The international schoolboy rugby season began today with Australia A securing convincing win over the Tongan U/18s Schoolboys at Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview. Australia has come off an intense ten days of rugby, which has seen the players play five full games of rugby over that period.
Australia were first to score points through a penalty kick by Sam Greene, taking the score to 3-0. The Tongan team was very ill disciplined with their captain No.1 Fe’iloakitoho Tupoumalohi having a ten minute stint on the sidelines after repeat offences.
Jack Tuttle looked impressive with ball in hand making many metres, resulting in a try to the captain and SJC Nudgee student. The conversion was kicked and the lead taken to AUS 10 TNG 0.
Australia A had little competition at set piece, securing their lineouts with no trouble at all. This was the same at scrum time with Australia applying a lot of pressure. However, they did fail to execute the use of their outside support and this resulted in Australia butchering many tries and making things difficult for themselves.
Tonga had a scrum five meters out from their try line where a simple play saw their No. 14 Joshua Hefa receive a pass to run ninety meters and be tackled by scrambling Australian defence.
Strong performances in the forwards came from Albert Hemopo of Endeavour Sports High School and Francois Postal of Nudgee College. Both players leading the forwards around the park and setting the standard with their ball carries.
Minutes before half time Australia were building phases through pick and drives and this saw No. 7 Jack Johnson of Waverly College cross the line for a five pointer. AUS 22 TNG 0
After the break Australia took their foot off the pedal both in attack and discipline with Australia being marched fifty meters down field through poor break down penalties.
Seven of the eight Australian reserves took to the field after half time with Jack McCalman follow shortly after.
Another try came to the Aussies through Dylan Sikimeti who took a pick and drive off the ruck to cross the line. Sam Greene converted the try and extended Australia lead to 29-0.
First points to Tonga came from a lapse in the Australian’s defence with hooker Jonathan Lokotui scoring the try. The conversion was missed. AUS 29 TNG 5
Jack Tuttle intercepted a stray pass from the Tongan team and it looked like Tuttle was destined to score but a strong tackle dislodged the ball from his grasp.
Full Time
Australia A Schools 29 (Jack Johnson, Jack Tuttle, Tanne Milne, Dylan Sikimeti tries, Sam Greene 3 con, 1 pen) defeated Tongan Schools U18 5 (Jonathan Lokotui try)
