26 September 2025

Ngā Puna Wai Park came alive on the final day of the National Girls Youth Tournament, with passionate supporters filling the stands and sidelines to watch the semis and Grand Finals, as the sun and clear skies returned late morning. The young wāhine delivered fierce and determined performances, leaving everything on the field in hopes of achieving victory and national titles.

16s Girls

The first semi-final between Auckland and Manawatu was tightly contested in the first half, the Vulcans holding a narrow 16-14 lead at the half. They pulled away in the second half, handing the Mustangs their first loss of the tournament and eliminating them from finals contention, 32-14. In contrast, the Counties vs Akarana clash was a close, back-and-forth battle which saw some tough running and tackling especially in the middles. Ultimately Counties edged out Akarana 8-6, with two tries to the Falcons’ one, booking their spot in the Grand Final against Auckland.

GRAND FINAL: Auckland Vulcans vs Counties Manukau Stingrays

Final score: Counties Manukau 38-10

Counties came out firing straight from the kickoff, a strong first set of play ending with Suliana Iloahefaiva powering over the tryline to open scoring. Auckland responded quickly in their next attacking set by creating a linebreak, which set up for the dummy-half to sneak over the tryline and level the score. This would set the tone for the remainder of the first half, going try-for-try again to deadlock the halftime score at 10-all.

In the second half, Counties stormed ahead to dominate. They crossed for six more tries while Akarana were unable to add to their points. Jaesynn-Ree Fatialofa finished with two tries, and sharp halfback Tayla Peters earned Grand Finals MVP honours after a stellar performance leading her side around the park, and kicking three conversions. This marks Counties Manukau’s fourth consecutive National Youth Tournament Girls 16s title, seeing the Stingrays essentially take out the entire tournament following their earlier 18s victory as well.

2025 National 16s Girls Youth Tournament Team

16s Grand Final MVP: Tayla Peters, Counties Manukau

Emerging Talent of the Tournament: Maya Tebutt, Waikato

Player of the Tournament: Suraya Kingi, Counties Manukau

The Kiwi Way Team of the Tournament: Northern Swords

Manager of the Tournament: Brooke Raymond, South Island

Trainer of the Tournament: Te Aonui Ririnui, Wellington

Coach of the Tournament: Marama Rayner, Waikato

18s Girls 

The day began with a thrilling Grand Final decider between Akarana and Canterbury. Canterbury struck first through a powerful run by Dormay Laufiso but failed to convert. Akarana responded minutes later after a short-side play finished by a show-and-go from the halfback Mele Hemaloto to score. An impressive kick near the touchline from Malena Lavea put them in the lead 6-4 for halftime. The second half remained close, Akarana scoring first but soon followed by Canterbury’s Laufiso getting across the line again. It came down to kicks, Akarana the better, winning 12-10 and booking their spot in the Grand Final against Counties.

GRAND FINAL: Akarana Falcons vs Counties Manukau Stingrays

Final score: Counties Manukau 36-4

The first Grand Final of the day began with massive intent and effort across the park, especially by both teams forwards who were colliding in the middle of the park. Scoring opened 15 minutes in, through Counties’ trailblazing hooker Mary-Jane Taito who broke the line from from dummy-half, stepping and fending her way through the defence to score. They struck again minutes later after a pinpoint kick and determined chase to score again on their left edge. Counties added a third try before the half through a 40-metre solo effort, to put the halftime score at 16-0.

Counties maintained their momentum to dominate the second half, scoring four more tries and proving too strong for the Falcons. Their pace and physicality continued to overwhelm Akarana who struggled to contain their relentless attack. After many efforts Akarana were finally rewarded with points of their own, shifting the ball through the hands of the right edge for winger Azariah Amosa to cross, for a well-earned consolation try.

2025 National 18s Girls Youth Tournament Team

18s Grand Final MVP: Mary-Jane Taito

Emerging Talent of the Tournament: Sahara Mason, South Island

Player of the Tournament: Luisa Kuli, Akarana

Manager of the Tournament: Diana Ainuu-Tauiliili, Counties Manukau

Trainer of the Tournament: Iaean Cranwell, Canterbury

Coach of the Tournament: Ruth Vae, Akarana