Future Wallabies: Waratahs coach, experts pick 22 best rugby NSW teens, schoolboys, Academy stars
There are youngsters who could be at the centre of a rugby/NRL arm wrestle, a Tongan power, speedsters and players with x-factor. Names we expect to see on future Wallabies team lists.
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There are youngsters who could be at the centre of a rugby/NRL arm wrestle in the future, a Tongan power, speedsters and players with x-factor.
There’s a trio of power, a ‘‘tough as” kid from the country, the son of a former gun and two of the fastest men in the game of rugby in the country.
There also big men, great athletes and teenagers with silky skills.
Coach Darren Coleman and the Waratahs brain trust throw the net far and wide in their search for new talent to keep the Tahs squad fresh and bulging with potential.
So we asked the Waratahs who has impressed them this season, and why.
Coleman and Head of Talent ID Andrew Cleverly came up with an extensive list of talent which includes multiple 15-year-olds, a young gun wanted by the NRL and a few players the general public probably haven’t heard of – yet.
These players - all precociously talented and under 21 - have caught the eye of the Waratahs as they look to future proof the sport.
From schoolboy and junior rugby tournament, to Colts matches, the Shute Shield and representative games, Coleman and his team are there scouting for the next generation of stars.
“These young players are important to us,’’ Coleman said.
“With NSW having such a great catchment of players it’s important we identify them early and accurately.’’
With the club season drawing to a close and a series of big rep games ahead – including the annual under 16 and under 19 national rugby championships – we throw the spotlight on our future stars.
JACK BARRETT, LOOSEHEAD PROP
A Randwick Colts country boy from Lightning Ridge. This tough 19-year-old “played well in the front row at the recent Junior World Cup and as is showing all the ingredients to be a long time Waratah’’.
He’s been described as “as tough as’’ and a hard worker and hails from the GPS and Joey’s systems.
CLEM HALAHOLO, LOCK, BACKROW
The No. 6 for Sydney Uni Colts received a late injury call-up to the U20 World Cup for the Junior Wallabies playing under coach Nathan Grey.
Halaholo is now 20 and has been part of the Tahs pathway for some time.
“Tongan power currently coming back from shoulder surgery, will benefit from a summer with the full time squad.’’
ARCHIE SAUNDERS, WING
A 19-year-old winger from the Warringah Colts.
“Fastest player in the whole Waratahs system. Big and athletic and very dedicated to being his best.’’
A former CAS and Knox Grammar player who was also in the Junior Wallabies train-on squad.
JACKSON ROPATA, CENTRE/WING
Gun from Camden who plays for Southern Districts first grade at just 19.
“Great footwork and plays with a hunger and enthusiasm to make the big time.’’
Also boasts good communications skills and made his presence felt in last year’s under 19 national rugby series.
JAMES HENDREN, WING/FULLBACK
James Hendren is part of this season’s highly successful Randwick first grade side which won the Shute Shield with their win over Northern Suburbs in late August and also part of the Waratahs system.
Injury kept him out of Junior World Cup but he has “a complete array of skills’’ and will feature heavily for Randwick in the playoff run, despite being just 20.
LEO JACQUES, OUTSIDE BACK
Leo Jacques has been signed to the Tahs on a long-term deal.
The 17-year-old star outside back from Scots College has “great athleticism and will grow into a big powerful finisher’’.
He is part of the Waratahs U18 squad and last year played in the U16 national series and made multiple teams of the week.
ONITI FINAU, HOOKER
A 19-year-old hooker from Eastwood Colts.
“A real energetic dynamo around the field’’.
A powerful young rugby player who came out of Barker College
ZION POITAHA, BACK ROW SECOND ROW
A 17-year-old from Waverley College who is “an outstanding lineout forward with strong leadership skills’’.
A big body who was one of the young standouts in the national rugby series in 2022.
JOE WALSH, FLYHALF/CENTRE
This 17-year-old centre from the northern beaches. He “always has time and looks very relaxed under pressure and is a very skilful ballplayer’’.
Walsh, a Narraweena Hawkes Junior, played a major role with the NSW Waratahs in the U16 competition in 2022.
HWI SHARPLES, HALF BACK
Hwi Sharples has been making quite a name for himself in recent time.
A livewire half back from St Josephs College this 18-year-old led the NSW Waratahs 18s to a solid victory over their Queensland Reds opposites.
Has a very accurate kicking game.
JUSTICE TAUMOEPEAU, NO. 8
Justice Taumoepeau is a 15-year-old with enormous talent.
He’s a well-rounded No. 8, also from St Joeys, and had the incredible honour of playing for this strong schools 1st XV while still only 15.
He is also playing up in the NSW U16s team in the Super Rugby 16s and 19s series.
LACHLAN DOHNEY, SECOND ROWER
Lachlan Dohney, 18, is a big, aggressive second rower.
Was at Oakhill last year and now with the Eastwood club playing 1st Colts.
Also a member of the Waratahs U18 squad.
“Will train full time this summer with the Waratahs Senior Academy as he pushes for Junior Wallabies in 2024.’’
HADLEY TONGA, WING
Hadley Tonga is one of the fastest 18-year-old rugby players in Australia.
Has signed a two-year deal with the Australian 7’s program and will be ready to bounce into the Waratahs in the future.
Turned down multiple offers from NRL clubs to stay in rugby and ran a 10.84 100m in 2022.
ISAIAH SHECK, HASANI BLOOMFIELD, ILIYAZ VILIAMU, FRONT ROWERS
Isaiah Sheck, Hasani Bloomfield and Iliyaz Viliamu are three front rowers who at just 15 years of age “already have the frame and power to make it a long way in professional rugby’’. All will feature in the Waratahs squad to play the Reds U15s in October this year.
Iliyaz’s older brother Jayden is also a rugby gun.
The trio are also making an impoavct in rugby league.
ANGUS GROVER, HALF BACK
Angus Grover, the 16-year-old captain of the Sydney U16 side that played Country in Maitland last month, shows the composure, skill and grace to be a very good super rugby half back in years to come.
BOSTON FAKAFANUA, INSIDE CENTRE
Boston Fakafanua is an outstanding midfield prospect who dominated that Waratahs U18 v Reds U18 game in July with speed and passing skills.
From the Parramatta Two Blues club.
CYRUS BLOOMFIELD, MIDFIELD/WING
Another youngster, just 15, and from Oakhill College.
“A very exciting ballplayer with fantastic footwork, can play midfield and wing and with a quality kicking game to make him the complete package.’’
AUST SCHOOLS RUGBY AWARD WINNERS
TONY BRIAL, NO. 8
Toby Brial is a big, hard running No. 8 from the Scots College in Sydney.
Was a leader in the Waratahs U18 pack that defeated their Queensland Reds opposites earlier this year and “a great prospect moving forward’’.
His father Michael played for the Wallabies.
ISAAC FONUA, SECOND ROW, BACK ROW
Isaac Fonua is a “big athletic second row, back row with the rock solid defensive skills and a very good ball carry’’. He will be a dominant force for the Waratahs U16’s in this year’s national competition.
TALEN RISATI, WING FULLBACK
Talen Risati is a 15-year-old from the The Kings School who “has the ability to glide across the ground with precision evasion skills and an accurate defensive game to go with it’’.
A good Sevens player who also played for Sydney Juniors in City v Country encounters.
Read more from AMANDA LULHAM HERE
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Originally published as Future Wallabies: Waratahs coach, experts pick 22 best rugby NSW teens, schoolboys, Academy stars
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