Waratahs U15s v Queensland Reds 2023: Fight on for Tahs teens to make starting line-up at camp

The Waratahs U15 coach is forecasting a “fight” between his youngsters for starting spots in the team to play the Queensland Reds in their two-game series.

Some of the young guns in the Tahs 15s squad.

Waratahs U15 coach Craig Roberts said the ball is the court of all his young teen talent to fight their way into his starting line-up for the first of two battles with the Queensland Reds Academy this month in Sydney.

Robert selected a squad of 26 from the action-pack Next Gen Cup at Camden rugby played in sweltering heat on Sunday at Camden Rugby.

The Waratahs coach said he was “very impressed’’ with the standard and the depth of talent in the age group.

“We have depth in all the right places,’’ Roberts said.

“There is no position anyone has nailed yet.

Samuela Sorovi and Douglas Manning from U15 Waugh cool off in a drinks break at the next Gen Cup. Picture: John Appleyard

“The beauty is going into a three-day camp we have challenged the boys to take each other on.

“They have three days to prove they are better, that they should get the starting position.’’

The camp will be held at NSW Rugby headquarters at Daceyville from Friday to Sunday.

Isaiah Ignu Sheck at the selection trials. Picture: John Appleyard

The first outing for the under 15s team will be against the Queensland Reds in a curtain-raiser to the third round of Super Rugby U16s and U19s at Foreshaw Park in Sydney’s south on October 15.

Roberts said he has every confidence his charges can get the job done against the Reds “if we can get the boys to buy into the team ethos’’.

“Every position had two or three guys going for it which is great,’’ he said.

“We also saw a lot more speed, there is definitely pace on the outside edges.

“It will be a fight in every position.”

Some of the young guns in the Tahs 15s squad.

NSW WARATAHS UNDER 15S RUGBY SQUAD

Iliyaz Viliamu, Hasani Bloomfield, Lisitoa Paea, Isaiah Sheck, Strantz Schaumkel, Roman Leilua, Tahj Smith, Hamish Bull, Duke Millward, Lucas Broderick, Beau McKee, Samuel Polley, Connor Durbridge, Luke Niulala, Toby Davies, Flynn Farrell, Jeremy Rath, Callum Spooner, Cyrus Bloomfield, Phoenix Johns, Paula Teisina, Jarryd King, Samuela Sorovi, Darcy Feltham, Talen Risati, Nick Wendt.

Originally published as Waratahs U15s v Queensland Reds 2023: Fight on for Tahs teens to make starting line-up at camp