Author : Alicia Newton NRLW Chief Reporter

Rubys stun NSW City to win under 19s title

The Queensland Rubys are the under 19s champions after beating NSW City 10-4 in the Harvey Norman National Championships final on Sunday.

In a tense contest, the Rubys led 6-0 at half-time courtesy of a try through five-eighth Ellie Williamson before the Queenslanders defended their way to victory against a fast-finishing NSW City side at Pizzey Park.

After three days of gruelling rugby league, the Rubys repelled three City raids in the second half which included a try-saving intercept from winger Helen Uitualagi.

Williamson finished as the Tahnee Norris medal winner for player of the tournament and is all but certain to represent Queensland in the under 19s State of Origin clash on June 23.

Match: NSW City v QLD Rubys

NSW City 4 – 10 QLD Rubies
Venue : Pizzey Park, Gold Coast

“It’s just been a great week spending time with all the girls and learning about each other and bonding,” Williamson told NRL.com.

“To be able to play Origin would be amazing, I hope I can make it. It would be an exciting opportunity.

“Hopefully I can play in it and then aim for an NRLW contract in the near future.

“That’s what I like about this tournament, to watch all the girls be able to show what they can do.”

Tahnee Norris with player of the under 19s tournament Ellie Williamson. ©Jason O’Brien/NRL Photos

Earlier, play was stopped for almost a half an hour due to a serious ankle injury to NSW City interchange player Sienna Williams, who was taken from the ground via ambulance.

A try to Williamson in the first half set up a six-point lead before a 20-metre cut-out pass from Chantay Ratu sent Tahlia Marshall over late to seal the result.

NSW City hit back through Rueben Cherrington with seconds left on the clock but the Rubys held their nerve with a last-second defensive play handing them the win.

NSW City NSW Country beat the Sapphires on day four. ©Jason O’Brien/NRL Photos

Related Links

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Harvey Norman National Championships: Day 4 live blog

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Author : Michael Hillier QRL Media

Queensland Under 19 staff confirmed

Queensland Rugby League is pleased to confirm a list of high-calibre coaches and support team members who will guide state under 19 teams during the representative season.

In an action-packed 2022 calendar, Queensland will go head to head with New South Wales in under 19 men’s and women’s matches, while two teams will represent Queensland at the Women’s National Championships.

The men’s match will be played in Brisbane in July, and will see the state’s most promising young talent come together under the eye of Kurt Richards.

Richards has a long and proven record of success with Queensland under age teams and performance programs, and is well known for his work in NRL club systems as a skills coach and mentor for players transitioning into the top grade.

Richards will be assisted by Brad Davis, a former premiership-winning Cup captain and Gold Coast Titans player, and ex-Queensland and Australian representative Brent Tate (main image with Queensland Under 20 side in 2019).

With COVID-19 restrictions causing the cancellation of last year’s game, the 2022 match will carry extra significance for both states.

There will also be plenty of feeling in the under 19 women’s match, after NSW scored a tight win over the junior Maroons on the Sunshine Coast last year.

Ben Jeffries, an elite pathways coach in North Queensland, will have the responsibility of preparing the under 19 Queensland women’s team with support from Deanna Turner and Meg Ward.

Both Turner and Ward have represented their state and country, while Jeffries has big game experience as well after working as an assistant coach with the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons last year.

A key component of the female pathway in 2022 will be the Under 19 National Women’s National Championships, where Maia Tua-Davidson and Gavin Lloyd will be in charge of the two Queensland teams.

Queensland will look to replicate the success of 2021, when the Sapphires and Rubys played off in an all Queensland final.

Queensland Under 19 coaching appointments 2022

Queensland representative teams

Under 19 Men

Head coach: Kurt Richards
Assistant coach: Brad Davis
Assistant coach / Mentor: Brent Tate
Physiotherapist: Ben Heidenreich
Strength & conditioner: Alex Corvo
Sports trainer: Geoff Eggert
Manager: Richard Duff

Under 19 Women

Head coach: Ben Jeffries
Manager: Tammy Quirke
Assistant coach: Deanna Turner
Assistant coach: Meg Ward
Physiotherapist: Bushra Mir
Strength & conditioner: Tandia Wood
Sports trainer: Liam Bartlett
Analyst: Teale Pyne
Wellbeing: Carmen Taplin

Under 19 Women’s National Championships

Queensland Rubys
Head coach: Maia Tua-Davidson
Assistant coach: Paul Brown
Assistant coach: Marco Peters
Physiotherapist: Taylor Crossley
Sports trainer: Barry Kelly
Strength & conditioner: Kiel Harper
Team manager: Thea White
Wellbeing support: Carmen Taplin

Queensland Sapphires

Head coach: Gavin Lloyd
Assistant coach: Chelsea Baker
Assistant coach: Paul Nieuwenhuyzen
Physiotherapist: Bushra Mir
Sports trainer: Dane McQueen
Strength & conditioner: Georgia Brown
Manager: Thea White
Wellbeing: Carmen Taplin

Related Links

qrl.com.au

More Women’s rugby League news

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