Why series of U20 trial matches so important for Waratahs rising chasing Australian U20 spots
State pride, club pride and a big opportunity to impress selectors is on the line for the next generation of rugby players in a series of trial matches ahead of Australian U20 squad selection.
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State pride, club boasting rights and a big opportunity to impress selectors is on the line for the next generation of Australian rugby players in a series of trial matches starting this weekend ahead of Australian U20 squad selection.
The Waratahs last year had the most players in the Junior Wallabies team - and more who advanced through their pathway representing other clubs.
It was a major positive for the club left reeling from a dismal Super Rugby season where they finished with the wooden spoon.
NSW Waratahs players included Jack Barrett, Ben Di Staso, Bryn Edwards, Ollie McCrea, Archie Saunders, Eamon Doyle, Hwi Sharples, Joe Dillon and Oniti Finau along with Sevens gun Adena Ekanayake.
Other players who came through the NSW Waratahs system before being picked up by rival clubs included Boston Fakafanua, Rohan Levy, Tevita Alatini, Dan Nelson and Angus Staniforth.
This year the Waratahs U20s team will have a few returning players but also a mash of young guns from their powerhouse academy with a squad to be confirmed on Wednesday for Saturday’s first trial match against the Brumbies
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“There’s a lot of pride on the line for the Waratahs,’’ said Shannon Fraser, who will coach the Tahs U20 against the Brumbies this weekend, Western Force and then the Queensland Reds in the matches in March.
“We have been very successful against Queensland in recent times, I think only the 15s lost to them last year.
“But we have suffered a bit in the 19s space the last couple of years. The 19s haven’t beaten the Brumbies for two years so that will be an important one for us.’’
The majority of players are expected to come from the 2024 Waratahs Super Rugby U19s with rising stars from the Australian U18s last year also expected to get a run at some stage to expose them to strong rugby early in the year if not playing in their own U18s battles.
These players include teenagers many predict will be Wallabies of the future like Edwin Langi, Toby Brial, Sam Blanck, Zach Fittler and Marshall Le Maitre.
“It’s an opportunity for the club to have success in this space,’’ Fraser said of the U20 matches.
“Nationally our pathway space is strong and healthy. From a Waratahs perspective we are doing a lot out in that space.
“This is a series for individuals to put their best foot forward … off the end of this will be a camp for the Australian squad so it’s important,’’ Fraser said.
On Saturday the Waratahs will play the Brumbies and a week later the Waratahs will take on the Queensland Reds in an U18s match which will be followed by the Tahs U20s playing a trial against Western Force at David Phillips Field.
On the 15th the Waratahs U18s and U20s head to Queensland to take on their Reds opposites.
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