New Zealand Schools v Australia Schools, Ballymore, Brisbane

New Zealand Rugby Union Media Release:

The New Zealand Schools team has beaten Australian Schools 28-24 in a hard fought battle in Brisbane last night (Friday) to secure the Novotel Trans Tasman Trophy.

New Zealand opened up the scoring with fullback Albert Nikora (Mt Albert Grammar) kicking a 60m penalty and first-five eighth Lima Sopoaga (Wellington College) then added to New Zealand’s total with another penalty.

Australia dominated a try-less first half with first-five eighth Rohan Saifoloi kicking four penalties allowing them to go into the break leading 12-6.

New Zealand came out firing in the second half scoring three tries in quick succession with second-five eighth Francis Saili (St Peters College), centre Chauncy Edwardson (Hamilton Boy’s High School) and number eight Antonio Kiri Kiri (Palmerston North Boy’s High School) all dotting down. Sopoaga converted Saili and Edwardson’s tries and kicked another penalty to take New Zealand out to a 28-12 lead.

Australia attempted a fight back in the last 20 minutes scoring two tries, including a last minute converted try to Mitchell Felsman, but New Zealand held them off to secure the victory.

Coach Karl Jones said it was a tough Test match played with a lot of intensity.

“Our set piece let us down in the first half and we didn’t get the ball we were after. The second half was an improved performance from our forwards, therefore the backs were able to dominate and we managed to hold off an Australian come back by remaining focussed,” said Jones.