Sydney v Country junior rugby under 16, 18 girls to watch and troublemakers, Maitland draw

They are the Sydney and Country impact players. Physical, dynamic, skilled and creative girls expected to cause trouble for their rivals at the junior rugby tournament in Maitland. LIST

The girls games at the last event in Bathurst were some of the best.

Last year their battle was one of the highlights of the Sydney v County junior rugby tournament.

This year a repeat of the close encounter is being tipped again.

Country just edged out Sydney in the under 18 girls match in what was at times a torrid test in 2022.

The coaches of both sides are forecasting an equally close and engrossing battle in Maitland on Sunday.

And they have helped us compile a list of the troublemakers – the players expected to shake things up – in Maitland on Sunday.

BOYS TO WATCH AT CITY V COUNTRY

The aftermath of last year;'s U18s game in Bathurst.

Sydney coach Nathan Kelly said he has a good mix of size, skill and also athleticism.

“We are going to try and use all those attributes when we can,” he said.

“Our outside backs are Amelie Cobb-Johnson, Natasha Ireland and Amelia Whittaker and all really athletic.

Chaela-Lee Falls at the 17s Youth Girls championship.

“Chaela-Lee Falls is a tall, long range, back rower and we want to use her athleticism upfront as well.

“We will try and bedazzle with speed but but we also have the ability to slow things down if we need to.”

Kelly identified a number of players he believes will have an impact on the game on Sunday.

“Chaela-lee, our No. 7, is someone who has been gifted with her frame,” he said.

“She’s a really athletic build and quite skilful, very quick and has the ability to run round defence. But in contact she is also hard to stop.

NSW’s Pyper Marchant at the recent Australian schools rugby tournament. Picture: Julian Andrews

“Tayleah Pasili, also from Sydney University and our No. 8 offers great leadership around the field.

“She’s been incredible bringing together these girls together in a short period.

“She’s big bodied and is a physical presence. She can also offload and create opportunities.

“Coming off the bench we have Pyper Marchant from Sydney Uni and she is electric.

“She plays sevens and is elusive, quick, fit and has a great skill set. She will make an impact off the bench for sure

“Annaliese Chanfrom Gordon is another who can play multiple positions. She’s playing second row for us and is quick, good at jumping, has a good skill set of passing the ball and she’s hard to defend.”

Rising Waratahs Super W stars Bronte Wilson (second from left) and Caitlyn Halse (right) alongside some local juniors Grace Moylan (left) and Beth Witnall (second from right).

Kelly also made special mention of Sydney University player Angela Littler, who hails from Mudgee.

“She travels from Mudgee to Sydney Uni training two times a week and then for us and also for her games.

“She listen, puts in 100 per cent effort, is playing loose head prop and is a good scrimmager and when she gets the ball, is hard to stop.

Country coach Donnie Nepia said he also has players who will turn heads on Sunday and is expecting plenty of emotion to be on the line.

“There’s always plenty of feeling. This is like our State of Origin,’’ he said.

Players after the girls U14s match last year.

Included in his team is Waratahs Super W youngster Bronte Wilson (Illawarra).

“We also have Maggie Mcconnachie (mid north coast) and Lily Bone (Central West) who are with the Brumbies Academy and they are both returning from last year,’’ he said.

“Bronte has come up from the 16s and now has Super W experience which will be great.

“Lily can play No. 8 and lock. She is a very strong ball carrier and loves the contact side. She’s not shy to tackle.

“Maggie will be playing seven and is very good round the tackle area’’

Nepia identified a number of other players to watch.

“Emily Sheather(Hunter), she plays Jack Scott for the Hunter Wildfires. She was in the 18s team last year and is a very strong ball carrier. She’s quick, can read the game and is defensively sound.

“We have five or six coming back form last year and the rest are young girls. I’m excited about what we are going to see.’’

The girls competition will highlight our best young rugby talent.

Lee Miller, the Sydney U16s girls coach, said he has plenty to like in his young side.,

“We have a young fly half Manua Moleka (Sydney University), she’s just been selected in an Australian schools Rugby Sevens squad, and she is an outstanding talent,’’ he said.

“She will be one of our captains and is a very gifted athlete.

“She has a beautiful passing game and extremely talented feet speed.’’

Miller said his sides other captain will be Armani Bentley from Randwick/Easts.

“She’s a flanker and just has beautiful defence and is a strong athlete and has a strong running game,’’ he said.

“Our hooker Irae Leatugaga from the Parramatta Two Blues is a strong runner and powerful forward.

“There's young Molly Adamson (Sydney University) who has a strong defensive game and is our flanker and line out jumper.

“And our young winger Kiana Vatuba (Sydney University) brings lots of energy. She plays Jack Scott and is only 15 and a fast and agile winger.’’

Country also have plenty of talent to watch in the U16s.

“Our halfback Maronay Smuts (Hunter), she plays No. 9 and just had some great experience with the Hunter Wildfires team. Her leadership and rugby IQ is great. She can read the play and sees gaps that she can go through or make is doable for a teammate,’’ said Country forwards coach Lisa Vogel.

“Our No. 8 Ruby Anderson from the Central Coast has been having some great senior rugby and has also played some Jack Scott Cup games.

“She is so strong, her passing and running lines are just amazing.’’

Also in the side is youngster Maia Madden-Khan who was recently named in the Australian schoolgirls sevens U16 Merit squad.

The first match at the Sydney v Country tournament on Sunday will be held at 10:45am and feature the under 14 boys.

At 9.30am the under 14 girls will play on field two and the under 15 boys on field one.

At 10:45am the under 16 girls will play with the under 16 boys starting at 12pm.

At 1:30pm the under 18 girls battle will be held with the final match the 3pm under 18s game.

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Originally published as Sydney v Country junior rugby under 16, 18 girls to watch and troublemakers, Maitland draw