City v Country rugby 2025: Noah Vaotangi hoping to lead Country to big win, latest news, match times

He’s torn between league and union but this weekend this teens focus is 100 per cent on leading his side to a defence of the title they won at last years City v Country rugby event

Amanda Lulham

@amandalulham

2 min read

July 25, 2025 - 12:00AM

News Sport Network

Noah Vaotangi, right, playing in the Andrew Johns Cup.

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City teams outplayed their country opposites in all but two matchups of the 2024 annual clash between the best young rugby talent from Sydney and regional areas.

In the boys competition, Country U16s were the only winners and new captain Noah Vaotangi said his team is fired up to repeat the feat in Newcastle on Sunday.

The dynamic No.8, whose coach said is an exceptional leader and “a great human”, attends Patrician Brothers and plays for the Campbelltown Harlequins.

He also plays league for the Narellan Jets in the Andrew Johns competition.

The 16-year-old is just one player coach Garry Walsh hopes makes the most of his opportunity to turn the heads of Waratah‘s selectors at the final trial for the U16 Waratahs Academy.

“It means a lot to lead the side.When the coach told me I was very excited because it’s an honour to lead the boys onto the field because I have so much respect for them,’’ Vaotangi said.

“I want to lead by example and keep them calm if we lose our cool.

“We wanted to defend that title and with our team.’’

Noah Vaotangi scoring for Macarthur Wests Tigers,

Vaotangi, who is also studying to be an electrician and would like to do business studies, started playing rugby at a young age but only joined a rugby league team at school three years ago.

He knows he will soon need to make a decision about which Code he will throw his full energy into but right now his focus is winning the City v Country clash.

“I believe the edge we have will be our forward pack. I know these country boys. We have a lot of determination,“ he said.

READ MORE ON CITY V COUNTRY

U14s previews: HERE and HERE

U15s preview HERE

U16S preview HERE

U18s preview HERE

Last year City beat Country 30–17 in the battle for the Tim Gavan shield in the under 14 boys.

City had another victory in the U14 girls with their 24–19 defeat over Country.

The Steve Tuynman Cup for the U15 boys winner went to City who beat Country 34–15.

The Ella Cup for the U16 boys winner went to Country who defeated City 21–10.

The Mahalia Murphy Shield for the U16 girls winner went to Country who City 10–0.

City then defeated Country 34–21 for the U 8s Michael Brial cup with the Grace Hamilton Shield for the U18 girls winners going to Sydney after their 44–0 win.