Under 19s Men fall short as Queensland retain Shield
The GIO NSW Under 19s Men have fallen short of regaining the State of Origin Under 19s Shield at North Sydney Oval tonight, following a 28-14 defeat to Queensland.
After staring down an early 12-0 deficit, NSW clawed their way back to 12-8 at the break before Queensland went up a gear in the second stanza to come away with victory and ensure the shield remains in Queensland for a secondsuccessive year.
“I think that’s one of the hardest games I’ve played,” NSW five-eighth Onitoni Large said.
“That just represents State of Origin, it was a tough 70 minutes.
“It was unfortunate not to win but Queensland, props to them, they did well.”
In the early sets NSW looked to be building the ascendancy in field position. But after several play-the-balls in the opposition 20 the hosts were unable to convert them into points.
After surviving the opening onslaught, Queensland found their way back upfield and earned a penalty following a last-tackle kick. With a full attacking set at their disposal, Queensland eventually moved to within a metre of the try-line before hooker Amare Wynyard snuck over from dummy-half for the first points of the night. Five-eighth Taj Lateo converted from close range to lead 6-0.
NSW found another potential scoring opportunity at the 18th minute with a kick to the air for winger Jope Rauqe in the right corner, but the ensuing Bunker review found a knock-on in the contest.
A few sets later NSW conceded a second last-tackle penalty to put Queensland in strong attacking position once again, and the visitors capitalised shortly after. Off the back of a damaging carry from back-rower Bishop Neal, lock forward Tupou Francis was next to charge onto the ball and score under the posts. Lateo’s conversion extended the lead to 12-0.
Some committed NSW defence forced an error out of Queensland in their own end that led to the home side’s opening try five minutes before half-time. Centre Marcellus Iakopo powered through on the left edge and reached out to score, with halfback Carter Mareko adding the extras to trail 12-6.
In the final moments of the first half, Queensland halfback Hayden Watson’s field goal attempt was charged down by Eddy Cayless before the NSW lock earned a penalty for high contact from Watson.
An attempt at field goal by Mareko was blocked, but Queensland was ruled offside. With no time left, Mareko slotted the penalty goal to reduce the margin to 12-8 at half-time.
Within 10 minutes of play resuming, the Queensland side improved their advantage with quick pair of four-pointers. The first of those was scored with a shift to the right finished at speed by centre Alize Clarke, followed up by Player of the Match Hayden Watson bouncing off defenders and navigating his way the try-line. Another Lateo conversion brought the lead to 22-8.
A fatiguing NSW side made their best efforts to stem the flow of points and managed to keep Queensland at bay for the next 15 minutes. NSW coach Josh Jackson’s men were then rewarded when bench utility Toby Batten stretched his right arm out for a try. Mareko added the two points to trail 22-14.
Hopes of a late comeback were short-lived, however, when Queensland found space down the right touchline with just under five minutes remaining, moving the ball back inside and finding Tupou Francis to score his second try for the match. Taj Lateo landed his fourth conversion to round out the 28-14 final score.
