Super Rugby U19s score, results, stars in Waratahs big win Rd 1 win over Rebels, photos

There were tries galore, two trifectas and a sense the Waratahs mean serious business in the 2024 season of the Super Rugby U19s comp. Stars, standouts, results and great photos

Waratahs Liam Grover bursting past Melbourne Rebels player Christian Lealofi in the Under 19s Waratahs v Melbourne Rebels match. Picture: John Appleyard.

The Waratahs U19s didn’t have to look far for inspiration for their demolition of the Melbourne Rebels in round one of the Super Rugby U19s competition in Sydney on Sunday.

The 19s were at Leichhardt Oval as their U16s counterparts ripped apart the younger Rebels side to opened their defence of the U16s crown with 104-0 warning to their rivals for the season ahead.

While the U19s failed to crack the ton, they did make an early mark in their competition with a whopping 80-20 victory.

It was a victory which left new coach Dan England happy but knowing his side still has work to do to improve if they are to regain the Super Rugby Trophy they last won two years ago.

“I was really happy with the way they had turnover and transition attack, how the forwards gelled with the backs and the way we executed our game plan’’ said England.

TOP SHOT:Rd 1 wrap, stars, photos

Waratahs' Liam Grover with the ball chased by Melbourne Rebels' Journey Ioane.

“There’s no area of real concern but what we want to work on is our attacking breakdown over the next two weeks.’’

The Waratahs dominated the match from the get-go with two standouts Liam Grover and Brendan Palmer.

Waratahs' Jacob Veiru with the ball. .

Grover, who plays for Sydney University, and Palmer, with the Hunter Wildfires both went over for three tries each.

“Those boys are rapid, super fast weapons and very good in counter attack,’’ England said.

Waratahs Will Goddard, Tom Girle, Tom Klem and Joe Mangelsdorf

Charlie O’Kane from Eastern Suburbs and Tom Klem from Manly left the field with two tries each.

Jack Cesare from Southern Districts and Lachlan Doheny also put points on the board.

Melbourne Rebels' Xander Iosefo screams from the ruck to "keep fighting hard".

Waratahs' Tom Klem with the ball at Leichhardt Oval. Picture: John Appleyard.

Narrabri gun Sid Harvey, now with Eastern Suburbs, nailed nine of his 12 conversions.

“I didn't expect the win to be so hefty,’’ England said

“But I still think they confirmed we still have a lot of areas to grow in.’’

Xander Iosefo for the Melbourne Rebels.

WARATAHS AND REBELS TEAM LISTS

WARATAHS (1-15): Lotu Vunipola-Sailosi, Charlie O’Kane, Will Goddard, Thomas Girle, Joe Mangelsdorf, Jacob Veiru, Austin Durbidge, Eamon Doyle (c), Darcy Standfield, Joey Fowler, Brendan Palmer, Oscar Jorgensen, Liam Grover, Tom Klem, Sid Harvey

Replacements: Ezekiel Guttenbeil, Jack Cesare, Kaleb Ah-Colt, Lachlan Doheny, Josh Va’alotu, Orly Hatton-Ward, Iveni Nasio, Felix Turinui

Waratahs' Oscar Jorgensen with the ball. Under 19s Waratahs v Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby National Championships Round 1 at Leichhardt Oval. Picture: John Appleyard.

REBELS (1-15): Dante Siale, Finn Graham, Paul Aiolupotea, Mikaele Ulugia-Mao, Xander Iosefo, Tinashe Mudanga, Tyrone Urbancic, Corey Leumaga-Chan, Jimmy Thompson, Ben Playford, Christian Lealofi, Morgan Tanuvasa, Journey Ioane, Munashe Mudzekenyedzi, George Schmude

Replacements: Lucas Aedo-Kailea, Carter Tagaloasa, Caedus Vaihu, Sam Fangatua, Caleb Fanolua-Tusitala, Pierre Davis, Edward Lyons, Emiliano Wortley

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