Super Rugby U19s 2023: Captain Jullien Caillol on how Waratahs can beat Reds in Rd 3, team lists

He was born in the UK, grew up in Singapore and has also lived in Dubai but the rivalry between NSW and Queensland is still very real to this young Waratah in the Super Rugby U19 series.

The Waratahs faces their toughest test this season against the Queensland Reds.

If Jullien Caillol becomes a professional rugby player there’s a big chance old mates he grew up will be his rivals somewhere along the line in the interantional game.

But right now, it’s the Queensland Reds Waratahs captain Caillol is working to take down in a “do-or-die” match round three match of the Super Rugby U19 series on Sunday.

Despite being born in the UK, spending most of his teen years in Singapore and then Dubai before returning to Australia, Caillol well versed in the famed rivalry between the Waratahs and the Reds in rugby.

“It will be a pretty close game and there’s always that extra rivalry. It’s always been around, and NSW and Queensland have it in league and in rugby and everyone knows about it,’’ he said.

“It will add to the intensity and with this being do-or-die for us, it will lift us to a new gear.

RD 2: WARATAHS BACK ON TRACK

RD 1: HEARTBREAK FOR TAHS

The Waratahs put on a masterclass against the Rebels in the Super Rugby U19s match.

“Being so important, we look at that as an advantage. It’s just adding another level for us.’’

With a shock loss in game one and then a big win in round two, the battle at Forshaw Park on Sunday is crucial to the Waratahs bid to defend the crown they won in the national series a year ago.

“To beat the Reds will come down to us being ready to bring a physical game,’’ the captain said.

“We have to be ready for that and bring intensity to a new level, but at the same time be across our details, knowing our roles, where we would need to be on offence in attack.

The Waratahs faces their toughest test this season against the Queensland Reds.

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“If we want to win, we have to take our communication to a new level and that’s part of my role.

“Without a doubt, this will be one of the most physical challenges. They will try and come out and use their physical strength and we have to be up for the battle.’’

The 19-year-old has been one of the standouts for the Waratahs this season and says captaining the Waratahs is “a big privilege’’.

“It’s been exciting and fun,’’ he said.

“At this level when you have guys who are good at what they do you don’t need to be on top of them.

“There are multiple leaders and it’s more about delegation and sharing the load.”

Caillol started rugby playing in Singapore in the large expat community, coming up against South Africans, English, Irish, New Zealand and Australian players.

In Year 10 he returned to Sydney for his final years of schooling at Riverview and is now studying commerce at Sydney University.

WARATAHS V REDS SUPER RUGBY U19S TEAMS

WARATAHS: Jack Barrett, Oniti Finau, Jackson Stiel, Olly Mccrea, Archie Tancred, Ben Di Staso, Harry Davis, Phil Talaileva, Billy Dickens, Oliver Schmude, Omar Noureddine, Jullien Caillol (c), Archie Saunders, Nacani Batidravu, Riley Langfield. Replacements: Bryn Edwards, Henry Basten, Sam Berckelman, Riley Burden, Harry Stainforth, Will Kennedy, Joe Walsh, Charlie Sorovi

REDS: Macarius Pereira, Aidan Taylor, Lehopo Leota, Charlie Brosnan, Alex Kerr, Cooper Cameron, Joe Liddy (c), Pat Sowerby, Luke Aiken, Will Nason, Denzil Perkins, Dre Pakeho, Frankie Goldsbrough, Ryley Bierton, Will McCulloch. Replacements: Oliver Barrett, Rory Beech, Nick Harper, Tommy O’Callaghan, Cadel Rees, Callum Reidy, Ellis Davies, Joe Doljanin.