Sydney, Country juniors storm rugby rep teams, Gen Blues, NSW XV, Barbarians, NSW Schools I

From Gen Blues to the Barbarians, Sydney Juniors and NSW country players have barged their way into an assortment of rugby rep teams. Players who made the cut.

Sydney Junior and NSW Country teenager’s have been named in a variety of teams and squads after string performances in a string of trials.

Sydney had the bulk of players chosen for rep honours with five young guns named in the U18 Gen Blue squad preparing to take on the Reds in a match in Brisbane on July 2 and other Academy teams later this year.

The players on a fast track to success in the Gen Blues program are Harry Agar (Northern Suburbs) who captained the Sydney side in recent trials and is studying at Macquarie University, Louis Dalrymple from Eastern Suburbs rugby, Savelio Tamale from Warringah, Jackson Ropata from Southern Districts who lives at Campbelltown and works as a carpenter and Liverpool’s Omar Noureddine who plays with Eastwood Rugby.

SJRU's Harry Agar and CCC's William Brisbane at the top of the line out in a trial match in June. Pic: John Appleyard

“My end goal (this week) is Gen Blues,’’ said Ropati.

“My big goal is to go the highest I can in rugby, Super Rugby, wherever the game takes me.’’ said Ropati.

“From the first time I played I just loved rugby.’’

The biggest selection was for the NSW Juniors XV team.

Here 18 players from Sydney Juniors made the grade with various clubs well represented including Southern Districts and Gordon rugby clubs with three players each and the Western Sydney Two Blues, Eastwood, West Harbour and Sydney University with two a piece.

SJRU's Rodney Blake against CCC in a trial match. (

Players who made the grade for the NSW Juniors XV were Metui Sela Niu Havea Fuka (Randwick), Freddie Toone (Eastern Suburbs), Rodney Blake (Southern Districts), Jack Tierney (Western Sydney Two Blues), William Hopper (Gordon), Kai Roberts (Sydney University), Joe Hutton (Gordon), Dellacruz Paita (Gordon), Nepote Taufa (West Harbour) Jack Donaghey (Manly), Samu Tuisau (West Harbour), Charlie Sorovi (Eastwood), Jackson Lill (Warringah), Jack Headley (Southern Districts), Nathanael Stanley (Western Sydney Two Blues), Oscar Ortalani (Sydney University), James Vorster (Eastwood) and Jack Cesare (Southern Districts).

Jamie Donovan from Eastwood made it into the NSW Schools I side with another four cracking the NSWJRU Barbarians.

Again Eastwood players featured, with two - Sam Pickard and Harley Wilson - joining Kieran Holland from Warringah and Josiah Vatubua from Western Sydney Two Blues in being selected for the Barbarians.

The NSW Country team at trials at Eric Tweedale Oval. Pic: John Appleyard

Their selection followed a series of trials, including matches played in Sydney at Northbridge and Merrylands last week.

NSW Country young guns, who also played matches last week in the lead-up to team namings, also earned spots on three different teams.

Country's Jack Taylor.

Five players including captain Stirling Munsie were named onto the NSW Juniors XV with an further six making the cut for the Barbarians.

Munsie (New England) is joined in the Juniors XV side by Phil Talieleva (Hunter), Tyla O’Brien (Illawarra), Jack Taylor (Far North Coast) and Cayden Briscoe (Mid North Coast).

Both New England and Hunter had two players each named in the NSW Barbarians.

Country players to crack the side are James Folaumoetui (Illawarra), Ben Park (Hunter), Fred Kearney (New England), William Clark (Hunter), Eugene Campbell (New England), Sid Harvey (Central North).

Another County player earning representative honours is NSW Schools II selection Brendan Palmer (CCC/Central Coast).

Country's Phil Talieleva at NSW Schools Rugby trials at Eric Tweedale Oval.

Numerous junior rugby events are on the horizon including the 48th Australian Schools rugby championships at Knox Grammar School, Sydney from July 5-9 and including a Boys Schools U18s and a Girls Schools National 7 tournament.

Eight boy’s teams and seven girl’s teams will be representing four states.

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Originally published as Sydney, Country juniors storm rugby rep teams, Gen Blues, NSW XV, Barbarians, NSW Schools I