National U19, U16 rugby championship: Waratahs U19s players coach excited about, team list

There are returning guns, rising stars and players ready to move out of the wings. What the new Waratahs U19s coach is planning ahead of their national rugby championship defence.

Louis Dalrymple hands off a Rebels player.

Waratahs under 19 coach Dan Parks is yet to kick of his squads training campaign for the 2023 national rugby under 19’s crown but already likes what he sees.

The Sydney University colts coach has been appointed to lead the side in the upcoming national championship series which returned to the Australian rugby calendar last year and are for Super Rugby U16 and U1919 Academy teams.

Parks, an Australian born former Scottish international, has inherited a few players from last year’s team which went through the season undefeated before beating the Queensland Reds for the title.

This includes Junior Wallabies player Jack Barrett and Omar Noureddine, two of numerous players Parks is excited to see perform.

“From what I have seen and coached against it will be a strong team,’’ Parks said after the 2023 squad was named this week.

NSW's Charlie Sorovi at last year’s Australian School Rugby Championships at Knox Grammar. he is now in the U19 Tahs squad. Picture: John Appleyard

“I think overall it's a promising team. I think we will play reasonably exciting football. It will be great to see the players get the change to express themselves in structure.

“It’s a short tournament so you don't want to change a lot so we’ll be playing as close to how they are used to as we can.’’

Parks said he will still inject “new things’’ into the Tahs game.

“It’s important to keep it fresh and entertaining,’’ he said.

“I would like to think our pack will be strong, I don't think there will be a risk there.

“We have strong backs as well. I know from the guys I have coached, there are exciting youth players coming through.’’

Omar Noureddine in the National U19 series last year.

With three weeks of training kicking off this weekend, Parks said he is yet to know his full squad intimately.

“Players I know who have really impressed are Julian Calliol, the 13 with Sydney Uni, and he’s been one of our best,’’ Parks said.

“Jack Barrett is someone who will have a big part to play and hooker Oniti Finau has been one of Eastwood’s best.

“Hooker Bryn Edwards from Sydney Uni has been out injured. He crushed his ankle and has had an operation but is coming back, and he’s exciting.

“I’ve also been really impressed with young Gate (Kaia) who has great speed, from Warringah.

“Joe Walsh is 17 and playing up so this is all about opportunity.

“And Dan Nelson has recently signed with the Brumbies and Billy Dicksen andOliver Schmude have been playing second grade colts behind him so I’m excited to see these guys get opportunity.’’

The NSW Waratahs first matches of the under 19 and under 16 national rugby championships are against the Brumbies on September 30 at Viking Park. The U16s game is at 12.05pm and the U19s match at 1.45pm.

Joe Walsh playing Rugby Sevens last year.

WARATAHS UNDER 19 ACADEMY SQUAD 2023

FORWARDS

EDDIE MOALA SYDNEY UNI, ARNIE TANCRED SYDNEY UNI, BEN DI STASO EASTERN SUBURBS, BRYN EDWARDS SYDNEY UNI, HARRY AGAR NORTHERN SUBURBS, HARRY DAVIS SYDNEY UNI, HARRY STANIFORTH SYDNEY UNI, HENRY BASTEN GORDON RUGBY, JACK BARRETT RANDWICK, JACKSON STIEL SYDNEY UNI, JASPER JARVIS EASTERN SUBURBS, KAIA GATE WARRINGAH, LOUIS DALRYMPLE EASTERN SUBURBS, OLIVER MCCREA EASTERN SUBURBS, OLIVER NICOLLE EASTERN SUBURBS, ONITI FINAU EASTWOOD, PAUL VAOKAKALA MANLY, PHIL TALAILEVA EASTWOOD, RILEY BURDEN SOUTHERN DISTRICTS, SAM BERCKELMAN EASTERN SUBURBS, WILL KENNEDY EASTWOOD.

BACKS

BILLY DICKENS EASTERN SUBURBS, OLIVER SCHMUDE SYDNEY UNI WIHAN KRUGER SOUTHERN DISTRICTS, JOE WALSH MANLY, LEO BASSINGTHWAIGHTE EASTERN SUBURBS, JULIEN CAILLOL SYDNEY UNI, CHARLIE SOROVI EASTWOOD, JACK TAYLOR WARRINGAH, ARCHIE SAUNDERS WARRINGAH, NACANI BATIDRAVU SYDNEY UNI, OMAR NOUREDDINE EASTWOOD, RILEY LANGFIELD WARRINGAH, NICK LAMMING GORDON, BEN DUFFICEY EASTERN SUBURBS, KAI VINCENT MANLY.