Rugby’s next Joseph Suaalii, teens NRL want, Waratahs players to watch and future Wallabies
There’s a kid who plays like Joseph Suaalii, sons of guns and teens tipped to trigger war games between union and league for their signature. Meet rugby’s Next Gen game changers.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
There’s a kid who plays like future code hopper and Sydney Roosters gun Joseph Aukuso Suaalii, sons of guns and teenagers tipped to trigger new war games between rugby union and league.
There are some of the tallest, fastest and biggest teens in Australian rugby, precocious talent, sons of former Wallabies, brothers and tough nut country kids who will be crucial to the success of our future Wallabies teams.
Teens with great pedigree, famous surnames, extraordinary skills and rising stars described as “unbelievably talented”, dynamic and special.
There’s also a group of players from a western Sydney club helping mould the future of the game with their emerging talent.
Earlier this month these young players all showed their wares on one of the biggest days of the year for the rising stars of rugby, proudly wearing Waratahs jerseys.
Waratahs teams took on - and beat - the Queensland Reds in round three of the 2023 Super Rugby under 16 and under 19 series and in the first game of an annual NSW and Queensland under 15s game at Forshaw Park.
We spoke to the experts in rugby to identify players to watch for an assortment of reasons - from second generation guns to super-fast, tall and strong teens with skills that have the experts excited.
SWEET 16: Tahs in tryfest
REX BASSINGTHWAIGHTE: Dubbo Roos, St John’s College
LEO BASSINGTHWAIGHTE: Eastwood.
These brothers play in the Waratahs U16s and U19 sides.
Rex, the younger of the pair, has a league deal with the Roosters and is a “kid everyone will be trying to get their hands on when he leaves school’’ said Matt Evrard, NSW Waratahs pathways co-ordinator and coach.
“He has the ability to play a lot of positions,’’ Evrard said.
“Lots of kids get the spooks from being asked to play different roles, he doesn’t. He plays instinctively.’’
His older brother is a hard, collision inside centre who “love tackling people and loves running at people’’.
EDWARD BAXTER: Randwick Warriors, Shore school.
A son of a gun playing in the Waratahs 16s.
His father Al Baxter was a well known lock for the Wallabies.
He is a student of the game who played firsts with his older brother at Shore.
“He just loves the detail and of the game and getting stuck in,’’ said Evrard.
“He looks like his dad but I think he will be taller. he’s still moving into his body but is an extremely hard lock.’’
CYRUS BLOOMFIELD: Dural Rugby, Oakhill College
HASANI BLOOMFIELD: Hills Juniors, Oakhill College
In the U15s there are two players sharing the same name, going to the same school and playing together in the same team but they are not brothers. They are cousins. .
Cyrus Bloomfield is from Dural rugby and Hasani Bloomfield from Hills Juniors and will be playing together in the Waratahs 15s side selected to take on the Reds on Sunday.
Hasani is already contracted to the Waratahs, a dynamic tighhead prop “with an incredible build for his age and skill set to match’’ according to Evrard.
Cyrus, who is also a talented rugby league player, is rated for his versatile in the backline and “instinctive skill set’’.
HAMISH BULL: Wagga Crows, The Scots College
LUCAS BRODERICK: Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School
These are the recently selected Waratahs U15 squad’s extremely tall timber.
Bull, is a student at Scots College but hails from the country and played his junior footy with the Wagga Crows.
Broderick is a student at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School.
These two locks are among the tallest teenagers in the game for their age - and above.
The pair clock in at more than 1.95m tall with more growing to come.
DARCY FELTHAM: Hills Juniors, Oakhill College.
Another youngster from the rugby program at Oakhill where the Bloomfield’s also study and play.
Feltham is one of the fastest players at the Waratahs with a blistering turn of speed.
He will be well used by the Waratahs U15s.
Also plays rugby league and is coming back from a stress fracture.
JAMES FINEGAN: Randwick Warriors, Waverly College
This young standout backrower is in the Waratahs U16s and a backrower who has been turning plenty of heads.
He is the son of Wallaby Owen Finegan and played first XV at Waverley despite his age.
He was the best on ground in the opening game of Super Rugby U16s - and seemed surprised.
Very good over the ball.
ONITI FINAU: Eastwood Colts
One of the Waratahs U19s gun and a former Barker student.
According to Evrard he is the “next hooker in the pathway’’ and the Tahs are keen to keep him with them.
“He’s one I think has every attribute of being a professional rugby player in the future,’’ Evrard said.
“He is extremely dangerous in attack and defence.’’
ISSAC FONUA: Blacktown Scorpions, The King’s School
An extremely good second rower who plays first XV.
A young, athletic teen who comes out of the respected Blacktown Scorpions Rugby club in Sydney’s west.
A big teenager making his presence known in the Waratahs U16s world.
“He’s very talented. One of those kids who will be a lock/backrow kid,’’ Evrard said.
“He’s massive. All the coaches say he’s like training a cub - he has massive hands and feet and will be enormous. He’s already one of the tallest.’’
ANGUS GROVER: Lindfield Junior Rugby, Saint Ignatius College Riverview.
This Waratahs U16 players has been turning heads for some time.
He is one of three rugby playing brothers.
He is also a leader on field as a talkative, chirpy halfback.
“He bounces around, he's a real marshall,’’ Evrard said.
EHREN LITTLE: Randwick Warriors, Waverley College
He’s little in name but not in real life and a great all-round athlete.
This Waratahs U16s young gun is one of the tallest players in the backrow.
He is also a talented basketballer who was last year named in the Australian 16 and under water polo squad at just 15.
JARED KING, Randwick Warriors, Newington
He might be one of the smallest players in Waratahs circles but he is highly vaunted.
King, already contracted to the Waratahs, “has the ability to be a game breaker and a game controller’’ according to Evrard.
“You might see him on the wing as well because he’s a good finisher. He’s also a very good kicker.’’
Taking the fields for the Waratahs U15s in 2023.
HEAMASI MAKASINI: Randwick Warriors, Newington College.
Is playing for the Waratahs U16s in the Super Rugby series.
He is also a talented rugby league player and a big winger in rugby.
“He won't break speed records but he’s hard to deal with,’’ Evrard said.
“If he’s not palming you off or pushing you off he could jump right over the top of you.
“He’s an Israel Folau shape.’’
TALEN RISATI, Dural Rugby, The King’s School Parramatta
Talen Risati has already been identified as a potential star of the future.
He plays touch, rugby sevens, rugby league and XVs with the Waratahs U15s.
“He will be just like Joseph (Suaalii), he will be the same, everyone will be after him,’’ Evrard said.
“He has a very similar skill set ... he’s physically built the same, tall, agile and athletic with a good jump, is good in the air.
“He is an unbelievable talent. He can play any position but we will start him at 15 because it gives him more flexibility to play what he sees in front.
“He’s also a great kicker and instinctive counter attacker. He has all the skill sets of a Suaalii as a kid.’’
Risati was at Oakhill with Cyrus and Hasani Bloomfield but is now at The King’s School where Suaalii also attended.
PHIL TALAILEVA: Eastwood Rugby
TJ TALAILEVA: Southern Districts, Barker College
Another set of brothers playing in the Waratahs system at the same time.
Phil is fronting up for the Waratahs U19s and TJ for the Waratahs U16s
The brothers both play at No. 8 and hail from Newcastle.
TJ is coming back off an ankle injury with much interest in how he will perform.
JUSTICE TAUMOEPEAU, Oatley Junior Rugby, St Joseph’s College
Plenty of rave reviews on this son of a gun who is playing in the Waratahs U16s.
The No.8 is the son of Pauli Taumoepeau, a former elite player and now Waratahs forwards coach.
This teen is playing up and is already contracted to the Waratahs.
Evrard said he is a unique backrower because he can play multiple positions.
“When you think of No. 8’s they like hitting people and are good ball runners but he even has the ability to play outside. He's good in the line out and offers a lot.
“Size seems to be everything in international rugby and he could be one of those really big back rowers.’’
LEWIS WILSON, Newport Junior Rugby, Saint Augustine’s College.
Hails from Sydney’s northern beaches and is also playing juniors at the famous Warringah Rats.
He is playing in the firsts at school and is an impressive tighthead prop.
Playing for the U16s, he was one of the stand-out players in the opening rounds of the series.
“He’s big, one of the strongest and good at scrummaging,’’ Evrard said.
“He can also throw his body around.’’
BILLY DICKENS, Eastern Suburbs Rugby
A former Newington College student who also played rugby league for the Cronulla Sharks.
As halfback he has been a real leader in the U19s.
“He is not at all like the usual halfback,’’ Evrard said.
“He has a good running game and loves to be in the defensive line and attack.
“He’s the opposite of shying away from contract. He’s big and abrasive with a good running game.’’
ARCHIE SAUNDERS, Warringah Rats Rugby
Saunders is already on a contract with the NSW Waratahs.
He is a talented winger and the fastest player at the Waratahs club bar none.
“He’s lighting quick and not losing his speed at all,’’ Evrard said.
Saunders was also named in the Junior Wallabies squad earlier this year.
More Coverage
Originally published as Rugby’s next Joseph Suaalii, teens NRL want, Waratahs players to watch and future Wallabies
‘Disgrace’: ‘Sore loser’ Hawks torn to shreds
Sam Mitchell had been widely praised for his handling of Friday night’s fiery final — but Hawthorn’s antics have now been branded “pathetic”.
Read more
Major issue facing Aussie and McLaren
An F1 commentator says a national rivalry between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris could drive both to new heights — if McLaren can keep them in line.
Read more