Waratahs Super Rugby U16s gun Kaiasi Talakai’s special motivation after loss of father, U16 team list
If there’s a young gun born to play rugby it’s Kaiasi Talakai and the rising stars has a very personal motivation for wanting to be the best he can after a family tragedy. U16 team list
One brother played for the Wallabies and is now playing professionally overseas with another while this rising stars of rugby’s sister is a Wallaroo.
So it’s little surprise Kaiasi Talakai is following in their footsteps right into representative rugby
The Waverly College student, who played his junior rugby at Randwick, the Blacktown Scorpions and Two Blues, has been turning heads since Waratahs academy scouts first spotted him a few years ago.
Now the hulking teenager from Mascot is part of the Waratahs U16s on a mission to clean-sweep the Super Rugby U16s competition for the third year running.
And the 188cm, 122kg 16-year old has a special motivation to succeed, wanting to play as well as possible to do his late father Petani Talakai proud.
“My dad saw something in all of us, my brothers and sisters but he passed away recently,” said Talakai, whose brothers Chris and Sam are playing overseas and sister Adiana is with the Waratahs and Wallaroos.
“He had a heart attack and died later that night on April 25.
“He saw a lot of passion in all of us and he pushed us through. When he passed it pushed me to be better, to work harder.
“I shared this dream with him. I told him all about it and he won’t be able to see any of this happen now. But it’s still special.’’
Talakai has been an integral part of the Waratahs U16s two big victories this season against Western Force and the Brumbies and is expected to play another bruising role for the Tahs again set the Queensland Reds at Foreshaw Park this Saturday.
“I think of dad and how proud he would have been and I just want to give it all back to him. I want to do him proud by playing well and alway being a good sport,’’ he said.
“He always said when you are on the field doesn’t be that grubby person Be nice and leave it on the field.
“He wanted me to one day to be a captains, to show leadership.’’
The young tight-head said he is enjoying playing with the Waratahs and beside one of his best mates - and the star of the Waratahs 97-7 victory over Western Force last week, Payton Tarau.
“It’s great having him here. We grew up together,’’ said Talakai who is also in the South Harold Matthews squad for 2026.
On Saturday the Waratahs can confirm their spot in the grand final of Super Rugby U16s with a win over the Queensland Reds at Forshaw Park.
NSW Waratahs U16 to play Queensland Reds U16
1. Asera Peniata (Maitland Blacks / Rutherford Technology High School)2. Archie Hill (Dee Why Lions / Knox Grammar)3. Kaiasi Talakai (Blacktown Scorpions / Waverley College)4. Will Gencur (Lindfield / Kincumber High School)5. Ruari Basten (Gordon / The King’s School)6. Jayden Richards (Newport / Barker College)7. Eduardo Garcia Wood (Norths Pirates / St Joseph’s College Hunters Hill)8. Cordell Arama (Blacktown Scorpions / Patrician Brother’s Blacktown)9. Izak Holmes (Newport Rugby Club / Barker College)10.Wilson Ruthven (Collaroy Cougars / St Augustine’s College)11. Benjamin Wright (Randwick / Scots College)12. Charlie Xuereb (Raptors / Patrician Brothers Blacktown)13. Payton Tarau (Blacktown Scorpions / Waverley College)14. Asher Chapman (Kiama Rugby Club / Illawarra Sports High School)15. Finn Hannon (Mosman / St Joseph’s College Hunters Hill)
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Originally published as Waratahs Super Rugby U16s gun Kaiasi Talakai’s special motivation after loss of father, U16 team list
