Waratahs U16 team’s special skills ahead of national rugby series v Brumbies, Rebels, Reds

They have been tasked with defending the U16 national rugby series but the new NSW Waratahs squad has a very different look and feel to the last one. And it’s got the experts excited.

The NSW Waratahs Acade,my won both the 16s and 19s last year.

They have been tasked with replicating the feat of the 2022 squad in going through the national rugby series undefeated but the new NSW Waratahs U16s squad has a very different look and feel.

Selectors named the extended squad in the wake of a series of trials, tournaments and last weekend’s Sydney v Country gala with players hailing from areas including Newcastle, Maitland and Dubbo, Campbelltown, Blacktown, inner west, Hills District, the northern beaches, eastern, northern and southern suburbs.

Waratahs head of talent ID Andrew Cleverley said he, the coaches and support staff are excited to see what the new group can achieve but said they look different to last year’s squad.

“It is a little different,’’ he said.

“We have speed to burn and some powerful athletes as well.

Angus Grover at the City v Country carnival. Picture: Julian Andrews

“I think we might be a little bigger than last year as well.

“We have a bigger back line with some big bodies.

“Last year we had blinding speed. I think our style now might be a little more confrontational in the mid field.

CAS1's Harrison Dene in trials.

“I also reckon we have some brilliant versatility. We have players able to play multiple positions. They seem to be more multiskilled.

“It does make more intelligent rugby players. Someone who understands the nuances of the game and plays strategically intelligent rugby.

“We are just really excited. The volunteer coaches, the support staff, about working with these kids.’’

Cleverly said the goal is to not just defend the U16 title but also to replicate the 2022 squads feat of going through the tournament undefeated.

Heamasi Makasini in the Harold Mathews Cup.

“We are setting the bar high to try and repeat the performance of last ear and go undefeated.

“We are excited to see them play as a collective.

“They are fit, fast and ready to fire.’’

The group will be inducted in late August and begin training for their first match against the Brumbies in Canberra on September 30.

Rex Bassingthwaighte in action. Picture: SM Photography

UNDER 16S WARATAHS ACADEMY

FRONT ROW

Marcus Mastro Oatley Junior Rugby Club Trinity Grammar School, Hayden Lavercombe Central Eastwood The King’s School, Keegan Daly Dural Junior Rugby Club Barker College, Darcy Emmett Maitland Blacks All Saint’s College, Maitland, Charlie Ghattas Lindfield Junior Rugby Club St Joseph’s College, Lewis Wilson Newport Junior Rugby Club St Augustines College, Taj Mailei Drummoyne Dirty Reds Holy Cross College, Ryde, Daryus Sione Randwick Warriors Waverley College.

Tanner Mahon tackled by Darcy Emmett at the City v Country match. Picture: Julian Andrews

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LOCKS / BACKROW

Isaac Fonua Blacktown Scorpians The King’s School, Ehren Little Randwick Warriors Waverley College, Edward Baxter Randwick Warriors Shore School, James Finegan Randwick Warriors Waverley College, Maddax Fui Randwick Warriors Westfields Sports High School, TJ Talaileva Southern Beaches Rugby Club Barker College, Jarvis Orr Central Eastwood Knox Grammar School, Justice Taumoepeau Oatley Junior Rugby Club St Joseph’s College, Cynseah Tautalafua Randwick Warriors SEDA College.

HALVES

Angus Grover Lindfield Junior Rugby Club St Ignatius College Riverview, Harry Beckett Wanderers Junior Rugby Club Hunter Sports High School, Harrison Dene Newport Junior Rugby Club Barker College, Jonty Fowler Lindfield Junior Rugby Club St Joseph’s College.

CENTRES

Onitoni Large Campbelltown Harlequins The Scots College, Matthew Gough Northern Barbarians St Joseph’s College, Tom Hatman Mosman Whales St Ignatius College Riverview,

Marcellus Iakopo Central Eastwood Patrician Brothers Blacktown.

CAS1's Reilly Caswell in Schools Selection trials. Picture: John Appleyard

BACK 3

Heamasi Makasini Randwick Warriors Newington College, Reilly Caswell Lindfield Junior Rugby Club Knox Grammar School, Rex Bassingthwaighte Dubbo Roos St John’s College, Dubbo East, Callum Grantham Burraneer Dolphins Newington College, Jai Jason Callaghan Hunter Sports High School

SHADOW SQUAD MEMBERS

Jerome Pongi Central Eastwood St Brigid’s Catholic College, Noah Rylands Manly Savers St Augustines College, Thomas Haslam St Ives Juniors Rugby Club Knox Grammar School, Nick Layton Lindfield Junior Rugby Club Knox Grammar School, Kynan Hart St Joseph’s College, Pheonix Godinet Randwick Warriors.

INJURED

Max Laverty Eastern Suburbs Junior Scots College

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