ASJRU Championships - Sunshine Coast - 5-10 July

Victorian teams represented the state with pride at the 2026 Australian Schools Rugby Championships, competing against the best school rugby programs across Australia. Across all U16 and U18 programs, players showed resilience, commitment and growth, creating valuable experiences and continuing to build the future of Victorian rugby.

The Victorian Schools Rugby Union (VSRU) Under 16 and Under 18 Girls teams represented Victoria with pride at the 2026 Australian Schools Junior Rugby Union Championships, competing against some of the strongest schoolgirl rugby programs from across the country.

Both squads showed tremendous resilience throughout the tournament, with players embracing the challenge of competing at a national level and continuing to develop throughout the week.

The Under 16 Girls faced a challenging opening day, competing against quality opposition including Queensland White and NSW I. Despite the results, the team continued to improve throughout the tournament, gaining valuable experience against some of the nation's leading programs.

The squad secured their first victory against Western Australia, producing a determined performance to record a 24–17 win and showcase their ability to respond under pressure. The team continued to fight hard through the final’s stages, competing against Queensland Maroon, NSW II and the Lloydies Development Team.

The tournament provided an important development opportunity for the group, with many players experiencing national-level competition for the first time. Their growth, resilience and commitment throughout the week was a credit to the players, coaches and support staff. The girls ended the tournament finishing 6^th overall.

Results:

10.40am: L 40-5 against QLD White

12pm: L 50-0 against NSW1

3pm: L 43-7 against QLD White

4.20pm: W 24-17 against WA

9am: QF1 L against QLD Maroon 29-0

11am: 5th place decider L against NSW 2 34-5

1.40pm: 5th place decider L against Lloydies Development Team 29-0

Special mentions must go to:

Bay-lee Maaka – U16 Brian Peace (Players Player Award)

Imara Potesio – U16s Sugerman-McLean Award (Best Team Person)

Head Coach – Mel Kawa

Team Manager – Sarah Stone

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The Under 18 Girls demonstrated outstanding character throughout the championships, competing in a highly competitive division featuring many of the country's strongest schoolgirl rugby programs.

After a difficult opening day against NSW II, the Lloydies Development Team, Queensland White and Queensland Maroon, the team responded strongly in the final’s stages. Victoria recorded an impressive 40–5 quarter-final victory over the Northern Territory Goannas, before narrowly falling short against Queensland White in a thrilling semi-final, going down 22–21.

The team finished their campaign in style, securing a convincing 36–0 victory over the Northern Territory Goannas in the ninth-place playoff. The performance reflected the determination and resilience shown throughout the tournament.

Across both age groups, the VSRU Girls programs demonstrated the continued growth of girls rugby in Victoria. The players represented their schools, families and state with pride, displaying commitment, resilience and a willingness to compete against the best young athletes in Australia. The girls ended the tournament finishing 9^th overall.

Results:

9am: L against NSW 2 27-12

10.40am: L against Lloydies Development Team 19-12

1.20pm: L against QLD White 22-14

3.10pm: L against QLD Maroon 35-0

10am: QF2 W against NT Goannas 40-5

11.40am: SF L against QLD White 22-21

1pm: 9th place playoff W against NT Goannas 36-0

Special mentions must go to: 

Harmony Tunufa’i – U18s Brian Peace (Players Player Award)

Ocean Kaiwai-Rangikauhata – U18s Sugerman-McLean Award (Best Team Person)

Fofoa Tunuafono – U18 Merit Team

Fofoa is recognized as one of the standout players across the entire tournament. Fofoa demonstrated exceptional leadership, skill execution and composure throughout the tournament, consistently displaying a calm and tactical approach in high-pressure moments. Her ability to influence games, support her teammates and perform with maturity earned her well-deserved recognition among one of the twelve best players at the tournament.

Head Coach – Scott Adlington

Team Manager – Mellisa Silaga

The Rugby Victoria Under 18 Boys produced an encouraging campaign at the 2026 Australian Schools Junior Rugby Union Championships on the Sunshine Coast, finishing the tournament in third place after three determined performances against quality opposition.

With almost 30% of the squad made up of 16-year-old players, the team embraced the challenge of competing against older and more experienced opponents. The tournament provided invaluable exposure for the younger athletes while highlighting the promising depth within Victoria's emerging talent pathway.

Victoria opened its campaign against a strong NSW Harlequins outfit. Despite a determined effort and several positive passages of play, the Victorians were unable to overcome the eventual challenge, going down 39–19. The performance, however, demonstrated the group's resilience and provided valuable lessons heading into the remainder of the tournament.

On day two, the team responded superbly against the Northern Territory. In an entertaining, high-scoring contest, Victoria displayed attacking flair and composure under pressure to record a 41–34 victory, keeping its hopes of a podium finish alive.

That momentum carried into the third-place playoff against South Australia. Producing their most complete performance of the tournament, Victoria dominated from the opening whistle, combining clinical attack with relentless defense to record an emphatic 80–7 victory and secure third place.

Throughout the championships, the squad demonstrated significant growth, particularly given the youth and inexperience within the group. The tournament provided an outstanding platform for the next generation of Victorian players, with many of the 16-year-olds gaining valuable experience that will benefit both their individual development and the future success of Rugby Victoria's pathway programs.

Special mentions must go to: 

Sione Finau - U18 Boys Best Team Player.

Sione displayed outstanding self-control, skill execution and attacking flair throughout the tournament, consistently demonstrating the qualities required to lead and perform at a high level. His composure under pressure and ability to influence the game earned him recognition as Victoria’s standout performer.

Head Coach – Elijah Makoni

Assistant Coach – Dwayne Tiopira

Team Manager – Lachlan Buttenshaw

Co-Captain – Isileli Otunuku

Co-Captain – Alex Mitchell

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After a robust, rigorous trial process the VSRU Under 18’s commenced an eight-week preparation for the 52nd Australian Schools Rugby Championships on Monday June 1. In the following weeks the coaches and support staff created a high-performance environment for the players, that fostered a strong sense of camaraderie, trust and belief within the playing group.

In the opening match of the tournament, Victoria faced Western Australia in a closely contested encounter. The team showed composure and resilience throughout the match, with tries to Noah Jury, Cooper Brown, Halaliku Lauhingoa, Hamish Ward, Phoenix Monteiro-Sua and Will Steel helping secure a hard-fought 38–31 victory. The win placed Victoria in the top half of the draw for the first time since 2015.

Victoria's second match was against eventual champions NSW I. After conceding two early tries, the Victorians responded strongly, with Faf Krueger scoring twice and Phoenix Monteiro-Sua and Halaliku Lauhingoa also crossing the line. The team briefly took a 19-17 lead in the second half before NSW I's depth proved decisive, with Victoria going down 40–26 after a highly competitive performance.

The final match saw Victoria take on the ACT in the third-place playoff. After trailing 36–0 at halftime, the side produced a much-improved second-half performance, scoring through Gregor Pickford, Cire-James Tom and Simona Lafulafu while restricting ACT's scoring opportunities. Despite the strong finish, Victoria fell 48–19.

Finishing fourth overall represented Victoria's best result at this level in over a decade. The squad displayed outstanding resilience, professionalism and pride throughout the championships, earning widespread respect for their performances both on and off the field.

The players were a credit to themselves, their schools and their families. Individual players that were recognized at the tournament were:

• Faf Krueger, who received the Brian Peace (Players Player Award)
• Noah Jury, who received the Sugerman-McLean Award (Best Team Person)

Faf’s defense across the tournament was exceptional and he also scored two tries. Noah was outstanding, playing primarily in the flyhalf role. His game management was excellent and he finished the tournament having scored 21 points for the side.

Head Coach - Eric Tom

Assistant Coach - Sione Puamau

Team Manager - Tony Hollamby

Captain - Cire-James Tom

Vice Captain - Gregor Pickford

Wider Leadership Group - Baylee Kinash and Noah Jury.

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