Special Waratahs under 18s teenagers, sons of guns to watch in battle against Queensland Reds
They are the “special players”, workhorses and teens with talent to burn ready to take the rivalry with the Queensland Reds up a notch in the first of two under 18s battles. Players to watch for
It’s a team boasting sons of guns, teenagers with the bodies of men, speedsters and players with something “very special” about them.
It’s also a team determined to keep intact their recent winning run against the Queensland Reds when they clash in the first of two matches this weekend.
Under his charge for the last six weeks, Waratahs under 18s coach Michael Snowden has rated his youngsters as good and fit.
“It’s a good team and many have played together throughout the pathway and the last two under 16s teams that played in the Super Rugby competition.’’ Snowden said. “That’s a big benefit.
“The individual skills are good as well and some played in Australian 18s team.
“They’re a bit of everything; excellent ball carriers, talented players, it’s quite a quick team and out back there are three very fast players in Charlie Poynton, Tom Hartman and Jamie McKenzie with Tom, Farr-Jones coming off the bench.
“They are all very talented footballers. They are all a bit special.’’
Snowden said there are a number of youngsters he’s excited to see take on the Reds at Ballymore on Saturday, including two players he rates as among the hardest working rugby teenagers around.
“Toby Brial (son of Wallaby Michael) is just an outstanding footballer. He will be very successful” Snowden said.
“There are there are a lot of natural gifted players but he has the workload as well and he’s built like a man, not like a kid. He’s very fit and will play 80 minutes.
“Then there’s Marshall Le Maitre who was stuck behind Austin Durbridge who made the Australian 18s last year.
“I’m expecting a lot from him. He has a fantastic motor. He’s one of the fittest you can find and you can count on him.
“He has an immense workrate and he’s now larger because of it. He’s in fantastic condition.’’
Snowdon said rising star Justice Taumoepeau, at just 16, is also expected to make a mark off the bench.
“The big X factor for us is justice.’’ Snowden said.
“The thing for Justice is he could make the under 18ss team and then also play in the under 16 Super Rugby later this year because of his age.
“He’s an exceptional player. He also has an incredible work ethic.
“He could be very special, and might have another foot to grow yet.
“He’s a player who’s talent has nothing to do with his size. He’s just so skilled. His size is a bonus.’’
WARATAHS U18 SQUAD 2024
1 Nicholas Hill Barker College Maitland Junior Rugby Club. 2 Riley Osborn St Augustine’s College Newport Junior Rugby Club. 3 Edwin Langi Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club Drummoyne Junior Rugby Club, 4 Zion Poitaha Randwick Rugby Club Rockdale Junior Rugby Club, 5 Isaac Fonua The King’s School Blacktown Scorpions Junior Rugby Club, 6 Luca Cleverley Newington College Randwick Warriors Rugby Club.
7 Marshall Le Maitre ©Shore School Chatswood Junior Rugby Club, 8 Toby Brial The Scot’s College Wakatipu Rugby Club-NZ. 9 Angus Grover St Ignatius College, Riverview Lindfield Junior Rugby Club. 10 Harrison Dene Barker College Newport Junior Rugby Club, 11 Jay McKenzie The Scot’s College Easts Bays Junior Rugby Club.
12 Kahu Capper Waverley College Spotty Dogs Taranaki- NZ, 13 Tom Watts Sydney University Northern Barbarians Rugby Club, 14 Tom Hartman St Ignatius College, Riverview Mosman Junior Rugby Club, 15 Charlie Poynton Barker College Jindabyne Rugby Union Club, 16 Poni Ravubale Eastwood Rugby Club Parramatta Two Blues Rugby Club, 17 Hayden Lavercombe The King’s School Central Eastwood Rugby football Club, 18 Lewis Wilson St Augustine’s College Newport Junior Rugby Club.
19 Charlie Ulcoq The Scot’s College Easts Bays Junior Rugby Club. 20 Justice Taumoepeau St Josephs College Oatley Rugby Club, 21 Sam Blank St Augustine’s College Manly Junior Rugby Union Club, 22 Matthew Gough St Josephs College Northern Barbarians Junior Rugby Club, 23 Tom Farr-Jones Randwick Rugby Club Randwick Warriors Rugby Club, 24 Keegan Daly Barker College Dural Rugby Club.
25 Henry Conick Shore School Manly Junior Rugby Union Club.
Coaches: Michael Snowden, Angus Sinclair, Mattew Evrard. S & C:Angus Teece, Physio: Lachlan Stewart, Manager Andrew Cleverley
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