The NSW Tertiary  Residents Team defeated Queensland Tertiary Residents 20-10 in their annual clash. Played at HE Laybutt Sports Complex, Blacktown (Sydney) on Saturday 24 August 2019.

For a full report see AURL website.

The TAFE NSW Polecats have claimed the clubs 18th 1st Division title after beating the UTS Wanderers 26 points to 8 in the 2019 NSW Tertiary League Grand Final at Belmore Oval this Saturday.

In an amazing turn around in one season, the Polecats have come from dead last in 2018 to premiers under the watchful eye of rookie coach Dennis Curry, while Matt Olsen’s UTS side has fallen at the last hurdle for the 3rd year in a row.

So with the 50th season now over, the Tertiary League players now look to August 24 with NSW Tertiary Students take on Queensland Tertiary Students at Blacktown Workers.

2019 Tertiary Premiers – TAFE NSW Polecats

The annual East Vs West Metropolitan Match (formerly City/Country) was played at North Sydney Oval on Sunday 14 July 2019, with West Metro taking the honours 38-24.

It was high scoring match played in excellent conditions and although the West Metro side took an early lead and never looked back, the East Metro boys were always in the hunt right up until near the end when the victors ran away with it.

Played on the undercard of the North Sydney Vs Newtown Canterbury Cup Match, Bears legend Greg Florimo commented after the match how impressed he was with the quality of game and complimented both teams on the spirit in which the match was played.

The match also served as the selection trial for the NSW Tertiary Residents team that will play Queensland Tertiary Residents on 24 August 2109 (see separate post).

PLAYER AWARDS

Man of the Match: Daniel Arona (West Metro)

West Metro Players’ Player: Tori Willie 

East Metro Players’ Player: Harry King

SCORERS

West Metro 38 –  Tries: Tori Willie 3, Rod Makari, Matt Thomas, Riki Willie, Shiem Fuimaono; Goals: Nicholas Khoury 3, Riki Willie & Tori Willie 1 each.

East Metro 24 – Tries: Troy Dargin 2, Luke Johnson, Myles Fowler, Ricky Petelo; Goals: Max Linden-Smith & Brady Webb 1 each

It is proposed for the NSW Tertiary League to undertake a tour to one of rugby league’s newest frontiers, India.

In what would be a first in rugby league history, planning is under way to take the team to the sub continent from 18 to 25 September and play a match in Kolkata and another in Bangalore as well as conduct coaching clinics in both centres.

Following the East/West Metropolitan match played at Penrith Stadium on Saturday 7 July, the undermentioned players were selected in the NSW team for the proposed tour:

1. Greg Cranney (Tafe NSW)
2. Tim Curley (Tafe NSW)
3. Dennis Curry (Tafe NSW)
4. Troy Dargin (Syd Uni)
5. Gabriel Farley (Mac Uni)
6. Joshua Gooley (Mac Uni)
7. Harry King (UTS)
8. Michael Klapsogiannis (Tafe NSW)
9. Toby Lei (Syd Uni)
10. Kurt Lewis (Syd Uni)
11. Cyrus Murray (Tafe NSW)
12. Johno Paparoulas (UTS)
13. Tommy Sarangaya (UTS)
14. Bradley Stevenson (Mac Uni)
15. Corey Stewart (Mac Uni)
16. Micah Vaki-Leong (UTS)
17. Jake Vrahnos (Syd Uni)
18. Brady Webb (UTS)
19. Jake Williams ((Tafe NSW)

The name may have changed this year, but the annual clash between East Metro (formerly City) and West Metro (formerly Country) still provided some great footy, with East Metro winning the 2018 match 18-14 at Penrith Stadium on Saturday 7 July.

The boys in gold and blue from East held the upper hand for the majority of the first half, dominating possession and field position, but some dogged defence from the West side kept them in the match. After several missed attempts, East was finally first to score when Nick Kairouz crossed at the  17th minute mark. With Troy Dargin converting, their 6-0 lead was as good as they could achieve despite mounting continual pressure on the West defence and just 7 minutes from half time, against the run of play, West fullback Cyrus Murray ran 70 metres to score under the posts. Mitchell King‘s conversion levelled the score and it looked like the teams would go to the break with the score locked 6 all.

However, just before the bell, East half back Brady Webb forced his way through a tired West defence to score under the posts and give his side a 12-6 lead.

The East dominance looked like it was going to continue into the second half when after only 7 minutes centre Micah Vaki-Leong sprinted 60 metres  to score and an easy conversion by Dargin put his team in front 18-6.

But it was the last the gold team would trouble the scorekeeper as the West attack started to find its mojo. First centre Gabriel Farley scored with 20 minutes left on the clock and then with just 5 minutes remaining Corey Stewart crossed in the corner. Unfortunately for the maroon and golds neither try was converted so East held onto an 18-14 lead until the final whistle.

At the after match presentation the NSW Tertiary side to tour to India in September was announced (see separate post) and the following awards presented:

Player of the Match: Brady Webb (East Metro)

East Metro Players’ Player: Harry King

West Metro Players’ Player: Dennis Curry

East Metro 18 (Tries: Nick Kairouz, Brady Webb, Micah Vaki-Leong; Goals: Troy Dargin 3/3) defeated

West Metro 14 (Tries: Cyrus Murray, Gabriel Farley, Corey Stewart; Goals: Mitchell King 1/3)

The Teams:

East Metro –

1. Tom Windeatt (UTS)
2. Max Linden-Smith (Syd Uni)
3. Micah Vaki-Leong (UTS)
4. Troy Dargin (Syd Uni)
5. Ash Johnson (Syd Uni)
6. Jake Vrahnos (Syd Uni)
7. Brady Webb (UTS)
8. Kurt Lewis (Syd Uni)
9. Jade Ferguson (Syd Uni)
10. Sofeni Taupo (UTS)
11. Joe Andrews (Syd Uni)
12. Johno Paparoulas (UTS)
13. Harry King (UTS)
14. Tommy Sarangaya (UTS)
15. Toby Lei (Syd Uni)
16. Nick Kairouz (Syd Uni)
17. Eroni Ligaivu (Syd Uni)
18. Ben Bronzon (UTS)

West Metro –

1. Cyrus Murray (Tafe NSW)
2. Lorence Maroon (Mac Uni)
3. Gabriel Farley (Mac Uni)
4. Mitchell King (Tafe NSW)
5. Michael Klapsogiannis (Tafe NSW)
6. Bradley Stephenson (Mac Uni)
7. Jake Williams (Tafe NSW)
8. Mathew Hennan (Mac Uni)
9. Luke Preston (Mac Uni)
10. Dennis Curry (Tafe NSW)
11. Jordan Pavanihi (Tafe NSW)
12. Greg Cranney (Tafe NSW)
13. Joshua Gooley (Mac Uni)
14. Corey Stewart (Mac Uni)
15. Tim Curley (Tafe NSW)
16. Tori Willil (Tafe NSW)
17. Ryan Archer (Mac Uni)

It may have changed it’s name from City vs Country, but the annual clash continues under a new moniker: East Metropolitan Vs West Metropolitan. Players selected from Sydney Uni and UTS will represent East Metro while Macquarie Uni and TAFE NSW Polecats players will represent West Metro.

This year the match will be played at Penrith Stadium on Saturday 7 July and with the NSW Tertiary Rep Team undertaking an historic tour to India in September, it will serve as the primary selection trial for this squad.

The India touring squad will be announced immediately after the match.

East Metropolitan Team

1. Tom Windeatt (UTS)
2. Owen Anderson (Syd Uni)
3. Micah Vaki-Leong (UTS)
4. Troy Gardan (Syd Uni)
5. Meli Katia (UTS)
6. Jake Vrahnos (Syd Uni)
7. Brady Webb (UTS)
8. Kurt Lewis (Syd Uni)
9. Tommy Sarangaya (UTS)
10. Sofeni Tuapo (UTS)
11. Myles Fowler (Syd Uni)
12. Johno Pararoulas (UTS)
13. Jade Ferguson (Syd Uni)
14. Ash Johnson (Syd Uni)
15. Nick Kairouz (Syd Uni)
16. Adam Vrahnos (Syd Uni)
17. Harry King (UTS)
18. Toby Lei (Syd Uni)
19. Max Linden-Smith (Syd Uni)

Coach: Matt Olsen (UTS)

West Metropolitan

1. Cyrus Murray (Tafe NSW)
2. Lawrence Maroon (Mac Uni)
3. Gabe Farley (Mac Uni)
4. Mitch King (Tafe NSW)
5. Mick Klapsogiannis (Tafe NSW)
6. Alex Eastman (Mac Uni)
7. Brad Stevenson (Mac Uni)
8. Matt Henman (Mac Uni)
9. Luke Prestons (Mac Uni)
10. Jordan Paranihi (Tafe NSW)
11. Corey Stewart (Mac Uni)
12. Jake Williams (Tafe NSW)
13. Josh Gooley (Mac Uni)
14. Tim Curley (Tafe NSW)
15. Ryan Archer (Mac Uni)
16. Raymond Eid (Mac Uni)
17. Luthua Topou (Tafe NSW)
18. Joseph Mapasua (Tafe NSW)
19. Bruce Faufili (Tafe NSW)

Coach: Mark Blinkhorne (Mac Uni)

The annual Australian Universities Rugby League (AURL) Interstate Challenge match between NSW and Queensland will be played at St Marys Stadium (Western Sydney) on Sunday 24 June 2018.

The match will serve as the primary selection trial for the AURL Representative Team that will undertake a self-funded 3 match tour to South Africa from 20 to 30 October 2018.

Expressions of interest are now invited from players wishing to be considered for selection in the 2018 NSW Universities team.

Applicants need to be aware of the following requirements:

 – Student eligibility is as determined by Australian University Sport (AUS) Selection Criteria By Laws:

1. Player must be enrolled and currently proceeding in a course of study at university, TAFE, tertiary institution or recognised college;

 2. Upon selection he will be required to provide proof of (1) above for AUS acceptance ; and

 3. He must remain compliant to (1) above for the duration of his selection commitment.

 – Participation in the NSW Universities team is on a self-funded basis and all players expressing an interest must be prepared to commit to attending a training camp to be held at St Marys from 21- 24 June 2018 and  pay a levy of $950 prior to assist cover the cost of apparel, accommodation/meals, etc.

– In addition, in the event that the player is subsequently selected in the AURL team, he must also be prepared to commit to tour to South Africa with that team from 20-30 October 2018 and pay a participation levy of approximately $3,900 (final cost to be determined and will be advised after the Interstate Challenge match).

This years applications are now closed, if you have applied we will be in contact with you soon.

The Tas Baitieri Interstate Challenge Cup has travelled back to Queensland following a big 34-18 win to the Queenslanders over the NSW Tertiary Rep side in their annual match, played in Coffs Harbour on 23 September 2017.

It was a dominant display by the Queensland side who took control of the match with a try to half Cody Feltham in the opening minutes and raced to an 18-6 lead after further tries to Laithan Joseph and Zane Jones, all converted by Richard Kay. Only a lone try during this time to NSW lock Jaden Pardy kept the Blues in the hunt.

However, a late try to Brandon Webb and a sideline conversion from Luke Johnston gave the NSW boys a glimmer of hope, but that was soon dashed when right on half time Qld hooker Jesse Domic scooted over for a try, giving his side a 24-12 lead at the break.

Spurred on no doubt by some well chosen words from Coach Todd Edwards, NSW came in to the second half with plenty of vigour and the match became real arm wrestle, clearly the Blues needed to be the team to score next.

Alas that was not to be with Qld five eight Kay crossing mid way through the half and then second rower Dave Ballard scoring soon after to put the result beyond doubt.

A late try to NSW half Taylor Bennett brought some respectability to the score board for the BLues but the match belonged to the Queensland team winning 34-18.

Queensland Tertiary 34 (Cody Feltham, Laithan Joseph, Zane Jones, Jesse Domic, Richard Kay, Dave Ballard tries, Richard Kay 5 goals) Bt NSW Tertiary 18 (Jaden Pardy, Brandon Webb, Taylor Bennett tries, Luke Johnston 3 goals)

Played at Geoff King Motors Oval Coffs Harbour Saturday 23 September 2017

Man of the Match: Jesse Domic (Qld)

Qld Players’ Player: Matt Butler

NSW Players’ Player: Harrison King

The annual interstate challenge match between representative teams selected from the Queensland and NSW resident university/tertiary competitions is on again in 2017, being held a little later than previous years on Saturday 23 September 2017.

Usually taking place in July during the uni winter semester break, it was delayed this year due to the Universities RL World Cup held in Western Sydney at that time.

Planning is for the match to return to its usual July scheduling in 2018, however, as it did in 2013 when it was played in Tonga, it is proposed to take the teams for the event to South East Asia, possibly Hong Kong, Thailand or Manilla depending on discussions with officials from the various Rugby League bodies in those countries.

Regardless, once again for 2017 both teams will travel to Coffs Harbour for the match where the Coffs Harbour Comets Club will kindly host it at Geoff King Motors Oval. Many thanks to the great people at the Comets for their support and assistance.

The NSW squad will travel to Coffs Harbour on Wednesday 20 September and go into camp at the Novotel Pacific Bay Resort to prepare for the match. Aside for being a base for the NSW Tertiary team previously the hotel has accommodated past NSW State of Origin teams and its first class facilities should assist in getting this year’s Tertiary team ready to defend the Challenge Cup it holds after defeating Queensland in 2016.

The 2017 squad is as follows:

Players

Taylor Bennett (Tafe NSW)

Bill Butler (Tafe NSW)

Tim Curley (Tafe NSW)

Kurt Davenport (Macquarie Uni)

Jade Fergusson (Sydney Uni) Continue reading “Annual Interstate Challenge Match to be held 23 September 2017” →

The annual NSW Vs Queensland Tertiary match will be held on 23 September 2017 in Coffs Harbour.

The NSW team will travel to Coffs Harbour on Wednesday 20 September and go into a training camp based at the Novotel Pacific Bay Resort, returning to Sydney on Sunday 24 September.

The team will be coached by successful 2016 coach Todd Edwards and applications are now being sought for his support staff:

• Assistant Coach/Blue Shirt Trainer (Senior Club Coach qualification required)
• Physio (Orange Shirt Trainer) – qualified physio
• Trainer (Yellow Shirt) –  League Safe minimum requirement, Level 1 First Aid preferred, strapping experience essential
• Team Manager

Preference will given to people who were actively involved with teams in the 2017 NSW Tertiary Competition. However, if suitably qualified people cannot be found from this resource, other applications will be considered. Closing date 31 July 2017.

For more information and to lodge an expressions of interest email:

Bob Lennox boblennox1950@yahoo.com.au