NSW Waratahs U18s teen Zion Poitaha a Will Smith lookalike out to make waves
This Waratahs U18s teen has more than a passing resemblance to a Hollywood megastar, a goal to hit 2.3m plus and a plan to go ‘full noise’ after a long lay-off with injury.
He’s a guitar-playing teen with more than a passing resemblance to a young Will Smith but who wants to perform on a difference stage altogether than the Hollywood actor.
And the experts believe towering teen Zion Poitaha has all the right moves – and height – to be a rugby success.
One of rugby’s top young talents hit the playing field for the first time in more than a year when the NSW Waratahs took down the Queensland Reds in the first of two under 18s rugby battles last weekend at Ballymore.
He is now hoping to back-up in Saturday’s return clash at Concord Oval after his successful return from a shoulder injury which required surgery and an extended period on the sideline rehabilitating.
“It’s just makes me want to play it more,” he said of his long lay-off.
“I learned a lot about patience and taking care of my body which is good.
“Now I am back to full noise.”
A growth spurt has seen Poitaha, who comes from both a sporting and musical family, shoot up to 196cm with more growing to come.
His height made him popular across a variety of sports at school, including basketball with the now 18-year-old also a member of the famous Newtown Jets club as a kid and other rugby and league clubs including the Blacktown Scorpions, Rockdale rugby and the St George Dragons at Clempton Park.
Game on: Stars of Tahs v Reds arm wrestle
Special:Waratahs U18s players to watch
“I’m six foot five now but my dad is six six and mum is six four so I’m hoping to grow some more. Six foot eight is the goal,” said Poitaha, who grew up at Sydenham and went to school at St Pious Enmore, Tempe High and Waverley College.
“I am only playing rugby now. It’s my main interest.
“I played basketball at school and rugby league but I decided I liked rugby union the most.
“Mum and dad said I would complain a lot about it being too much. It was sport non-stop and I had to make a choice.
“I just enjoyed rugby more. It’s a good community and there are lots of Pacific Islanders in it as well so its good to see the culture coming through.’’
Poitaha, whose brother Kingston is with the St George Dragons in the Harrold Matts, will also play colts rugby with Randwick this season.
The Waratahs will take on the Queensland Reds U18 Academy at Concord at 2.35pm on Saturday.
The Tahs are hoping to cleanweep the series as they did a year ago.
More Coverage
How Hokball took AFL by storm, but became Hawthorn’s undoing
The Hawks turned their year around with a thrilling style of play, but ultimately they couldn’t get it done in a semi final. MATTHEW FORREST reviews their season and looks ahead.
The two ‘best mates’ integral to Sydney’s flag dreams
For a decade, Jake Lloyd and Harry Cunningham have quietly gone about their business. So often they’re critical to the Swans’ success, and Friday’s preliminary final will be no different.