Sydney v Country junior rugby: Waratahs U16 spots still up for grabs in some positions, draw

NSW Waratahs officials are excited by the talent at recent trials for their under 16 squad but there are certain positions still there for the taking at the Sydney v Country junior rugby on Sunday.

Sydney and Country players after their battle for the U14 Tim Gavin Shield at Bathurst last year. Picture: Jeremy Piper

NSW Waratahs head of talent ID Andrew Cleverley said he and fellow selectors have been impressed by the range of talent on display at recent under 16 squad trials and “good guys’’ will miss out on making the squad cut.

Cleverley believes the success of the Waratahs Academy under 16 program last year, which saw them win the national rugby series along with their under 19 counterparts, has seen an increase of interest in the age group.

A mini tournament a week ago involving schools teams, Sydney Juniors and NSW Country squads was dominated by the School I side. But their match with the Sydney Juniors was no walk over.

“It was a cracker. Sydney came back with two late tries after been 17 down,’’ Cleverley said.

The junior rugby expert said the talent on show there - and what he expects to see at Sydney v Country at Maitland on Sunday - indicates the Waratahs will be in with a good shot at defending the title they won with their defeat of the Queensland Reds in the final of the under 16s national series late last year.

SYDNEY V COUNTRY TIPS, NEWS

RUGBY’S LITTLE PIONEERS

The battle for sports in the NSW Waratahs Academy is heating up.

“We are certainly on par with last year, I’ve been really impressed with the skills level,” he said.

“We are really excited with the talent. There will be tough choices to make. There will be very good guys who do not make it.”

Action in last year’s under 16s game.

A 30-man squad will be named after the Sydney v Country fixture involving both boys and girls matches.

“I think we are very close with most positions,” Cleverley said.

“But we have the second row, outside back to fill.”

There will be girls matches played at the junior rugby tournament in Maitland.

GIRLS TO WATCH

BOYS TO WATCH

Cleverly said there was a number of standouts during the recent trials with Harrison Dean from Barker delivering a “master class with his kicking game’’

Dean kicked 10 from 14 for Schools in their whopping 90-0 win over a Country side.

The first match at the Sydney v Country tournament will be held at 10:45am and feature the under 14 boys.

At 9.30am the under 14 girls will play on field two and the under 15 boys on field one.

At 10:45am the under 16 girls will play with the under 16 boys starting at 12pm.

At 1:30pm the under 18 girls battle will be held with the final match the 3pm under 18s game.

MORE FROM AMANDA LULHAM HERE