NZ Maori U18 end pathways tournament with 11-point upset over Australia Schools

The New Zealand U18 Maori Schoolboys side has claimed a convincing eleven-point victory against Australia Schools in Hamilton, to close out their National Pathways Programme tournaments for 2026.

The visitors scored on the final hooter to close the margin within two tries, but the Maori U18’s put on a clinical second-half performance to overcome a powerful Australian side.

Both sides were locked at 7-apiece at halftime at St Paul’s Collegiate in Hamilton, the venue for the whole pathways tournament, which has included national sides from Samoa, Tonga, Australia, and three teams from New Zealand.

Maori U18 first-five Keanu Simpson, brother of Auckland playmaker Rico, steered the ship from No.10 on Sunday afternoon, after getting the call-up to the New Zealand Schoolboys during the week.

Simpson, out of Sacred Heart College, was vice-captain of the run-on side alongside Enzo Kyle, who impressed once again for Kahu Carey’s side.

Elijah Wharepouri off the bench provided impact for the Kiwis, while Australian Schoolboys’ playmakers, Rokko Walker and Hamish Ward, stood out in a losing side.

The opening stages of the final-day contest were tight, with the first quarter finishing scoreless, as both sides had chances with ball in hand.

The deadlock was broken eight minutes prior to halftime, as the Australian Schoolboys spread the ball from the left-hand touchline. Walker got his hands on the ball before a gap opened up through a nice offload by Isaiah Cornforth.

The Maori U18’s hit back on the stroke of halftime, through Campbell Bibbie. The Maori fullback pounced on a loose ball after he followed his own grubber kick towards the try line.

HT: 7-7 in Hamilton.

Carey’s side cracked first shortly after the break, as Davi Nemer Rodrigues, the Australian Schoolboys left-winger, intercepted a NZ Maori U18’s pass in midfield. Rodrigues’ five-pointer gave the visitors the lead with over 30 minutes to play.

Paice Mitchell-Hopa was the next to cross, levelling the score after sensing an opportunity close to the ruck. Mitchell-Hopa burst through a gap to get the Maori back into the U18 contest.

Tauranga Boys fullback Tommy McQuoid took the game into his own hands in the 57th minute, powering through countless tackles to take the lead for his side.

An exceptional run from Wharepouri set up Synton Bowden’s try, minutes after Simpson extended the Maori’s lead.

One more Simpson penalty goal, this time from close to halfway, clinched victory for the Maori U18’s, despite a late try by the Australian Schoolboys on the second-half hooter.

FT: 32-21 to the Maori U18’s

In other day three results, Taranaki U18 secured a 55-7 victory over Tonga U18’s, while the New Zealand Barbarians enjoyed a remarkable 90-3 triumph over Samoa U18’s.