Hooker Malaki Lemalu scored Queensland's only try today in a 38-5 loss to a powerful NSW side at the Buildcorp Australian Schools and Junior Rugby Union Championships.
Conceding two penalties in the opening 60 seconds of the match was a harsh start for the Queensland 1 Open Boys at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
First half yellow cards to flanker Jesse Maugatai and centre Jeremiah Patea put the Queenslanders on the back foot against their traditional foes. Losing Brisbane Grammar flyhalf Elijah Breen with a leg injury after 20 minutes also stripped playmaking from the Queensland side because his footwork always hinted that he could create a chance.
The Patea yellow card for a high contact late in the first half when Queensland was on the attack was costly. The backs were undermanned when NSW halfback Chayse Geros scored his second try shortly after following a linebreak from NSW captain and No.8 Dylan Simmons.
NSW headed into the break with a 26-0 lead.
Brisbane State High's Lemalu scored Queensland's first try in the 66th minute with a pick-and-go close to the line. Shortly after NSW back Oscar Tremlett scored in the final minute of the game to complete the 33-point margin.
Queensland coach Ben Cameron said the NSW side was “too big, too strong” while mentioning the lack of access to players from top GPS schools.
“NSW get access to all the GPS schools,” Cameron said. “Unfortunately, we don’t in Queensland. They played extremely well.”
Cameron praised a stronger second half and is looking forward to the boys taking the experience from the game into Thursday after a Wednesday rest day.
“We’ll play Thursday against NSW Juniors. The boys will be ready for the challenges on Thursday and put their best foot forward”.
Queensland captain Angus Tagicakibau said discipline let the team down but said the experience will help in their last game.
“It should be good and we'll give it our best,” he said.
Queensland 1 will play the NSWJRU XV on Thursday.
Queensland 2 had their spirits lifted today by a 67-12 thrashing of Victorian Schools. Winger Cooper Knowles crossed for a hat-trick.
Queensland 2 meet Western Australia on Thursday.
Reporting by Will O'Connor
