Super Rugby U19s 2023: More heartbreak for Waratahs in grand final v Brumbies, scorers, result wrap
The Waratahs have suffered a second dose of heartbreak at the hands of the ACT Brumbies in an extraordinary finish to the Super Rugby U19s season. Stars and result wrap.
They had five weeks to plot their revenge for a heartbreaking first-up loss but it was deja vu for the NSW Waratahs in the decider of the Super Rugby U19s series in Canberra on Sunday.
In windy and testing conditions a determined ACT Brumbies defeated the defending champions 20-12 in the 2023 grand final.
It followed on from the undefeated Lachlan Hooper led Brumbies beating the Waratahs in the opening game of the 2023 series – the only team to take a win off the NSW side this season.
Adding insult to injury was the fact it was an ex NSW player who helped set up the Brumbies win with Sydney Uni’s Dan Nelson scoring the first try of the match.
Sunday’s decider was a rematch of the opening battle between the two sides which the Brumbies claimed 24–22 in a heartbreaker for the Waratahs.
The Waratahs then strung together three wins to book their grand final spot, defeating the Melbourne Rebels 62–5 in round two – the biggest scoreline of the season in the U19 competition – the Reds 31–19 in round three and then Western Force 32–5 in round five.
This late form had sent the Waratahs into the match as strong contenders for the title but the Brumbies had other ideas as they took they trophy off their NSW rivals and their captain Hooper was named Player of the Match.
Tiny Tavana scored the second try of the match to give the Brumbies a healthy 10-0 lead at halftime.
A fired-up Waratahs then crossed four minutes into the new half thanks to Junior Wallaby Jackson Ropata with a conversion narrowing the deficit to just two.
A Cullen Gray penalty goal and then a third try from Tevita Alatini gave the Brumbies some breathing space before Oliver Schmude slipped over for the Waratahs second try just before time.
“It’s definitely a tough one to take,’’ said captain Jullien Caillol.
“We had our chances. They were quite plentiful. We just have ourselves to blame.’’
“We just didn't execute.
“Full credit to the Brumbies, they were very deserving of the win. Their defence was phenomenal. They were outstanding.’’
SUPER RUGBY U19S GRAND FINAL TEAMS 2023
BRUMBIES (1-15): Sam Sahyoun, Boston Morete, Drew Brndusic, Toby Macpherson, Harvey Cordukes, Lleyton Tautua, Lachlan Hooper (c), Jack Harley, Dan Nelson, Cullen Gray, Tom Hayes, Jakob Biet, Eli Sagala, Angus Stainforth, Shane Wilcox. Replacements: Cameron Johns, Lington Ieli, Tevita Alatini, Will Hopper, Darcy Fogarty, Tino Tavana, Andy McFarlane, Jacob Mead, Jarrah McLeod
WARATAHS (1-15): Jack Barrett, Bryn Edwards, Jackson Stiel, Oliver McCrea, Archie Tancred, Will Kennedy, Harry Davis, Ben Di Staso, Billy Dickens, Oliver Schmude, Archie Saunders, Jullien Caillol (c), Jackson Ropata, Nacani Batidravu, Joe Walsh. Replacements: Will Guilfoyle, Henry Basten, Sam Berckelman, Harry Staniforth, Kaia Gate, Phil Talaileva, Leo Bassingthwaighte, Riley Langfield
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