Gen Blue Cup: Best 125 14, 15 year old rugby players, Waratahs 15s squad selection for Reds games

They are the top 125 14 and 15-year-old rugby players in the state with a massive opportunity ahead to crack the top 25 at the Gen Next Cup. So how do they do it? And who are they?

The best young talent in rugby was showcased at the event. Pics: Jessica Reading/Reading Media

They are from across the state, regional areas, country towns and city suburbs.

They are small and fast, big and strong, smart and powerful and play for well known clubs and small ones few have heard of.

But these 125 youngsters share one thing in common - they have been rated among the top 14 and 15 year old rugby union players in the state.

And an upcoming two-day event at Camden rugby club in Sydney’s south west will be a crucial opportunity for them to become one of the best 25 players in NSW in their age group.

Waratahs Talent manager Andrew Cleverley said the 125 players competing for the Gen Blue Cup on September 30 and October 1 will be vying for a place in the Waratahs 15s team to take on the Queensland Reds in two big matches in October.

Isaiah Sheck and Justice Taumoepeau lead the Blue team to victory last year and are back for the 2023 event.

“It will be the tournament to select our final squad to play the Reds on October 15 and October 22,’’ Cleverley said. “The match on the 15th will be at Southern Districts in Sydney.

“We will name a score of 25 for this after the two day tournament.’’

Cleverley said the Sydney tournament is an important one for the rising stars of rugby and potentially those also playing rugby league.

There will be a composite U14s team playing at the event alongside four U15s teams.

The four under 15 teams have been branded Team Baxter, Team Ella, Team Waugh and Team Gavin after famous rugby players, including Phil Waugh, the new CEO of Rugby Australia.

The best young talent in rugby was showcased at the event last year. Pics: Jessica Reading/Reading Media

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These players hail from assorted clubs including the Randwick Warriors, Penrith, RSL, Manly Savers, Western Raptors, Drummoyne Dirty Reds, Lindfield Juniors, Blacktown Scorpions, Coffs Harbour, SCU Marlins, Campbelltown Harlequins, Hills District juniors, Eastern Suburbs Junior Rugby, Avoca Beach rugby, Parkes Boars, Coffs Harbour Snappers, Warringah Tigers, Parramatta Two Blues, Singleton Bulls, Dural Junior Rugby, Terrigal Trojans and the Mudgee Wombats.

The clubs of 14s players include Maitland Junior Rugby, Hamilton Hawkes, Collaroy Cougars/Warringah, South Coogee Red Devils, Northlakes Pirates, Scone Brumbies, Ourimbah Razorbacks, Mosman Whales and Kiama, Juniors.

“There are kids who will surprise here,” Cleverley said.

“Two games, a day is a lot. We want to see how tough they are, how resilient they are, their work off the ball, contact skills and ability to be powerful in contact,”

The best players in the state will be competing in the 2023 Gen Blue Cup with plenty at stake for them.

U15’S TEAM BAXTER

FORWARDS: Iliyaz Viliamu, Oliver Smith, Tyrese Pitovao, Patrick Donnan, Julian Tongia, Akylious Keti, Alexander Ryan, Sifa Oldfield, Isaac Perkins, Ben Visagie, Hunter Wiki Sullivan, Gary Roberts, Jackson Rodwell.

BACKS: Flynn Farrell, Cooper Moore, Taylor Hatton, Keone Anitelea-Tsioussis, Jermayne Fa’afiu. Cooper Matia. Moses Lewadromodromo, Sonny Colella, Jarryd King, Saxon Gaw, Joseph Lane, Cruz McGuinnessn.

U15’S TEAM ELLA

FORWARDS: Jazz Figure, Johann Ah-Colt, Tilali Sagaga, Jude Aloisio, Kai’zen Leggett, Nicholas, Kotarac, Tahj Smith, Duke Millward, Lucas Broderick, Henri Dempsey, Samuel Polley, Mark Peterson, Tenisi Rickus.

BACKS: Hugh Gacitua, Jack Kalms, Darcy Cruickshanks, Ewan Moody, Kordell Pritchard, Leo-Stipe Latu, Phoenix Johns, Edward Bryant, Darcy Feltham, Christopher Moala, Kden Carter, Max Prykiel.

U15’S TEAM WAUGH

FORWARDS: Lisitoa Paea, Roman Leilua, Hasani Bloomfield, Hugo Wilson, Bryn Whittaker, Jaiden Makoni, Hamish Matthews, Boston Cameron, Tobias Comito, Connor Durbidge, Charlie Tanner, Beau McKee, Douglas Manning, Elijah-Blair Maile

BACKS: Harry Whitaker, Callum Spooner, Aston McCauley, Will Taylor, Paula Teisina, Cyrus Bloomfield, Hunter Chan, Samuela Sorovi, Henry Gardiner, Anwar El-Kurdi, Jaziah Terangi.

Some of the action from the Gen Blue Cup last year. Pics: Jessica Reading/Reading Media

U15’S TEAM GAVIN

FORWARDS: Amanaki Tangi, Strantz Schaumkel, Isaiah Sheck, Carter Garner, Kai Brennan, Puatonga Olivetti, Hamish Bull, Tom Smith, Josh Harrold, Tom Pinder, Malaki Schwalger-Ioane, Toby Davies, Luke Niulala, Aston Weir

BACKS: Jeremy Rath, Tully Robertson, Xavier Ryan, Kahn May, Ofa Latu, Nick Wendt, Krishav Prasad, Jack Harrison, Cooper Morrison, Talen Risati, Henry Troy

U14 GEN BLUE TEAM

FORWARDS: Asera Peniata, Seluki Halangahu, Oscar Amituanai, Rory Tyacke, Ephrium Tone, Kaiasi Talakai, Jayden Richards, Oscar Forsey, Solomone Penitani, Eduardo (Eddie) Garcia-Wood, Harry Adamo, Hunter Hall, Manni Campbell, Tukia Fotu-Moala

BACKS: Izak Holmes, Wilson Ruthven, Nele Riches, James Boerner, Finn Hannon, Kingston Finau, Payton Tarau, Archie Hartman, William Memea Epe, Asher Chapman, Isaac Street, Julian Minto.

Originally published as Gen Blue Cup: Best 125 14, 15 year old rugby players, Waratahs 15s squad selection for Reds games