NYT DAY 2: BULLS 18S BOYS THROUGH TO FINAL, 16 BOYS EDGED IN SEMIS

The Canterbury Bulls 18s Boys are through to the NZRL National Youth Tournament final courtesy of a semi-final victory against Auckland Vulcans – reversing the result between the teams earlier on day two at Ngā Puna Wai.

The Bulls 18s went down 12-10 to the Vulcans in their final pool game on Tuesday morning, despite a double from centre Chris Tavake.

The result set up a semi-final rematch between the sides, but this time the hosts carved out a 14-0 shutout with Amoroa Kahukiwa, Arona Faaiva and Isaiah Savea dotting down.

Canterbury’s victory sends them into the Wednesday’s final (1.15pm) against Akarana Falcons, who overwhelmed Counties Manukau Stingrays 28-10 in the other semi.

The Canterbury Bulls 16s Boys, meanwhile, went down gallantly twice to perennial heavyweights Akarana Falcons on Tuesday.

The Falcons won the teams’ early-morning pool match 20-14 but found themselves down 10-0 at halftime in the semi-final after Louis Shanahan and Kaci Heath scored tries for the Bulls.

Akarana came home with a wet sail, however, scoring three unanswered tries to prevail 18-10. The Bulls 16s Boys will finish an excellent campaign in the third-place playoff against Auckland Vulcans on Wednesday morning (9.15am), while the Falcons and Counties Manukau Stingrays square off in the final (11.45am).

The 18s and 16s Girls tournaments also get underway at Ngā Puna Wai on Wednesday.

The Canterbury Bulls 18 Girls play Wellington Orcas (12pm) and South Island Scorpions (3.45pm) on day one, while the Canterbury Bulls 16s Girls have one fixtures against Northern Swords (1.15pm) before playing two matches on Thursday.

SEE ALL NZRL NATIONAL YOUTH TOURNAMENT RESULTS HERE