The Waratah Under 16s are looking to embrace the challenge of this weekend’s interstate clash and rise to the excitement of the occasion.
The Waratahs Academy teams are now on a 14-game winning streak against their arch-rivals the Queensland Reds across all development teams and will look to extend this streak this weekend. However, with the Reds U16’s coming off the back of a commanding 53-19 win against the ACT Brumbies in Round 2 of the Super Rugby U16 tournament, the Tahs know a significant challenge lies ahead.
Head Coach Craig Roberts emphasised the significance of the upcoming clash, stating, “I think the boys really understand the concept of NSW vs Queensland. We have been big since day one about driving that.” He acknowledged the challenge that lies ahead, adding, “This weekend is definitely going to be the hardest weekend of the tournament. We watched the Reds game last week and we realise we have a challenge ahead of us.” Roberts also noted, “We are going to be under pressure, and we need to accept and harness that pressure.”
During their recent bye week, the team focused on both camaraderie and competition. “Last week was our bye week so we used that to make sure we treated each other as best of friends but also worst of enemies to create an attitude of making ourselves better by competing with each other.” Roberts further highlighted the importance of preparation for their upcoming match, “The key messages this week have been around making sure the boys understand that we are going to be public enemy number one going up to Queensland; we need to be prepared to accept that responsibility.”
Second Row player Tahj Smith reflected on the team's recent performance against the Rebels, “It was a tough game; we were new as a team, and it put us under a bit of pressure. However, I think we handled it really well, and I believe it will really get us ready for the season and set that tone.”
The team have really taken advantage and benefited from the bye as Smith explains, “The bye has been very physical, getting ready through lots of conditioning, contact drills, and getting everyone to bind together to forge a team bond.”
“The bye brings us the advantage of the opportunity to build team culture; everyone is definitely closer, better mates, and super happy to be here.”
As the team gears up for their next challenge, Smith highlighted the focus on contact training: “This week we have really been working on our physicality, being dominant at the tackles and at the line and ready to run hard.”
“We can’t really focus on them and last week’s performance; we just need to focus on us, how we are, and we will be ready.”
Smith concluded with a message of resilience: “If something goes wrong, we keep our heads up; we stay together.”
Super Rugby Men’s U16 – Round 3: NSW Waratahs Vs QLD Reds.
Sunday October 13 at North Rugby Club, Brisbane.
Kick off at 1:05pm AEDT.
The match will be broadcast live and ad-free on Stan Sport.
- Lawson Armstrong
- Oliver Smith
- Hasani Bloomfield
- Tahj Smith
- Josh Arundel
- Samuel Polley
- Justice Taumoepeau
- Selestino Mainakavika
- Flynn Farrell
- Talen Risati
- Darcy Feltham
- Keone Anitelea-Tsioussis
- Cyrus Bloomfield
- Creighton Meafou
- Kden Carter
- Anakin Richardson
- Nicholas Kotorac
- Amanaki Tangi
- Charlie Grant
- Henri Dempsey
- Harry Whitaker
- Ofa Latu
- Jarryd King
