League: Stallions thunder into action

Wai-Coa Bay Stallions under-17 player Jaz Flavell (with ball) races against the South Island Scorpions yesterday. Photo / Ben Fraser

The Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions under-17 side are off to a perfect start at the NZRL National Youth Tournament.

They defeated the South Island Scorpions under-17 team 40-0 at Puketawhero Park in Rotorua, during the first day of competition yesterday.

The NZRL National Youth Tournament is the national under-15 and under-17 competition and is being held in Rotorua this year.

Stallions under-17 coach Eugene Davis said he was really happy with his team's performance.

"Our goal is to get in the top two, which will mean we will need to win two of the three [pool] games. If we get that far then we will change our focus for the semifinals."

He said the halves pairing of Anaru Haika and Caleb McLean directed the game well for the young Stallions team yesterday, helping them post 40 points.

He said he was also impressed with their forward pack. The Stallions under-17 side will go up against Counties Manukau today, at 11.15am on field three, in a much tougher match.

The Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions under-15 side were unfortunate not to get past defending champions Counties Manukau yesterday, after leading 16-14 late in the match.

A late try to Counties saw them take the win 20-16.

The Stallions under-15 team can still make the semifinals but they will need to beat the Auckland Invitational side today, when they face off at 9.30am on field five.

Pool play continues today and tomorrow at Puketawhero Park with the semifinals on Thursday followed by the finals on Friday.

There are eight teams in each division.

Day one results (pool play):

Under-15s: Counties Manukau Stingrays 20 Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions 16, Akarana Falcons 24 Northern Swords 10, Wellington Orcas 36 South Island Scorpions 14, Central Vipers 24 Auckland Invitation 20.

Under-17s: Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions 40 South Island Scorpions 0, Counties Manukau Stingrays 28 Wellington Orcas 20, Auckland Invitation 68 Northern Swords 12, Akarana Falcons 32 Central Vipers 20.

Taurahere beat NZ U18s

Two second-half tries to centre Jack Williams have guided the Taurahere Kiwis to a hard-fought 20-18 win over the New Zealand under-18s in their first encounter at Rotorua's Puketawhero Park.

The two representative sides will meet again on Friday at Puketawhero Park at 12.15pm. The Taurahere Kiwis are made up of New Zealand under-18 players based in Australia.