Simple thing selectors want from U18 rugby players chasing rep spots at Sydney trials

The hunt for our next generation of young rugby stars is amping up and selectors know what they want to see from teenagers chasing spots in upcoming teams.

A major event for young rugby players in 2023 is the Australian School Rugby Championships in July. Picture: John Appleyard

The hunt for our next generation of rugby stars is amping up and selectors know exactly what they want to see from teenagers chasing slots in upcoming representative teams.

Around 90 teen footballers from across Sydney will converge on a local oval on Sunday as the hunt for our next generation of rugby stars intensifies.

And selectors know what they want to see as they look to fill spots in a variety of teams to play major events this year.

“We are looking for the best rugby players in Sydney in their position,” said Sydney Juniors General manager and NSW Junior Rugby Union vice president Ben Gregory who is running the trial at Boronia Park at Hunters Hill on Sunday.

Last Sunday around 130 players turned up at the trials with this number culled down to 90 for week two.

NSW players ready for a line out against Queensland 2 at the 48th Australian School Rugby Championships at Knox Grammar last year. Picture: John Appleyard

“These are the best of the best from club rugby. A lot of them are in Colts one and two, some are playing in Sydney juniors and some are in Subbies colts,” Gregory said.

“And they are all under 18.

“Some of these kids will also be in CAS, ISA, CHS and CCC competitions as well. I think there’s a few GPS kids as well coming.”

ISA1's Riley Langfield with the ball in a match against GPS1 at NSW Schools rugby union trials at Eric Tweedale Oval last year. Picture: John Appleyard

The trials will be used to select a squad of 35 to represent Sydney in a series of matches against teams including CAS and GPS in Sydney on June 23.

After this five NSW teams will be selected with a Barbarian side also offering opportunity to young players.

City v Country is one of the highlights of the season. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“The NSW Academy team will play Rugby Australia pathway games and the other four will be in the Australian schools championships,’’ Gregory said.

The 49th Australian schools rugby championships for boys 15s and girls under 16s and open sevens will be played from July 3-6 at Erik Tweedale Stadium.

The Australian schoolboys team and an Australian schoolboys Barbarian side will be selected from the national championships to play a three-way competition against the Tongan schoolboys team.

The first ever Australian schools rugby union Australian school girls sevens team will be selected at the 2023 national championships to represent Australia at the global youth sevens tournament late in 2023.

Later in the year young guns will also have the chance to play in the annual City v Country carnival.

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