Bit of a mix up on the front page. Here's my match report from the main game
The Australian Schoolboys opened their 2015 Tri-Nations campaign with a resounding 37-18 over a heavily outgunned Samoan Schoolboy side at St.Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace.
Australia showcased fantastic skill running the ball in the first half, racing out to a 27-7 halftime lead to ensure the home side kept their seven-match winning streak against Samoa going one more year.
Captain Reece Hewat of St.Joseph’s Nudgee College was at his spectacular best in an indomitable performance, leading from the front at No.8 with two first half tries.
A notable absentee from the scoresheet was outside centre Simon Kennewell of Newington College, a whirlwind package of pace and physicality who spent more time in Samoa’s backfield than his own.
Kennewell got the ‘Schoolboys off to a flying start early in the match with a trademark dash through the defensive line, brought down after beating multiple defenders.
Samoa, in retreat, infringed in the breakdown, allowing Oakhill College scrumhalf Harrison Goddard the chance to seize an early three-point lead.
Samoa returned serve by launching two long distance field goal attempts, neither successful.
As Australia worked their way upfield, Mereweather High School loosehead prop Harry Johnson-Holmes scored a great individual try, dummying his way through the line and powering his way over to score a prop’s dream try.
Scots College lock Ryan McCauley nearly crossed on the left wing moments later only to be taken out with a high tackle, one of several clangers in the first half.
The Schoolboys kicked to the corner for the penalty, rolling a maul close to the line. Captain Reece Hewat took a pass from the maul to smash through the line despite contending with another high tackle.
Goddard missed the conversion, but made up for it soon after with a great sniping run, halted by a third high tackle which earned a yellow card to the offending player.
Hewat scored his second try in the following phases, stepping a first defender before fending off two more en route to a 20-nil lead.
Australia were just getting warmed up.
Brisbane Boys’ College team-mates, fullback Jayden Ngamanu and flanker Jack Farrell, combined on a beautiful piece of counter-attacking rugby down the left wing, breaking several sets of ankles before sending play back infield.
Australia stretched the Samoan defence to the limit on the right wing before again reversing play. Reece Hewat threw the decisive pass, deservedly finding flanker Jack Farrell free on the left for an untouched converted try.
Complacency struck on the stroke of half-time as Samoan flyhalf Ken Tuatagaloa scythed through a pair of tight-five forwards on the left wing for an impressive solo try.
With the game firmly under control, coach Stephen Phillpots replaced a number of starting players including Goddard and Joey’s hooker Tom Newton.
The departure of top-flight starters had a negative effect on the Australian’s play, so clinical in the first but by and large pedestrian in the second, scoring just 12 points as the game descended into scrappy play.
Fullback Jayden Ngamanu scored an impressive try on the right wing, pinning his ears back and gunning for the corner, dotting down mid-tackle.
Samoa peppered their hosts with a barrage of short kicks all over the pitch, heaping pressure on the Australians to preserve possession.
One such kick resulted in a favourable bounce for Samoan fullback Emani Peniamina Faavevela, outracing the home backs for a well-taken try.
Reserve lock Max Girdler from Scots College injected plenty of intensity to a side that seemed to have lost their focus, inspiring the players around him to lift, especially on defence.
Girdler scored a well-deserved try late in the match, leaping over the ruck on the goal line to take Australia’s final score to 39-18.
Churchie prop Joel Kuchel was a tireless worker in the late stages of the game, as was the ever dangerous Simon Kennewell at outside centre.
Captain Reece Hewat was nothing short of exceptional in the schoolboy side, working tirelessly to score two tries and police the breakdown in a man of the match performance.
Australian Schoolboys 39 (Tries: Harry Johnson-Holmes, Reece Hewat (2), Jack Farrell, Jayden Ngamanu, Max Girdler | Conversions: Harrison Goddard (2), Nic Jooste | Pens: Harrison Goddard) defeated
Samoan Schoolboys 18 (Tries: Ken Tuatagaloa, Emani Peniamina Faavevela | Cons: 1 | Pens: 2)
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