NSW Juniors, a side picked from club players, school leavers and players not selected in the NSW I or NSW II sides, will have a chance to win back-to-back Australian Schools Championships this week after they upset QLD I on Wednesday. 

The annual U18s tournament has been shifted to the Sunshine Coast this year, but rain and dreary conditions have impacted ball handling across the opening two days. 

NSW Juniors will face NSW II in the final on Friday after NSW II upset NSW I in Wednesday’s semi final. 

NSW I will face QLD I in the third place playoff. 

Queensland sides have struggled at the tournament so far and the decision by most GPS schools to stop their players from trialling appears to be impacting results. The 10-round QLD GPS competition begins next Saturday. 

Despite the poor conditions, a number of players have still caught the eye. 

Head to NSW Rugby TV to watch replays of every match and to watch the finals on Friday. 

Standout Performers

Cooper Watters – NSW II No.13/St Stanislaus College, Bathurst

Stannies outside back Cooper Watters scored 14 of his side’s 19 points in Wednesday’s upset win over NSW I, crossing for two tries in wet conditions. 

Jackson Jury – Victoria No.10/Brighton Grammar

In the wet, Victorian flyhalf Jackson Jury has looked at home controlling his side well and slotting conversions from everywhere. Victoria matched it with NSW Juniors on Tuesday and defeated Combined State on Wednesday with Jury leading the charge. 

Joe Harvey – NSW Juniors No.13/Eastwood

An early school finisher, Eastwood centre Joe Harvey had been arguably the player of the tournament in the opening stages but did his ACL late in NSW Juniors upset win over Queensland and faces a decent stint on the sideline. 

Jai Callaghan – NSW I No.15/Shore

Callaghan has continued his brilliant form at the back, making an impact every time he touched the ball. With the Roosters looking to lock Callaghan down, let’s hope his time on the Sunshine Coast and potentially a spot in an Australian U18s side sees him stay in rugby long term. 

Tom Haslem – NSW II No.6/Knox

Arguably the form player of the NSW Schools trials last week, Haslem has continued his good form on the Sunshine Coast and seems to be involved in just about everything. 

Kingbenjamin Swerling-Finaipepe – QLD I No.3/John Paul College

While QLD have been disappointing in their home tournament, the big prop with the best name in rugby has been a standout for the home fans. 

James Finegan – NSW Juniors/Waverley

After missing selection in the NSW Schools teams, Waverley forward James Finegan is playing like a player with a point to prove. He’s also expected to play in next week’s rugby league championships, but looks better suited to the XV man game based on his form this week.