Three games took place today at Mt Smart Stadium, two of which were Grand Finals for the month long U16 Shaun Johnson Shield and U18 Dean Bell Cup. The other match saw the visiting U18 sides of Northland and Waikato battle it out in a tight contest.

U16 Shaun Johnson Shield – Grand Final, Mt Smart Stadium

Tāmaki ki te Tonga (South) 20 – 12 Tāmaki ki te Raki (North)

The U16 Shaun Johnson Shield Grand Final put the two undefeated sides of Tāmaki ki te Tonga (South) and Tāmaki ki te Raki (North) against one another. Auckland South dominated and controlled the game early, eventually scoring through Sosaia Latu from a well-placed chip into the corner.

Tāmaki ki te Tonga kept the pressure on and Haami Loza scored himself an intercept try to take them out to an 8-nil lead. North got back into the game with a 40/20 giving them great field position, but the U16 South side put in a strong defensive effort to keep them from crossing the line. Sale Tatupu dotted over for South from close range to extend the lead 12-nil, but three missed conversions kept the North well and truly in the game.

Demetrius Kilisimasi lifted the hopes of North, breaking the South defensive line of the scrum to get points on the board in the corner. Ryder Williams slotted conversion from the sideline, bringing the score to 12-6 at the break.

South brought their first half momentum into the second half with Edward Pirika and Haami Loza extending the lead out to 20-6. In efforts of a comeback, North secured the short kick off, crossing the line soon after, but being called back for double movement. North’s Atelea Filo got the sought-after points for the side, but it ended up being too little too late as South secured the 20-12 win.

In Shaun Johnson’s absence, Auckland Rugby League Chair, Shane Price presented the U16 Shaun Johnson Shield to captain Augustino Filipo and the Tāmaki ki te Tonga (South) side.

U18 Dean Bell Cup – Grand Final, Mt Smart Stadium

Tāmaki ki te Uru (West) 46 – 12 Tāmaki ki te Raki (North)

The second Grand Final started off as a very tight contest with no points being scored in the first fifteen minutes. Tāmaki ki te Uru (West) eventually got the first points on the board taking the two from a penalty close to the posts. Not long after, last week’s standout Xavier Tito-Harris continued his try-scoring ways cutting through the defensive line and scoring under the posts.

A strong carry from Axel-Ray Fine-Sietu got the North back into the game, getting a try and bringing the score to 8-6 heading back into the sheds. In the second half, West came out with a point to prove, starting with Shaye Faa’Aoga scoring in the corner, in front of his passionate support crew.

A Tito-Harris line break put Selumiela Halasima over to extend the lead. A clean line break off the scrum by the North fullback, William Piliu saw the potential for a comeback, but the strong Uru side were quick to close the door on that opportunity.

Tries from Jacob David Auloa, Raphael Sio, Xavier Tito-Harris, Selumiela Halasima and Sio Kali for Uru put the game well out of the reach of Raki as they run away with a 46-12 victory.

After the match, New Zealand Warrior number one Dean Bell gave a speech to the players from both sides and presented the U18 West co-captains with the Dean Bell Cup.

Tomorrow’s Fixtures | Sunday 3^rd April, Cornwall Park

10AM kick off, U16 SHAUN JOHNSON SHIELD 5/6^TH PLAYOFF

North Swords vs Waikato Mana

12PM kick off, U16 3/4^th PLAYOFF

Tāmaki ki te Uru (West) vs Tāmaki ki te Rawhiti (East)

2PM kick off, U18 3/4^th PLAYOFF

Tāmaki ki te Tonga (South) vs Tāmaki ki te Rawhiti (East)

Article added: Saturday 02 April 2022