The Waratahs U15s have selected a 24-player squad for their clash against the Reds U15s at Ballymore Stadium on Saturday (12:45PM kick-off AEDT).
Newport Breakers' Christopher Oakhill will captain the side from number eight, with Avoca Beach's Beau Hobbs vice-captain from openside flanker.
Head of Academy & Pathways Andrew Cleverley was excited to see the U15s group take to the field for the first time together.
"The Waratahs U15s have been working very hard in preparation for what we know is the ultimate challenge for us," Cleverley said.
"The on field and off field preparation has been excellent and the teams are well connected and ready to play for each other!
"We plan to play attacking Rugby that allows us to exploit the speed we have out wide as well as move the big Queensland forwards. This is a big day for our team with very early starts, local travel and flights and we have been preparing the best we can while acutely aware that everything will have to go very well for us to get two wins, with the U16s side playing as well."
On Friday 25 and Saturday 26 September, four NSW teams, Gavin, Ella, Baxter and Waratahs U14s, came together for a two-day selection tournament against the Brumbies and Victoria U15s at Eric Tweedale. The tournament provided an important opportunity for players to test themselves in a competitive environment and put their best foot forward in front of the selectors.
Following two matches on Day 1, the teams were split into two pools, with the final rankings determined after a further match on Day 2. Team Baxter finished on top following a strong performance to claim victory in the final round. The Waratahs U14s competed strongly throughout the tournament against older opposition and finished an impressive fourth.
Following the tournament, the selectors selected a squad of 26 players who they believe have demonstrated the qualities required to represent the Waratahs U15s. These players now have the opportunity to come together, continue their development and prepare for the challenge ahead — a two-match series against the Reds, with the second match taking place next Saturday at Easts Rugby Club (Woollahra Oval 1).
Reds U15s v Waratahs U15s
Saturday 10 October, 12:45PM kick-off
Ballymore Stadium, 91 Clyde Road, Herston, QLD 4006
Starting XV (player, club, school):
- Billy Driver, Drummoyne, St Joseph's College Hunters Hill
- Sean Costello, West Harbour, St. Patrick's College, Strathfield
- Zachary Sleiman, Beecroft, Home Schooling
- Jacob Austin, Kiama Cows, Edmund Rice College Wollongong
- Sudip Joy Bhetwal, Central Eastwood, The King's School
- Samuel Richie Mahe, Hunters Hill, Blacktown Boys High School
- Beau Hobbs (VC), Avoca Beach, Barker College
- Christopher Oakhill ©, Newport Breakers, St Augustines' College
- Matthew Wallace, Hunters Hill, St Joseph's College, Hunter's Hill
- Karepe Faulkner, Oatley, Newington College
- Gabe Santarossa, Beecroft Barbarians, The King's School
- Joseph Duffy, Lane Cove, St Joseph's College Hunters Hill
- Will Malone, Drummoyne, St Patrick's College Strathfield
- Ethan Palamo, Merewether Carlton, St Mary's Catholic College
- Sidney Maxwell, Norths Pirates, The Shore School
Replacements:
16. Luke Higgins, Norths Pirates, The Shore School
17. Ben Kennedy, Beecroft Barbarians, The King's School
18. Sevaniel Ahio, Manly Savers, The Hills Sports High School
19. Sam Diddams, Norths Pirates, The Shore School
20. Alfie Smith, Newport Breakers, Barker College
21. Tawa-Inka Campos, Newport Breakers, Narrabeen Sports High School
22. William Podmore, Hunters Hill, St Aloysius College
23. Malakai Bevan, Dural, Oakhill College
24. Austin Willis, Woy Woy Lions, Central Coast Sports College
