Australian Schoolboys

NSWCHS set to break QLD’s thunder

by
dailytelegraph
07/07/2023

Loko Pasifiki Tonga has been a revelation for NSW CHS this week. (Photo : NewsCorp Sport)

Loko Pasifiki Tonga (Kogarah Cougars JRLFC / Endeavour SHS )has been a revelation for NSW CHS this week. (Photo : NewsCorp Sport)

NSWCHS set to break QLD’s thunder

Author : Andrew Dawson News Corp Sport

NSWCHS set to break QLD’s thunder

Struddys Apparel

Live stream: Watch grand final day at the ASSRL Nationals from Redcliffe

The Maroons may own Origin this year but NSW can look to this batch of schoolboys and girls with real hope for the future. Catch the two ASSRL U18 grand finals from 9am on Friday.

Watch a full replay of NSW CHS v NSW CIS (Girls Semi-Final).

NSW Combined Catholic Colleges will play NSW Combined High Schools in Friday’s ASSRL 18 years boys grand final after NSW CHS beat the ACT 32-16 on Thursday.

And NSW CHS will also play in the schoolgirls grand final at Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe, after accounting for NSW CIS 60-0.

They will face Queensland who broke NSW Combined Catholic College’s hearts 12-10 in a dramatic semi-final.

Loko Pasifiki Tonga has been a revelation for NSW CHS this week.

In the boys clash, towering NSW CHS prop Loko Pasifiki Tonga (Endeavour Sports High) was a man mountain for his side.

The 195cm tall, 118kg prop signed by the Dragons was a 2022 premiership winner with Ipswich SHS in Queensland.

But during the off-season he moved to Endeavour Sports High School to be closer to his training base at St George Illawarra.

WATCH ALL THE DAY FOUR ACTION FROM ASSRL

DAY FOUR

Friday, July 7

9am: NSWCIS v Combined Affiliated States (Boys)
10.20am: ACT v Queensland (Boys)
11.40am: Queensland v NSW CHS (Girls grand final)
1pm: NSW CCC v NSW CHS (Boys grand final)

“It has been one of the best moves I have made,’’ Tonga said.

“The pre-season was a real step up and I feel like I am improving.’’

Another star player on Thursday was Queensland utility Will Semu, signed by the TItans but in demand from rival clubs, who was back to his best after a bad head knock in 2021.

“I have progressed more than I expected this season.

I feel far more confident, and especially after making this team,’’ he said.

WATCH EVERY MINUTE OF THE ASSRL NATIONALS

Use the links below to make sure you are watching live on every day of the ASSRL Nationals.

DAY ONE – Saturday, July 1
Action from 9am
WATCH THE REPLAYS

DAY TWO – Monday, July 3
Action from 9am
WATCH THE REPLAYS

DAY THREE – Thursday, July 6
Action from 9am
WATCH THE REPLAYS

DAY FOUR – Friday, July 7
Action from 9am
WATCH IT LIVE

In schoolgirls semi-final action, it was a bruising affair won 12-10 by Queensland, with Esther Pedro saving the game with a dramatic covering tackle on NSW CCC centre Eve Keeling.

“I was thinking ‘will I catch her’,’’ said Pedro, a Year 11 student at Ipswich SHS. “Lucky I kept going and got her. It was a good one.’’

Even after Pedro’s heroics, NSWCCC almost drew level in the last minute after winger Josephine Jeffries scored, but the conversion missed.

Both team’s defended with the intensity of a final, with four dramatic tackles from Maroons’ centre Ebony Raftstrand-Smith testing the ground’s foundations.