National U16, U19 rugby championship: selectors search for bolters, Rd1 wrap, scorers, results

The National U16s, U19 rugby championships is showcasing Australia’s best young talent ahead of some major selections. But not everyone is on the selectors radar - yet. Rd 1 wrap.

There were plenty of stars and standouts from the NSW Waratah Gen Blue players in round one.

There were thrillers, comebacks and head-turning tries during the opening round of the National U16 and U18 rugby championships.

There were also performances from players that some didn’t see coming.

And that, according to Junior Wallabies coach Nathan Grey, is one of the most exciting things about the returning series being played by teams from five Super Rugby clubs.

Ahead of The Waratahs hosting the Brumbies at the David Phillips Sports Complex on Sunday in both the U16 and U19 competitions, Grey said he believes the series will unearth new talent - including a bolter or two for squads named post the event.

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Action in the U19 match between the young Waratahs and Reds. Pic: Kev Nagle.

“I will guarantee you there will be kids identified no one would have ever seen or heard of,’’ Grey said.

“That’s what is awesome about this.’’

Grey said a 19s squad of 35 will be selected ahead of 2023.

A merit team will also be chosen in the 16s.

“That group will come together in December on the Gold Coast,’’ Grey said.

“That’s where we can give them a sniff of what professionalism in rugby is about, a taste of how hard it can be and the pathway.

“They may be Wallabies and we want to show them what it looks like.’’

The young Waratahs during their match with the Reds. Pic: Kev Nagle.

U16, U19 NATIONAL RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND ONE RESULTS, SCORERS, STARS

Round one had everything. From thrillers to come from behind wins and try-fests, there was something for every type of fan.

WESTERN FORCE V BRUMBIES U16s

The Force beat the Brumbies 26-20 in the U16s championship in round one.

Luke Holt-Brown scored two tries for Force with the others scored by Ken Ah Hong and Manaia Te Tana.

Brodie Mainwaring kicked three conversions.

Harry Hudson and Braydan Darmody went over for the a Brumbies.

Sam Chapman converted both and kicked two penalties.

Action in the fist round matches in Brisbane. Pic: Kev Nagle.

NSW WARATAHS V QUEENSLAND REDS U16s

The NSW Waratahs beat the Queensland Reds 32-3 in the U16 compettion.

Sam Blank, Mitchell Woods, Ollie Aboud and Zach Fittler all scored tries in the big win by the NSW side who flew to Brisbane on game day to play.

BRUMBIES V WESTERN FORCE U19S

The Brumbies beat the Force 62-27 in the biggest score of the first round of the U19 championship.

Eight different Brumbies players went over for tries - Ben Keogh, Shane Wilcox, Liam Bowron, Henry Palmer (two tries), Reeve Smith, Mathias Jensen, Mark Tiuru-Beni, Sonny Meleisea.

Cullen Gray made seven conversions and kicked a penalty.

Western Force’s scorers were Jhy Legg, withheld name, Brad Avery, Marley Pearce and Anthony Moataane.

There were plenty of stars and standouts from the NSW Waratah Gen Blue players in round one.

WARATAHS V QUEENSLAND REDS U19S

The Waratahs defeated the Queensland Reds 29-26 after being tryless in the first half.

The Waratahs scored all their tries in the second half thanks to Jackson Ropata, Clem Halaholo, Henry Roberts and Jayden Moujalli.

Jack Matthews converted three and Connor McMullen kicked a penalty.

Taj Annan scored for the Reds along with Harry Mclaughlin-Phillips, Jackson Connelly and Jarrod Homan.

Annan converged two and Mclaughlin-Phillips one.

ROUND ONE U16, U19 NATIONAL RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS

U16BRUMBIES (1-15): Jezaiah Sega, Mackai Reedy, Maloi John Terupo, Patrick Edwards, Jacob Colwell, Alex Hardy, Bailey Bouquianx, Harry Harrington, Jasvia Singh-Clark, Sam Chapman, Max Berry, Xavier Aitolu, Harry Hudson, Denzel Veikune, Braydan Darmody

RESERVES: William Cash, Tipa Vaili, Dominic Pickering, Leevi Pomale, Joshua Chalker, Billy Lachlan, Joseph Lonergan, Scott Dolvin

FORCE (1-15): TBC, TBC, Zane Wesley, TBC, Jackson Bridges, Rohan Viskovich, Luke Holt-Brown, Hugh Chapman, Tamarangi Tunui, Brodie Mainwaring, Thomas Yates, Christoffel Jansen, Taatama Rere, Ken Ah Hong, Josh Whittingham

RESERVES: TBC, Charlie Groom, Salesi Tatafu, William Crew, TBC, TBC, Dalvin Paki, Ethan Pike

U19BRUMBIES (1-15): Sam Eden, Liam Bowron, Massimo De Lutiis, TBC, Harry Williams, Dylan Challita, Christopher Mickelson, Baden Godfrey, Ben Keogh, Syris Schmidt, Henry Palmer, Sonny Meleisea, Matias Jensen, TBC, Cullen Gray

RESERVES: Waisea Tudulu, Reeve Smith, Mark Tiuru-Beni, Xavier Degei, Tevita Alatini, TBC, Ben Kafer, Luron Patea

FORCE (1-15): Jonathan Chapman-Stean, Marley Pearce, Anthony Moataane, Jhy Legg, Ruben Steenkamp, Ihaia-Lee Kamizona-Heke, TBC, Ned Slack-Smith, Christiano Tizzano, Hunta Boyes, Kauri Tipene-Grace, Ammaru Iti, Ryan McGloin, Brad Avery, Justin Landman

RESERVES: Joshua Mongard, Andre Scholtz, Rueben Baker, Caleb Karangaroa, Dane Sawers, Lucius Gouws, Blake Mettam, Justin Talemaira

NSW came from behind to take the U19 win against the Reds.

U16REDS (1-15): Blaze Moana, Ewald Kruger, Princeton Ioane, Tom Robinson (C), Avery Thomson, Jake Stephens, Joseph Stoddart, Jasper Barry, Tom Goldie, Tauave Leofa, David Colaivalu, Zac Nichol, Chace Oates, Blake Miller, Tom Howard,

RESERVES: Harry Solofa, Cameron Ray, Lochlan Smith, Will Pascoe, Billy Wellard, Samuel Watson, Charlie O’Connell, Ryan Heaton

WARATAHS (1-15): Daniel Christodoulou, Max Meagher, Edwin Langi, Zion Poitaha, Toby Brial, Oliver Aboud, Marshall Le Maitre, Daniel Meafou, Sam Blank, Alex Conti, Casey McLean, Joe Walsh, Tom Watts, Charlie Poynton, Mitchell Woods

RESERVES: Luke Muriti, Tyler Byrne, Harper Strachan, Sam Niulala, Luca Cleverley Darcy Brown, Zach Fittler, Leo Jaques, Connor Dempsey

U19 REDS (1-15): Charlie Wigan, Max Craig, Nick Bloomfield, Lachlan Shaw, Dylan Loader, George Stoddart, Nick Baker (c), John Bryant, Sam Farrar, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Jarrod Homan, Taj Annan (vc), Tim Ryan, Jackson Connelly, Jack Hussey

RESERVES: Harrison Usher, Noah Hartley, Angus Ward, Tanna Wilson, Stuart Tualima, Jayvan Scarff, Harry Grant, Hunter Lim

WARATAHS (1-15): Jamie Clark, Albert Alcock, Jayden Moujalli, Oskar Hicks, Fritz Jahnke-Tavana, Clem Halaholo, Hayden Maher, Philip Talaileva, Tom Goddard, Connor McMullen, Aaron Dimovitch, Charlie Worthington, Jackson Ropata, Omar Noureddine Tom Morrison

RESERVES: Harvey McGregor, Jack Barrett, Henry Roberts, Sam Allsopp, Jackson Knight, Lachie Cruickshank, Paulie Manuel, Jack Matthews, Tyee Manson

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Originally published as National U16, U19 rugby championship: selectors search for bolters, Rd1 wrap, scorers, results