Aussie Schools run NZ Close
After a great fightback by the Australian Schools team the New Zealand Secondary Schools team finished strongly and won 34-24 in Wellington, New Zealand.
Hail and a torrent of rain greeted the two teams at the start of the match in which the Australians struggled to match the size of the New Zealand pack and both teams battled in the wet.
Early on New Zealand attacked with force but a turnover saved the visitors.
New Zealand scored first when scrumhalf Sam Nock dived over in the corner for a try converted from touch by Jordan Trainor. When Jonah Lowe also scored in the corner, Trainor again converted and added a penalty to give the home side a 17-0 lead at half-time.
Harrison Goddard scored an early penalty in the second half but then Nock scored his second try and New Zealand led 24-3.
Then in a ten-minute burst Australia scored there tries – the first from a brilliant individual effort by Izaia Perese, the second by outstanding Connor Moroney and the third by substitute Gavin Luka who crashed over to take the score to 27-24. But New Zealand hit back with a try under the posts by Sio Tomkinson.
Scorers:
For New Zealand Schools:
Tries; Sam Nock 2, Jonah Lowe, Sio Tomkinson
Cons: Jordan Trainor 4
Pens: Jordan Trainor 2
For Australian Schools:
Tries; Izaia Perese, Connor Moroney, Gavin Luka
Cons: Harrison Goddard 3
Pen: Harrison Goddard
Teams
New Zealand Secondary Schools: 15 Jordan Trainor, 14 Jonah Lowe , 13 Rieko Ioane (captain), 12 Patelesio Tomkinson, 11 Malo Tuitama, 10 Ereatara Enari, 9 Sam Nock, 8 Hapakuki Moala-Liava'a, 7 Hayden Spencer, 6 Luke Jacobson , 5 Quinten Strange, 4 Lui Okeamoa-Luamanu, 3 Shaun Stodart, 2 Max Fryatt, 1 Ayden Johnstone
Replacements: 16 Solomone Tukuafu, 17 Jonah Aoina, 18 Alex Fidow, 19 Sam Ulufonua, 20 Christian Kelleher, 21 TJ Va'a, 22 Caleb Makener, 23 Mason Emerson
Australian Schools: 15 Jordan Fulivai, 14 Sepesa Loga-Tarogi, 13 Izaia Perese, 12 Sione Tuipulotu , 11 Joey Fittock, 10 Connor O’Shea, 9 Harrison Goddard, 8 Harley Fox (captain), 7 Connor Moroney, 6 Maumau Monu, 5 Andrew Vatuvei, 4 Reece Hewat, 3 Vunipola Fifita, 2 Ed Craig, 1 Phil Bradford
Replacements: 16 Gavin Luka, 17 Richie Asiata, 18 Shambeckler Vui, 19 Tuaina Tualima, 20 Hugh Summerhayes, 21 Nicholas Duffy, 22 Jack McGregor, 23 Ned Yeomans
Referee: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
