wrap up
The score was close at half time but Queensland I always had the measure of WA. They weren’t troubled after the break, and were always capable of a breakout try. Their scrum was a good platform for them and it depreciated the value of the put-in for WA.
Western Australia had a young side because over half of the squad were Under 17 eligible and had competed in the Australia-wide Junior Gold Cup in that age group—and won it. Accordingly they played young but if most of the Under 17s return to school next year they will be a formidable unit.
The Scoring
Queensland I 36 (A. Horan, H. Fox, J. Fittock, C. Moroney, C. Setu, D. Bender tries, H. Nucifora 3 cons) def. Western Australia 15 (K. Cudd try, N. Jooste try, con, pen)
See next page for another match report
