AUSTRALIAN
SECONDARY SCHOOLS
NATIONAL
CHAMPIONSHIPS
15
Years: Queanbeyan 28 June - 3 July
1998
MATCH
REPORTS
Wed 24 June -
Penrith Stadium, NSW vs NSW Combined High
Schools
Billed in
the local media as a “Junior State of Origin”, the
Maroons and the Blues met in this traditional “first
test” at Penrith Stadium en route to the Australian
Championships in Queanbeyan. A good crowd was on hand as part of
schools rugby league finals day for the Penrith district.
Queensland started
flat and CHS were allowed to control play for much of the first
half. The Maroons’ scrambling defence kept them in the
match, with the half-time score at 4-6.
Queensland’s
second half was much more aggressive. Jaiman Lowe and Les
O’Regan caused the Blues plenty of problems with the ball,
while fullback Chris Bond typified the Maroons’ resolve with
a great chase over sixty metres to bring down his try-bound
opposite. Replacement halfback John Nash was the catalyst
for a better second half, organising and kicking for good field
position.
Close to full time
Queensland finally seized an opportunity to score, bringing up
the final scoreline of 10-14. By then CHS were rattled and just
hanging on. Perhaps with more time the Maroons may have reversed
the outcome.
NSWCHS 14 d QSS 10 (Cameron Smith, Anthony Zipf tries; Kris
Kahler goal). Players’ player: John Nash. Best players:
Tyron Tongia, Jaiman Lowe, Ocean Taunaletia.
Mon 29 June -
Seifffert Oval, Queanbeyan National
Championships
In their first
match of the national championships, Maroon met Blue in this
return encounter. Queensland were without Michael Rose (shoulder)
and Anthony Zipf (hamstring), both injured at Penrith. However
the team welcomed back from injury forwards Dale Newton and Ryan
Nash.
The Maroons started
tentatively, allowing CHS to take control and score early.
Queensland had possession six times, to their credit completing
all sets of six. However this possession saw them working out of
their defensive end. They also kept themselves under pressure
with a kicking game which was too short. Combined with some lazy
defence this allowed CHS to control the match and be comfortable
at half-time, 28-4.
In the second half
the Queenslanders were afforded more possession and allowed to
pressure the Blues. Derricke Watkins in particular kept the
defence busy, and Jaiman Lowe was again working hard in the
middle.
The halves of Mick
Daly, John Nash and Dane Campbell set up several opportunities
but heavy defensive work in the first half had seen the Young
Maroons use up plenty, and they were unable to capitalise.
Although they outscored CHS in the second half, Queensland went
down 14-34.
NSWCHS 34 d QSS 14 (Tyron Tongia, Brenton Bowen, Les
O’Regan tries; John Nash goal). QSS player of the match:
Jaiman Lowe. QSS players’ player: Derricke Watkins.
Tues 30 June - vs
Australian Capital Territory
The Young Maroons
saw this match against ACT as a chance to get back on track to
retain the national title, after ACT had been soundly beaten the
day before. They were without five-eighth Dane Campbell who was
concussed the previous day, while hooker Michael Rose was cleared
to play.
The Queenslanders
put together a scratchy first half, taking some poor options in
attack to lose the advantage. However try whiz Brenton Bowen kept
the Maroons ahead 14-4 at half-time. Dale Newton and Co. had done
a good job blocking ACT runners around the ruck area, while Ocean
Taunaletia and Kris Kahler were causing ACT plenty of problems
out wide in attack.
The second half saw
ACT use the ball wide as early as possible in their tackle count.
The Maroons’ defensive line was slow and failed to shut them
down. Their frustration over a second-half caning in penalties
culminated in Ocean Taunaletia being sin-binned with eleven
minutes to go.
Queensland mounted
a final challenge in the dying moments, Michael Rose from dummy
half exposing the ACT defence. However a lack of depth in attack
stifled opportunities, and ACT triumphed 26-20.
ACT 26 d QSS 20 (Brenton Bowen 2, Kris Kahler 2 tries;
John Nash 2 goals). Player of match (QSS): Dale Newton. QSS
players’ player: Brenton Bowen.
Wed 1 July
- vs NSW Combined Catholic Colleges
Despite
Catholics’ undefeated form to date, Queensland approached
this clash believing they could win. The Maroons were aggressive
from the start, most importantly in defence. Dale Newton, Daniel
Jones, Ryan Nash, Derricke Watkins and Jaiman Lowe in particular
were punishing.
Catholics’
options were being cut down and this allowed Queensland to mount
counter attacks from good field position. With the forward pack
going forward and five-eighth Dane Campbell organising the
outside backs, halfback Mick Daly had plenty of options at his
disposal.
Brenton Bowen again
showed his elusiveness to score while Kris Kahler displayed his
strength and speed to get over the tryline. Catholics had been
shocked, trailing 10-0 at half-time.
The Young Maroons
maintained their intensity in the second half, with all players
sharing the workload. Switched from wing to fullback, Dale Shegog
made incisive runs from his defensive zone, celebrating a return
to form with a try.
Outstanding
Queensland performances came from: five-eighth Dane Campbell,
whose rugged defence shut down his play-making opposite; Dale
Newton whose defence was punishing, at one time reeling off three
huge hits in a row; and Kris Kahler in the centres, whose
strength Catholics found difficult to control.
QSS 16 (Brenton Bowen, Kris Kahler, Dale Shegog
tries; Dane Campbell, John Nash goals) d NSWCCC 4. QSS player of match: Dane Campbell. QSS
players’ player: Dale Newton.
Fri 3 July - vs Australian Capital Territory
The realisation
that a rematch with ACT would be a play-off for third, was no
compen- sation. There was concern over necessary positional
changes in the centres with Kris Kahler and Anthony Zipf both
injured and Ryan Capes doubtful. Then early into the match the
Maroons lost one of their most consistent performers when
Derricke Watkins was replaced injured.
Queensland again
failed to capitalise on numerous scoring opportunities. In
particular the outside backs were flat, and lack of communication
saw the attack disjointed. However Ocean Taunaletia got the
Maroons off to a good start with two tries, setting up a half-
time lead of 12-6.
The second half saw
ACT graft away and grow in confidence, as they kept Queensland
out of their own territory. The Maroons’ completion rate was
poor and half Mick Daly was often looking for his runners.
Chris Bond scored
in the corner after a great length of field run by Brenton Bowen.
At 16-10 Queensland looked to have repelled the ACT challenge,
after Daniel Jones and Ryan Nash in particular had worked hard.
But then a
contentious refereeing decision allowed play to proceed from a
knock-on after a short ACT kickoff. This led to the Maroons
putting themselves under pressure from another string of
penalties. Eventually ACT scored to force a 16-16 draw.
QSS 16 (Ocean Taunaletia 2, Daniel Jones, Chris
Bond tries) drew
ACT 16. QSS player
of match: Daniel Jones. QSS players’ player: Daniel Jones.
Jaiman Lowe of St
Mary’s CBC Toowoomba was the only Queensland player selected
in the Australian 15 Year Schoolboys’ Merit team named at
the close of the championships. Ocean Taunaletia also figured
prominently in final selection discussions.
Lowe was named
Queensland’s Player of the Championships. Dale Newton won
the QSS Players’ Player Award, and Mick Daly received the
Coach’s Award. The latter two awards were sponsored by Mr
Ron Lyons for the Commonwealth Bank.
By Jim Look, 15 Years Queensland Coach 1998