The final game for the U18S NZRL Boy’s Youth Tournament saw Counties Manukau Stingrays face off against South Island Scorpions at Puketawhero park, Rotorua.

The Stingrays dominated possession early as they continued to forced errors in the South Island’s half of the field, resulting in 4 tries in the first half, two of them coming from powerful backrower Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea.

The second half saw Counties Manukau opened the scoring as Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea completed a hat-trick. With their backs against the wall, a spirited Scorpions side tried to mount a comeback and were rewarded with a try however it was too little, too late with Counties Manukau Stingrays claiming the U18’s championship in dominating fashion with the score being 28-12.

Tries:

Counties Manukau – Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea x3, Phranklyn Mano-Le-Mamea x2, Hirini Holmes, Jarome Falemoe, Cameron Tuipulotu

South Island – Makaia Tafua, Alofa Faaiva

Conversions

Counties Manukau – Phranklyn Mano-Le-Mamea 2/8

South Island – Jacob Nyman 2/2