NSW Waratahs selectors target Sydney Rugby Union 1st Colts 2025 season to find next gen stars

It’s a comp helping launch young talent and identifying others who may have slipped under the radar and Waratah selectors will be monitoring every game of Colts in 2025 for future stars

Waratahs Tom Girle, Tom Klem and Joe Mangelsdorf running out for the Waratahs U19s last season. Picture: John Appleyard.

It’s a competition helping launch young talent while identifying others that may have slipped under the radar and NSW Waratah selectors will be monitoring every shake and move of young Colts players for future stars

Waratahs head of talent identification Andrew Cleverley said he and others will attend êydney Rugby Union 1st Colts games and watch weekly video of players as they continue to track their own young talent already in their system.

But Cleverley said he also expects to find new faces to add to the talent mix for the future of the Waratahs club in the competition for top teenagers in NSW - including a number of country guns.

Cleverley said once players have left school Colts becomes the venue for them to grow their skills and impress Waratahs staff.

“They might have been a bit of a schoolboy hero but get in a season of Colts and it's a lot tougher,’’ he said.

“It’s like an introduction to the real world.

“It’s a great way for them to show how good they can be and growth development.’’

Waratahs Will Goddard, Tom Girle, Tom Klem and Joe Mangelsdorf from the Waratahs Under 19's last season. Picture: John Appleyard.

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He also said growth spurts and being involved in development programs with access to high-performance facilities, including strength and conditioning coaches, can also see athletes who have not stood out in the past flourish and bloom at this stage of their careers.

The competition also helps the Waratahs identify players for their Super Rugby U19 squads later this year.

“We need a squad of about 30 to 34 players and we are always looking for talent to fill that squad,’’ Cleverley said.

“So we watch the games and give back feedback to the players that we have in our programs.

“And we look for new players constantly and run a depth chart, so we are overseeing them all the time.’’

Western Force's Ben Donaldson (R) tackles Waratah's Darby Lancaster during the Super Rugby Pacific Round 4 match

Cleverly said Co, lt's is also a great way to capture new players showing a big improvement since their schoolboy football days and country payers now in Sydney and being exposed to more rugby.

“They move to the city from the country and then they end up excelling in a new environment at their end and get the time to have a crack at the Waratahs Under 19s later in the year,’’ he said.

Players of the ilk of Angus Bell, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen and Darby Lancaster have played Colts in the past and used it as launch pad for success.

“You knew Darby Lancaster was going to be a good player when you saw him dominating Colts,’’ Cleverly said.

“The point is that when they show that they can dominate Colts and have the robustness and durability for 18 rounds then you start to tag them as somebody who can go on.’’

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Originally published as NSW Waratahs selectors target Sydney Rugby Union 1st Colts 2025 season to find next gen stars