Super Rugby U16s 2023: Waratahs on alert for Melbourne Rebels, Rd 1 results, scorers

They blasted through their opener of the Super Rugby U16 competition but the young Waratahs have been told to stay on high alert against a team with plenty are to prove in round two.

Waratahs U16 coach Paul Cividin was delighted with the result in round one but not with the execution and has asked for his young guns to step up to a new level in round two of the Super Rugby U16 championship on Saturday.

The young Waratahs travel to Melbourne for their second away game of the rebranded rugby series, which was resurrected last year after a Covid lull.

The NSW Waratahs will take on a Melbourne Rebels side which fell 32-19 to Western Force in round one.

“They always have a big, powerful pack that will attempt to roll over us,” Cividin said of the Rebels.

“They also play with a lot of power in the middle and have speed on the edge.

The Waratahs dominated their Super Rugby 16s match against the Brumbies. Picture: Rugby Australia

“We won’t be taking them lightly.”

While the Tahs recorded the most emphatic victory of the opening round, their coach - who will be absent for the match against the Rebels - wants them to show considerable improvement in the game.

“I want the decision making to improve around the breakdown decisions. We need to clean that up,’’ Cividin said.

“The boys also need to react better to the referees decisions.”

Cividin said new faces will appear in his team this weekend with Jonty Fowler expected to get his chance to impress.

“We need to be better. Every game we play we have to improve every week“ he said.

“We have a target on our back and people will be after us.

“That’s why we take every game very seriously. We want to be controlling our own destiny.’’

The 16s match on Saturday kicks off at 11.05am.

The Waratahs 19s will play the Rebels in the following match.

The Waratahs thumped the ACT Brumbies in their series opener last weekend.

SUPER RUGBY UNDER 16S ROUND ONE WRAP

The Waratahs confirmed they are the team to beat with a 50–5 walloping of the ACT Brumbies in round one.

Tom Hartman was the star of the show with four tries with some fine kicking from Harrison Dene Also a highlight.

Trent Nagle scored the Brumbies only try in the 63rd minute.

In the other match played, Western Force put on a show with their 32–19 defeat of the Melbourne Rebels.

The Force shared the scoring around with five different men going over the line, including Pene Naqau who scored a try, two conversions and nailed a penalty kick.

The Waratahs lead the U16 ladder after round one from the Force with the Reds, who had the round one bye, in third, the Rebels in fourth and the Brumbies in fifth

In round two the Reds open their campaign against the Force at Ballymore on Sunday.

The Rebels host the Waratahs at Box Hill on Saturday.

Originally published as Super Rugby U16s 2023: Waratahs on alert for Melbourne Rebels, Rd 1 results, scorers