Super Rugby U19s: Photos, stars, result wrap, injury from Waratahs v Queensland Reds
There was a two-try hero, a great comeback from 16 weeks out with injury and the loss of a gun in the Super Rugby U19s battle between the Waratahs and Reds. Stars, results and best photos.
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An ambulance carted off an injured Waratahs young gun as his teammates fired up in the third round of the Super Rugby U19 series at Forshaw Park on Sunday in a performance their coach labelled “courageous’’.
The Waratahs U19s completed a brilliant cleansweep in their three matches against the Queenslanders on Sunday which included two Super Rugby match-ups and the first of two games between the U15s Tahs and Reds Academies.
The Waratahs U19s were under pressure to perform in the match after their last-minute loss to the ACT Brumbies in their season opener last month.
And they stood up to the challenge, running in five tries to three - despite a series of injuries and two yellow cards - to be back in hot contention for a grand final berth with their 31-19 win.
A sour note was a lower leg injury to Oniti Finau who was taken to Sutherland hospital at halftime for assessment with a suspected break.
SWEET 16: TAHS IN TRYFEST
A head-turning performance by Archie Saunders was one of the highlights of the match with the teenager scoring the first two tries of the game and integral in the big win.
“I think it was really courageous of them to deny them any more points,’’ said coach Dan Parkes.
“We had to make sure we won that and got the bonus points so we are feeling pretty good about things.’’
Parkes identified two-try star Saunders, Bryn Edwards, who scored after 16 weeks out with injury and Harry Davis as some of the standouts for the Waratahs and the potential loss of Finau as “major”.
He also applauded Jullien Caillol’s on-field leadership in the win.
Great defence from the Reds thwarted numerous early attempts by the Waratahs to score in the opening 10 minutes with Archie Saunders first on the board soon after and an Oliver Schmude conversion putting the hosts up 7-0.
A second try by Saunders soon after sounded a warning to the Reds that their rivals meant business.
Bryn Edwards and Nacani Batidravu then also went over for the Waratahs in the first half to help them to their 24-5 leads.
RD 2: WARATAHS BACK ON TRACK
RD 1: HEARTBREAK FOR TAHS
Ryley Bierton was the only Reds player able to break through the Waratahs defence in the first half.
He was also first to score in the second half.
Big, powerful Phil Talaileva kept the Waratahs well ahead with his converted try putting the hosts up 31-12.
The Reds then made the most of the Waratahs being two men down to score their third try courtesy of Dre Pakeho.
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.
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