Queensland U20s secure second straight Super U20s Championship title
The Queensland U20s have secured their second straight undefeated Super U20s Championship title, defeating NSW Gen Blue 49-19 in the Grand Final at Ballymore.
The Queensland side outscored their NSW counterparts six tries to three in front of a strong crowd, with University of Queensland winger Sam Edwards scoring a hat-trick. Scrum-half Harry Nucifora was clinical with the boot, slotting five conversions and three penalties.
Flyhalf Hamish Stewart, who sat on the bench for the St.George Queensland Reds last night, was named Man of the Match.
Nucifora gave Queensland an early six-nil lead, slotting two penalties before Edwards scored the first try of the afternoon in the 13th minute. Edwards made a break down the left flank before pouncing on a loose ball over the try-line. Nucifora slotted the conversion to further edge Queensland ahead 13-nil.
A Jayden Ngamanu midfield break to set up the home side for their second try, this time through Will Eadie. Nucifora was again successful with the conversion giving Queensland a 20-nil lead.
An intentional knock-down from NSW inside centre Kepu Lokotui saw him sent to the bin at the 22-minute-mark, Nucifora slotted the ensuing penalty to extend Queensland’s lead to 23-nil.
With only 14-men on the field, NSW opened their scoring account in the 25th minute through Number 8 Max Girdler. James Ramm missed the conversion, leaving the score at 23-5.
Dylan Riley put Edwards away down the left-hand touchline for his second try in the 31st minute, Nucifora was successful with the conversion taking the score to 30-5.
Angus Scott-Young crossed in the 35th minute for Queensland’s fourth try, before Girdler crossed for his second for NSW on the stroke of half-time. Ramm slotted the conversion to leave the score at 37-12 as the two teams headed into the sheds.
The score remained the same until the 59th minute when Queensland Number 8 Reece Hewat barged over the try-line from close range. Nucifora converted to extend the home side’s lead to 44-12.
Reserve back Jackson Mohi crossed for NSW’s third try in the 63rd minute, Ramm slotted the conversion to narrow the scoreline to 44-19.
Edwards secured his hat-trick off the back of some brilliant lead up work from Riley and Ngamanu at the 69-minute-mark. Nucifora missed the conversion leaving the score at 49-19.
Edwards’ third try was the last of the match, leaving the final score at 49-19. The win saw the Queensland U20s secure their second straight Super U20s Championship title.
Head coach Brad Thorn said: “I’m really proud of the team. The work started with the schoolboys in early December before coming together as a complete group in January. We’re talking about four months of solid work and effort which culminated in today’s performance.
“To get the win was great, but the way we won was most pleasing. They played quality Rugby and were clinical, especially in the opening 30 minutes.
“Our foundation has been our defence all season. We have built our game on that. The team’s work with the ball in hand is a real credit to Paul Carozza as our attack coach. The team’s creativity, the high-quality skill set and our ability to get the ball into space meant that we created pressure everywhere.
“The depth of our squad has been a real strength. There were guys today who easily could have been in the team but didn’t play, they were very unlucky.
“Once again, the team’s culture is its strength. They have a strong bond and play for each other and the cause – Queensland – with humility, toughness and smarts.
“Respect to New South Wales, they came to play. Despite the score line, they played right until the end.”
Queensland U20s: 49 (Sam Edwards 3, Will Eadie, Angus Scott-Young, Reece Hewat tries; Harry Nucifora conv 5 pen 3) defeated NSW Gen Blue 19 (Max Girdler 2 Kepu Lokotui tries; James Ramm 2 conv)
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