NSW Waratahs U16 selectors excited by talent chasing U16 Super Rugby spots, trial standouts

NSW Waratahs talent gurus are excited by the depth and type of talent at one of the major trials ahead of Super Rugby U16 squad selection. Who stood out and who stood up.

Action at the trials over the weekend involving the best U16 players in the state for rugby. All Pictures: Warren Gannon Photography

NSW Waratahs pathway boss Matt Evrard is excited by the depth of talent and skill level of teens on display at a major rugby trial on Sunday for the NSW Waratahs U16s team to defend its crown at the Super Rugby U16 championships later this year.

The Waratahs will hold off naming their squad until after two more sets of trials but Evrard said he and other sectors were impressed by what they saw at Campbelltown on Sunday.

“It’s pretty exciting, particularly the depth and the way all the associations have stepped up this year,’’ Evrard said after CAS won the tournament at Campbelltown from the President’s XV, with CHS third.

“It’s going to be a super strong year for this age group.’’

Evrard identified a number of players who stood out across the two days of games where more than 150 young guns tested their mettle.

CAS’s Kaiasi Talakai from Waverly College was one of the standouts for his side along with Jayden Richards from Barker College.

Also impressing were Lior Barhaim from Waverley and Ashley Dene from Barker.

Finn Hannan in action at the U16s rugby trials. All photos: Warren Gannon Photography

Sioelli Iongi at the trials.

“Their eight, Wesley Moala (Trinity) was another. He was quick across the ground and physical,’’ Evrard said.

“ (Kaiasi) Talakai was also extremely powerful and a good carrier.

‘ “And their No. 7 (Barhaim), he was just everywhere.’’

Players from the President’s U16A side who impressed included Finn Hannan from St Josephs, school mate and lock Thomas Chan and Julian Minto from St Josephs.

Tyler Lewis at the trials.

Up, up and away at the NSW trials.

Thijs Beckett at Campbelltown.

“The winger, Ben Wright (Scots) was very good. He has been playing 1st XV for Scots and had the ability to beat defenders,’’ Evrard said

Wilson Ruthven, playing for ISA, is well known to the Waratahs and impressed before suffering a head knock on Saturday.

“Cooper Williams, the backrower from Stannies (St Stanislaus), he was really good,’’ Evrard said.

Morgan Carter at the trials.

The Waratahs talent gurus were watching the games over the weekend.

Ruari Basten at the trials.

Will Gencur, from the CHS team which finished third, also made an impact along with teammate and fullback Asher Chapman from Illawarra..

“Jharall Sione, Darius’s brother was good and the prop Asera Peniata.’’

From the CCC squad Charlie Xuereb, with the Waratahs last year and from Patrician Brothers was another standout.

His schoolmate Zion Lepolo also made a mark.

Action at the U16 rugby trials at St Gregorys Campbelltown.

Action in the trials.

The trials were contested by more than 150 players.

Sam Kauleni

Action at the trials in Sydney’s west.

Tristan Madirazzaat the trials.

Isaac Street on the move.

Oliver Johnson. All photos: Warren Gannon Photography

The trials put the best young talent in rugby under the spotlight.

\Sideline of the ISA Gold v AAGPS match.

Levi Ellis

Levi Newton

Hamish Malone on the run.

Oliver Johnson at Campbelltown

Hamish Malone on the burst

New South Wales under 16s trials.

Action from Sunday’s games.

Manni Campbell

Benjamin Anderson in the ISA GOLD V AAGPS battle.

Maddox Bruem getting attention.

Jake Hutson

Jake Hutson

Sioelli Iongi

The CAS bench

Nate Vesper

Myles Harrington

Selectors were at the event watching the matches.

Riley Jackson at the trials.

Thijs Beckett

The young guns are the best in their age group.

Tristan Madirazza

Ruari Basten

John Ben Rasiga

Celebrations for CAS.

Hamish Malone

Noah Okeefe

Jayden Best making his move.

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Originally published as NSW Waratahs U16 selectors excited by talent chasing U16 Super Rugby spots, trial standouts