Match results from the two days of the 2025 Next Gen Cup, held at Camden Rugby Club over 20-21 September. Selectors will be announcing a 30-man squad will be announced this week based on the performance of the players over the weekend.
The 2025 Next Gen Cup kicked off with a high scoring contest between Team Gavin and Team Baxter. In the early stages, Gavin conceded multiple penalties, which gifted Baxter excellent field position. They were able to capitalise on this and cross over four times in the first half. The trend continued for Baxter in the second half as they crashed over for another three tries. Gavin, however, were only able to score one try for the match, as a result of some poor discipline and disjointed attack. Ezekiel Stanley-ligaiviu was a standout, scoring four tries, showcasing his quick feet and lightning speed.
Alessio Caridi x2
Ezekiel Stanley-ligaiviu x4
Cooper Hill
Billy Bowen 2/7
Lachlan Mahoney
Declan Dixon 1/1
The NSW U14 team put on a strong performance against VIC U15 team. The first half was a tight battle with one try scored for each team. Reginald Maiava was able to add a conversion, which saw VIC heading into half-time leading by two points. The second half was mostly controlled by NSW, showing their rugby smarts by kicking for territory and making metres through the middle of the field. It was these tactics that saw NSW overcome VIC as they were able to notch their first win for the day.
Adonai Henry
Wilfred Estall
Reginald Maiava 1/2
Austin Willis
Sudip Joy Bhetwal
Sebastian Duddle
Gabriel Santarossa
Karepe Faulkner 1/4
Baxter continued on their winning way, securing a comfortable win against Ella. Ezekiel Stanley-ligaiviu scored another two tries, taking his total for the day to six. He seemed to be in a class of his own, anticipating the plays before they had happened. A double for Kobi Keenan and three more tries in the second half saw a mix of players getting amongst the point scorers. Ella was able to cross over twice in the match, with Thomas Davis converting one try to take their total to 12 for the match.
Kobi Keenan
Ezekiel Stanley-ligaiviu x2
Bronson Tupou
Kobi Keenan
Cooper Eveleigh
Noah Lavercombe
Billy Bowen 3/7
Josiah Manuofetoa
John Benjamin Rasiga
Thomas Davis
Team Waugh got their weekend off to a great start, securing a convincing win against VIC. The first half was tightly contested, however Waugh was able to get out to a quick 19-7 lead heading into the break. The second half saw Ethan Mullins score his second try for the match, with Andrew Larkin also scoring a double. Levi Perrett was consisten with the boot, kicking 5/7 conversions. It was a tough outing for VIC, although Fly-half Reginald Maiava took control of the game, directing his forwards downfield and controlling the backline.
Jett Watkin
Ethan Mullins x2
Henry Frape
Andrew Larkin x2
Jamie Little
Levi Perrett 5/7
Josh Spence
Reginald Maiava 1/1
The fifth fixture of the day was a tight contest between two sides searching for their first win. The first half was a back and forth battle where both teams played through the middle, fighting for every inch. Through some silky ball play, Dylan Baxter crashed over in the corner for a great try. The second half was much the same as the first half, with only two tries scored. Both teams showed great discipline and ball handling skills, however Ella came up with the win by 5 points.
Dylan Baxter x2
Dylan Pullen 1/1
Nathan Maier
Declan Dixon 1/1
Capping off an excellent first day, we were treated to an enthralling match between Waugh and NSW. After Waugh’s earlier success, they were definitely the favourites coming into the game against a younger side. Although NSW was very much up for the fight and, through strong physicality and playing rugby in the opposition's half, they were able to restrict Waugh to only two tries, giving them a deficit of twelve to chase. The second half saw Austin Willis scoring in the third minute to bring it back to within one try. It was Waugh next to score, pushing the lead out to twelve once again. NSW scored with four minutes remaining with a respectable score line. It was a great finish to a great day, setting up exciting finals games for day two of the Next Gen Cup.
Ethan Mullins
Jett Watkins x2
Levi Perrett 1/3
Austin Willis
Matthew Wallace
Dean Sheridan 1/2
The first final on Day 2 didn’t disappoint. It was off to a great start with Lachlan Mahoney putting Gavin on the board in the first minute. From there, it was end to end rugby, with VIC able to score two converted tries just before the half time buzzer. The second half saw six tries scored with five lead changes. It was incredibly exciting, with the tries shared amongst multiple players. Both teams fought until the last minute with Gavin coming out on top, scoring the winning try with four minutes left in the game.
Lachlan Mahoney
Levi Gibbs
Vaidas Levi x2
Declan Dixon
Xavier Gunn 2/4
Callum McIntyre x2
Adonai Henry
Te Awahou Toko
Reginald Maiava 4/4
The second game of the finals produced a free-flowing, high-scoring contest that kept the crowd entertained from start to finish. Ella got off to a stronger start, using quick line speed in defence and sharp ball movement to open up space out wide, building a 22–12 lead by halftime. Their energy and ability to turn defence into attack gave them the edge early, but NSW refused to go away, responding with some strong ball-carrying and smart play through their forwards to stay in the contest. The second half turned into a back-and-forth battle, with both sides trading tries and momentum swinging end to end. NSW looked dangerous with their set-piece and power through the middle, while Ella continued to strike from broken play and out wide. In the end, Ella’s composure and finishing ability saw them edge a thrilling contest 32–31, closing out a game full of attacking rugby and plenty of resilience from both sides.
Devida Hopoate
John Benjamin Rasiga
Jacob Semaans
Harry Jones-Hugh
Jake Capovilla
Kaiden Grace 1/3
Thomas Davis 1/2
Penalty Goals Ella
Thomas Davis 1/1
Beau Hobbs
Matthew Wallace
Lennox Laupepa
Dajetikai Palalei
Austin Willis
Dean Sheridan 3/5
Team Baxter and Team Waugh went head-to-head in a tight and entertaining clash, with Baxter holding a 17–10 advantage at halftime after making the most of their early chances. The second half saw Waugh surge back into the contest, building momentum through strong carries and quick ball movement, but Baxter held their composure under pressure. In a thrilling finish, Baxter’s ability to stay clinical in attack proved the difference as they secured a 34–29 victory. Despite the result, Waugh’s fightback was impressive and kept the game alive right to the final whistle. A standout on the day was Khan Jackson, who crossed for four tries and was deservedly named Player of the Tournament.
Max Wintzer
Elijah Biuvanua Heather x2
Saia Enasio
Cooper Hill
Leonard Salter 3/5
Penalty Goals
Billy Bowen 1/1
Khan Jackson x4
Ignacio Struve-Betancourt
Ethan Mullins 1/2
Levi Perrett 1/3
