Rugby’s in fightback to keep teens in game with spicy Australia U16s v Tahs battle

It’s part of a spirited fightback to keep talented teens in rugby with plenty of heat and spice predicted in a one-off match between the best young rugby talent in the country

Ratu Ifereimi for Rebels and Ashton Large with the Waratahs playing in the U16s comp this year. Picture: John Appleyard.

It’s part of a spirited fightback to keep talented teenagers in rugby and there’s plenty of heat and spice being forecast in Thursday’s one-off match between the best young rugby talent in the country.

The Australian U16s team clash with the Waratahs U17s gives young footballers, many dipping in and out of both rugby and league, their first taste to represent their country.

Many of the Waratahs U17s team will be using the opportunity to prove they should be wearing the Australian jersey in the game or for older players be right in the frame for both Waratahs squads in 2025 and the Australian U18s team.

Australian U16s coach Tim Rapp said the fact rugby provides young guns with a pathway and opportunity to represent their country at an early age - along with having access to top coaching, nutritional information and other benefits, is a “massive thing’’ for young footballers.

“It’s a special thing to play for your country and they are very excited,’’ Rapp said.

“In rugby league at this age they can play Harold Matts. In rugby they can play for their country,’’ he said.

“Thirteen from the U16s last time played in the U18s Australian team that beat New Zealand recently. That highlight this pathway is good and beneficial.’’

Ashton Large for Waratahs in the Super Rugby U16s. Picture: John Appleyard.

Rapp said he expects there to be plenty of fire and spice in the battle.

“Guaranteed, there will be plenty of fuel out there,’’ the said. “Especially from the ones who didn't make it. They will want to prove us wrong and show their best.’’

The Waratahs have selected players they want to give a chance to ahead of squad confirmations in the new year.

“It’s obviously missing players that played for Australia in the under 18s in 2024. We obviously know that they’ve played well and are good players,’’ said Tahs head of talent ID Andrew Cleverley,

Aidan Wunsch is tackled by Alexander Stephenson in a league game on The Central Coast.

“This is an opportunity to give other kids a crack.

“We also got some 16-year-olds we feel were either unlucky to miss the side in the first place or been injured, or whatever.

“Ben Sawyer, our fullback, spent most of 2024 injured but obviously at this time of year, he’s come good so is being given a go.

“We’re looking to see who performs and can play.

“The under 18s (Australian team) in 2025 is also he big carrot for these boys.

“I’d expect the boys that are in the Australian team and the boys that are in our team, I expect the bulk of program could come from those two teams.’’

Talen Risati is tackled in City v Country. Picture: Julian Andrews

AUSTRALIAN U16S RUGBY SQUAD

1 Nicholas Kotarac Knox Grammar School, 2 Adrian De Klerk Sunshine Coast Grammar School, 3 Hasani Bloomfield The Kings School, 4 Jack Calleja Ipswich Grammar School, 5 Tahj Smith Barker College, 6 Aston Weir The Scots College, 7 Justice Taumoepeau St Joseph’s College, 8 Agapetos Lote-Felo The Southport School, 9 Alfie Bowman Anglican Church Grammar School, 10 Talen Risati The Kings School, 11 Darcy Feltham Oakhill College, 12 Chase Bunce St Mark’s Anglican School, 13 Taione Taka Brisbane Boys College, 14 Hemi Rakuita Ipswich Grammar School, 15 Jarryd King Newington College

16 Oliver Smith The Kings School, 17 Harrison Asi Brisbane Boys College, 18 Visesio Kite Anglican Church Grammar School, 19 Bareek Kleine-Deters Ausage Byford Secondary College, 20 Selesitino Mainakavika St John’s College, Dubbo, 21 Halaliku Lauhingoa The Grange Secondary School, 22 Harry Whitaker Newington College, 23 Aidan Wunsch Daramalan College, 24 Creighton Meafou Edmund Rice College, 25 Ashton Large The Scots College.

Ratu Ifereimi for Rebels and Ashton Large for Waratahs Under 16s.

NSW WARATAHS U17S RUGBY SQUAD

1 LOOSEHEAD PROP Iliyaz VILIAMU, 2 HOOKER Darius SIONE, 3 TIGHTHEAD PROP Keegan DALY, 4 LEFT LOCK Alex RYAN, 5 RIGHT LOCK Ed BAXTER ©, 6 LEFT FLANKER Travis MARTIN, 7 RIGHT FLANKER Thomas HASLAM, 8 NUMBER EIGHT Noah RYLANDS, 9 SCRUMHALF JEREMY RATH 10 FLYHALF Harrison DENE, 11 LEFT WING Brock PRIDEAUX, 12 INSIDE CENTRE Matthew GOUGH, 13 OUTSIDE CENTRE Kobi MENDEL, 14 RIGHT WING Tom O’HARA, 15 FULLBACK Ben SAWYER, REPLACEMENTS: In order from Hooker to Full Back: 16 RESERVE Charlie GHATTAS FR, 17 RESERVE Tyson BURDEN FR, 18 RESERVE Riley WILLIAMS FR, 19 RESERVE Isileli MOLI, 20 RESERVE Dylan SIMMONS, 21 RESERVE Cooper GUERRIN, 22 RESERVE Nick LAYTON, 23 RESERVE Keone ANITELEA-TSOUSSIS, 24 RESERVE Ofa LATU

Originally published as Rugby’s in fightback to keep teens in game with spicy Australia U16s v Tahs battle