Day 3 of the 2025 Buildcorp Australian Rugby Shield is underway in Newcastle with finals on the line and local derbies aplenty.
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 2 RECAP: Heelers, Kestrels on track for Shield defence, local NSW sides shine
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 after their unbeaten start while Pool B will be decided in a shootout between NSW Country Cockatoos and the Wildfires Development team.
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 3 livestreams and rolling coverage from Hunter Rugby Union - you can also purchase tickets here with all proceeds going back into supporting grassroots rugby.
09:30 - ADRU Men 24 def South Australia Black Falcons Men 12
A last-gasp intercept try saw ADRU take the full five points and break South Australian hearts in Saturday's opening clash of the men's Shield.
The Black Falcons trailed 17-12 in the 69th minute and were hot on the attack deep in ADRU territory before Jack Scanlon produced the matchwinning play, running 70m upfield and toeing ahead for his wing partner to touch down.
The results consigns South Australia to fourth place in Pool Pool B and puts ADRU in the box seat for a bronze final berth on Sunday.
11:15 - Queensland Suburban Men 14 v Tasmania Jack Jumpers 29 (HT)
13:00 - Queensland Country Heelers v NSW Suburban Men
14:25 - NSW Country Cockatoos v Wildfires Development Men
09:30 - Queensland Suburban Kelpies 17 def by Queensland Country Orchids 29
2024 runners up Queensland Country have done all they can in their bid for a third straight Shield final, defeating state rivals Queensland Suburban by 12 points.
Doubles to Meg Jakins and Layla Fujii helped secure the bonus point win and lift the Orchids to second place on the women's ladder - at least for now.
Queensland Country will be cheering for NSW Country in hopes of the Corellas knocking over Sydney Women to help pave their way to a decider against ACT & SNSW Kestrels.
11:15 - ACT & SNSW Kestrels 19 v South Australia Black Falcons Women 0 (HT)
