Grand final spot on line for Waratahs U19 players in national rugby championship Force battle

There’s a lot more on the line than just the win for the Waratahs U19 team playing in the final round of the national rugby championships – including playing spots in the grand final

Sam Allsopp on the burst against the teenagers from the Melbourne Rebels at Daceyville. Pics: Julian Andrews

It’s a dress rehearsal for the grand final of the National U19 rugby championship – and potentially for the rigours of being a professional rugby player in the future.

The young Waratahs face their toughest road trip of the U16 and U19 national rugby championships with a 28 hour mission to secure their fourth win of the season and a home grand final for both the U19s and U16s teams on Sunday week.

Waratahs U19 coach Mike Cross said his players are cognisant of how important a victory is against Western Force on Sunday in Perth in round five of the national championship for the youth sides of Super Rugby clubs.

Tom Goddard in the NSW Waratahs game against the ACT Brumbies.

Young rugby gun signs with NRL club

The final round will determine which team the Waratahs will take on in the U19 finale to be played on November 15.

“There’s a lot on the line,’’ Cross said.

Adding spice to the encounter is the fact Australian selectors will be closely monitoring the performance of players as they look to build a Junior Wallabies squad for 2023.

Will Martin in the National U19 round three match.

“We have learned a lot from our last game,’’ said Cross of the Waratahs close call against the Melbourne Rebels they eventually won 38-27 to remain undefeated in the comp.

“The main thing a have taken away is we don’t need to over complicate stuff.

“You get good results if you are doing the basics really well. We almost turned it into Harlem Globetrotters style rugby (against Rebels). We don't need to do that.’’

Clem Halaholo in the National U19 championship.

Cross said respect for the ball was a key component of the Tahs game plan this weekend.

“We have to treat this as a dress rehearsal for the grand final. So there’s a lot we want to get right.

“We also have a really bad itinerary. We don’t get over there until 9.30pm (Saturday), then have to get to the hotel, check in, play at 11.30am their time and then we fly back later the same day.

“We talk about being prepared for professional rugby. This is as much a mental challenge for them as a physical one.’’

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