Aussie Schoolboys World Champions

The Corporate Sports Australian Schoolboys won the Second Test against the New Zealand Under 18s at the Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua, 24 points to 12, to win the series 2 nil and confirm their World Champion status.

Corporate Sports Australian  Schoolboys 24 (Tries: Kieran Foran, Brad Hudson, Martin Kennedy and Ben Hunt Goals: Ben Hunt 4) defeated New Zealand U18s 12.

 

The second test match presented a chance for the Corporate Sports Australian Schoolboys to complete their tour undefeated but as expected the task would not be easy.

 

In wet and greasy conditions in the first half the game became an arm wrestle as both sides tried to gain the ascendency. Finally in the 30th minute a great try by Kieran Foran and a kick from the sideline, into the wind, by Ben Hunt saw the Australian Schoolboys lead 6 nil at halftime. The battle in the first half saw few spectators predict that 30 points would be scored in the second half.

 

Australia again opened the scoring in the second half with a try to Brad Hudson when he backed up a great bomb close to the New Zealand line. This try was also converted by ben hunt and Australia led 12 nil. Australia were again next to score when Martin Kennedy stormed over the opposition to score next to the posts and with the conversion Australia had established a commanding 18 point lead. However the Kiwis hit back immediately following some Australian errors and scored two tries in three minutes to make the score 18-12.

 

The Australians continued to weather the storm and eventually regained composure and mounted another attack to see the final try of the match to Ben Hunt. His conversion took the score to 24 -12 and from here the Australians dominated play to run out winners and complete an undefeated series. The Most Valuable Player was Jason Baitieri. Kevin Proctor was judged Player of the Series for the Australian team.

 

This means that the Australian Schoolboys have regained the mantle of World Champions after defeating the England Academy in 2006 and now the New Zealand U18's in successive series. Congratulations to all of the players and officials and in particular Simon Huntly the coach of the Corporate Sports Australian Schoolboy team.