NSW Waratahs’ top 34 under 18s players to tackle Queensland Reds in early season battle

It’s an impressive footy record - nine straight wins over a rival state across four age groups in a year - and one these rising stars are out to extend.

NSW player Tom Hartman was one of the standouts of the U16 Super Rugby series last year. Picture: Julian Andrews

It’s an impressive footy record - nine straight wins over a rival state across four age groups in a year - and one these rising stars are out to extend.

Rugby’s top teenagers are preparing for an unusual pre-season battle with the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds to clash for the first time in 2024 in two U18s matches.

Normally played mid to late year, the annual matches have been shifted to February 26 and March 2 in 2024 with the Waratahs U18s already in training for the matches at Ballymore and Concord Oval respectively.

At stake is rugby pride with the Tahs pathways program last year pulling off the extraordinary feat of winning every one of the nine games played against their Queensland Reds opposites across the U15, U16, U18 and U19 age groups.

Now Waratahs officials have named a new 34-strong squad of young guns to vie for spots in their teams for the upcoming battles.

COUNTRY RUGBY GIRLS TO WATCH FOR

Queensland Reds' Dominic Kallquist is tackled by Waratahs Marshall La Maitre in the U18s match last year. Picture: John Appleyard

Some of the players expected to standout in the series for NSW include No. 8 Toby Brial, who played for Australia against New Zealand late last year and Issac Fonua, a player with size and talent in the second row.

Also in the side is exciting NSW back Angus Grover who repeatedly featured in the teams of the week during last season’s Super Rugby U16 series.

Tom Hartman playing against Western Force in the Super Rugby U16s series in 2023. Picture: Julian Andrews

So did back rower and Waratahs U16 vice-captain in 2033 Justice Taumoepeau from Joeys and the Oatley rugby club. Prolific try scorer Tom Hartman, an athletic right winner from Riverview is also in.

Taumoepeau, at just 16, is the youngest player in the squad.

Another standout last year and now in the 18s squad is flyhalf Harrison Dene from the Newport Junior Rugby club and Saint Augustine College.

The majority of the players in the squad were part of the victorious Waratahs side which cleanswept the season to win the U16 Super Rugby crown in 2023.

WARATAHS U18S SQUAD IN 2024

Oliver Aboud (18), Ed Baxter (17), Sam Blank (18), Toby Brial (18), Luca Cleverley (18), Matt Cough (17), Keegan Daly (17), Harrison Dene (17), Riley Evans (18), Tom Farr- Jones (18), Isaac Fonua (17), Angus Grover (17), Tom Hartman (17), Nick Hill (18), Leo Jacques (18), Edwin Langi (18), Hayden Lavercombe (17), Max Laverty (17), Marshall Le Maitre (18) Marcus Mastro (17). Jay McKenzie (18), Jarvis Orr (17), Zion Poitaha (18), Charlie Poynton (18), Poni Ravubale (18), Daryus Sione (17), Harper Strachan (18), Justice Taumoepeau (16), Anton Thiel, Charlie Ulcoq (18), Joe Walsh (18), Thomas Watts (18), Lewis Wilson (17). Sam Niulala (18) - Unavailable due to injury.

Originally published as NSW Waratahs’ top 34 under 18s players to tackle Queensland Reds in early season battle