New Zealand Schools stage comeback before losing to Australia U18

New Zealand Schools rallied to score four second half tries but couldn’t reel in a strong Australia U18 team during a 55-33 loss in the second of two matches series at Viking Park in Canberra. 

Down 36-7 at halftime with just one try to strong-running No.8 Rupeni Raviyawa New Zealand clicked into action with tries to outside backs Siale Pahulu, Lautasi Etuale and Flynn Morey and a smartly taken lineout drive to replacement hooker Luke Patumaka Mataka. 

Unforced errors were the visitor’s undoing during a scrappy first half that saw Australia punish their mistakes with six tries to race out to 36-0 before New Zealand found their composure to score 19 unanswered points. 

It took 13 minutes for either side to score after the break with Pahulu, who looked dangerous every time he touched the ball, racing over after a nice assist from fullback Noah Rogers. Etuale was in a few minutes later after Patumaka Mataka effected a turnover in the middle of the field and the ball was quickly shifted wide to the wing. 

Patumaka Mataka was next to cross the line after a well taken line out drive with replacement first five Jimmy Taylor converting from the sideline to close to 41-26. New Zealand had built some strong momentum with lock Logan Platt particularly strong in the pack.  

Taylor was starting to find space behind the Australian backline with his short kicking game and Morey ran onto a chip kick it was 48-33 with 15 minutes to play. 

A comeback wasn’t to be as Australia capitalised on fumbled ball to have the last say with their 12th try in the 81st minute and a convincing series win after an 81-48 victory at the same venue five days earlier. 
 
New Zealand Schools 33 (Raviyawa, Pahulu, Etuale, Patumaka Mataka, Morey tries; Viljoen 2 cons, Taylor 2 cons). Australia U18 55 (Risati 2, Conway, Folkes, Uys, Orr, Pritchard, Smith, Talaileva tries; Mackay 5 cons). HT: 36-7 (Australia U18)