Waratahs U19 teen Jamie Clark chasing Junior Wallabies spot with top form in national rugby champs

He might be a Manly fan but this teens future became clear when he had his photo snapped with a famous face in rugby as a kid. Now he’s ripping it up in the U19 national championship series.

Jamie Clark has been dreaming of being a pro rugby player for a long time.

Jamie Clark was involved in a series loss earlier this year that has helped spark the best form of his young career.

It’s also fired the 19-year-old up for victory alongside his U19 NSW Waratah Gen Blue teammates in the national rugby championships which culminate in Sydney on Sunday.

The northern beaches player, studying sport and exercise science at Sydney University, grew up playing league with the Harbord Devils and rugby with Manly Marlins but it was in the latter sport he became “obsessed’’.

Jamie Clark makes a break in the NSW Waratahs match against the ACT Brumbies.

“When I was 15 I got picked in my first Gen Blue program and realised I could make a pathway for myself,’’ he said. “I’ve always wanted to do this, from the age of five or six.

“I was a huge Manly Sea Eagles fan. We would go to every home game we could and I had the full kit and everything but I just kept becoming more obsessed with rugby as I got older.’’

Jamie Clarke as an 11-year-old with a famous rugby name.

MULLETS TO MAULS: Teen creating a buzz

GAME ON: Rugby legends back Tonga in Pacifica Youth Cup

Clarke said one of his great childhood memories is meeting former wallabies coach Robbie Deans and having a photo with the New Zealand former player and Australian coach in his full Wallabies kit which he still has.

“He came to training and I got the photos. I was pretty excited,’’ Clark said.

Clark said he’s big goal is to make the next Junior Wallabies cut after being part of the squad which competed in the Oceania championships mid year.

“We had held the trophy and then we lost it and we want it back. I really want to challenge for that,” Clark said.

“The goal for me is the Junior Wallabies. That loss lit a fire.’’

Clark, comes from a sporting background but it might not be what you expect for someone already 115 kilos and 190.5cm.

“My grandad played a lot of rugby, he used to play for Drummoyne, but Dad played soccer because he’s British,’’ said the teenager.

“Mum (Neridah Wearne) is a softballer and she’s coached for NSW and Australia.”

Clark is also working as a rugby coach at his old school, Shore.

“I also work for What Ability, I do casual work there, work with the kids and I love it. It’s awesome. It gives me a third eye on how lucky I am.’’

Clark said he “likes to do a bit of the dirty work in the scrums and lineouts and give 100 per cent at running the ball’’.

“I enjoy beating the opposition. I like the physicality of it. It’s something that livens the game up.’’

The U16 match between the NSW Waratahs and the Queensland Reds will be played at 12.05pm on Sunday and the U19 match between the Waratahs and Reds at 2:35pm at Pittwater Rugby Park.

Click to read more from AMANDA LULHAM