Semi-Finalists have been found in each grade for the 2018 NZRL Youth Nationals in Rotorua. In the 15s grade, the Counties Manukau Stingrays booked their spot after outmuscling rivals Akarana 24-8 to top Pool A. The Stingray’s forwards outmuscled the Falcons throughout the match, with Navajo Doyle and Savelio Fisiiloi standouts for them. In the other Pool A match, the Central Vipers marched to their first victory of the tournament with a strong 30-12 win over the Wellington Orcas.
South Island Scorpions 15s recorded their second win this week with a 46-4 win against the Northern Swords. Felix Fa’atili dominating the match with three tries, supported by strong performances by Jaedon Wellington and Uriah Tuli. In a must-win match, Wai-Coa-Bay 15s scraped past the Auckland Vulcans 26-18 to keep their semi-final hopes alive. Despite being on equal points with the Scorpions and Vulcans, points differential counted against Wai-Coa-Bay who eventually placed third in Pool B.
Tomorrow, Counties Manukau will face Auckland Vulcans in the first semi-final for the 15s grade, with the South Island Scorpions taking on the Akarana Falcons in the other.
In the 17s grade, Counties Manukau recorded their third win with a 36-22 victory over Wai-Coa-Bay. The Stingrays top Pool C, with Auckland taking the other spot in the semi-finals after defeating Wellington 30-14. Konrad Tu’ua performed strongly for the Aucklanders, who will be looking ahead to facing the Akarana Falcons tomorrow in the semi-finals.
The Falcons won their match today against the Scorpions 24-16 to take top spot in Pool D. The Northern Swords recording a surprise 28-20 victory against the Central Vipers. Manaia Tuhoro recording a hat-trick for the Swords, who will move on to face Wai-Coa-Bay 17s tomorrow. For a full schedule of both tomorrow’s schedule, and today’s results see below:
Day Four Schedule:
15s Semi-Finals
Counties Manukau Stingrays v Auckland Vulcans (1:00pm)
Akarana Falcons v South Island Scorpions (1:30pm)
15s Playoffs (5th-8th)
Central Vipers v Northern Swords (11:30am)
Wai-Coa-Bay Colts v Wellington Orcas (11:30am)
17s Semi-Finals
Counties Manukau Stingrays v South Island Scorpions (12:30pm)
Akarana Falcons v Auckland Vulcans (12:30pm)
17s Playoffs (5th-8th)
Wellington Orcas v Central Vipers (11:00am)
Northern Swords v Wai-Coa-Bay Colts (11:00am)
Day Three Results and Standings
15s grade:
Wai-Coa-Bay Colts 26 (Te Awa Daniela, Image Tepania, Manaia Ngataki-Matthews, Joseph O’Leary; Tome Poona 5 goals) Auckland Vulcans 18 (Stanley Iongi 2, Nathaniel Cama; Michale Angelo Taufa 2 goals, Tremein Campbell 1 goal)
South Island Scorpions 46 (Felix Fa’atili 3, Uriah Tuli, Tom Campbell, Jaedon Wellington, Riupena Fielele, Arlan Perez, Tane Ward; Matthew Logopati 3 goals, Riley Pascoe 2 goals) Northern Swords 4 (Jason Te Tai)
Counties-Manukau Stingrays 24 (Cody Stephenson 2, Joe Saina, Navajo Doyle, D’jazirhae Pua’avase; Francis Manululeua 2 goals) Akarana Falcons 8 (Naisa Pahulu, Deine Mariner)
Central Vipers 30 (Kodie Albert-Papuni, Tawhiwhi Karaitiana, Arama Kite, Takarangi Metekingi, Tuatele Tuisafia; Tawhiwhi Karaitiana 3 goals) Wellington Orcas 12 (Joshua Williams 2, Poto Akavi 2 goals)
Pool A Standings: Counties Manukau 6, Akarana 4, Central 2, Wellington 0
Pool B Standings: South Island 4, Auckland Vulcans 4, Wai-Coa-Bay 4, Northern 0
17s grade:
Counties Manukau Stingrays 36 (William Fakatoumafi 2, Sione Moala 2, So’olefai Ah Kiong, Albert Talakai, Brandon Puru; Sione Moala 3 goals) Wai-Coa-Bay Colts 22 (Sean Field, Las Filo, Connor Dobbyn; Ceiza James 3 goals)
Auckland Vulcans 30 (Konrad Tu’ua 2, David Kalekale, Junior Moli, Charles Laumape, Tristan Tualagi; Riaihe Jacobs 3 goals) Wellington Orcas 14 (Dallas McEwan, Maui Wallace, Evander Tere-Rongotaua; Ebenzer Rota 1 goal)
Akarana Falcons 24 (Naufahu Whyte, Moala Graham-Taufa, Jeremiah Schuster, Asolelei Fretton; Samuel Kamu 2 goals) South Island Scorpions 16 (Griffin Neame, Peneli Peneli, Leo Petelo; Quentin Nahona-Brown 2 goals)
Northern Swords 28 (Manaia Tuhoro 3, Rai Samson 2, Rikki Shelford; Eroni Biukoto 2 goals) Central Vipers 20 (Te Rangi Williams, Hiraka Wanakore, Zamaya Lilo-Maru, Sheriff Fetu; Potene Rolls-Paewai 2 goals)
Pool C Standings: Counties Manukau 6, Auckland Vulcans 4, Wellington 2, Wai-Coa-Bay 0
Pool D Standings: Akarana 6, South Island 4, Northern 2, Central 0
