National U19 rugby championships: Stars, scorers in Gen Blue NSW Waratahs v Rebels Rd 3, photos

Their 16s counterparts won big but things were different for the Waratah 19s against the Rebels in Rd 3 of the national rugby championships. But one player really stood up for the Tahs.

Jamie Clark, here making a break in the ACT match earlier this month, was a standout against the Rebels.

The Waratahs showed character to come from behind - and thwart numerous rallies from the Melbourne Rebels - to extend their undefeated run in round three of the national U19 rugby championships but their coach Mike Cross was less than impressed.

The 38-27 scoresheet belied the closeness of the match which the Rebels lead early and trailed by just six in the closing stages.

But in a testament to the grit of the Gen Blue players, the Tahs held tough to take the match by 11 points.

“It was good they showed that resilience to come back,’’ said Cross, who made seven changes from round two line-up to test out combinations and give new legs a run.

WHO’S IN THE BOX SEAT FOR RUGBY FINALS?

Will Martin in the match against the Rebels.

“But I didn’t think we were great.

“We lacked cohesion, we were a bit clunky, made lots of errors. But to their credit the Rebels defended well, they have big bodies and they put the pressure on us.’’

Cross signalled out Jamie Clark as a standout for the Waratahs who have now booked a spot in the finals of the series returning after a two year Covid break.

“He came on and made a massive different at the scrum,’’ Cross said.

“Him on and our scrum was what potentially won us the game.

In contrast to the earlier match won 81-0 by the 16s Waratahs, it was the Rebels who showed dominance early on Sunday.

Toby Fraser opened the scoring with his first try of the tournament with Charlie Worthington squaring the ledger soon after for the Waratahs.

Jack Matthews put plenty of points on the board.

PJ Mauga then extended the Rebels scoreline before Oskar Hicks retaliated for the Waratahs in an early arm wrestle.

A try from Iverson Tolai Tafu then delivered the Rebels the 15-12 halftime lead.

But a fired-up Waratahs came out with intent in the second half with Will Martin and Omar Noureddine going over to wrestle back control for the Tahs who were also helped out by a penalty try.

Fraser and teammate David Vaihi keeping the Rebels right in the game in humid and slippery conditions in Sydney with the visitors trailing by just 27-33 with six minutes of the round three match remaining.

Tahs big man Phil Talaileva then scored with a swan dive to put the match out of reach.

Jack Matthews finished the match with three crucial conversions as the Waratahs extended their run in the competition to three wins.

Rebels Joseph Vela in the National U19 round three match. Pics: Julian Andrews

TEAM LISTS FOR ROUND THREE

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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