Waratahs, Reds players dominate schoolboys
Queensland has just edged NSW for the number of players named in the Australian schoolboys and under 18s squads for an upcoming New Zealand tour. See who made the cut.
Wentworth Courier
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Rugby Australia has unveiled its Australian schoolboys and under 18s squads for an upcoming tour of New Zealand with nine players hailing from the Waratahs Academy.
While players selected hail from all five academy teams — Queensland Reds, NSW Waratahs, Melbourne Rebels, ACT Brumbies and Western Force — Waratahs and Reds players dominate the 27-strong squad.
The Waratahs have nine players named in Hugh Bokenham (St Joseph’s College Hunters Hill), Daniel Botha (The Scots College), Joe Brial (The Scots College), John Connolly (The King’s School), Malachi Hawkes (Trinity College), Tolutau Koula (Newington College), Hamish Moore (The Scots College), Billy Pollard (Barker College), Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (The King’s School).
The Reds have the most with 10 players making the cut in the squad selected in the wake of the 2019 Academy Series and general schoolboy competitions.
Ahead for the group is a match against the Fijian Schools, New Zealand Schools Barbarians and the New Zealand Schoolboys.
“The coaching staff have watched countless academy and schoolboy rugby matches and we have been impressed with the depth that is on offer. It didn’t make selections easy but that is a good problem to have,’’ coach Peter Hewat said.
“The challenge now lies in bringing the players together as a group before we head across to play three solid sides.
“However, I have full confidence that this group will rise to the occasion and we are all excited to get into camp.”
The squad’s final two matches against the New Zealand Schools Barbarians and New Zealand schoolboys will be broadcast on Fox Sports.
SCHEDULE:
September 26: Australia v Fiji Schools, Hilcrest High School, Hamilton. 12:30pm AEST
September 30: Australia v New Zealand Barbarian Schools, Hamilton Boys High School, 10:05am AEST
October 4: Australia v New Zealand Schools, St Pauls Collegiate, Hamilton, 1:05pm AEST
Australian schoolboys and under 18s squads for New Zealand tour:
Lachlan Albert, St Ignatius’ College, Brumbies Academy, Anthony Alofipo, Erindale College, Brumbies Academy, George Blake, The Southport School, Reds Academy, Hugh Bokenham, St Joseph’s College Hunters Hill, Waratahs Academy, Daniel Botha, The Scots College, Waratahs Academy, Joe Brial, The Scots College, Waratahs Academy, John Connolly, The King’s School, NSW Waratahs, Joshua Flook, Brothers Rugby Club, Reds Academy.
George Gibson, Brisbane Boys College, Reds Academy, Carter Gordon, Wests Rugby Club, Queensland Reds, Malachi Hawkes, Trinity College, Waratahs Academy, Thomas Hooper, Tuggeranong Vikings, Brumbies Academy, Tolutau Koula, Newington College, Waratahs Academy, Alexander Masibaka, Aranmore College, Rugby WA Academy, Hamish Moore, The Scots College, Waratahs Academy, Zane Nonggorr, The Southport School, Reds Academy.
Reesjan Pasitoa, St Joseph’s College Nudgee, Brumbies, Billy Pollard, Barker College, Waratahs Academy, William Roach, UQ Rugby Club, Reds Academy, Dion Samuela, The Southport School, Reds Academy, Joseph -Aukuso Suaalii, The King’s School, Waratahs Academy, Keynan Tauakipulu, St Peter’s College, Reds Academy, Kalani Thomas, Ipswich Grammar School, Reds Academy, Zephania Tuinona, Queanbeyan Whites, Brumbies Academy
Mosese Tuipulotu, St Kevin’s College, Rebels Academy, Glen Vaihu, St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace, Reds Academy, Harrison Vella, St Joseph’s College Nudgee, Reds Academy.
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