Waratahs teen Clem Halaholo, Tevita Alatini in late U20 World Cup Junior Wallabies call up

This Redfern football young gun watched his talented cousin score on debut at the rugby league World Cup. Now he’s the one heading to a World Cup – just in a different sport.

Clem Halaholo, right, during the National U19 round three match against the Melbourne Rebels at Daceyville. Pics: Julian Andrews

When Clem Halaholo watched his cousin Davey Moale score for Samoa in the last rugby league World Cup he knew one day he wanted to be playing at the same level – just in a different sport.

Now the 19-year-old NSW Waratahs talent, who has worked as a form worker in the construction business and lives at home with his parents and five of his six brothers and sisters in Redfern, is about to get the chance.

Junior Wallabies head coach Nathan Grey has called up Waratah Halaholo and his teammate at the NSW club Tevita Alatini as injury replacements.

The pair are now heading to South Africa to join the Junior Wallabies at the U20 World Cup as injury replacements for Jhy Legg (ankle) and Massimo de Lutiis (hamstring).

Both Australians were injured in the 20 point loss to Ireland on Thursday, which has put the Junior Wallabies in a precarious position as they race to make the finals series.

Clem Halaholo in the National U19 round three match between teenagers from the NSW Waratahs Gen Blue program and Melbourne Rebels.

Beating England and accruing a bonus point on Thursday is crucial for the Junior Wallabies bid to make the semis of the U20 World Cup tournament.

Halaholo, who played junior league with the Sydney Roosters, has been on the rugby radar for some time.

Jack Bowen of the Junior Wallabies kicks during the U20 match between the Junior Wallabies and the Australian Barbarians prior to the team leaving for South Africa.

He played with in the Waratahs team that last year won the U19 national series and making his Shute Shield debut for Sydney Uni in 2022 just months after leaving school at Waverley College,

Halaholo said watching Moale came off the bench for the Cooks Islands to score on his international debut in their crucial 18-12 win at the last rugby league World Cup has been a motivating factor in recent times.

“It’s inspiration seeing him do so well. I want to be up there with him,’’ Halaholo said during the national rugby series.

The Junior Wallabies will face England in their final pool game at Athlone Sports Stadium, 2pm SAST (10pm AEST) on Tuesday.

In Sydney this week the best schools rugby players will be competing at the Australian schools rugby championships at Eric Tweedale.

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