Strong-running centre Karter Iva put a classy hat-trick stamp on his final match for the Queensland Reds Under-16s at Ballymore Stadium today.
Iva's three tries were central to a 10-try team performance as the young Reds dealt with the ACT Brumbies 58-14.
It was a highly satisfying day out for the Keebra Park State High back who is unable to play in the Super Rugby U16s grand final against the NSW Waratahs next weekend.
The match falls on a Sunday and his Mormon religious beliefs prevent him playing just as they did when he ruled himself out of the recent game against the Western Force.
All Blacks great Michael Jones declined selection for two Sunday games at the 1987 Rugby World Cup and still emerged as the player of the tournament.
"I know we share the same beliefs to keep the Sabbath holy," Iva said post-game.
"I saw that the grand final might have been a Saturday. It's Sunday so unfortunately I won't be playing."
Iva scored his first try early in the first half when he burst onto a James Smith pass and beat the final Brumbies defender in a 60m to the tryline.
His hat-trick try was run on a sharp inside line after replacement backrower Ryker Smith had made a powerful run.
The Reds scored a mix of backline tries and some close to the line through the forwards without ever having to deal with the intensity that the unbeaten Waratahs will throw at them.
Brumbies winger Cayden Cross scored one of the tries of the day with a chip-and-regather that never travelled more than 2m off the boot.
The Waratahs raced to a 40-0 lead when they met the Reds two weeks ago before the Queenslanders rallied with four straight tries and tightened the final score to 54-45.
"We learnt some things in that game. We need to start strong. In the second half against the Waratahs, we showed what we can do," Iva said.
Centre Sangwani Chinula agreed: "This game was our prep for the grand final. We wanted to be consistent and execute and stay switched on. Those were things we had to work on from our last game against the Waratahs," Chinula said.
Queensland Reds U16s 58
Tries: Kater Iva 3, Moses Faleafa, Jeremiah Kite, Denver Bradford, Chilli Tonelli-Smith, Will Robinson, James Smith, Sangwani Chinula
Conversions: Charlie Meredith 2, Chilli Tonelli-Smith, James Smith
Def
ACT Brumbies U16s 14
Tries: Oliver Henderson, Cayden Cross
Conversions: Oliver Henderson 2
Half-time: Reds 34-Brumbies 7
Venue: Ballymore Stadium
