With the Academy season around the corner, the NSW Waratahs U19s are busy preparing for their opening fixture at Warringah Rugby Park in Sydney this Saturday morning against the Western Force.
This year's revised format sees the U19 Super Rugby Men's season mirroring the Super Rugby AUS competition, bringing fresh energy to the series.
The Waratahs team has been intensely training at the Daceyville headquarters in the lead-up to the season and is eager to take the field on Saturday.
The U19s narrowly missed out on making the final in last year's competition. However, this year the team is hungrier than ever to go all the way.
"It really fuels us. Last year we fell short to the Brumbies at home, so we're determined to go further this time around," said prop Edwin Langi.
Known for their physicality and strong structure, the Force will pose a tough challenge for the Waratahs.
However, the team are confident they will be fit and firing come Saturday morning.
"The coaches have prepped us well — we’ve been working on our physicality and focusing on set pieces and scrummaging” said Langi.
For Langi, the first game offers an opportunity to showcase what the team has been implementing throughout the pre-season.
"Our pre-season has connected new faces and polished our patterns. It's a chance to show what we've worked on."
The team features a range of players from the NSW pathways systems with many fresh faces to the side.
The team is brimming with talent and looking to blend the range of experience.
As the Waratahs prepare for their season opener, Langi has his mind set on ensuring a disciplined game plan and staying calm under the pressure of the game.
"I stay calm by sticking to my routine. I kick back in the lead up to the game and enjoy having a chat with a few friends and teammates," said Langi.
- Loosehead Prop Nick Hill (Warringah)
2. Hooker Tyler Maybery (Randwick)
3. Tighthead Prop Edwin Langi (Eastern Suburbs)
4. Left Lock Arthur Greer (Eastern Suburbs)
5. Right Lock Aron Brennan (Warringah)
6. Left Flanker Luca Cleverley (Randwick)
7. Right Flanker Marshall Le Maitre (Northern Suburbs)
8. Number Eight Toby Brial (Eastern Suburbs)
9. Scrumhalf Sam Blank (Warringah)
10. Flyhalf Sebastian Newman (Southern Districts)
11. Left Wing Tom Watts (Sydney University)
12. Inside Centre Zach Fittler (Eastern Suburbs)
13. Outside Centre Mitchell Holmes (Eastwood)
14. Right Wing Tom Farr-Jones (Randwick)
15. Fullback Louis Fenwicke (Eastern Suburbs)
16. Reserve Riley Osborn (Warringah)
17. Reserve Harper Strachan (Sydney University)
18. Reserve Justin Amituanai (Sydney University)
19. Reserve Ethan Hamilton (Hunter Wildfires)
20. Reserve Charlie Bull (Sydney University)
21. Reserve James Thompson (West Harbour)
22. Reserve Henry Conick (Sydney University)
23. Reserve Riley Evans (Randwick)
NSW Waratahs U19s Vs Western Force U19s
Where: Warringah Rugby Park, Sydney
When: Saturday, 13 September 2025
Kick-off: 10.30 am (AEST)
The game will be televised LIVE and on demand via the Rugby.com.au YouTube Channel and Stan Sport - The Home of Rugby
