Rugby rising star Tom Hartman back for Waratahs U18s return battle with Reds plus NSW squad

Coach Angus Sinclair said the Waratahs U18s could have played better against the Queensland Reds first up and now they have the teenager back who can help make it happen. NSW squad

Coach Angus Sinclair said the Waratahs U18s could have played better against the Queensland Reds first up and now they have the teenager back who can help make it happen this weekend.

After an extended absence with injury, try scoring sensation Tom Hartman is back and available for the Waratahs U18s side taking on the Reds at Daceyville in the second match-up of their annual two-game battle.

Hartman was one of the standouts and most prolific scorers of the Waratah U16s Super Rugby series last year but has been unavailable to play recently due to a foot injury.

The St Ignatius College student and Mosman Whale junior was also in the Australian U18s squad in 2024.

The Waratahs U18s go into Saturday’s finale with a big 50-33 win over the Reds from last weekend but on high alert for a comeback from their arch rugby rivals.

Sinclair said his charges are wanting to improve on their own performance when they engage again in Sydney on Saturday

Tom Hartman scores for the Waratahs. Picture: Julian Andrews

“The boys are pretty excited to go again, especially because I think even though we won it was a very tight game and probably blew out in the last five minutes,’’ Sinclair said.

“And I know the boys know we could have played a lot better so that’s probably the motivating factor.’’

Sinclair wants to see improvement across a range of areas including being more clinical on kick off for start and exit.

But he was happy with the fitness of his charges and also the depth of his bench which delivered prime minutes.

The Waratahs U18s playing Easts Colts in a trial training game recently.

Sinclair said he expects another big game from his backs in the match that starts at 12.20pm on Saturday at Waratahs headquarters at Daceyville.

Both sides want to put in a big performance in the match with Australian U18s selectors watching on.

The Australian U18s will be looking to defend wins over New Zealand teams in 2024 later this year on home soil.

NSW WARATAHS U18S SQUAD TO TAKE ON REDS U18S

1 LOOSEHEAD PROP Hayden Lavercombe FR, 2 HOOKER Oliver Smith FR, 3 TIGHTHEAD PROP Isaiah Sheck FR. 4 LEFT LOCK Ed Kasprowicz, 5 RIGHT LOCK Ed Baxter, 6 LEFT FLANKER TJ Talaileva, 7 RIGHT FLANKER Jarvis Orr, 8 NUMBER EIGHT Justice Taumoepeau, 9 SCRUMHALF Angus Grover ( C) 10 FLYHALF Jonty Fowler, 11 LEFT WING Tom Hartman, 12 INSIDE CENTRE Matthew Gough, 13 OUTSIDE CENTRE Jarryd King, 14 RIGHT WING Brock Prideaux, 15 FULLBACK Max Palmisani.

REPLACEMENTS: Hasani Bloomfield FR, Tyson Burden FR, Keegan Daly FR, Noah Rylands, Tahj Smith, Flynn Farrell, Harrison Dene, Ben Sawyer, Dylan Simmons, Tom Dunn

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Originally published as Rugby rising star Tom Hartman back for Waratahs U18s return battle with Reds plus NSW squad