LIST: Teen rugby talent on fast-track to success
They are the schoolboy standouts and stars pushing hard to make their mark in rugby union. The teenage talent from Sydney earmarked for success.
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They are the teenage rugby players on a fast track to success.
Young guns still at school or fresh out of the class room already turning heads.
They are the players expected to be making their mark for Shute Shield clubs in the not-to-distant future and hopefully, the Waratahs in the future.
We’re taken a look at the teenagers from the bush and outside Sydney who the scouts are already circling. READ HERE
Now we look at the players from the city a series of recent under-18 Gen Blue matches have thrown a spotlight on.
GAGE PHILLIPS WING
Super fast and looks to have a bright future ahead.
Slightly built but with speed to burn, gage played with Randwick 2nd Colts in 2020 and put together quite a highlights reel.
Played his schoolboy rugby at Newington, was in the 1st XV in 2019 and was also part of the First Nations sevens program.
Plays anywhere in the backline but mainly wing.
An athletic and talented player who plays well above his weight.
ADRIAN BROWN TIGHT-HEAD PROP
Big and strong and one to watch in the future.
Started playing rugby in the u9s at Beecroft-Cherrybrook Junior Rugby Club and then Eastwood from the u10s to u17s. Played with Gordon first Colts this year.
Played for Sydney Juniors in u14 to u16s, Gen Blues u16s and u18s and the Barbarians in 2019.
Was part of the U20 Waratahs Academy this year and well known for his work ethic and “motor”.
JAMIE CLARKE TIGHT HEAD PROP
A young talent who has long been part of the Gen Blues pathway with selections in the under 15s, 16s and 18.
Played his schoolboy rugby at Shore and has been affiliated with the Manly Marlins, Sydney University and Gordon where he has played both tight and loose head prop.
Has also had his name on Sydney and GPS u16 1st XV team lists.
Played for Sydney Uni colts at the end of this year after his school rugby finished.
Big and strong and dedicated to his craft with a strong work ethic and a strong future in the game.
WITIKA REES-HATU FIVE EIGHT
A newcomer to rugby but seen as having a promising future in the code.
Rees-Hatu has come from a rugby league and touch football background but has been a big hit in his first season of rugby.
During this time he has made the Sydney junior team and the Gen Blues Waratahs Academy.
A member of the Warringah Rugby Club, Rees-Hatu is one to watch.
Still at school, he is full of potential, has excellent skills and is light on his feet.
TOM GODDARD HALFBACK
Has come back well from a foot stress fracture in 2019 which ruled him out of the game for eight months.
Started his rugby with Epping Rams, played his school rugby at Knox Grammar and is now with Eastwood Colts.
Goddard has been in the pathway system for a number of years with his rep history including
Sydney and Gen Blues u15’s in 2018, CAS u16’s in 2019, CAS merit squad in 2020 and the Sydney and NSW Juniors in 2020.
Still in school but plays well above his size and age.
DALLY BIRD NO.8
He’s the Northern Beaches rugby talent who has never played rugby league but has had interest from NRL clubs.
Bird, who graduated from Riverview this year, comes from a rugby loving and playing family and has shown promise in both 15s and sevens.
A talented No.8, he played his junior union at Eastwood Rugby, captained Riverview’s 1st XV and played for the Australian u18s Sevens side.
Keep an eye on this young gun.
OSKAR ENASIO CENTRE
A talented and athletic teenager who also plays rugby league and does boxing.
Enasio led the Gen Blues NSW Juniors side last month and is a member of the Gordon rugby club.
The 17-year-old, who has now finished school, is also creating interest in rugby league and plays for the Wests Tigers SG Ball team.
Was part of Gordon’s second Colts side which beat Randwick in the grand final this year.
Played CHS 1st XV last year and made the NSW 7’s team which won the National Youth 7’s championship.
Has great leadership abilities, is solid in defence and electric and deceptive in attack
FINN BARRY PROP/HOOKER
A talented young player with plenty of heart who happens to also be a talented water polo player.
Barry is part of the Northern Suburbs Colts program.
Showed his grit when he played with eight stitches in a cut above his eye to make the NSW team which played a Schools XV last month.
The 18-year-old finished school this year and is known for his work ethic who plays above his size in the front row.
DOUGLAS ROACHE HOOKER
Comes from a rugby loving family with his father a Colts coach at the Western Sydney Two Blues and whose brother is with the Australian sevens program.
Roach only started playing the game at 15, playing rugby league at Patrician Brothers Fairfield prior to this.
Was told he would never play contact sport after having both hips reconstructed at the age of 12.
Originally a prop with great ball-carrying abilities and a quick learner who is with the Two Blues club.
LUKE HENNESSEY FULLBACK
A Coogee Seahorses Junior who then played at Randwick where he remains today.
Hennessey played both rugby league and union when younger.
The 18-year-old was with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters Harold Matthews and SG ball squads.
While at Trinity Grammar he made the 1st XV in both year 11 and 12 - starting at winger, centre and fullback - and the CAS team.
An extremely versatile young talent who played his first season of Colts for Randwick in 2020 and the Colts seconds grand final.
Hennessy also made the NSW Sydney Team and the NSW Juniors side which played a series of games in November.
UNGA LATU BACK ROW
A youngster from the Northern Beaches with a great passion for rugby union who has left school and currently in the Warringah Rats Colts program.
Played his junior rugby with the Manly Roos and has made steady progression.
His rep history includes CHS 18s, All schools 16s, Gen Blue 16s and this year playing for the Sydney and NSW juniors.
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Originally published as LIST: Teen rugby talent on fast-track to success
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