U16/U19 Competition 2023

[Love2Scrum]

I am a fan of Jack Barrett and he is as good or better than any of the other LHPs involved in the World U20s tournament this year, but he had his hands full against the starting Brumbies no 3 and was absolutely monstered by Alatini, the Brumbies reserve No 3. The Brumbies scrum was dominant all game and a major factor in the win.

This year was his first year in the front row. He was always an 8 in his junior years

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Watched both games today. How long has this format been going for? Can only be a good thing.
Observations
U16 - wow Tahs were big and bullied the QLDers. It really was men vs boys stuff but QLD scrapped and held on for 70 mins. No doubt we'll see some of these tahs boys in a few years playing Supe. That 22 from Joeys has beast potential.

U19 - well done Brumbies - can only be good for Australian rugby. Presumably the NRL scouts were there and will rip the eyes out of both teams but there is a good pipeline of talent coming through especially in the pigs.

Think the NRL scouts would be more interested in the 16s tbh some serious talent out there.

Large, Makasini, Hartman, Basingthwaite , Grover in the NSW backline all look special.

Hard in the piggies at that age as we’ll see so much development by the time they are 20. NSW pack definitely played with an increased intensity and held it.

Issue for our 20s next year will be I don’t see a stand out Hooker or 10 right now. Fowler would have been penciled in but he’s played bugger all footy. All the others are serviceable but no standout. Brumbies 10 did everything necessary to his credit but that’s about it.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Watched both games today. How long has this format been going for? Can only be a good thing.
Observations
U16 - wow Tahs were big and bullied the QLDers. It really was men vs boys stuff but QLD scrapped and held on for 70 mins. No doubt we'll see some of these tahs boys in a few years playing Supe. That 22 from Joeys has beast potential.

U19 - well done Brumbies - can only be good for Australian rugby. Presumably the NRL scouts were there and will rip the eyes out of both teams but there is a good pipeline of talent coming through especially in the pigs.

That's funny in an odd way. At the game the Tahs U16s looked like even younger schoolboys, while the Reds had some big blokes who looked more like men.

 

[Brumby Runner]

This year was his first year in the front row. He was always an 8 in his junior years

Alatini?

 

[RedOrDead]

Issue for our 20s next year will be I don’t see a stand out Hooker or 10 right now. Fowler would have been penciled in but he’s played bugger all footy. All the others are serviceable but no standout. Brumbies 10 did everything necessary to his credit but that’s about it.

Oniti Finau is one of the best players in this age group at hooker. Just needs a real coach to mentor some of the stupid out of his game.

David Telfer, his Eastwood coach, is exactly the opposite of what he needs.

Also Cullen Gray was phenomenal although was relatively quiet today, and someone on the forum said he is Aussie eligible.

 

[Love2Scrum]

Alatini?

Yes Junior Alatini.

 

[Love2Scrum]

Oniti Finau is one of the best players in this age group at hooker. Just needs a real coach to mentor some of the stupid out of his game.

David Telfer, his Eastwood coach, is exactly the opposite of what he needs.

Also Cullen Gray was phenomenal although was relatively quiet today, and someone on the forum said he is Aussie eligible.

He is surely a talented kid . A good all round player. Just needs to master the art of throwing but that will come.
I watched a game or two where he played @ 12 and he looked the part.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Is Tautua (Brums 6) the one they said can play front row as well as backrow? Get him into the front row permanently ASAP. Don’t see him progressing at 6 being a bit more of a nugget. Big lad but height can be an issue.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

He is surely a talented kid . A good all round player. Just needs to master the art of throwing but that will come.
I watched a game or two where he played @ 12 and he looked the part.

Does it though? We have pros that can’t hit the side of a bus. Doesn’t seem to bother selectors at this level enough.

His play around the field covers it. You could tell in the rd 1 game against the Brumbies they knew they could get under his skin. The other Eastwood boys were going at him relentlessly.

 

[Love2Scrum]

Does it though? We have pros that can’t hit the side of a bus. Doesn’t seem to bother selectors at this level enough.

His play around the field covers it. You could tell in the rd 1 game against the Brumbies they knew they could get under his skin. The other Eastwood boys were going at him relentlessly.

Practice makes perfect.
Based on what I’ve read, there seems to be a lot of things that don’t bother selectors.

 

[SICInsider]

Best for Brumbies
McPherson, Hooper, Harley, Nelson, Staniforth
Best for Tahs
Di Staso, Barrett, Tancred, Caillol, Ropata

 

[Rudderless]

The Junior Wallabies (under 20’s) squad is due to be announced next Monday 13th Nov.


SANZAAR has announced that an Under 20 (U20) version of The Rugby Championship will kick-off in 2024. The Championship will see up and coming stars of Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa rugby do battle on an annual basis.
The Championship will allow for a more defined pathway for younger players into senior and international rugby and provide a springboard into the annual World Rugby U20 Championship that is currently missing.

The annual Championship will be played in one country and will comprise a round-robin format where all teams will play each other once across a three-week period. The top team after the three-round, six match tournament will be declared the winner. In 2024 the tournament will take place on the Gold Coast on Australia’s eastern seaboard in April (exact dates to be confirmed).

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Best for Brumbies
McPherson, Hooper, Harley, Nelson, Staniforth
Best for Tahs
Di Staso, Barrett, Tancred, Caillol, Ropata

Can’t fault these guys games at all.

Id add
Tahs: Walsh
Brumbies: Sahyoun

 

[Brumby Runner]

Can’t fault these guys games at all.

Id add
Tahs: Walsh
Brumbies: Sahyoun

And Tautua who I think was nearly MOTM. Not sure Alatini could be left out too, even if he only played 20 mins or so. His impact on the game was enormous.

 

[Steve_Grey]

The NSW #7 has been one of their best - great work rate and repeat efforts.

As expected, the Brumbies U19s exploited the weakness of NSW #7 and #6 - the Waratahs back-row simply not good enough, with too much hiding amongst the outside backs.

Brumbies very well coached and executed their game plan brilliantly - well served win.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

And Tautua who I think was nearly MOTM. Not sure Alatini could be left out too, even if he only played 20 mins or so. His impact on the game was enormous.

While Alatini was on the bench I think it was great coaching to have him there. Impact was huge the last 2 weeks.

Both should feature in the Aus U20s ahead of the Brumbies starters I reckon.

Is Tautua a prop or hooker when he gets into the Front Row? Hooker would be such a good way to get into the professional ranks the quickest in Aus.

 

[Joe King]

It’s a club built off recruitment these days.

Both tries scored by NSW Schools players.

Recruitment happening at a young age is probably better than at a later age. Professional players moving to other teams such as Force and Rebels later on causes too much contract instability. Would much prefer the talent to be evened out by u20s and then players come through a single Super Rugby system into the professional ranks.

 

[AroundTheAnkles]

Would Jorgenson still be eligibile for the 20s?

He’d murder this standard.

yes and don't forget Ronan Leahy for U20's (he is in the Force senior squad).

 

[dusk]

What's the go with Hadley Tonga, i know he's signed with the waratahs and the 7's program. Will he be playing in the u20's? He's defnitely up for it.

 

[Joe King]

Watched both games today. How long has this format been going for? Can only be a good thing.
Observations

And the players love it! Listen to the post game speech by NSW u16 captain this year and last year.

One of the best pathway innovations for a long time. The real fruit of it will be seen in years to come.