Waratahs v Reds U18s stars, scorers, sons of guns in rugby battle for Australian spots in NZ Test

There was fancy footwork, masses of tries, big bits and explosive speed. Stars, standouts and scorers in the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds under 18s rugby big bash. RESULT WRAP

Some of the great photos from the Under 18s rugby battle between the Tah and Reds.

It might not look it at the Rugby World Cup but the future of rugby in Australia is bright, very fast and a little familiar.

Players from two of the best rugby Academies in the country clashed in Sydney on Tuesday and didn’t disappoint.

There were big hits, slick moves, speed to burn and creative plays as the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds under 18 programs battled it out in soaring heat at Forshaw Park in Sydney’s south.

And while state pride was on the line, so were spots in the Australian under 18 squad to take on New Zealand in an upcoming rugby series in the ACT.

Australian coach Shannon Fraser added to the intensity of the match by revealing pre-game numerous sports would be determined in the Tahs v Reds battle.

AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS TEST SQUAD

Waratahs' Tom Klem tackles Qld Reds' Jacob Johnson. Picture: John Appleyard

Waratahs' Boston Fakafanua and Aden Ekanayake. Picture: John Appleyard

The annual under 18s event throws a spotlight on the best young rugby players in NSW and Queensland already identified by their Academies for their potential.

Tuesday’s game was the second and final match of the series in which NSW won both matches in the first leg in Brisbane to head into the games at Forshaw Park as favourites.

And they didn’t disappoint, winning an entertaining battle in the match of the day after their squad mates mauled the Reds in a curtain-raising encounter.

Six different Tahs players went over in the main game which the Waratahs won 47-40 after a late rally by the Reds and a crucial try by the son of former Wallaby great Lote Tuqiri.

Joe Walsh, Samuel Niulala, captain Hwi Sharples, Liam Grover and Leo Jaques all scored in the first half to put the Tahs up 35-19.

Waratah's Joseph Dillon soaks up the bcoll during a water break in the hot conditions. Picture: John Appleyard

Grover nailed the only Waratahs double with Tom Klem also scoring in the second half to help deliver the Tahs the victory.

Marcarius Pereira, Ryan Shaw (two), Samson Tuqiri, Ewald Kruger and Frankie Goldsbrough scored for the Reds.

“You never expect to score 47 points in a game of rugby and it still be right to the end,’’ said Andy Brownhill from the Waratahs coaching staff.

“That’s probably a testament to how good the Reds were.

“The boys showed great character. We went down to 14 men in the second half and it was what, 34 or 35 degrees, which is hot. A lot of these boys stopped playing rugby five or six weeks ago.’’

Brownhill said the try scorers were standouts along with numerous others players.

Waratah's Jonathan Ryan.

“From the set piece I though Will Goddard was really good and so was Aden Ekanayake,’’ he said.

“It was also good to see some of our subs come on and do well. Eamon Doyle who came on in the second row was very, very good.

“Tom Klem came on and was very skilful. He added a bit of control and a try. Coming off the bench he was one of our most influential players.’’

Brownhill said youngster Joe Walsh was a standout in the back end of the game.

“They managed to hold them out for the last five minutes and that was probably lead by Joe Walsh. He was very good.’’

Queensland Reds' Dre-dyn Laban gets away from his Waratah pursuers. Picture: John Appleyard

In the first match of the day, NSW Waratahs White monstered Queensland Grey in a dominating display in high heat.

The NSW side beat their Queensland counterparts 71–26, running in a staggering 11 tries to four in the thrashing.

The Queensland Reds showed flashes of creativity but were largely nullified by the NSW side who opened the scoring just minutes into the game.

Marshall Le Maitre was one of the stars with three tries as the Tahs dominated from go to woe, l leading 40–7 at half time before piling on another 31 points in the second half.

While Le Maitre scored a trifecta, all the remaining tries were scored by different Waratahs players.

Jon Ryan opened the floodgates with Will Guilfoyle, Beau Morrison, Le Maitre and Charlie Poynton all going over before half time.

Sid Harvey, Kye Pule, Charlie O’Kane, Kaleb Ah-Colt and Le Maitre all scored in the second half.

The Reds tryscorers were Jeremiah Sialau, Slater Galloway, the mercurial Emil Willie-Jawal and George Griffiths.

Waratahs' Malakye Enasio and Bailey Park tackle Qld Reds' Jacob Johnson.

WARATAHS ACADEMY WHITE U18S TO TAKE ON QUEENSLAND REDS

Will McKinnon Knox Grammar School, William Guilfoyle The Scot’s College, Kaleb Ah-Colt Cranbrook School, Ned Ericsson Knox Grammar School, Jacob Veiru Newington College, Jonathan Ryan Knox Grammar School, Marshall Le Maitre Shore School, Beau Morrison Knox Grammar school, Orly Hatton-Ward Trinity Grammar school, Joseph Dillon St Ignatius College, Riverview, Charlie Poynton Barker College, Oscar Jorgenson St Joseph’s College, Hamish MacDonald Barker College, Tom Watts The King’s School, Sid Harvey Narrabri High School, Kye Pule Waverley College, Charlie O’Kane St Joseph’s College, Nick Hill Barker College, Adam van Wyk Barker College, Jacob John Chifley College, Darcy Standfield Waverley College, Wihan Kruger Southern Districts Rugby Club, Jay McKenzie The Scot’s College

WARATAHS ACADEMY BLUE U18S TO TAKE ON QUEENSLAND REDS

Nathaniel Tiitii The King’s School. Lipina Ata Newington College, Will Goddard, Knox Grammar School, Aden Ekanayake Gordon Rugby Club, Lachlan Doheny Eastwood Rugby Club, Sam Niulala Trinity Grammar School, Austin Durbidge The King’s School, Toby Brial The Scots College, Hwi Sharples St Joseph’s College, Joe Walsh St Augustine’s College, Leo Jaques The Scots College, Tyrese Lokeni The King’s School, Malakye Enasio Knox Grammar School, Liam Grover St Ignatius College, Riverview, Boston Fakafanua The King’s School, Bailey Park The King’s School, Nick Ashdown The King’s School, Edwin Langi The King’s School, Eamon Doyle St Joseph’s College, Luca Cleverley Newington College,

Sam Blank St Augustine’s College, Joseph Dillon St Ignatius College, Riverview, Tom Klem Shore School.