NSW Waratahs v Pasifica stars, standouts, results from open, U20 battles as sons of guns turn heads
Their rising stars put on 100 plus point show as the revamped Waratahs gave a glimpse of their game changers, form, fitness and Super Rugby Pacific potential in big matches against Pasifica.
Waratahs star Jack Bowen said the revamped Waratahs are planning to entertain and surprise in the Super Rugby Pacific competition and have the strike power in their squad to achieve their goals.
On the same day the Waratahs U20’s cracked 100 points in their match against Pasifica and the Waratahs women ran in 17 tries for another big win, the senior side under new coach Dan McKellar gave a glimpse into the clubs future as his side smashed a NSW Pasifica team 73-5 in a morale boosting win on the weekend.
Bowen said just getting out an playing a game together while testing out new structures and styles was a massive benefit.
“We are excited. This is an awesome opportunity to turn things around. This group is really special and feel like we can do special things in 2025,’’ Bowen.
“We have a lot of strike weapons and we want to play an entertaining type of football.
Bowen identified Jimmy Hendren, Henry O’Donnell, Clem Halaholo, Teddy Wilson and Jack Grant as some of the standouts in the weekend match. .
“We have recruited very well and got the beneficial of what happened at the Melbourne Rebels,’’ Bowen said.
“You can expect to see a different team and hopefully a different start to the season as well.’’
The Tahs dominated the weekend match from the start, piling on the points in both halves as they work at producing the type of rugby that will elevate them from the bottom of the ladder last season to serious title contenders in 2025.
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Julian Heavan, Halaholo, Wilson, O’Donnell (2), Triston Reilly (2), Hendren (2), Ethan Dobbins and Jackson Ropata were the game try scorers.
Prior to the main event on Saturday, the future of the game came under the spotlight and didn’t disappoint.
The Waratahs U20s are young, gifted and urgent to get a shot at the big time and it showed when they ran out for their battle at Eric Tweedale on Saturday.
The teenagers ran in an extraordinary 17 tries to one in their demolition of their rivals.
The Tahs cracked 100 before finishing 109-5 winners after Pasifica’s Penese Risale broke through to loud cheers in the dying minutes of an encounter played at speed and in heat.
Winger Tom Hartman, one of the stars of the Super Rugby U19s series last season, made his presence known on the scoreboard during the emphatic victory with his three tries.
Narrabri brothers Joey and Jonty Fowler made the most of their time on the pitch, nailing 7/10 and 5/7 conversions respectively.
Fellow standouts included Australian U18s gun and No. 8 Toby Brial, whose father Michael played for the Waratahs and Wallabies and Zach Fittler, son of rugby league legend Brad.
No. 12 Fittler, who signed with rugby last year and then toured New Zealand with the Australian U18s, hit the field in tip-top shape and was one of the Tahs tryscorers.
Also impressing was Hwi Sharples, who toured with the Waratahs late last year and has been training with the senior group in the lead-up to the Super Rugby kick-off, and mercurial Newcastle winger Brendan Palmer who used his speed to bamboozle and impress and score two tries.
Coach Shannon Fraser said flanker Luca Cleverly, who scored two tries, was one of his standouts, along with reserve back Jay MacKenzie, who also scored twice, captain Eamon Doyle and outside centre Cooper Watters
“I though Luca was someone who took a positive step forward, we saw another area of attack from him,’’ Fraser said.
“Toby Brial and Joey Fowler were good and played calming roles and Tom Hartman started on wing and played fullback and did a lot of good things.
“Zach played well. He is growing as a player and always has two shoulders on him.’’
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