Super Rugby U16s: Waratahs teens tipped to spark code war with league in Brumbies thumping
A pair of young rugby league rivals have teamed to produce an extraordinary performance for the NSW Waratahs in the Super Rugby showcase for U16 football talent. Wrap, standouts, photos
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They are a pair of teenager firmly in the cross hairs of rugby league but on Saturday they were whooping it up for the NSW Waratahs in a masterclass performance in the Super Rugby U16 competition.
The lighting-fast Samuela Sorovi and the deadly accurate Talen Risati played a major role in the undefeated Waratahs’ 87-7 drubbing of the ACT Brumbies at Pittwater Park on Sydney’s northern beaches.
The opportunistic Sorovi struck the try line three times before the break and then added another try off a second interception in the second half in an impressive display.
The No. 11 also had a hand in teammate Jeremy Rath’s second try of the match.
Risati chipped in with two himself in the first half of the match along with a perfect first half record of seven conversions in a head-turning display.
Sorovi and Risati matched up against each other in the Harold Matthews this year for the Wests Tigers and Parramatta Eels respectively but in rugby they are playing reps side-by-side after mixing it up in the undefeated Waratahs U15s last year.
The pair were also teammates for City in their annual country battle with Country this season.
The right edge was the magic spot for the Waratahs who put six tries on the score board in the first half then added another seven for the thumping victory.
The win followed on from a hard-fought match against the Queensland Reds in round three and in a great start to their title defence a 104-0 smashing of the Rebels in round one.
Plenty of players got into on the try action as the Waratahs outscored the Brumbies 13 tries and 11 conversions to one try despite having three sendoffs in the second half.
Jack Kalms went over twice in the second half with other try scorers Oliver Smith, Saxon Gaw, who also converted four from five in an impressive second half, Kden Carter and Nic Kotarac.
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In devastating news post match coach Craig Roberts confirmed young gun Lawson Armstrong has an ACL injury.
“It’s terrible news for him. He was playing such great footy,’’ Roberts said.
Roberts was impressed by both Sorovi and Risati in the first half.
“I think the first half was pretty good. We stuck to our disciplines which is what we wanted.
“Samuela, I had a lot of chats about what he can improve on and one thing was his disciple and making smart choices in defence and that’s what he did.
“He got two intercepts and his change of direction at speed is amazing.’’
“Talen also had a great game. He’s found his feet at No. 10 and understands the role.’’
WARATAHS (1-15): Tyson Burdon, Anakin Richardson, Nicholas Kotorac, Josh Arundel, Isileli Moli, Tahj Smith, Justice Taumoepeau, Selestino Mainakavika, Jeremy Rath, Talen Risati, Samuela Sorovi, Keone Anitelea-Tsioussis, Cyrus Bloomfield, Jarryd King, Kden Carter
Replacements: Oliver Smith, Lawson Armstrong, Hasani Bloomfield, Henri Dempsey, Samuel Polley, Saxon Gaw, Ashton Large, Jack Kalms
BRUMBIES (1-15): Israel Gautusa, James Martens, Henry Folo, Oliver Clayden, William Tudulu, Tobias Comito, Ben Visagie, BJ Pumpa (c), Tyran McCudden, Lachlan Smith, Kevin Kamilo, Tomas Jensen, Laine Jud-Brettingham, Uhila Tai, Aidan Wunsch
Replacements: Neo Hunter, Oscar Dossetor, Ethan Armstrong, Zander Lubiejewski, Daniel Sharkey, Charles McBaron, Callum Spooner, Altas Atilua
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Originally published as Super Rugby U16s: Waratahs teens tipped to spark code war with league in Brumbies thumping
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