The NSW Waratahs U20’s are back in action, ready for their second trial against the Western Force in Sydney this Saturday.
Fresh off a dominant 40–12 win over the ACT Brumbies U20’s last week in Canberra, their next challenge comes this Saturday, 8 March, when they will have home advantage at David Phillips Sports Field in Daceyville.
With a gritty performance in the opener, the young squad is eager to build on that success and fine-tune their game ahead of a tough encounter.
Reflecting on last week’s game, Number 8 Toby Brial said: "The Brumbies came out pretty strong last week, they put the initial points on the board, and it was a heated contest both on the field and in the 32-degree heat.
“Overall, it was a great game, and I really enjoyed being out there.
"These trial games allow us to have a 25-person squad rolling, so everyone got heaps of game time, and it gives everyone a good run.
“I ended up playing the full eighty minutes, which was pretty taxing, but the work I did during pre-season made every minute worth it and a lot of fun.
“I felt really fit, though the back end of the second half took its toll and I'm building on that fitness level looking to this week’s challenge."
While satisfied with both his personal and the team performance, Brial acknowledged there was room for improvement.
"I was quite happy with my game, but there are definitely things I can work on,” he said.
“We had moments where our ball play and defence were on point, but at times we got a bit lazy, and allowed them to score extra tries and win scrums simply through a lack of discipline. Overall, though, we were really happy with the final result."
Emphasising leadership and team spirit amongst the squad, Brial added, "For me, it’s about doing the best in everything I do and pushing the team to do the same.
“Focusing on the basics, paying attention to detail, and working hard for each other—when everyone buys in to that, nothing can stop us."
"Not having to travel, and having friends, family, and peers watching and supporting us gives that extra boost from the sidelines."
NSW Waratahs U20s Head Coach Shannon Fraser provided further insights into the team’s progress.
Reflecting on last week's performance, he noted, "It was good for a hit out. Although our start was a bit clunky, we built through the game well.
“Defensively, we stepped in front and won a lot of our collisions, setting ourselves up for good possessions and areas of the field."
"We've got a couple of little bumps from the game that might keep a few players out this week — Austin Durbidge and Edwin Langi are the main ones. Nothing too serious, but we'll be monitoring them closely."
"Since October, we've been training together—bringing together the best of the U19s and the school-leaving 18s.
“Our sessions, which started around the second week of November, have focused on both individual development and understanding our game systems."
"Last week, the standard went up significantly, and we rotated the squad to give more players a chance.
“Some of these guys will see their first minutes this week as we continue to refine our style."
On the tactical front, Fraser shared his focus for the upcoming match, saying: "We've identified areas to improve from last week—especially our patience in attack.
“While our defence was sound, we want to fine-tune our kick strategy, set pieces, and overall approach in the first half. That's our exclusive focus this week."
The stage is set for a compelling clash against Western Force as the Waratahs U20 look to build on their dominant initial performance.
Following the strategic adjustments made and strong leadership both on and off the field, the squad is determined to carry that momentum forward.
As the clock ticks down to kick-off on Saturday, all eyes will be on David Phillips Sports Field to see if the NSW Waratahs U20’s can make it two in a row.
What: NSW Waratahs U20s v Western Force U20s
When: 1.30 pm, Saturday 8 March, 2025
Where: David Phillipps Sports Field, Daceyville, Sydney
NOTE: No live stream of the game, so get on down to Daceyville to watch!
