25th September
The best female rugby league talent from all across the motu have converged on Taupō’s Owen Delaney Park for three days of football, representing their Districts and Zones. With all pool matches wrapped up and semi-finalists determined, new teams have emerged as front runners. In just the second iteration of the NZRL National Girls Youth Tournament since its introduction in 2022, the tournament has showcased the exciting development of young female players, Districts, and Zones.
South Island Scorpions 16s Girls
The Scorpions finished second in the 16s Girls Section A pool, closely behind Counties Manukau. With six Districts within the Southern Zone, there was no lack of talent for Head Coach Tyrone Rapana to select his squad from. Captain and utility player Sydelle Samuelu leads the girls, who also featured for Canterbury in the National District 9s Competition earlier this year. Samuelu shared that her goal for their campaign is to become the first Scorpions 16s Girls team to win the Tournament title. Forwards Olive Connolly and Dormay Laufiso have garnered attention, leading the team up the pitch with strong carries and tough defence. The girls are now preparing for their semi-final against the Wellington 16s Girls, which will be played at 1:00 p.m today.
Wellington Orcas 16s Girls
The Wellingtonians finished their round-robin matches undefeated, topping the 16s Girls Pool B ahead of Mid Central, Auckland, and Waikato. The squad features a number of girls named in the recent New Zealand Secondary Schools Tournament Squad, including co-captains Te Raukura Leafe and Luca-Bella Ngatuere-Ongley. The duo have had exceptional performances for the team from the capital and look to lead the girls out for their semi-final against the South Island 16s Girls.
Counties Manukau Stingrays 18s Girls
Entering the Tournament with a strong squad of girls from the Auckland Rugby League Secondary School and club competitions, the Counties Manukau Stingrays are confident and looking to go all the way. Coached by Sefuluai Bella Tamotu, the squad is bolstered by Ivana Lauitiiti, Alianna Tonu’u, and Danii-Nicole Gray from the New Zealand Secondary Schools Tournament Squad. Going undefeated in Pool B of the 18s grade, Counties look to face off against fellow Aucklanders, the Vulcans 18s Girls, in the semi-final at 2:00 pm.
For the National Youth Competition live streams, complete draws, and results, and to keep up with all the rugby league action visit linktr.ee/nzrlgrassroots.
