NSW Waratahs U18s to unleash special teen speedster to tackle Queensland Reds Academy

They are playing on hostile turf against Queensland Reds teams on revenge missions but the Waratahs U18s have a few tricks up their sleeve – including a special talent.

Action in the match between the top rugby Academy players last year. Pic: Rchard Li

They are playing on hostile turf against Queensland Reds teams on revenge missions but the NSW Waratahs U18s have a few tricks up their sleeve – including a special talent.

The NSW Waratahs Academy came away with two big wins last year in their annual clash with the Queensland Reds.

A year later they are expecting to pay the consequences for it when the two teams clash this Saturday at Ballymore Stadium in Brisbane.

Last year Angus Staniforth (GPS, The Kings School), Oscar Jorgensen (GPS, St Joseph’s College), Jackson Ropata (Southern Districts) and James McGregor (GPS, Newington College) all scored tries in the Waratah II’s 31–12 victory over the Reds White side.

In the second game vice-captain Max Jorgensen (GPS, St Joseph’s College), Jack Barrett (GPS, St Joseph’s), Ronan Leahy (GPS, St Joseph’s) Archie Saunders (CAS, Knox Grammar) and Jacob Veiru (GPS Newington) scored tries in the Waratahs 32–13 victory over the Queenslanders.

Action in the match between the top rugby Academy players last year. Pic: Rchard Li

“We know they will come at us, looking for revenge,“ said Waratahs head of talent ID. Andrew Cleverley.

“We won both games in the 18s up there, so they will want to perform at home.

“We expect a really physical contest.”

Cleverly said the Waratahs Academy teams will be looking to play with speed in the series.

“We are going for speed innovation. We aren’t super big in the 18s this year, so we will try and play quick footy,’’ Cleverley said.

Action in the match between the top rugby Academy players last year. Pic: Rchard Li

TAHS READY FOR REDS

SCHOOLGIRLS READY FOR SEVENS

And key to this is talented teenager Hadley Tonga from Blacktown, who attends The Kings School, has signed with the Australian Sevens and is one of the sports brightest prospects.

“He signed with the Aussie Sevens for two years and is lightning fast off the mark and across multiple areas,” Cleverley said.

“That makes him very difficult to handle.

“He’s not huge but he’s a ball of muscle and tough. He’s not afraid to throw it around.”

Cleverley said having the matches allows NSW to showcase their top talent to selectors ahead of Australian U18s selections later this year.

NSW WARATAHS U18S V QUEENSLAND REDS U18S

Queensland Reds U18 Grey v Waratahs U18 White, 1pm, Ballymore

Queensland Reds U18 v Waratahs U18, 2:30pm, Ballymore

NSW Waratahs U18s SQUAD

Forwards: Adam VanWyk Aden Ekanayake Austin Durbridge Baily Park Beau Morrison Daniel Meafou Edwin Langi Jacob Veiru Joe Mangelsdorf John Ryan Kaleb Ah-Colt

Lachlan Doheny Lipina Ata Marshall Le Maitre Nathaniel Tiitii Ned Ericsson Nick Ashdown

Sam Niulala Toby Brial Will Goddard Will Guilfore Will McKinnon

Backs: Boston Fakafanua Brendan Palmer Charlie Poynton Hadley Tonga Hamish McDonald Hwi Sharples Joe Dillion Joe Walsh Liam Grover Malakye Enasio Orly Hatten-Ward Sam Blank Sidney Harvey Tom Klem Tom Watts Tyrese Lokeni Wihan Kruger

Staff: Michael Snowden Andrew Brownhill Angus Sinclair Matt Hopkins