Waratahs teenager Joey Fowler’s big day out in Waratahs trial and U20s battle with NSW Pacifica

It’s game on - twice - for this rising star of rugby who will be one of the busiest sportsmen in the country in Waratahs battles with NSW Pacifica this weekend.

Joey Fowler in training. Hugo Carr/NSW Waratahs

It’s game on - twice - for this rising star of rugby who will be one of the busiest sportsmen in the country in Waratahs battles with NSW Pacifica in Sydney this Saturday.

Joey Fowler is part of a wave of new talent in rugby and the radical makeover of the NSW Waratahs for Super Rugby but on Saturday the Narrabri talent will also be one of the busiest men in the game.

Fly half Fowler, training with the top squad over summer, has been named on the Waratahs bench for the match against NSW Pacifica on Saturday but is also expected to be running out for the Waratahs U20s just a few hours earlier at Eric Tweedale at Granville.

“It’s just a fabulous experience. I’ve just been learning so much on the field and off the field from the boys,” said Fowler, who played for Australia in the U20s and made his Shute Shield debut for Sydney Uni last season, of his time with the senior squad.

Fowler said the tough ask of backing up in the second game won’t be an issue fitness wise.

“We got smashed during the pre-season so we’ve done a lot of fitness,” said Fowler, who has advanced through the Waratahs pathway along with his brother Jonty, who is also being earmarked for a professional rugby career, and fellow Narrabri talent Sid Harvey, currently playing Australian Sevens.

Joey Fowler has been in the Waratahs pathway since his early teens.

Fowler returned to the Waratahs after two seasons with the Rebels with a Super Rugby debut his goal.

“Super Rugby is the big goal. It’s always been my plan to play footy professionally,’’ he said.

“I’ve never seen myself doing anything but going down the footy path.

“Without footy I would be lost.’’

Joey Fowler in training this week. Picture: Hugo Carr/NSW Waratahs

A triple header of matches will be played at Erik Tweedale with the Waratahs under 20s playing the first game of the day at 1pm before the Waratahs take on their opposites at 4pm.

The Waratahs Women will then take on the Pacifica women at 6pm.

Another trial for the NSW Waratahs is against the ACT Brumbies at 3pm on February 1 with the Waratahs Women playing the ACT Brumbies at Campbelltown Harlequin rugby club on February 15.

The new look Waratahs will be captained by long serving skipper and halfback Jake Gordon with Dan McKellar taking over the coaching reigns.

McKellar has said he’s excited in the talent at the Waratahs but has warned time will be needed for the squad to reach its potential.

The Waratahs finished last on the ladder in 2024.

The first match for the Waratahs in Super Rugby Pacific is on February 14 against the Highlanders.

The NSW Waratahs team to play NSW Pacifica is: Loosehead Prop Tom Lambert

Hooker Julian Heavan Tighthead Prop Daniel Botha Left Lock Felix Kalapu Right Lock Ben Grant Left Flanker Leafi Talataina Right Flanker Jamie Adamson Number Eight Hugh Sinclair (C) Scrumhalf Teddy Wilson Flyhalf Jack Bowen Left Wing Darby Lancaster Inside Centre Joey Walton Outside Centre Henry O’Donnell Right Wing Triston Rielly Fullback James Hendren Reserve Ethan Dobbins Reserve Adrian Brown Reserve Siosifa Amone Reserve Ale Aho Reserve Clem Halaholo Reserve Jack Grant Reserve Joey Fowler Reserve Archie Saunders Reserve Brad Amituanai Reserve Mesu Kunavula Reserve Jackson Ropata Reserve Charlie Gamble

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Originally published as Waratahs teenager Joey Fowler’s big day out in Waratahs trial and U20s battle with NSW Pacifica