New Zealand Schools fall to Australia U18s in Canberra try-fest

New Zealand Schools have lost the first of two matches against Australia U18 81-48 during a match that featured 17 tries on a perfect afternoon at Viking Park in Canberra. 

New Zealand ran in seven tries and had some strong performances with No.8 Rupeni Raviyawa scoring two tries, halfback Marco Miln sniping well around the rucks, and wings Siale Pahulu and Oliver Guerin finishing off some sparkling back play in the final quarter. 

The forwards had some success with their line out and rolling maul, which yielded two well taken tries, the first to hooker Alani Fakava but Australia proved difficult to stop, especially in the backs as they ran in 12 tries. 

Australia came out firing at the start of both halves, scoring early and maintaining their momentum throughout the contest as they punished any New Zealand mistake. 

It was 26-8 on the half hour with New Zealand closing the gap when Raviyawa charged over for two tries in five minutes and first five Jimmy Taylor kicked the extras. 

Raviyawa’s second try came after Miln had made a big break up the middle and a weight of possession and a searching run from the Taylor combined for an impressive comeback that saw it poised at 26-22 at halftime. 

However, the second half followed a similar pattern as Australia scored a stunning counterattack try in the first minute and extended their lead out to 47-22 before New Zealand could respond. 

Reserve hooker Luka Patumaka Mataka came on an made an instant impact to set up Miln for a try near the posts and New Zealand had some brief momentum when replacement loose forward Tommy Perkins was on hand to finish a lineout drive in the corner to make it 52-34. 

But the final 13 minutes was festival rugby as both sides traded blows including one try each to speedy New Zealand wings Guerin and Pahulu. 

The two sides meet again at the same venue on Saturday 4 October. 

Scorers: 

New Zealand Schools 48 (Tries: Raviyawa 2, Fakava, Pahulu, Guerin, Perkins, Miln tries; Taylor 5 conversions, pen) Australia U18 81 (Bloomfield 3, Pritchard 2, Lemoto, Folkes, Conway, Kasprowicz, Slater, Ceros, Fonua tries; MacKay 7 con, pen; Mesritz 2 con). HT: 26-22 (Australia U18)