National U16, U19 rugby championship: Rebels guns who could trouble Waratahs teens, Rd 3 team lists

The Rebels have a simple game plan against the Waratahs and a number of players expected to standout in round three of the Australian U16, U19 rugby championships. TEAM LISTS

Joey Fowler tackling Rebels captain Leafi Talataina in a recent under 18s game.

Fast and fearless is the game plan the Melbourne Rebels will embrace as the test themselves against the top performing Waratahs Gen Blue teams in the Australian U16, U19 national rugby championships on Sunday.

The undefeated Waratahs junior teams will host their Melbourne rivals at David Phillips Sports complex at Daceyville on Sunday in round three of the competition for rugby’s rising wave of talent.

“We are under no illusions they have a standard bearers so far in this competition but both teams are up for the challenge, you always want to test yourself against the best,’’ said Pom Simona from the Melbourne Rebels Academy.

“With Covid the last two years in Victoria there hasn’t been an opportunity at state level for us so this is the first time they have played a team from interstate for awhile, and for many of them the first time ever.

Rebels player Leafi Talataina. Pic: Julian Andrews

“In the 16s we can’t let the Tahs dictate the terms and how we want to play. We want to take the time and space away.

“We want to play our brand and that’s with a lot of physicality. We don’t want to be bullied in the contact area.

Mason Gordon.

“In the under 19s we going to play fast and fearless, not wait to see what they have.

“We need to start well and maintain our discipline. We have seen what your discipline can do against the tiles. They are a really resilient team.’’

Simona has identified a number of players he expects to step up in the matches and turn heads.

“A number five Mason Gordon is our captain. With him it’s like having a coach on the field. He has IQ and he’s naturally gifted.

“Divad Palu was in the Junior Wallabies again this year and played first grade with Wests when they won the Brisbane competition.

“He’s explosive, has a really low sense of gravity and has the ability to defend one-on-one. He’s very strong in contact.

“Leafi Talataina played with the Australian schoolboys recently against the barbarians. He’s a really humble kid naturally gifted and comes from the best basketball background. He’s got great speed of the mark and is explosive with great spatial awareness.

Riley Hemsworth in the match against the ACT Brumbies. Pic: Julian Andrews

In the 16s encounter, Simona said captain Mapu Fiso is one to watch.

“He is hardworking loose forward, a humble guy who leads with his actions. He tells us all together.

“We have Teina Graham, he’s a big number six with a good engine probably somebody who doesn’t know he’s a good he is yet.

“Jackson Jury, he has an X-factor and plays excellent rugby. He has the physical attributes to exploit gaps.”

Sundays matches are scheduled to begin at 1.30pm and 3pm.

WARATAHS V REBELS IN U16 CHAMPIONSHIP

WARATAHS (1-15): Daniel Christodoulou, Max Meagher, Edwin Langi, Henry Siegmeier, Toby Brial, Luca Cleverley, Marshall Le Maitre, Ollie Aboud, Sam Blank, Alex Conti, Charlie Poynton, Joe Walsh, Leo Jaques, Charlie Heidke, Mitch Woods. Reserves: Connor Dempsey, Nick Hill, Tyler Byrne, Zion Poitaha, Daniel Meafou Darcy Brown, Zach Fittler, Tylan Berryman

REBELS (1-15): Carter Tagaloasa, Reece Paramore, Elbjorn Fiaui, Mapu Fiso, Louis Treacy, Sam Fangatua, Bobby Deo, Teina Graham, Tainui Whakaari, Finn McKay, Andrew Mulipola, Jackson Jury, Thomas Louw, Waka-Hakopa Brown-Rapana-Edwards, Joseph Vela. Reserves: Ramsey Sefo, Haze Heke, Dante Siale, Caleb Fanolua, Xander Iosefo, Jakim Ngatoko, Micah Warena, Cyrus Jr Perenise.

WARATAHS V REBELS IN U19 CHAMPIONSHIP

WARATAHS (1-15): Ave Maalo, Lulu Paea, Henry Roberts, Oskar Hicks, Fritz Jahnke-Tavana, Clem Halaholo, Will Martin, Sam Allsopp, Dan Nelson, Jack Bowen, Omar Noureddine, Charlie Worthington, Jackson Ropata, Tom Morrison, Jack Matthews. Reserves: Harvey McGregor, Jamie Clark, Jayden Moujalli, Jackson Knight, Philip Talaileva, Tom Goddard, Paulie Manuel, Riley Hemsworth.

REBELS (1-15) Sione Fotuaika, Martin Vaega, Patrick Lavemai, Max Johnson, Joeli Niubalavu, Eyda Haisila, Antonio Masina, Leafi Talataina, Pati Seu, Mason Gordon, Toby Fraser, David Vaihu, Divad Palu, PJ Mauga, Sebastion Sialau. Reserves: Jeremiah Sialau, Iverson Tolai-Toto, AJ Preketes, Isaac Rawaqa, Hamish Hollamby, Will Roostan, VJ Kilisi-Wulf, Jozef Ah Kuoi

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