Super Rugby U16s: Waratah Rex Bassingthwaighte latest product of famous country football nursery

He’s a young rugby star from a famous country town with a long honour roll of footy talent. Now he’s making his own mark on the football field far from home.

Rex Bassingthwaighte has been one of the stars of the Super Rugby U16s competition. Picture: Julian Andrews

He hails from a country town renowned for producing top footballers and one day Rex Bassingthwaighte hopes to add his name to its honour roll - with his brother by his side.

The teenager, who has moved from his hometown of Dubbo to Shore for his final three years of schooling, is currently tearing it up for the NSW Waratahs in the Super Rugby Under 16s competition while brother Leo is playing with the U19s team.

Despite being just 16, Bassingthwaighte has already been identified as a star of the future in the sport and played a critical role in the Waratahs winning a second national title with their defeat of the Queensland Reds in the Super Rugby 16s grand final in Canberra.

“He’s a country kid, salt of the earth and very talented,” said Waratahs U16s coach Paul Cividin.

“He’s one of those instinctual players. It’s hard to coach the skills he has.”

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Rex Bassingthwaighte on the run against the Reds this season. Picture: Julian Andrews

His hometown is a well known nest of rugby and league talent with the likes of Ned Hanigan, Ben McCalman, Beau Robinson, Isaah Yeo, Matt Burton, Braidon Burns, Dean Pay, David Peachey and Luke Priddis all hailing from the area.

Bassingthwaighte, who will play Harold Matthews with the Sydney Roosters next year and wants to crack the first XV at his school, said he has no idea which football code he will land in.

“I just love playing football,” said Bassingthwaighte, who has played his junior footy with the Dubbo Roos rugby and St Johns league clubs.

Rex Bassingthwaighte on his way to a try. Picture: Julian Andrews

Rex Bassingthwaighte is one of the competitions top tryscorers. Picture: Julian Andrews

“There’s no real push to sign or anything. That’s the best thing. I don’t have to make a decision until once I’ve finished school.

“ I love being in the Waratahs system. Clev (Andrew Cleverley, head of Talent ID) and Matt (Evrard, Waratahs pathways co-ordinator and coach) have got it going so well and I love the mentoring side of it all, the way they help prepare you for the next level, how important work ethic is, how to train and never to rest on your laurels.

“I’ve always enjoyed learning. One of my old coaches gave me a piece of advice to be a giant sponge and that’s what I am.”

Rex and his brother Leo Bassingthwaighte. Picture: Julian Andrews

Bassingthwaighte said his move from Dubbo to Sydney to complete school has been made easier by having his brother Leo close by.

“I have him here and he means a lot to me. It makes things 10 times easier,’’ he said.

“He finished school last year and is playing at Easts and living at Bondi Junction.

“The goal is to play together one day. We always played footy together as kids but it would get a bit out of hand.

“But I think it made us good footballers. We feed off each other. We never had a fight but we’d push and shove, then walk away and we’d still be best mates.’’