The 2025 Buildcorp Australian Rugby Shield got underway in Newcastle today with 14 teams battling it out for the country's top prize.
Reigning Shield holders Queensland Country Heelers and ACT & SNSW Kestrels got off to a flying start on Day 1 while newcomers Sydney Women and Wildfires Development picked up early wins.
Here's everything you need to know about the 2025 Buildcorp Australian Rugby Shield.
The 2025 Buildcorp Australian Rugby Shield is delivered in partnership with naming rights sponsor Buildcorp Group and the City of Newcastle - check out visitnewcastle.com.au for more.
See below for Day 1 replays and results from Hunter Rugby Union - you can also purchase tickets here with all proceeds going back into supporting grassroots rugby in the Hunter.
9:30 - Queensland Country Heelers 53 def Australian Defence Rugby Union 0
The defending champions Heelers have hit the ground running, blowing the Australian Defence Rugby Union away in the opening clash.
Savenaca Ronavuso and Shayden Stevens both picked up two tries as the Queenslanders ran out with nine tries, leading from start to finish.
11:15 - Tasmania Jack Jumpers 15 def by Wildfires Development 56
The Wildfires have kicked off their time in the Australian Rugby Shield in brilliant fashion, putting 50 on the Tasmania Jack Jumpers to send a message to the rest of the competition.
Winger Archie Waerea starred for the hosts with four tries, while fullback Thomas Lovegrove and centre Lathan Hutchinson-Walters also impressed in the backline.
The Jumpers came home strong in the second half with two tries to Marika Nadaulevu and Halatoa Havea, adding some respectability to the score.
13:00 - South Australia Black Falcons Men 24 def by NSW Suburban 36
NSW Suburban are on the board in their first match in the Shield, but they had to dig deep to overcome a strong fightback from South Australia.
Subbies raced out to an early lead with four tries in 20 minutes, while Lachlan Camroux bagged a double.
However, the Black Falcons fought back well with four tries and a physical performance from Pita Nakarawa, with his physicality seeing the form of the whole team rise.
Unfortunately, despite the game opening up in the final 15 minutes, the South Australians were unable to claw back the deficit.
14:45 - NSW Country Cockatoos 29 v Queensland Suburban 13
NSW Country shook off a determined Queensland Subbies outfit to run out bonus-point victors in the final game on Day 1.
Subbies winger Brayden Boylan threatened to spoil the Cockatoos' party with a momentum swinging try after half time.
However, NSW Country were never headed and secured full points with Jayden Woolley, Damian Fleming and Lachlan Milton crossing the chalk alongside a penalty try.
9:30 - South Australia Black Falcons Women 22 def Queensland Suburban Kelpies 19
The Black Falcons have started their campaign with a hard fought win over the Kelpies, with both sides running out three tries.
However, it took the boot of Victoria Cousins, with a penalty in the 25th minute proving the difference.
11:15 - ACT & SNSW Kestrels 24 def NSW Country Corellas 15
An early contender for match of the opening day unfolded on No. 5 Sportsground.
The defending champions the Kestrels have come from behind to defeat NSW Country Corellas, after the women in ochre raised out to an early lead through tries to Tam McGregor and Brooklyn French.
Elodie Galinier grabbed two tries in two minutes in the second half, and while the Corellas kept in touch off the boot of Jaida Staben, the Kestrels ultimately were able to run them down.
13:00 - Queensland Country Orchids 7 def by Sydney Women 17
Finishing the action for the women on the opening day, Sydney Women, featuring five players from the local Wildfires team, had to dig deep to overcome Queensland Country.
The Orchids struck back well after Sydney Women scored twice in the first 15 minutes through Harriet Neville, with local Emily Dietrich serving well as kicker.
However, a final try in the 31st minute to Taylor Ropata would be the last score of the match, with both sides match up at set piece and in defence to keep each other from scoring, despite many opportunities.
