For the third day of the Australian Schools Rugby Union Championships Division I matches yesterday there was a bitterly cold southerly coming off the Harbour for most of the day and the teams that dealt best with that won their games.
The match ups for the day were seeded before the competition and the four teams from the last two games were playing for spots in the final on Saturday.
NSW I 35 – Queensland II 5
by “The Spaceman”
First half
It was blustery and chilly Riverview afternoon for the match of the day.
NSW I kicked off into a swirling breeze that mainly blew down the ground toward the scoreboard. At stages throughout the match the wind dramatically affected the ball in a contradictory manner.
The early stages of the match were scrappy, with a tight tussle forming between both packs. QLD II hooker Tevita ‘Unga Wolske (2) made a dynamic burst from the base of a ruck on halfway to bring the game alive. Unfortunately he was cut down 22 metres out and unable to link up with any support.
NSW I flanker Charlie Smith (7) was everywhere, hitting ruck after ruck and making textbook tackles on much larger men.
However QLD II were gaining easy metres around the edges of the ruck. It looked as if they would post the first points of the match through a penalty about eight minutes in, however halfback Reuben Wall (9) failed to convert.
Further QLD II pressure was quashed by smart exit kicking from NSW I’s Jack McGregor (10).
NSW I then fought back, and snagged a penalty right out in front 15 minutes in, with halfback Harrison Goddard (9) banking the three points. Goddard (9) began to kick into gear from this stage onwards, providing excellent service, effective defence and fearless contact despite his size difference.
Not to be upstaged, QLD II’s Wall (9) stepped up his game, snaring a pilfer right on his own line to save a certain NSW I try.
The game ebbed and flowed until the NSW I forward pack found their groove, facing up in defence and working hard in tight. Tighthead prop Harry Chapman (3) completely blindsided the QLD II flanker Jack Farrel (7) and put on a bone-rattling hit just over the QLD II side of halfway.
This was a big moment, as NSW I started to effectively use the pick and go, forcing a penalty, again right out in front. Goddard (9) slotted it to make it 6 – 0 after about half an hour.
Smith (7) then made a surprising 20 metre break from what looked like an innocuous pick and drive. NSW I again applied pressure and gained yet another penalty in front. Goddard (9) was three from three heading into halftime, with NSW I leading 9 – 0.
Second half
An early error from NSW I from the kickoff immediately handed QLD II an opportunity to stage a comeback. A scrum in NSW I territory produced some scrappy rucks, but allowed QLD II to register their first points. QLD II’s Louis Schwenke (6) was suddenly scampering down the far touchline and diving for a pie in the corner. Despite a great effort from Wall (9), the conversion went across the face.
Scores NSW I 9 – QLD II 5 just after halftime.
NSW I kept their heads, and now tasted blood. The backs were licking their lips with clean ball off a NSW I line-out about 30 metres out. Inside-centre Dan England (12) slung a beautiful right-to-left pass to winger Latu (11) who was denied a try by QLD II fullback Robertson (15).
Farrel (7) then saved a certain try though a textbook pilfer, but you sensed NSW I had a better hold of the game.
Not to be outdone by his fellow Novocastrian, NSW I loose-head prop Harry Johnson-Holmes (1) put on a huge hit that looked and sounded like it hurt, however the QLD II ball-runner was thankfully uninjured. Holmes then followed up by getting to his feet and forcing a not-releasing penalty right out in front. Goddard (9) turned the penalty into three points. NSW I 12 – QLD II 5, 45 minutes in.
For NSW I, Blaise Barnes (23) went on for Latu (11) and big Max Girdler (19) replaced Gittoes (6).
QLD II had been starved of possession, and it continued to what must have been a frustrating point. A NSW I line-out on halfway resulted in McGregor (10) skilfully putting in a grubber that beat everyone into touch about 5 metres out.
NSW I was able to score another try under what can only be described as weird circumstances. NSW I snagged a turnover before Wright (15) slid across the defence to the left edge, however the QLD II defence were able to catch the fullback.
Wright (15) then propped and dumped the ball off to McGregor (10) who pretty much just fell on the try line. Goddard (9) snags some more extra. Scores NSW I 19 – QLD II 5 at the 50 minute mark.
QLD II just could not get their hands on the pill for any sustained period of time, and were starting to tire in defence as a result. NSW I’s Girdler (19) managed to fly through a hole in the QLD II pillar defence, and whacked it on the toe to force a 5-metre scrum.
A few phases later and Wright (15) jinked of his left foot on the right edge and strolled over for a five-pointer. Goddard (9) kicked the conversion and kept his exemplary kicking record intact.
Scores NSW I 26 – QLD II 5 after 55 minutes.
NSW I brought bulk changes, with five substitutions made.
The story was the same after the next restart, NSW I gaining field position quickly and capitalising. McGregor (10) had a passing day to remember, finding Blaise Barnes (23) who finished off a try in the left corner. He showed his skills with a beautiful little hit, spin and dive before he put the ball over the line. Unfortunately, McGregor was unable to convert the try.
The final scores: NSW I 31 – QLD II 5.
The players
Qld II
As you can see, not much of a highlight reel for QLD II, only because they just didn’t have the pill. I thought hooker Unga Wolske was dynamic and probably the best hooker I saw in both games. Lock Sam Wallis (8) was the stand-out in the forwards, great low chop tackles and decent with the ball in hand.
Inside centre Mathew Smit (12) was a hard-running, hard hitting machine in his channel. Defended McGregor and England very well.
NSW I
Whilst they won and played well, I wasn’t overly impressed by their performance across the park. Not all that much running rugby and very sloppy at times. In saying that, I’m a massive fan of the two Newcastle boys in the front row, Johnson-Holmes (1) and Chapman (3).
They’re big hard lads that are fairly dynamic as well and at least one should be there on Saturday arvo. McGregor (10) was epic with the ball in hand and controlled the game superbly. Goddard (9) was solid, the tall timber in the two-row (McCauley (5) and Piroddi (4)) both worked hard. Smith (7) was the best on ground for me. He probably plays the scrappiest brand of footy out of anyone at the Championships but it’s unbelievably effective.
Wrap up
After the first twenty or so minutes, you would have thought that this could be a tough task for NSW I. This was evident in the QLD II piggies in particular strong across the park.
It was the ability of NSW I to maintain control for the ball that eventually paid off for them. Having watched the earlier game, NSW I will need to work better as a team if they’re to win on Saturday.
Can’t wait for the State of Origin on the weekend.
Scoring
NSW I 31 (McGregor, Wright, Barnes tries, Goddard 2 cons, 4 pens) def. Qld II 5 (Schwenke try)
See next page for report on Queensland I v. NSW II
