2024 Super Rugby Under 16 and 19 series (29th Sept - 3rd Nov)

[The Ghost of Raelene]

As a NSW supporter seeing Boston sign with the Force felt like one that got away but I also think he has a better path to playing Super Rugby at the Force than say NSW with the recent signings.

I'd like to see him at 12 long term. He has the full skill set having played 10 and 15 and seems to dominate contact. Sounds like a 12 to me and my comparison would be Laumape but with better ball skills.

Thing with a lot of the white kids is just time at this stage of their development. They're at least 2-3 years off maturity and most will be 25-27 when they settle into it and have the confidence. The problem is we are likely to have moved on to the new prospect. Harry Wilson seems to be just finding a bit of it now at 24 and he could still do with a couple kgs I think.

 

[Love2Scrum]

 

[hituplover]

I wish we could get another 10-15kg on Lachie Smith.

completly forgot about martens. Would definitely have him off the pine instead of smith. Agree with the Durbidge comments

 

[Rhino_rugby]

Same here, forgot about Martens! I'd take him off the bench over Smith. And yeah, spot on about Durbidge

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

 

[Rudderless]

U19 starting XV remains the same as last week excepting Dre-Dyn Laban has been replaced by Finn Mackay in the no.15 spot.

 

[drewprint]

Notable inclusion of Will Nason at 23 too. I’d read he was injured hence missing most of the tournament, easing him back in via the bench. He’s quality and I think would normally be the starting 10.

 

[Steve_Grey]

Same here, forgot about Martens! I'd take him off the bench over Smith. And yeah, spot on about Durbidge

Without overdo (constructive) criticism - as I have said in a previous post that a bespoke jackler is a real luxury that many teams can't afford to carry.

Durbridge is that luxury - but with the downside of playing with a 7 man pack. NSW U19s suffered similar last year playing their #7 as an extra outside back, which is the Sydney Uni strategy - but they lost more in the forwards than gained in the backs.

Expand the skillset to include hit-ups, tackling and support, and it is a game changer - 1 (or 2) out of 4 is not enough though.

 

[BobbyD]

Backrow players and patterns certainly wasn't the Waratahs 19s problem this year, and Durbidge couldn't have been the problem as he didn't even play on Saturday anyway (maybe if he did ...). The Easts Colts coach is the Tahs 19s coach anyway, and his excellent record speaks for itself.

The Waratahs front 5 were just out-enthused and never got off the back foot and, unfortunately, the 9-10-12 unit compounded it with an off day by their own lofty standards. That's all it takes to get rolled over on a wet and windy day and boy did the Brumbies earn it.

To be fair, the Waratahs outside backs and backrow collectively held their own (admittedly without getting on top). The same Tahs team scored 40 points against Qld, who had just beaten the Brumbies in Canberra 53-12. It's all a bit head scratching for sure, but will watch the QLDvACT final with plenty of interest.

 

[Cockatoo Run]

Backrow players and patterns certainly wasn't the Waratahs 19s problem this year, and Durbidge couldn't have been the problem as he didn't even play on Saturday anyway (maybe if he did ...). The Easts Colts coach is the Tahs 19s coach anyway, and his excellent record speaks for itself.

The Waratahs front 5 were just out-enthused and never got off the back foot and, unfortunately, the 9-10-12 unit compounded it with an off day by their own lofty standards. That's all it takes to get rolled over on a wet and windy day and boy did the Brumbies earn it.

To be fair, the Waratahs outside backs and backrow collectively held their own (admittedly without getting on top). The same Tahs team scored 40 points against Qld, who had just beaten the Brumbies in Canberra 53-12. It's all a bit head scratching for sure, but will watch the QLDvACT final with plenty of interest.

Hard to argue with any of that. I've a massive soft spot for the Brumbies and feared a hiding based on prior results. If anything I think the Waratahs really missed Durbidge.

 

[Tazzmania]

Western Force Teams for Sunday v Tahs

Western Force U16s

Starters; Dozion Laupama (c) (Kalamunda Districts), Ben Ridgewell (Joondalup Brothers), Cruise Morrison (Southern Lions), Kordel Wharepapa (Southern Lions), Bareek Kleine-Deters Ausage (Southern Lions), Luke Wessels (Scotch College), RJ Van Der Merwe (vc) (Rockingham), James Aleni (Nedlands), Cyrus Cullen (Nedlands), Matua Reedy (Nedlands), Lincoln Williams (Wests Scarborough), Rhymen Tusi (USQ Saints), Michael Turukawa (Nedlands), Marco Nel (Nedlands), Chase Bunce (vc) (Cottesloe),

Reserves; Luke Scheepers (Nedlands), Dylan Francis (Nedlands), Khan Corbett-Gagamoe (Rockingham), Leeson Tiakia (Joondalup Brothers), Hohepa Matehaere (Southern Lions), Johan Oosthuizen (Nedlands), Fatani Fatanitavake (Kalamunda Districts), Ashton Williams (Cottesloe)

Western Force U19s

Starters; Daniel Christodoulou (West Harbour), Ollie Barrett (Bond University/Fortescue Academy), Zane Wesley (Wanneroo), Tom Hollis (xx), Josiah Marks (Joondalup Brothers), Alex Bradley-Moore (UWA), Jackson Bridges (Wests Scarborough), Zak Griffiths (Southern Lions), Tafito Ahki (UQ), Henry James (Fortescue Academy), Kade Davis (Wanneroo), Boston Fakafanua (c) (Fortescue Academy), Oakley Pearce (Joondalup Brothers/Fortescue Academy), Vaughn Robson (Nedlands), Finn Prass (Fortescue Academy)

Reserves; Luke Megson (Scotch College), Ellis New (Associates), Isaiah Kolopeaua (UQ), Billy Turnbull (Cottesloe/Fortescue Academy), Felix Cooper (Wests Scarborough), Tamarangi Tunui (Wanneroo), Peni Naqau (Southern Lions/Fortescue Academy), Tevita Ali-Benet Alatini (Palmyra)

 

[Cole]

Notable inclusion of Will Nason at 23 too. I’d read he was injured hence missing most of the tournament, easing him back in via the bench. He’s quality and I think would normally be the starting 10.

Charlie Cooke also coming back from injury off the bench, both would be starters if fit and have both had excellent seasons at club level

 

[Rhino_rugby]

Charlie Cooke also coming back from injury off the bench, both would be starters if fit and have both had excellent seasons at club level

Great to see Charlie Cooke back from injury, even off the bench! Both he and the other player have been standout starters this season at club level, and their return will definitely boost the team’s performance.

 

[Rhino_rugby]

Without overdo (constructive) criticism - as I have said in a previous post that a bespoke jackler is a real luxury that many teams can't afford to carry.

Durbridge is that luxury - but with the downside of playing with a 7 man pack. NSW U19s suffered similar last year playing their #7 as an extra outside back, which is the Sydney Uni strategy - but they lost more in the forwards than gained in the backs.

Expand the skillset to include hit-ups, tackling and support, and it is a game changer - 1 (or 2) out of 4 is not enough though.Good point on the need for a more balanced skillset. Having a dedicated jackler like Durbridge can be a strong asset, but expanding his game to include more hit-ups, tackling, and support would elevate the team's overall performa

Good point on the need for a more balanced skillset. Having a dedicated jackler like Durbridge can be a strong asset, but expanding his game to include more hit-ups, tackling, and support would elevate the team's overall performance.

 

[Rudderless]

U16

U19

 

[Rudderless]

24-0 to QLD at half time in the U19’s.

 

[Wilson]

Dominant wins to the Reds over the Rebels in the under 16s (46-11) and under 19s (67-0) sees both sides into next weekends finals at Ballymore. Results in the Force v tahs games will have no effect on who makes the finals.

Under 16s final: tahs v Reds
Under 19s final: Reds v Brumbies

 

[Rudderless]

Halftime u19’s
Waratahs 29 Force 14

 

[Rudderless]

Full time in the U19’s
Waratahs 67-14

U16’s
Waratahs 70-12

 

[Rudderless]

Grand Finals (QLD times) at Ballymore

Sunday 3rd

U16 12.05pm
U19 2.35pm