National Championships Day 3 Wrap: Grand final teams locked in after round three

Western Australia opened day three of the tournament with a 4-0 victory over Victoria, who are now out of grand final contention on Sunday.

Both sides were desperate to stay in the grand final race and the class of the defending champions stood up late to get the win when Arnika Cave crossed over in the 13th minute.

After a promising two wins to start the tournament, Victoria will be disappointed with how they bowed out with three losses in the final two days.

Northern Territory v Western Australia

Western Australia backed up their efforts in game two with a 4-0 victory over the Northern Territory to keep their grand final hopes alive. 

A try to Ariana Hira broke the deadlock with WA to wait for other results to determine whether they'll be back to defend their crown in the final on Sunday.

Northern Territory v Australian Defence Force

The Australian Defence Force won their first game of the tournament with a 12-0 victory over the Northern Territory.

A double to Amanda Thomas inside seven minutes got the ADF to a healthy eight-point advantage before Madeline Burton sealed the result on the siren.

For Northern Territory, their tournament isn't over. They'll play off in a 40-minute game on Sunday for fifth spot against the ADF again. 

NSW Country v Australian Defence Force

NSW Country won their fourth game of the tournament with a 16-0 win over the Australian Defence Force.

Tries to Christa-Lee Smith, Theresa Wilhelmus and Kaitlyn Andrews set up the win against a gallant ADF side who will play the Northern Territory on Sunday in a playoff for fifth.

NSW Country v First Nations Gems

NSW Country are through to the 2022 National Championships opens grand final following a 4-0 victory over the Gems.

The Gems had all the running early and almost came up with a decisive try but the NSW Country side showed their class late to go over through Terri-Lee Van Wyk.

NSW Country will play WA in the final with the Gems to play off for third against Victoria.

Queensland Sapphires v NSW City

NSW City have recorded a big win over defending champions the Sapphires to advance to the under 19s grand final.

After falling short in the corresponding match last year, the City side sought revenge by piling on eight tries in the victory.

Try-scoring winger Petesa Lio scored a double while Roosters products Otesa Pule and Kalosipani also got over the line.

Western Australia v Victoria

A double from prop Adalaide Faamausili Fala has helped Western Australia to an 18-4 victory over Victoria, giving them their first win of the tournament. 

Faamausili Fala charged her way over the line within four minutes before Aliyah Tanonef extended the side's lead.

The Victorians hit back through Phoenix Mahakitau-Danie but WA had done enough to secure the result.

Queensland Rubys v NSW Country

The Queensland Rubys will meet NSW City in the under 19s grand final after beating NSW Country 22-4 in round three of the competition. 

In a rematch of last year's round three clash, the Rubys scored five tries to one in the 18-point win to deny NSW Country a grand final spot.

Try-scoring winger Tahlia Marshall scored a double to continue her strong form in the tournament. 

South Australia v Northern Territory

Northern Territory recorded their first win of the tournament, beating South Australia 18-4 in the final game of the day. 

South Australia struck first through Frances Afeaki before NT hit back with three tries of their own to Abigayle Sekitoga, Ilisapeci Bari and Elisa Niki.

The match was marred late by a serious leg injury to one of South Australia's players, which saw the game called off with eight minutes left on the clock. 

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