Gen Blue U18 stars, standouts, results, photos v Rebels Academy, NSW Invitational rugby XV

It was a Blue sweep as Gen Blue teams stole the show against Melbourne Rebels rising stars and a NSW Invitational. Scorers, the standouts on the day and great photos.

Oliver McCrea gets a pass away in the Gen Blue v Rebels match. Pic: Julian Andrews.

If the scoreline in the Gen Blue U18 match against their Melbourne Rebels opposites is an indication, rugby is back on the rise in NSW.

The NSW Waratah Academy players came home with two deserved wins in matches at Daceyville on Tuesday ahead of another big event this weekend.

The wins are a confidences booster for both the Gen Blue I team taking on the Brisbane Reds in Canberra on Sunday and the Gen Blue II U18 side to meet the Brumbies.

“We need to polish up a bit. They were a little rusty because they hadn’t played for four or so weeks,’’ said Gen Blue I coach Mick Snowden.

“But 53-19 is a good win.’’

FANTASTIC PHOTO GALLERY

Rebels player Vaiala Junior Kilisi scoring. Pic: Julian Andrews

Snowden said there was one clear standout in his charge’s match against the Rebels in Savelo Tamale from St Paul’s College Manly.

“He was just outstanding,’’ Snowden said.

“He did everything and he was everywhere.’’

Also turning plenty of heads was try-scoring ace Jack Barrett from St Joseph’s College.

NSW Waratahs Under 18 team soundly beat the Melbourne Rebels.

Barrett scored three tries in the Gen Blue I’s demolition of their Victorian rivals while Angus Staniforth chimed in with two.

Ronan Leahy flick pass out the back in the match against the Rebels.

Bryn Edwards from Barker College and Joeys students Harry Bell, Joey Fowler and Ronan Leahy also went over to help their side to the blowout win.

“Ollie McCrea (The Scots College) is a brick wall and Harry Bell, he was excelled also.’’

Angus Staniforth scores for the Gen Blue side.

Joey Fowler scores for the Academy side.

In the first game of the day it was the NSW Invitational XV who put the first points on the board with John Ryan scoring and Orly Hatten-Ward converting to give their side a 0-7 lead.

AJ Preketes then went over with a Henry James conversion levelling the score for the Academy boys.

Youngster Oscar Jorgensen and Will Quinn

Hwi Sharples scored before half time with another James conversion helping Gen Blue take a 14–7 lead into the break.

Joe Hutton playing at Daceyville.

Bailey Park and Billy Dickens then helped extend the score in the second half with Joe Hutton also going over for the Invitational side who went down 17-24.

James McGregor playing for the Invitational team.

“It was a good hit out but we were a little disjointed in the first half,” said Gen Blue II coach Dean Hargreaves.

“It took a bit of time to get things rolling. But they were able to create a lot of opportunities.”

Hargreaves identified a number of standouts in his side, including Austin Durbridge from The Kings School.

Daniel Nelson crunched in a tackle.

“Tom Livingston (Barker College) was really busy around the field and Aden Ekanayake (Barker), when he came or not, was also good.

“Omar Noureddine showed some good pace and James McGregor was also good.”

Action in the first match of the day between the Invitational XV and Gen Blue II.

AUST SCHOOLS RUGBY PLAYERS TO WATCH

Hargreaves said there were a number of standouts from the Invitational side.

Ben Dufficy, Julien Caillol, John Ryan and Will Kennedy were standouts in his eyes

Invitational XV coach Gary Tunks agreed.

“No 8 John Ryan was really good and Will Kennedy was a real powerhouse,” he said.

“Ben Dufficy also played very well and Julien was just outstanding.’’

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