South Island Take Out 16s & Counties Manukau Go Back-to-Back to Claim 18s Title

29th September

The National Boys Youth Tournament Grand Finals today saw new victors South Island Scorpions crowned as the 16s grade champions, while the Counties Manukau Stingrays went back-to-back as 2022 and now 2023 18s title-holders. The Auckland Invitational 16s, Aotearoa Whaanui 16s, and New Zealand Resident Clubs 18s representative teams were named in the prizegiving ceremony, with selection having taken place throughout the tournament.

 

National Boys Youth Tournament Grand Finals recap:

 

16s Boys

Grand Final – South Island Scorpions v Waikato

Final score: South Island Scorpions 26-10

In this thrilling Grand Final, the South Islanders shot out of the gates first, scoring twice and converting once within the first 15. Momentum swung the other way as the young Waikato men fought back hard to regain their footing in the game. Tries by Walker and Whitiora and a successful conversion from Cowan equalised, bringing the score to 10-all halftime. In the second half’s opening, the Scorpions capitalised off a Waikato penalty for Roebeck to cross for his second try. Although the Waikato side continued to show great physical strength and speed in this contest, the Scorpions proved too strong, scoring twice more and claiming the title 26-10.

 

South Island Scorpions try scorers

#2 Azaniah Roebeck – 2 tries

#3 Ezekiel Hammond-Siolo

#4 Luciano Felise

#24 Bryce Hauraki-Carle

Conversions: #1 Kairus Booth – 3/5

 

Waikato try scorers

#13 Romana Brent Whitiora

#17 Mairangiatea Walker 

Conversions: #6 Te Kororangi Joshua Cowan – 1/2

 

18s Boys

Grand Final – South Island Scorpions v Counties Manukau Stingrays

Final score: Counties Manukau Stingrays 24-12

A repeat of the 2022 Grand Final, the returning champions Counties Manukau held majority of the possession and dominance in the first half. Francis Tuimauga and Sosaia Latu scored, with Latu successfully converting both, putting them in the lead 12-0 at halftime. The South Islanders were finally rewarded with two tries in the second half, both to Te Kaio Cranwell, as they refused to go down without a fight. Despite tough efforts and skilful play from the Scorpions, Counties Manukau were too formidable and claimed a back-to-back victory of the 18s grade.

 

South Island Scorpions try scorers

#12 Te Kaio Cranwell – 2 tries

Conversions: #6 Eli Bijl-Kakoi – 2/2

 

Counties Manukau Stingrays try scorers

#5 Sosaia Latu

#7 Cameron Tuipulotu

#10 Francis Tuimauga

#21 Eteuati Jeremiah Tatupu

Conversions: #5 Sosaia Latu – 4/4

 

2023 NZRL AOTEAROA WHAANUI 16S SQUAD

  1. Kaea Cribb – Waikato
  2. Kairus Booth – South Island Scorpions
  3. Ezekiel Hammond-Siolo – South Island Scorpions
  4. Fine Fale – Waikato
  5. Tavita Pomale – Bay of Plenty
  6. Lorenz-Markel Strickland Rere – Wellington Orcas
  7. Delahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi – South Island Scorpions
  8. Timau Utiaro – Waikato
  9. Turama Paranihi – Waikato
  10. Torino Jackson – South Island Scorpions
  11. Pj Palamo – South Island Scorpions
  12. Bishop Neal – South Island Scorpions
  13. Romana Brent Whitiora – Waikato
  14. Isaiah Savea – South Island Scorpions
  15. Micah Sula – South Island Scorpions
  16. Huritetaha Barlow – Waikato
  17. Shae TeKauri Taitua – Wellington Orcas
  18. Rico Lemalie – South Island Scorpions
  19. Azaniah Roebeck – South Island Scorpions

Emerging Player: Tevita Kilisimasi-Ioane – Mid Central Vipers

Tournament MVP: Fine Fale – Waikato

 

2023 NZRL NEW ZEALAND RESIDENT CLUBS BOYS 18S SQUAD

  1. Caleb Wright – Waikato
  2. Raphael Sio – Akarana Falcons
  3. Hirini Holmes – Counties Manukau Stingrays
  4. Dakota Kakoi – South Island Scorpions
  5. Xavier Lynch – South Island Scorpions
  6. Eli Bijl-Kakoi – South Island Scorpions
  7. Maui Winitana-Patelesio – Wellington Orcas
  8. Rodney Vea – Counties Manukau Stingrays
  9. Atelea Filo – Counties Manukau Stingrays
  10. Francis Tuimauga – Counties Manukau Stingrays
  11. Lyrakai-Layke Posimani – Akarana Falcons
  12. Te Kaio Cranwell – South Island Scorpions
  13. Carlos Davis – Akarana Falcons
  14. Psalms Iosua – Akarana Falcons
  15. Joshua Grewe – South Island Scorpions
  16. Jaydyn Hoeta – South Island Scorpions
  17. Eteuati Jeremiah Tatupu – Counties Manukau Stingrays
  18. Matiasi Lolesio – Auckland Vulcans
  19. Allan Malama-Talataina – Auckland Vulcans

Emerging Player: Jarod Cook – Northland Swords

Tournament MVP: Rodney Vea – Counties Manukau Stingrays

 

For past live streams, results of all Boys Youth Day 3 games, and all tournament content, visit linktr.ee/nzrlgrassroots.

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