Super Rugby U16s: Rising stars of rugby league part of Waratahs campaign to defend national title

It’s got a new name and a new generation of youngsters about to hit the big stage for the first time. The Super Rugby 16s series also has a sensational trio of league players in the NSW Waratahs.

The under 16 Waratahs team boasts some of the best young rugby talent in the country.

It’s been rebranded the Super Rugby men’s under 16 competition but the NSW Waratahs have the same goal as they did a year ago - win the national event fought out by the rising stars of our rugby academies.

The young Tahs were the most dominant team of the competition last season with coaches and selectors again coming up with a squad expected to be one of the best in the under 16s competition which kicks off on Saturday.

The Waratahs take on the ACT Brumbies in Canberra in their first hit out of the season with the 16s playing at 12.05pm and the U19s teams on at 1.45pm.

Under the direction of Paul Cividin again, the 16s will be attempting to 2023 navigate the season undefeated and have the talent to do so.

Among this talent are three young guns who were rated on the list of the top 50 best under 15s rugby league players in 2022.

Action between the NSW Blues v ACT Brumbies last year in the competition rebranded as the Super Rugby 16s series. Pic: Julian Andrews

But for the next month this football trio will be showcasing their skill in rugby union abnd expected to play big roles for the Waratahs..

Onitoni Large is from the Campbelltown Harlequins and The Scots College and a young gun already turning heads in both codes.

Large is a talented rugby league player and five eighth who played Harold Matthews this season and also for the City under 16s league team against Country in May.

NSW CIS's Onitoni Large during the under 15 ASSRL schoolboy rugby league championship grand final between NSW CHS v NSW CIS last year.

The young playmaker contracted by the Tigers was also ranked in the top 50 best under 15s rugby league talent in Australia last year.

“He will be at inside centre and will pop at different positions,’’ Cividin said.

“He has electric speed which is the number one factor and is top two or three in the GPS ranking.

“He also has great ball skills and game awareness.’’

Onitoni Large playing for the Western Suburbs Magpies.

Heamasi Makasini from the Randwick Warriors and Newington College scored twice for City in the rugby league under 16s game against Country in May this year alongside Tahs teammate Large.

“He is big, six foot two and can move.’’ Cividin said.

“He’s 90 plus kilos at 16 and has the skill sets of a winger.’’

Jai Callaghan with possession in the Roosters Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final. Picture: Sue Graham

Another youngster ranked in the top 50 under 15 rugby league players in 2022 after the Australian secondary schools rugby league tournament was Jai Jason Callaghan from Hunter Sports High School.

Callaghan also plays with the Central Coast Roosters under 16s team and was voted best and fairest for the Central Coast Roosters in the Andrew Johns Cup.

The Roosters claimed the premiership with halfback Callaghan scoring twice.

“He wears pink boots and is a smaller shape with electric footwork,’’ Cividin said.

“He’s out injured but expected back for the Rebels game.’’

Joining the Waratahs and ACT Brumbies in the series are the Queensland Reds, Melbourne Rebels and Western Force youngsters.

These clubs will play across a five week regular season with the top two teams at the end of this advancing to the grand finals at a venue to be determined on November 6.

The event, which was resurrected last year after a Covid lag, is an important pathway for young rugby talent.

The Junior Wallabies under 20 team was chosen from this event last year.

While the Brumbies host both the 16s and 19s from the Waratahs this weekend. Force will play the Rebels in 16s and 19‘s matches in Western Australia.

SUPER RUGBY U16s AND U19s SCHEDULE

ROUND 1 September 30: Brumbies v Waratahs, Viking Park ACT, U16s 12.05pm, U19s 1.45pm. Force v Rebels, Claremont FC WA, U16s 11.40am, U19s 1.20pm

ROUND 2 October 7: Rebels v Waratahs, Box Hill Rugby Club VIC, U16s 11.05am, U19s 12.45pm. October 8: Reds v Force, Ballymore QLD, U16s 12.05pm, U19s 1.45pm

ROUND 3 October 14: Brumbies v Rebels, Viking Park ACT, U16s 11.25am, U19s 1.05pm

October 15: Waratahs v Reds, Forshaw Rugby Park NSW, U16s 12.45pm, U19s 2.25pm

ROUND 4 October 21: Force v Brumbies, Claremont FC WA, U16s 12.05pm, U19s 1.45pm

October 22: Rebels v Reds, Box Hill Rugby Club VIC, U16s 1.30pm, U19s 3.10pm

ROUND 5 October 28: Reds v Brumbies, Ballymore QLD, U16s 12.50pm, U19s 2.35pm

October 29: Waratahs v Force, Forshaw Rugby Park NSW, U16s 11.40am, U19s 1.20pm

GRAND FINALS: November 5

Originally published as Super Rugby U16s: Rising stars of rugby league part of Waratahs campaign to defend national title