The first full week of action in Super Rugby U16s saw players from five teams represented, as the Reds and Waratahs flexed their muscles with big wins yesterday, while the Brumbies and Force showed significant progression forward over the weekend.
Since the season kicked off on Saturday, 19th September, all five teams have had the chance to play two games, with plenty of positives for every team to take.
Despite going down 43-38 in the opening week, Rugby Victoria asked plenty of questions of the ACT Brumbies, being rewarded with seven players making last week’s team of the week.
The Brumbies played their second game of the season against the Waratahs over the weekend, but despite going down 55-22 showed plenty of growth on 2025, with Ryley Power recognised for his efforts at flyhalf as the sole ACT inclusion of week two.
However, with the Reds and Waratahs playing their first games of the competition, this week was always going to be a question of how the contenders stacked up against them.
The Reds sent a strong statement in their opening matches, their 64-12 win over the Western Force and a 69-0 victory over Victoria driven by commanding efforts in the set piece.
The latter result was even more impressive considering Victoria’s strong attack against the Brumbies, with six Reds included in the team of the week as a result.
Toby Bretherton and Hugh Stanbury put in enormous shifts in the loose forwards, while C’ezar-mayn Leota and Zaine Gurney were rewarded for their set piece dominance in the front row and second row, respectively.
Completing the Reds inclusions, Will Jessiman and Digby Ioane dominated together in the centres, both earning selection in the team of the week.
The duo found some strong company in two selections from the west; despite suffering two losses the Force look to have found several lethal back three options, with Travarn Ackerman-Fifita impressing on the wing while Kobi Treffery Koenders produced solid individual efforts against strong opposition.
Completing the team are six inclusions from New South Wales, the Waratahs backing up their efforts against the Brumbies to eventually power away against the Force on Tuesday, winning 64-19.
Christopher Sualii and Mathias Toailoa delivered a strong set piece effort in the front row, while Isaac Kasprowicz in the second row and Deon Haynes at number eight reinforced the exciting forward stocks available in Daceyville.
The options also extend to the backs, with Riley Carr picked as the in-form scrumhalf, playing a pivotal role in unleashing the likes of Lachlan Mahony, who earned selection on the right wing, respectively.
The action continues this Saturday, with the Queensland Reds hosting the ACT Brumbies at Ballymore, while the Western Force and Victoria will look to chase their first wins when they face off at Viking Park in Canberra.
- Christopher Sualii - NSW Waratahs
- Mathias Toailoa - NSW Waratahs
- C’ezar-mayn Leota - Queensland Reds
- Zaine Gurney - Queensland Reds
- Isaac Kasprowicz - NSW Waratahs
- Toby Bretherton - Queensland Reds
- Hugh Stanbury - Queensland Reds
- Deon Haynes - NSW Waratahs
- Riley Carr - NSW Waratahs
- Ryley Power - ACT Brumbies
- Travarn Ackerman-Fifita - Western Force
- Will Jessiman - Queensland Reds
- Digby Ioane - Queensland Reds
- Lachlan Mahony - NSW Waratahs
- Kobi Treffery Koenders - Western Force
*All times local*
Queensland Reds v ACT Brumbies - 12:00 pm Saturday 3 October - Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
Western Force v Victoria - 3:00 pm Saturday 3 October - Viking Park, Canberra
Western Force v Brumbies - 11.30 am Tuesday 6 October - Viking Park, Canberra
NSW Waratahs v Victoria - 2:00 pm Tuesday 6 October - TBC Sydney
Queensland Reds v NSW Waratahs - 1.30 pm Saturday 10 October - Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
