Australia U16s have shown their class in the second-half, racing away with a 61-12 win over Queensland Reds U17s in the final representative match on Australian soil for 2025.
The Reds took it to the Aussies in the first half, but were no match for their explosiveness, with the U16s producing a number of special counter-attacking tries.
Catch the Australia U16s take on the Queensland Reds U17s LIVE from 12:00 pm AEDT on Rugby.com.au.
For the Australians, scrum-half Izack Holmes was one of several backs to shine, with Waratahs teammate Wilson Ruthven strong off the bench.
Wingers Julian Minto and Asher Chapman also proved elusive on the edge, with centre Payton Tarau coming up with a double.
Flanker Cordell Arama was the pick of the forward pack, joined by vice-captain and Force lock Bareek Kleine-Deters Ausage, who stood up in the contact area.
The Australia U16s started on fire after Chapman broke clear, with nice hands putting centre Tarau over for the opening after less than 90 seconds.
But the continuity and physicality of the older Reds kept them in the game for the first half.
Number eight Elijah Galloway levelled the scores after errors from the U16s created the perfect field position to strike from short.
Vice captain Kleine-Deters Ausage responded from close for Australia, only for replacement hooker Xavier Hill to catch the Aussies napping from a quick tap, running 30 metres for the try.
The U16s had two opportunities late to extend their 14-12 lead, with Reds fullback Hemi Rakuita yellow carded for a deliberate knock-down after a break created by Arama.
This proved to be the turning point as they exploited the space after the break, with winger Minto showcasing off the pace and strength to beat several defenders, offloading to his captain, Finn Hannon.
When the resulting kick-off didn’t go ten, a midfield scrum provided the chance for centre James Smith to draw the fullback replacement Tom Longland to cross.
This opened the floodgates as the Australia U16s dazzled from their own line when they went quick from a goal-line dropout, showing great hands for number eight Hunter Hall to finish off a spectacular five-pointer.
A classy break from Minto from his own end set up Tarau for his second, with Victorian Hamish Ward throwing the final pass.
NSW Waratahs skipper Ruthven displayed his class, dazzling with a chip and chase that he recovered, proving to have enough place to finish off a remarkable solo try.
ACT Brumbies prop Geoffrey Olivetti brought up the half-century with a powerful run from close, carrying multiple defenders over the line.
Chapman completed the dominant second half after Hannon snatched an intercept inside their 22, unleashing the speedy winger.
Australia U16s 61 (Tries: Tarau 2, Hall, Chapman, Hannon, Olivetti, Longland, Kleine-Deters Ausage, Ruthven; Cons: Ruthven 6, Heke 2) def Queensland Reds U17s 12 (Tries: Galloway, Hill; Cons: Nicol)
