The Waratahs Under 20 squad had their first hit-out yesterday at Moore Park as nearly 50 players played three “halves”, swapping teams and sometimes, positions.
After weeks of getting flogged by the trainers it was time for the lads to take it out on each other, often against their best mates. No quarter was given to anybody because, mates or not, they were competitors for the spots they were after in the NSW Under 20s team that will play in the 2016 Super Rugby Under 20 competition.
Mixing the players up led to misunderstandings but there were some eagle-eyed assessors taking note of which lads handled the situation best. Versatility would have been well-regarded also because the final squad will be limited to about 26.
Chris Malone, who is now the Head Coach, was content:
Malone said it was interesting for him to observe some players he hadn’t seen play a game before and some definitely put their hand up, but a few probably didn’t this time. It was too early to tell what the strengths and weaknesses of the squad were based on one hit-out and he said there was a lot of work to be done in many areas – but he was pleased about the tough competition for spots.
Although they hadn’t had their hands on the lads that long…
Malone was reluctant to name promising players at this early stage, but my impression of them was that although there were few outright stars there was a lot of quality, especially in the back row and midfield.
It will be a big forward pack that the Waratahs Under 20s finish up with.
They have big tight-head props whose game fitness needs more work, though Jordan Lotoaniu looks handy. Their loose-head props are fine in general play but their scrummaging needs more testing. Three of the squad props were at school this year, which is not ideal.
The senior hookers Ed Craig and Declan Moore are both skilful and are sluggers who will serve the Waratahs Under 20s well.
There are tall-timber second rowers this year who are athletic but not bruisers at this point.
Like most state Under 20 back rows, any year, the Waratahs’ squad has a fine crop. One flanker, Jack Hayson, is highly regarded because he has one of the biggest engines in the whole squad and another, Jum Woodhill, had a cracking game yesterday and scored an aggressive individual try.
Ted Pye probably stepped ahead of other scrumhalves Theo Strang and Harrison Goddard who played for Australian Schools this year. Jack Clancy was the pick of the flyhalves though Jack McGregor, another 2015 Schools player, had some good touches and runs.
The mid-field depth was impressive: Tom Molloy, Ned Yeomans, and Will McDonnell were notable as was schoolie Dan England.
There was any amount of potent back three players who had good moments but a special mention goes to schoolie fullback Tim Clements who performed admirably both as a custodian and an attacking player.
The squad will be trimmed to about 38 players after the Xmas break and will be reduced further after trials starting on February 6th.
Photos by Lee Grant
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