Flyhalf Rohan Nichol stepped in for injured Elijah Breen as the nine-point pilot for Queensland's 26-12 win over NSW Juniors at the Buildcorp Australian Schools and Junior Rugby Union Championships.
A try from NSW Juniors winger Jaziah Swann came quickly after Queensland 1 Open Boys winger Quinn Timperon was yellow carded for a high tackle in the ninth minute.
The try scored by Swann took place after three phases following the NSW penalty, giving the team an early 5-0 lead on the Sunshine Coast.
Siena Catholic College halfback Koby Kelland was the first to score for the Queenslanders off the back of a successful maul five metres out from the tryline.
The home side led 7-5 when inside centre Jeremiah Patea kicked the conversion.
Queensland hooker Cyrus Suniula quickly scored the second try for the side after a linebreak from flanker Jesse Maugatai and an offload from lock Tannar Baker.
The NSW side responded by breaking through the Queensland defensive line allowing Swann to score a double. The scores were level at 12-all heading to the break.
It was Queensland prop Gavin Wilson-Tyers and Kelland who dragged NSW fullback Owen Bell into touch, putting NSW on the backfoot in the 40th minute.
Queensland then spent the next nine minutes both attacking and defending in the NSW half before Nichol went over for his first try of the Championships after a short ball from No. 8 Tremayne Patelesio in the 49th minute.
Another successful maul from a Queensland lineout 10 metres out from the tryline created a chance for hooker Malaki Lemalu to score and extend Queensland's lead.
Queensland’s strong defence thwarted the NSW side, keeping them scoreless in the second half. Queensland claimed a deserved 26-12 victory.
The Queensland 1 Open Boys finished the Championships with two wins from three games.
The Queensland 2 side suffered a surprise 8-7 loss to Western Australia to close the tournament.
Reporting by Will O'Connor
