Auckland Vulcans and South Island Scorpions have joined title favourites Akarana and Counties Manukau in booking early semi-final spots at the NZRL National Youth Tournament in Rotorua.
The Vulcans 15s, a development side made up of players that missed selection for Akarana or Counties, were dominant 36-0 winners over Northern Swords on the event's opening day and followed that result up today with a runaway 28-12 win over Central Vipers.
Locked 12-12 midway though, Auckland rattled off 16 unanswered points after the break, with wing Tevita Pita scoring a try double. With two wins from two outings, both Vulcans and Stingrays are assured of progressing from Pool B, but will put their unbeaten records on the line against each other on Wednesday.
Counties grabbed their semi spot with a regulation 24-8 win over Northern Swords, while Akarana proved too strong for Wellington Orcas, running away 28-14 in a battle for first-day winners.
Hooker Temple Kalepo scored two tries and Tuinamo Tepulolo kicked four goals for the title-holders.
With three 15s semi-final berths decided, the fourth will come down to the Pool A contest between Wai-Coa-Bay Colts and Wellington Orcas on Wednesday morning.
In the older grade, South Island secured their second win of the tournament over Wai-Coa-Bay Colts and will join the Falcons in advancing from Pool D.
Champions Akarana scraped through with an unconvincing 34-26 win over Central Vipers, who were within two points until the dying seconds, when a converted try blew out the margin.
Today's clash of previously unbeaten 17s sides proved one-sided, with Counties Manukau Stingrays stamping their class on Northern Swords from the kick-off, running up a 38-10 half-time lead and adding another 30 unanswered points over the second half.
Stingrays centre Alfred Smalley had a field-day, scoring three tries and kicking eight goals for 28 individual points.
The fourth vacancy in the 17s semis will likely be filled by either Swords or Auckland Vulcans, both 1-1, who face Wellington Orcas and Counties respectively tomorrow.
NZRL NATIONAL YOUTH TOURNAMENT
Puketawhero Park, Rotorua
Tuesday, September 27
15s
Akarana Falcons 28 (Temple Kalepo 2, Totive Junior Tuileisu, Samuel Kamu & Nathaneal Sasagi tries; Tuinamo Tepulolo 4 goals) Wellington Orcas 14 (Cayden Teau, Cassius Akavi & Ilai Tuai tries; Keelan Ng goal)
Auckland Vulcans 28 (Tevita Pita 2, Aqdas Maile, Sosefo Kei & Feao Tongia tries; Sione Moala 4 goals) Central Vipers 12 (Tyrese Ratahi, Ngarimu Waru & Tiaho Hamahona-Taiaroa tries; Brooklyn Herewinin 2 goals)
Wai-Coa-Bay Colts 30 (Rayna Whakaari 2, Taratu Makelow, Jahkay Roberts & Las Filo tries; Rhemus Rutene 5 goals) South Island Scorpions 12 (Tuhaka Pooley & Calus Faatili tries; Manaia Edwards-Aumua 2 goals)
Counties Manukau Stingrays 24 (Fangupo-Paea Fotu 2, Fred Taamaletoa, Semisi Sikei & Samuel Taunga tries; Brian Lealifano & Paiea-I-Muli Vunipola goals) Northern Swords 8 (Siakini Taulangau & Pakiohewa Rama tries)
17s
Counties Manukau Stingrays 68 (Alfred Smalley 3, Sione To'a 2, Uenukuterangihoka Malesala, Joshua Gray, Asu Kepaoa, Keanu Paki, Kayleb Milne, Nofoasa Malutoa, Potusa Fuilala & Taylor Fiu tries; Smalley 8 goals) Northern Swords 10 (Levita Levita & Morgan Rogers tries; Max Stuart goal)
Auckland Vulcans 26 (Lewis Sio 2, Antonio Poua, Taniela Taufoou & Fred Safata tries; Sio 2 & Sema Siulepa goals) Wellington Orcas 18 (Tyler Jahnke, Te Aorere & Montelle Le'afa Sione tries; Wanoa 3 goals)
Akarana Falcons 34 (Vito Tevaga 2, Kayal Iro, Aiden Aue, Sione Foueti & Ulysses tries; Regan McClennan 5 goals) Central Vipers 26 (Wesley Veikoso 2, Awatere Kiwara, Neihana Johnson & Jahlon Governor tries; Governor 3 goals)
South Island Scorpions 28 (Jordan Leigh, Cruz Topai-Aveai, Brodie Floris, Donanyc Fidow-Kele & Nash Forrester tries; Jope Jagicakibau 3 goals) Wai-Coa-Bay Colts 10 (Lennox Jarratt & Sheldon Rogers tries; Liam Jones goal)
Wednesday, September 28
15s
10.30am - Wai-Coa-Bay Colts v Wellington Orcas
11.45am - Akarana Falcons v South Island Scorpions
12.30pm - Counties Manukau Stingrays v Auckland Vulcans
1.45pm - Northern Swords v Central Vipers
17s
11am - Wai-Coa-Bay Colts v Central Vipers
12.20pm - Northern Swords v Wellington Orcas
1pm - Akarana Falcons v South Island Scorpions
2.30pm - Counties Manukau Stingrays v Auckland Vulcans