Warringah Rats awarded dark horse mantle for Sydney Rugby Union 1st Colts season

They have a new coach, talent to burn and the mantle of underdogs of the Sydney Rugby Union versus Colts season. And Warringah are pretty happy with that.

Matthew Hanley is captain of the Warringah Rats side.

They have a new coach, talent to burn and the mantle of underdogs of the Sydney Rugby Union versus Colts season and the Warringah Rats are pretty happy with that.

Coach Dave Thomas has shifted from Sydney University to the northern beaches club to take over the reins of a side loaded with locals talent and club juniors.

Thomas believes this will be one of the strengths of Warringah who have been mentioned as the dark horse tip of the competition by numerous coaches in the lead up to round one.

“I’d prefer to be a dark horse than a favourite,’’ Thomas said.

“We have recruited well but they are all Rats juniors and locals, no one is travelling miles, everyone is beaches based.’’

Thomas said the team is also young.

“We have a quite a young side, the majority are first year out of school,’’ he said.

Matthew Hanley will captain the Warringah 1st Colts side.

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“Most went to St Augustines, a big chunk live in the Newport, Warriewood, Mona Vale area.’’

Missing from action this weekend will be Nick Hill who is in the Australian U2 squad under a new coach Chris Whitaker and attending a training camp.

Many teams in 1st Colts will be missing their rep players for the opening rounds with Sydney Uni and Eastern Suburbs the most affected.

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Thomas said he and his young charges are taking their first up opposition, the Hunter Wildfires, very seriously in their opener of the season.

“Anyone can beat anyone on their day, we have that belief,’’ Thomas said.

“We won’t be underestimating the Wildfires this weekend.

“We have to travel the morning of the game and its round one.

“It’s a perfect storm for Hunter to tip us.’’

SRU 1ST COLTS W MCMAHON SHIELD RD 1

Manly v Norths Manly Oval 4/4/2025 7:50pm

Wildfires v Warringah Newcastle Sports Ground 5/4/2025 11:50am

Two Blues v Gordon Eric Tweedale Stadium 5/4/2025 11:50am.

West Harbour v Sydney Uni St John’s College Oval 5/4/2025 12:30pm

Souths v Easts Woollahra Oval 5/4/2025 3pm

Eastwood v Randwick Nagle Park 5/4/2025 3:30pm.

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Originally published as Warringah Rats awarded dark horse mantle for Sydney Rugby Union 1st Colts season