Day 2 of the 2025 Buildcorp Australian Rugby Shield is run and done in Newcastle with just five teams - three men's and two women's - left unbeaten.
Reigning Shield holders Queensland Country Heelers and ACT & SNSW Kestrels extended their win streaks into Day 2 while NSW Country Cockatoos and newcomers Sydney Women and Wildfires Development went 2-0 to keep their Shield hopes alive.
DAY 1 RECAP: All the action from Day 1 of the 2025 Buildcorp Australian Rugby Shield.
ACT & SNSW (10 points) have already sewn up their place in the women's Shield final while Sydney Women (9 points) only need a bonus point from Saturday's upcoming clash with NSW Country Corellas to book their ticket.
Pool A leaders Queensland Country have one foot in the men's Shield final following the ADRU's win over NSW Subbies, who must now beat the Heelers on Saturday to keep their title hopes alive.
Meanwhile Pool B will be decided in a shootout between NSW Country Cockatoos and the Wildfires Development team on Saturday.
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 2 results and rolling coverage from Hunter Rugby Union - you can also purchase tickets here with all proceeds going back into supporting grassroots rugby.
12:30 - Queensland Suburban Kelpies 5 v 41 ACT & SNSW Kestrels
The Kestrels continue to push their title defence after their valuable win over NSW Country yesterday, putting Queensland Subbies to the sword.
Emily Hudson bagged two tries as the Kestrels built their score up over time, with the Kelpies striking back through Cassandra Ryan right on half-time.
The result sees the defending champions in the box seat on the second day of action.
14:15 - South Australia Black Falcons Women 7 v 36 Sydney Women
Sydney Women have continued on their way after winning on day one, putting away South Australia after three tries in the opening 20 minutes.
Emily Sheather and Emily Dietrich starred as the side blew away, and while the Black Falcons achieved parity and struck back with a try to Jet Verwey, it was a gap too large to mount a comeback.
16:00 - Queensland Country Orchids 24 def NSW Country Corellas 8
Queensland Country have taken bragging rights in the women's traditional derby with hooker Zahra Shadbolt starring for the Orchids against NSW Country
Shadbolt scored either side of half time as the Orchids pulled back an early 5-0 deficit to run out bonus-point winners with late tries to Elly May and Ane Mailau keeping their Shield hopes alive.
17:45 - Wildfires Development 17 def Queensland Suburban Men 5
Day 2 wrapped up with the Wildfires Development side running out 12-point victors over Queensland Subbies under lights to keep their Shield hopes alive.
Early rain threatened to derail the game with errors plaguing both sides before Brayden Boylan struck for Subbies to silence the home crowd.
Blake Howle hit back before half time to lead 7-5 and from there the Wildfires Development side held on, largely thanks to a two-minute blitz that saw Ryan Smith and Tiaan Brownless cross the chalk.
12:30 - South Australia Black Falcons Men 7 v 47 Queensland Country Heelers
The Heelers have picked up where they left off yesterday, continuing their title defence with a mauling of the Black Falcons.
Doubles to Savenaca Ronavuso and Matthew Dyer highlighted seven tries by the Queenslanders, as they galloped out to an early lead that they never relinquished.
The Black Falcons would get the last laugh with a try to Dominic Lane, but it ultimately proved a consolation score.
14:15 - NSW Country Cockatoos 75 v 12 Tasmania Jack Jumpers
The Cockatoos have continued their title charge with a thumping of the Jack Jumpers, with the match threatening to boil over on several occasions.
The men from the bush scored 11 tries to two, but the match also two yellow cards as both sides nearly came to blows.
Ultimately, the Cockatoos proved too strong, with Jack Hubbard and Lachlan Milton both grabbing two tries for their efforts.
16:00 - Australian Defence Rugby Union 21 def NSW Suburban Men 17
The ADRU bounced back from a heavy Day 1 defeat in style to hold off NSW Subbies by four points and keep their final hopes afloat.
The Defence side score three early tries to post a 21-0 lead at half time before Subbies roared back to life with three of their own.
Ethan Muller's boot proved the difference with three successful conversions to Subbies' one.
