Sydney v Brisbane rugby: U16 girls taking rugby league fitness into rugby union battle, team list

This group of teenagers will go from rugby league grand finals to representing Sydney in a different sport entirely in the space of a week.

Sydney young guns playing for the Mahalia Murphy Shield at the recent City v Country U16 Girls championships in Bathurst. Pic: Jeremy Piper

Sydney rugby coach George Ford knows his players will have plenty of match fitness under their belts for their battle against Brisbane on Sunday.

The only issue is it has come from another sport entirely.

Between their commitments to other football codes - including an array of rugby league grand finals in Penrith, Parramatta and other competitions last weekend - Ford hasn’t had a lot of time with his Sydney U16 girls team.

“In all honesty we haven’t had that much time together because of their commitment with rugby league and sevens,” said Ford, coach of the Sydney girls side to take on their Birsbane opposite on September 18.

“I think around 12 of them are in their rugby league grand final this weekend. Most of them play in the Penrith junior rugby league competition and the Parramatta one.

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Sydney on the attack in their match against Country.

“They will be match fit from grand finals at least but we are hoping to pick up a training session before we go to Brisbane.

“They are a real group of fighters and they have connected really well.’’

Ford had quality time with his rising stars of women’s rugby at the recent City v Country championships at Bathurst where Kiana Vatubua, Aliyah Nasio and Olivia MacDonald all scored against Country. Vatubua was also named best back and Nasio top forward.

“We’ve had a few injuries since though and lost our No. 8 with Pauline Raka coming in from the Western Raptors club.

“Sydney Davis from Gordon, the halfback, is in for Waiaria Ellis.’’

Also playing in Brisbane are the Sydney U14 boys and girls team in their last major rep outing for the year.

Sydney will head north next week for the one-off game.

SYDNEY JUNIOR RUGBY UNION U16 GIRLS TO TAKE ON BRISBANE

1 Togia Nellina, Penrith, 2 Walker Ella, Penrith, 3 MacDonald Olivia, Gordon, 4 Falls Chaela-Lee, Sydney University, 5 Grant Mary, Gordon, 6 Marchant Pyper, Sydney University, 7 Leo Giavanna, Penrith, 8 Nasio Aliyah, Penrith, 9 El Abdullah Amirah, Western Sydney Two Blues, 10 Nikua Aaliyah, Penrith, 11 Vatubua Kiana, Penrith, 12 Cross Lacey, Manly, 13 Fuimaono Aliahana, Penrith, 14 Va’alele Olivia, Penrith, 15 Pasili Tayleah, Sydney University, 16 Toia Odesza, Western Sydney Two Blues, 17 Toia Alaianne, Western Sydney Two Blues, 18 Rimene Caliche, Western Sydney Two Blues, 19 George Tenaria, Sydney University, 20 Ellis Waiaria, Sydney University (replaced by Sydney David, Gordon), 21 Moleka Manua, Sydney University, 22 Muller Mya, Penrith, 23 Smith Rastalia, Sydney University, Pauline Raka.

George Ford, Coach. Sosefina Leo: Manager