Gen Blues v Queensland Reds: NSW rugby teens to watch, Max Jorgensen, Oliver McCrea, Lachlan Hooper, Jackson Ropata
A diamond in the rough, a son of a football star and a pair of “big engines” are among the teens to watch in the new Gen Blues squad taking on the Reds this weekend.
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Just a week after training for the first time together, two Gen Blues teams will take on the Queensland Reds in a showcase of the most exciting rugby talent in the country.
The newly-selected Gen Blue’s squad heads north to Brisbane on Saturday to take on their Reds counterparts at 12.30pm and 2pm at the GPS rugby club.
And in the squads are Super Rugby and Wallabies players of the future.
We take a look at some of the young guns expected to turn heads.
Max Jorgensen, GPS, St Joseph’s College
A standout fullback in the Gen Blues who has been in the pathway for a number of years.
“He’s a pretty talented kid, has terrific balance as a runner and is very fast. A good decision maker,” said Dean Hargreaves, a member of the Gen Blues coaching staff.
The son of Peter Jorgensen, a former Wallaby and professional rugby league player with the Roosters and the Penrith Panthers.
Hadley Tonga, GPS, The Kings School
This young gun comes with big raps.
Waratahs head of talent Andrew Cleverley says he is a “kid who has the best finish in schoolboy football right now’’.
“He’s on the wing, he knows how to score, he’s very quick.’’
Tonga is also only in Year 11 so has another year at this level.
Jackson Ropata, Sydney Southern Districts Rugby
A impressive young player who turned plenty of heads in recent trial matches.
Ropata has left school and is playing with colts with Southern Districts.
The Campsie player is working as a carpenter.
“He has great footwork and great communications,’’ Cleverley.
“He’s a good decision maker and athletic.’’
Dan Nelson Sydney University and Douglas Philipson, CAS
Halfbacks Ryan Nelson, playing for top Sydney club Sydney Uni, and schoolboy Doug Philipson are also players to watch in the upcoming matches - and the future.
“Bright, good talkers, good passing skills,’’ Hargreaves said of the pair.
“A terrific knowledge of the game.”
Oliver McCrea, GPS, The Scots College and Adam Van Wyk, CAS, Barker College
“The work rate of these guys stands out,” Hargreaves said of second rowers Oliver McCrea and Adam Van Wky.
“For big guys it’s really high, their movement round the field is good, their minutes.
“They are two big guys with good engines.
“We get a lot out of them for their size.”
Savelio Tamale, CCC/Sydney, St Pauls, Manly Warringah RFC
A northern beaches year 12 schoolboy and inside centre.
“He was chosen out of CCC and was a real standout,’’ said Hargreaves.
“He’s a rough diamond with loads of potential.
“Really excited to see how he develops.”
James McGregor, GPS, Newington College.
Is expected to come off the bench but from here he will make an impact according to Cleverly.
“He will really ignite the game,’’ he said of the young back ahead of Saturday’s matches at the GPS rugby club at 12.30pm and 2pm.
Lachlan Hooper, CAS, Barker College
The Gen Blues No 8 and captain who is the younger brother of Brumbies lock Tom Hooper.
“A real standout,” Hargreaves said.
“An exception player. So much fight in him and a terrific carrier.
“Has terrific aerial skills, a wonderful leader.”
GEN BLUES SQUAD 2022
Jack Barrett GPS St Joseph’s College, Sam Sayoun CAS Barker College, Jackson Stiel GPS Shore School, Bailey Park GPS The Kings School, Bryn Edwards CAS Barker College, Will Guilfoyle GPS The Scots College, Harry Bell GPS St Joseph’s College, Henry Basten GPS The Kings School, AJ Preketes CAS Waverley, Oliver McCrea GPS The Scots College, Ned Ericsson CAS Knox Grammar School, Harry Agar Sydney Northern Suburbs Rugby Club.
Adam Van Wyk CAS Barker College, Jacob Veriu GPS Newington, Fergus Gillian, Lennox Head Trojans, Louis Dalrymple Sydney Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club, Lachlan Hooper CAS Barker College, Ethan Halatokoua CAS Waverley College, Ben Di Stasio GPS The Scots College, Jaydon Villiamu GPS Newington College, Tom Livingston CAS Barker College/
Austin Durbidge GPS The Kings School, Dan Nelson Sydney University, Douglas Philipson CAS Barker College, Hwi Sharples GPS St Joseph’s College, Joey Fowler GPS St Joseph’s College, Henry James GPS The Scots College, Tom Klem GPS Shore School, Jarrah McLeod CAS Knox Grammar School, Savelio Tamale CCC/Sydney St Pauls, Manly/Warringah RFC, Ronan Leahy GPS St Joseph’s College, Jackson Ropata Sydney Southern Districts Rugby Club, Max Jorgensen GPS St Joseph’s College, Angus Staniforth GPS The Kings School, Hadley Tonga GPS The Kings School, Omar Noureddine Sydney Eastwood Rugby Club, Archer Saunders CAS Knox Grammar School, Oscar Jorgensen GPS St Joseph’s College, James McGregor GPS Newington College.
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Originally published as Gen Blues v Queensland Reds: NSW rugby teens to watch, Max Jorgensen, Oliver McCrea, Lachlan Hooper, Jackson Ropata
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