Another year, another Trans-Tasman battle with all six of New Zealand’s teams making the finals against favourites Australia. The intense heat on day five reaching temperatures of 36 degrees meant that games would be changed from halves to quarters. The big hope for the day was the 20s Mens who were unbeaten in the tournament, while the Mixed 20s were hoping to push on after their shock win yesterday. 

20s Women NZ 1 – AUS 13

The first of the Trans-Tasman clashes got underway with the Women. Australia – by the second quarter – had raced to a 4 – 1 lead. A fantastic team try to Keegan Sercombe kept New Zealand close. NZ went into halftime down 6 – 1. 

The points kept coming for Australia despite some efforts on defence from wingers Jordyn Taylor, and Keegan Sercombe, midfielder’s Tiare Lang and Victoria Pone. By the end of the quarter, the Aussies had put on five points to extend the lead to 11 – 1. 

From there, the writing was on the wall for the Kiwis as the Aussies were too good, running the score out to 15 – 1 and taking game one. 

18 Boys NZ 7 – AUS 12

It came as no surprise that this game was high in intensity. Australia opened the scoring, but New Zealand hung in there. Some high tempo running from Kapumanawawhiti Broughton-Winterburn, along with Dallas Teepa set NZ’s first try up to Cobain Richardson.

Carson Hepi pulled the score back for the Kiwis in the second quarter, only for Australia to respond to pull their lead out further. Dallas Teepa dotted down again to bring the score close to Australia’s lead. 6 – 3 at halftime. 

When NZ would fight back in the third quarter, Australia would respond. Tries to Dallas Teepa and Chase Pamatatau kept the Kiwis in the game. A nice set up from Broughton-Winterburn brought Kane Mave his first touchdown in the match. 

With the cup in arms-reach for the Australians, the green and golds never relinquished their lead, taking out the final 12 – 7

18 Mixed NZ 8 – AUS 10

This was the first even contest of the day, with not much separating the two sides. Cora-Faith Prime and Deja Gray dotted down, while Australia managed two touchdowns as well. Samuel Rowe got in the action, thanks to some brilliance from Lantz Davids. Another try to Deja Grey got New Zealand up by two leading into the first break. 

Zion Smith opened up the second quarter with another well-executed set. New Zealand was made to work hard on defence but was up to the task thanks to a strong defensive effort from Samuel Rowe, Cairo Campbell, and Storm Gilmer. Australia bounced back to keep the game contest close with an intercept try to bring it back to within one by halftime 

The third quarter, Australia found their mojo, to pull away at New Zealand’s lead and go ahead 6 – 5. Another two tries confirmed that the momentum had shifted Australia’s way. A tired looking New Zealand struggled to keep up with the opposition, the third quarter finishing up 8 – 5. 

New Zealand bounced back in the final quarter with tries to Tamarau Karepa and Calae Hignett Morgan that brought them closer to Australia. The two sides traded blows with New Zealand making every effort to pull that lead back. With time running out, Australia held on to win 10 – 8. 

20s Men NZ 5 – 9 AUS

An early intercept pass and some slick manoeuvres gave Australia the lead early in the match. Australia got out 3 – 0 at the first break, with the New Zealanders yet to find their groove

NZ hit back with a touchdown of their own, but the Aussies were just as clinical responding. 

A Tarkyn Loloselo finish brought NZ to within two after a magic pass that was tipped to him. With more tries traded from each team, there were only two points in it, Australia up 5 – 3. 

Further touchdowns to Australia pushed the lead out to five points. New Zealand repeatedly attacked the Australian line with no reward. The green and golds eventually capitalised and never looked back. The New Zealanders struggled with the lift in intensity from the Australians. A consolation try to Shauncy Waho brought some respectability, but in the end, the match got away from the Kiwis going down 5 – 9. 

18s Girls NZ 3 – AUS 11

A strong start out of the blocks, thanks to some high intensity shown by the girls resulted in them opening up the scoring with an Isla Norman-Bell scoop that put Princess Elliot in the corner. Australia struck back, before that Norman-Bell – Elliot combo stepped up again to get NZ to two tries. 2 – 2 all at halftime. 

New Zealand’s defence - lead by Mahina Paul - was made to work hard. Jessica Faulks was busy on defence. A more hardened NZ turned out in the second quarter lead by Norman-Bell, Meg Sycamore, and Kiriana Nolan. Australia eventually cracked New Zealand’s defence rolling in a try to go 3 – 2 up. 

NZ went agonisingly close with a long ball to Lisa Putt. Both teams traded blows before fatigue kicked in for the Kiwis. A brace of tries to Australia had them leading before the break, despite an Emilie Aitken touchdown. 

The inevitable Aussie onslaught finally kicked into gear, as the 18 girl’s opposition ran in five unanswered points to claim the title 11 – 3. 

20s Mixed NZ 6 – AUS 9

In the final match of the game, the Mixed 20s were hoping to repeat their upset from yesterday’s match against Australia. Keegan Harris – who played to the whistle - opened the scoring by recovering a deflected ball to score. NZ’s defence stood up to a rampant Australia, who came out at pace. A costly call by the referee ended up with Australia equalising. Viliami Sipa responded with the perfect long ball to Jessika Rowe who scored. 

NZ and Australia blew their chances early before Australia broke the deadlock to go up. Savarna Asafo-Tavita benefited from a lovely Harris ball, to score. But, Australia responded again. Despite the brilliant touch on display, the quarter was overshadowed by a scuffle that was allegedly started by an Australian player. New Zealand still holding on.

A tiring New Zealand defence allowed Australia to extend their lead in the third quarter to two points. Atawhai Hotene got one back for the Kiwis, followed by Jessika Rowe. The game was still neck and neck with a pumped-up Australian side still managing to hold out NZ. They went into the final quarter with a three-point lead. 

The match was still there or the taking with New Zealand needing to score early. A Savarna Asafo-Tavita intercept which was given to Harris allowed him to sprint the length of the field to bring NZ back. With every inch that NZ could give, time was running out for the Kiwis. Two sin binnings - one to Australia, and one to New Zealand's Tyrone Houtltham - fired up a passionate Aussie side who scored again. In the end, Australia was too good winning the match 9 - 6. 

To finish

It's back to the drawing board for New Zealand however, there is no doubt there were some outstanding performances throughout this campaign. The heart, dedication and skill of these individuals is unquestioned, the pride, humility and team spirit coupled with the learnings from this campaign will form the basis of the future framework. #futuretouchblacks #backingblack #gotyourback #belief 

Article added: Saturday 11 August 2018