Teens standing out in National U16, U19 rugby championships heading into Rd 3

Junior Wallabies coach Nathan Grey has been impressed by the U16s, U19 national rugby championship standard - and some players in particular. Standouts ahead today’s round 3 games.

Tom Morrison in the NSW Waratahs Gen Blue U19 match against the ACT Brumbies in round two of the U19 rugby championships 2022. Pic: Julian Andrews

Junior Wallabies coach and Nathan Grey said it is an “exciting time’’ for rugby with the U16, U19 national rugby championships heading into its third round.

Grey has been impressed by the competition and skill level in both age groups and by the amount of interest the series for the best youngsters in the sport has garnered.

“For me personally, not having seen a lot of these kids play, I’ve been pleasantly surprised with some of the skills, the catching pass, handling and creating opportunities,’’ Grey told NewsLocal sport.

“The set skills have been good. I’d like to see more consistency with line outs.’’

Grey said the talent in the under 16s competition, entering its third round this week, has impressed.

Action in the NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies game.

“It’s exciting, really good talent coming through across all the teams,” he said.

“This championship is providing a platform for these kids to do their stuff.

“There’s been some really great team created tries and rolling maul tries for the purists.

“It’s exciting times. Everyone is talking about the 16s and 19s and the opportunities for these teams.

“To have our brand out there and for young kids to be given this opportunity, it’s great.

“It will get kids, families more engaged with rugby.

“We are going into an exciting decade of opportunity culminating with the Brisbane Olympics, World Cup’s and other games.

“These kids, the 19s and 16s, they will be the players involved.’’

Zion Poitaha has been in fine form.

In week two games, 16s players identified by Grey in his team of the week published on the Rugby Australia website included six Waratahs in front-rowers Luke Muriti, Nick Hill and Zion Poitaha, young backrower Luca Cleverley, Leo Jacques and the exciting Tylan Berryman.

They were joined by Jeziah Sega, Branson Brown and Denzel Veikune from the ACT Brumbies, Mapu Fiso, Tenia Graham and Jackson Jury from the Rebels and Tamarangi Tunui and Brodie Wainwaring from Western Force,

In the 19s, Waratahs Clem Halaholo, Tom Morrison, Charlie Worthington, Jack Matthews, Tom Goddard and Jamie Clark were identified along with Brumbies players Henry Palmer, Liam Bowron and Sam Bertram.

Joe Walsh playing against the Brumbies.

Two players from Force - Dane Sawyer and Brad Avery - made Grey’s team along with four from the Rebels in Divad Paul, Max Johnson, Patrick Levamai and Lefai Talataina.

In week one, players identified as standouts by Grey included Waratahs youngsters Sam Blank, Joe Walsh, Charlie Poynton, Daniel Christodoulou, Ollie Aboud and Mitchell Woods.

Reds centre Chase Oates was also named along with his Queensland teammates Ewald Kruger and Princeton Ioane

Mainwaring, Ken Ah Hong (Western Force), Luke Holt-Brown and Manama Te Tana also turned heads in the under 16s.

NSW Wararahs players also dominated Greys picks in round one in the 19s competition with Oskar Hicks, Clem Halaholo, Charlie Worthington and Tom Morrison all making his 15.

Queensland Reds players also made a mark with Harrison Usher, Nick Bloomfield, John Bryant, Harry McLaughlin-Philips and Jackson Connelly also identified.

Marley Pearce and teammate Ruben Steenkamp made it in for Western Force with Chris Mickelson, Ben Keogh, Henry Palmer and Matius Jensen the ACT Brumbies players picked.

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