The NSW Waratahs defeated the Queensland Reds 57–34 at Knox Grammar School on Sunday to claim their fourth-straight Super Rugby U16 championship.
Waratahs outside centre Payton Tarau stole the show with a first-half hat-trick, kicked off with a try after only 10 seconds of play, and the Waratahs' blend of quick counterattack and forward muscle proved decisive as they secured the silverware.
With a try to his name and a hand in several others, Finn Hannon was named player of the Grand Final for a well-rounded performance at fullback for NSW.
As the Reds received the opening kick-off, Waratahs lock Will Gencur forced a turnover with a powerful shot, and Tarau scooped up the loose ball to score the first points.
Moments later winger Asher Chapman drew defenders and shifted the ball to the outside, where Tarau finished off again and the Waratahs led 12-0.
Queensland then mounted their response through forward power. A sustained period of pick-and-drive work saw lock Denver Bradford bulldoze over, and poor discipline from the Waratahs then handed the Reds a simple penalty goal to make it 12-10.
The Reds harnessed the momentum and took a 15-12 lead when a perfectly weighted cross-field kick found winger Mitch Durrheim out wide.
From there, the Waratahs composed themselves and found some joy through the midfield.
Inside centre Charlie Xuereb showed his skill, spinning through contact to score beside the posts, before Tarau again found himself in space to complete his hat-trick.
In the closing minutes of the half a tidy backline move set winger Ben Wright free on the left, giving the Waratahs a 29-15 at the break.
It didn’t take long for the Waratahs to get things rolling in the second half.
A charge from Xuereb put the Reds on the back foot and, after quick ball movement from flyhalf Wilson Ruthven, Asher Chapman offloaded for Hannon to score.
Coming off the bench, Matti Gill dragged a try back for the Reds from the rolling maul but when the Waratahs responded with Chapman’s 11th try of the season, the result looked secured.
The Reds did make the most of two yellow cards to the Waratahs, first as Xavier Hill powered over from close range, while Harry Dowling also grabbed a late consolation score.
However it was party time for the NSW side as blindside flanker Cordell Arama crashed over from close range and Hugo Lestrange followed up with the final try of the game.
Match Details
NSW Waratahs 57 defeat Queensland Reds 34
Location: Knox Grammar School, Sydney
NSW Waratahs: 57
Tries: Payton Tarau 3, Ben Wright, Charlie Xuereb, Cordell Arama, Asher Chapman, Finn Hannon, Hugo Lestrange.
Conversions: Wilson Ruthven 6/9
Queensland Reds: 34
Tries: Denver Bradford, Mitch Durrheim, Xavier Hill, Matti Gill, Harry Dowling
Conversions: Chilli Tonelli-Smith 2/2, Charlie Meredith 1/3
