City v Country rugby: Players to watch, Gen Blue hopefuls in U18, U16 NSWJRU matches at Bathurst
Some are big, others fast, a few troublesome. Players the experts are tipping to make an impact in the City v Country U18 and U16 rugby battles at Bathurst this weekend. LIST
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They are the young guns expected to make an impact at the upcoming City v Country clashes in Bathurst.
Players from across the paddock in various positions and shapes and sizes in the U16 and U18 games.
Teens with great ball skills, leg speed and tactical smarts.
We’ve talked to the experts to identify some of the players to watch in the games being played on Sunday. PREVIEW, SQUADS.
UNDER 18 CITY V COUNTRY PLAYERS TO WATCH
Harry Agar and Rodney Blake, City
Agar hails from Northern Suburbs rugby and Blake from Southern Districts.
Theses two locks are expected to make good meters for City.
Blake is a big body who can cause trouble for the oppositions and Agar a real leader on the field and off it as captain of the side. He is also in the Gen Blue program.
Darcy Blackmore, Jack Taylor, Phil Talaileva, Country
Blackmore and Talaileva both hail from the Hunter and Taylor from the far north coast.
These three make up what has been described as a “really good back row” that is tough, mobile and very committed.
Sid Harvey, Country
The 17-year-old vice-captain of the Country side reads the game well. He is tough, mobile and committed and plays fullback.
Sterling Munsie, Country.
The country captain who hails from the New England district. Leads by example with great ability to rally his troops.
Delacruz Paita, City
A youngster who lives in the inner west and plays for the Gordon club. He is a five eight who can control a game.
Has a good kicking game who knows how to put his teammates through a gap and has an impressive turn of speed over a short distance.
Harrison Valevalu, Country
From the Illawarra, this teenager turned plenty of heads for the Barbarians at the recent Australian Schools championship at Knox. A winger with size, pace and commitment who likes to muck in.
Omar Noureddine, City
Hails from Sydney’s west and plays for the Eastwood club.
Has the ability to produce the unexpected.
He is also known for his smarts and explosive speed.
UNDER 16 CITY V COUNTRY PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ollie Aboud, City
A tough No. 7 who is all over the field, very aggressive at the breakdown and loves to win turnover ball.
A young player to keep an eye on.
Lama Afu U16 City
A big physical player who loves the contest.
Plays with passion and won’t take a backward step
Tipped to turn plenty of heads.
Geordie Duncan, Country
A pesky No. 7 from the central west.
From Parkes and plays for Forbes. Very strong on the ball.
Riley Evans and Charlie Heidke
Riley Evans from the mid north coast and Charlie Heidke are the Country centres.
Evans was named Player of the tournament player at the country championships and is a big, tall and hard ball runner.
Heidke from Illawarra/Kiama is an outside centre who is fast and fleet and the pair compliment each other really
Tom Farr-Jones City
Comes from a great rugby family and a skilful player who can turn a game with his running lines and defence.
Zeke Hetrick Country
Another young gun from the Central West.
Hails from Narromine and plays for Dubbo and is a front rower expected to make an impact off the bench.
Taite Howells, City
The No. 9 has a magic pass and is a key link between the forwards and the backs.
He is also known to turn heads with his elusive running.
Samual Niulala City
Plays in the forwards. A powerful teenager who runs with spirit and is hard to stop.
He makes an impact with his determined running and is an exciting player to watch.
Jethro Rinakama City
A tall, elusive speedster who according to his coach “loves to run down the sideline with a magic step”.
An exciting player to watch.
Michael Vandoros
Captain Michael Vandoros from the mid north coast is a No. 8 who leads from the front.
He will be key to the result of the match for Country.
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