Australian Schools beat Fijian Schools 29 – 3 but will need to improve to challenge New Zealand Schools, who comprehensively beat the Australian Barbarians 49 – 6.
The matches, the first of two Schoolboy Tri-Nations double-headers, were played on a dry track on a warm spring afternoon at Sydney’s Knox Grammar School.
The second and final round of games will be played this Saturday at TG Milner Field.
MATCHES AT TG MILNER THIS SATURDAY
11.00am – Australian Barbarians vs Fiji Schools
12.50pm – Australian Schools vs New Zealand Schools
Both games will be live streamed on rugby.com.au and facebook and the Australian v New Zealand Schools match will be broadcast live on Fox in Australia and Sky in NZ.
AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS 29 – 3 FIJIAN SCHOOLS
By “Rod Skellet”
Australian Schools showed just enough fortitude against a gallant but errant Fiji side in their first genuine match, to justify a trip to TG Milner next Saturday to watch them take on a very disciplined and talented NZ Schools.
Having seen the NZ Schools with several of their top players rested, dismantle the Aust Barbars side in today’s earlier game, the Aust Schools will need to up the ante next week. Something they are more than capable of doing.
FIRST HALF
From the kick off, the Aussie Schools showed their intent, putting pressure on the Fijian Schools, second and third phase ball at the breakdown, with Charlie Rorke (6) and big Lachlan Connors (8) prominent, eventually leading to a turnover.
With ball in hand, the backs led by captain Will Harrison (10) went wide, only to be met by some steely Fijian defence with Ratoto (3) and Nasinu (5) making some strong tackles.
A few pic and drives by the Aussie tight 5, had the Aussies deep inside the Fijian 22.
A nice blind side movement combining Ben Donaldson (15), Seamus Smith (9) and Jordon Petaia (13) went desperately close to scoring, with only a stray boot on the touch line stopping their momentum.
A technical penalty from Fiji allowed Harrison to take the first easy three points.
From the restart, Fiji then strung together probably their best phase of the match, retaining possession and really testing the metal of the Aussie defence.
Ratu (4), Peni (7), Ratru (13) and Ratoto all bent the line and had the Fijian lads camped in the Aussie 22m line.
It was only solid work over the ball by Kohan Herbert (7) that generated a penalty that relieved the pressure.
Photo by Rod Skellet
With Nick Frost (5) dominating the lineouts, it was time for the scrum to step up and the Aussie front row did not disappoint, applying roller skates to the Fijian boys. The ensuing penalty was successful and the Aussies led 6 nil.
The Fijian boys were still very much in the game, and it was Ratoto who sparked a blind side move, showing a nice step and dummy to put Yabakidrauratu (11) into space.
A penalty in front of the posts for Aussie offside gave the Fijian lads their first points with Joseph (10) taking the 3.
With Frost making the most of his 6ft 9inch frame and playing his best game in 12 months, the Aussies regathered the restart and gave swift ball to Donaldson who showed sublime skills to split the defence and with Albert Hopoate (14) in support, again had the Aussies on the front foot.
The Fijians were a tad too eager on the defensive line and the ref awarded the penalty which Harrison duly accepted and the Aussies went to the break with a six point advantage.
Half-time score: Australian Schools 9 – 3 Fijian Schools
SECOND HALF
The second half pep talk worked and a different attitude was displayed by the Aussies. Moves gelled and combinations started to click.
A lineout 15m out from the Fijian line, had Frost take clean ball and hand off to Lachlan Lonergan (2) who was bound tight behind the rolling Aussie eight who strongarmed the Fijian boys resulting in the first try of the match. Aust Schools led 14 – 3.
Photo by Rod Skellet
Australian Schools were finding some mojo, with a great run by Connors and a lovely combination with Angus Bell (1) and Darcy Breen (3) down the sideline really opening up the game.
Another errant penalty by Fiji had the Aussies lead extended to 17 – 3, when the Aussie coach brought in the reserves.
The changes in the forwards were not so telling, but the reshuffle in the backs had an immediate effect.
Marco Bell (21) came on for Smith and Donaldson moved from 15 to 10, bringing the Waverley College combination together. Tom Woodcock went to 15, with Tristan Stranghon shifting from wing to the centres while Will Lloyd (23) came on to the wing.
The time and space afforded with Donaldson at 5/8th was telling and it was also clear that Stranghon was wasted on the wing and needed to see more ball.
With Connors again breaking the line, the backline clicked and slick hands saw Donaldson put a short ball to Stranghon who ran clear, and with the cover defence closing, drew the man and put speedster Lloyd over for a great team try. Aust Schools led 24 – 3.
A try on full time to man of the match Lachlan Connors saw the Aust Schools run out winners 29 – 3.
Photo by Rod Skellet
THE PLAYERS
Best for Australian Schools: Lachlan Connors (8), Nick Frost (5), Ben Donaldson (15 and 10) and all 6 front rowers
Best for Fijian Schools: Ratoto (3), Ratu (4) and Yabakikidrauratu (11)
SCORING DETAILS
Australian Schools 29 (Lonergan, Lloyd and Connors tries; Donaldson con; Harrison 4 pens) def. Fijian Schools 3 (Kikau pen)
NEW ZEALAND SCHOOLS 49 – 6 AUSTRALIAN BARBARIANS
By “Rich_E”
The Australian Barbarians played with loads of enthusiasm, but were simply out-muscled and outplayed by a highly skilful New Zealand Schools outfit.
In what can only be an onerous sign for Australian Schools, NZ Schools also accounted for Fijian Schools 54 – 7 last Thursday.
FIRST HALF
It took NZ only three minutes to cross for the first of seven tries, each converted by Danny Toala (15).
The opening five-pointer was scored by Isaiah Punivai (13) who barrelled across the line from close range, after the Kiwis had kicked for the corner from a ruck penalty.
The Barbarians responded strongly, working their way into one of their best scoring opportunities in the match.
After launching unsuccessful raids on the NZ try line, Campbell Parata (10) opted to take the three points from a penalty in front of the uprights after eight minutes.
Photo by Rod Skellet
The game then oscillated at a frantic pace between the respective 22s before Tupou Vaa’i (NZ 5) was yellowed carded for lifting Max Douglas (Barbarians 4) beyond the horizontal in a tackle.
Parata knocked over the penalty and it was 7 – 6 to NZ after 16 minutes.
The Barbarians were unable to capitalise further on the advantage, with NZ crossing for two tries while a man down.
The first to 14 Etene Nanai, after slick hands, including a deft pass out of the back of the hand by Punivai created an overlap on the right flank, and the second to George Dyer (3) who crashed over after waves of NZ attack. 21 – 6 to NZ with seven minutes remaining in the first period.
With Vaa’i back on the field, the Kiwis found another gear and nearly scored again from a near full field attacking raid that was halted metres from the line by Joey Walton (Barbarians 12) who seemingly came from nowhere.
In the final play of the half, another long range raid from NZ counter-attack created a try under the sticks for Vaa’i.
Half-time score: NZ Schools 28 – 6 Australian Barbarians
Photo by Rod Skellet
SECOND HALF
The NZ team started the second half like they finished the first, dominating the collision and the breakdown, and keeping the run metre meter ticking over.
The highlight for the Barbarians were some powerful runs by Viliami Lea (14), who seemed to inspire his teammates and lift their confidence. The lowlight; kicks failed to make touch and passes went to ground in good field position.
Play again seesawed at a hectic pass in the middle half of the field.
Thirteen minutes into the second stanza, with the Barbarians holding good field position, NZ launched another full field raid where the ball went through multiple sets of hands and was eventually dotted down by Nanai, his second for the match. 35 – 6 to NZ with 20 left.
The Barbarians sent out their ‘finishers’ but despite lifting the home team’s efforts, NZ Schools continued to dominate.
Photo by Rod Skellet
Following another good Barbarians attacking opportunity, NZ Schools countered yet again, resulting in a five-pointer for Leicester Faingaanuku (11), who left his defenders clutching at air.
The Barbarians kept coming back at the Kiwis and looked certain to score, but Dylan Dowling spilled the ball in space.
Further promising raids were made into Kiwi territory but their defence was just too good and they weren’t done yet in attack either.
Abraham Pole (16) crossed for the seventh try in the final play of the match and the scoreboard ticked over to 45 -6.
The Barbarians played really well in stages but NZ Schools were simply too good. Relentless in defence and at times brilliant in counter attack.
Here is a highlights video, courtesy of rugby.com.au
THE PLAYERS
Best for New Zealand Schools: Quinn Tupaea (12), Isaiah Punivai (13) and Etene Nanai (14). Strong impact from Tamiti Williams (17)
Best for Australian Barbarians: Tom Kibble (7), Viliami Lea (14) and Joey Walton (12). Strong impact from Brody MacKaskill (19) and Dylan Dowling (21)
SCORING DETAILS
New Zealand Schools 49 (Nanai 2, Punivai, Dyer, Vaa’i, Faingaanuku, Pole tries; Toala 7 cons) def. Australian Barbarians 6 (Parata 2 pens)
