Day 4 of the 2025 Buildcorp Australian Rugby Shield is run and done with finals action lighting up Newcastle on Sunday October 5.
The Women's Shield Final was taken out by Sydney Women in a 19-17 thriller over defending champions ACT & SNSW Kestrels.
DAY 3 RECAP: Heelers, Kestrels book Shield finals against Cockatoos and Sydney
In the Men's Shield Final, Queensland Country Heelers staved off a late NSW Country Cockatoos fightback to defend their 2024 title, winning 39-31 on No.2 Sportsground.
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 4 replays and rolling coverage from Hunter Rugby Union - you can also purchase tickets here with all proceeds going back into supporting grassroots rugby.
10:00 AEDT - Women's 5th Place Final: NSW Country Corellas 39 def Queensland Suburban Kelpies 3
NSW Country finished their women's Shield campaign on a high, running out 36-point victors to claim fifth place.
The Corellas ran in seven tries to the Kelpies' sole penalty goal with Natalie Blackadder's brace the headline act.
11:45 AEDT - Women's 3rd Place Final: Queensland Country 24 def v South Australia 12
Queensland Country Orchids have shaken off the disappointment of missing the women's Shield final with a bronze finish to their 2025 campaign.
Last year's runners up were sorely tested by a brave South Australia side, who enjoyed their best tournament to date.
However, the Orchids had enough in the tank to run in four tries to the Black Falcons' two and secure third place.
13:30 AEDT - Women's Shield Final: ACT & SNSW Kestrels 17 def by Sydney 19
Newcomers Sydney Women have taken out the Womens Shield in their inaugural tournament, defeating reigning champions ACT & SNSW Kestrels in a two-point thriller.
The Kestrels outscored Sydney three tries to two but trailed 16-5 after early tries to April Allende and Annika Mountstephens were bolstered by two Emily Dietrich penalty goals.
A third Dietrich penalty took the margin to 14 before Claudia Obst set the game alight with seven minutes to play, scoring out wide with Siena Edwards converting from out wide.
Emily Wright then sent the crowd into a frenzy with a 79th minute try in the top left corner but Edwards' conversion attempt fell just short, leaving Sydney to hold on 19-17 winners.
15:30 AEDT - Men's Shield Final: NSW Country 31 def by v Queensland Country 39
Queensland Country Heelers became the first team to defend their Shield title since ACT & SNSW Griffins (2022-23), defeating bitter rivals NSW Country Cockatoos in a cracking eight-point decider.
Heelers dominated the early exchanges and lead 34-17 with 10 minutes to play before a late fightback saw the Cockatoos strike twice to bring the margin within three points.
However, it wasn't to be for NSW Country with Shaquille Rangi diving over for a spectacular match-sealer and sealing back-to-back titles.
08:00 AEDT - NSW Country Colts 20 def Queensland Country Colts 15
10:00 AEDT - Men's 7th Place Final: South Australia 42 def Queensland Suburban 5
South Australia's men bagged their first win of the 2025 tournament in style, scoring six tries to one over Queensland Suburban.
Fereti Saaga was chief destroyer with two tries and Carl Arnold was unerring off the tee with six conversions.
The result sees South Australia claim seventh with Queensland Suburban winless for their 2025 campaign.
11:45 AEDT - Men's 5th Place Final: Tasmania Jack Jumpers 5 def by v Australian Defence Rugby Union 29
The ADRU finished their 2025 campaign on a high, defeating Tasmania in a convincing 29-5 fifth-place men's final.
A fast start saw the Defence side lead 17-0 at half time before kicking on to secure a comfortable win.
Tasmanian fans were left to cheer a late try and their highest ARS finish since the tournament's resurgence in 2022.
13:30 AEDT - Men's 3rd Place Final: NSW Suburban 55 def v Wildfires Development 33
NSW Suburban wrapped up the men's bronze with a eight-try romp over local outfit Wildfires Development.
Tom Callaughan (three tries) and Dylan Madden (two tries) spearheaded Subbies' win while Jake Ritchie's double headlined a five-try showing from the Wildfires.
