The NSW Waratahs U16s will launch their championship defence as the 2025 Super Rugby U16 season kicks off this weekend, while the NSW Waratahs U19s look to secure hosting rights for the Super Rugby U19 Grand Final.
Both teams will take the field as part of Saturday’s triple-header against the ACT Brumbies at Viking Park in Canberra.
Following a rigorous selection process including the NSW invitational competition in July, Waratahs U16 head coach James Barkell, supported by Tristan Jones and Lachlan Drew-Morishas, selected a strong squad for the 2025 competition.
“The players have been training hard since the end of their respective competitions and we’re excited to see them perform against the Brumbies this week,” Waratahs Head of Pathways Andrew Cleverley said.
“This is under-16s high performance rugby union. We want it to be enjoyable but there are expectations of hard training, great attitude and clean, hard rugby.
“We’re focused on effort areas - the boys doing their jobs and doing them well, and if they nail the details, the success will follow.
“That only comes from being well coached, putting effort into training, following instructions, then performing when it counts and when pressure is on.”
- Asera Peniata (Maitland Blacks)
- Talmage Lemusu (Blacktown Scorpions)
- Kaiasi Talakai (Blacktown Scorpions)
- Marlee Thomas (Dee Why Lions)
- Will Gencur (Lindfield Junior Rugby Club)
- Cordell Arama (Blacktown Scorpions)
- Cooper Williams (Canowindra Pythons)
- Hunter Hall (Scone Brumbies)
- Izak Holmes (Newport Rugby Club)
- Wilson Ruthven (Collaroy Cougars)
- Benjamin Wright (Randwick Warriors)
- Charlie Xuereb (Western Raptors)
- Payton Tarau (Blacktown Scorpions)
- Asher Chapman (Kiama Rugby Club)
- Finn Hannon (Mosman Whales) Reserves:
- Henry Baxter (Norths Pirates)
- Hugo Lestrange (Terrigal Trojans)
- Thomas Chan (Lindfield Junior Rugby Club)
- Ruari Basten (Lindfield Junior Rugby Club)
- Jayden Richards (Newport Rugby Club)
- Levi Ellis (Blacktown Scorpions)
- Ziyon Lepolo (Blacktown Scorpions)
- Tom Longland (Collaroy Cougars)
NSW Waratahs U16 Vs ACT Brumbies U16
Where: Tuggeranong Vikings Rugby Union Club
When: Saturday, 27 September 2025
Kick-off: 1.00 pm (AEST)
The game will be broadcast LIVE and on demand on Stan Sport and the Rugby.com.au YouTube Channel
Waratahs U19 head coach Dan England has made mass changes to the starting XV this week, with only six players holding their starting spot from last week’s dominant victory over the Queensland Reds.
The bonus point victory in Narrabri secured a Grand Final berth for the U19s and the winner of Saturday’s showdown with the Brumbies will earn hosting rights for the decider.
The Waratahs centre pairing of Mitchell Holmes and Riley Evans has been retained, along with Henry Conick at flyhalf and Louis Fenwicke at fullback.
“We’ve lost a few players to injury this week but that gives us a chance to rotate and give other members of the squad the opportunity to perform at this level,” Cleverley said.
“It’s about testing the depth we’ve built in the squad and the character of players who play this game.”
- Asera Peniata (Maitland Blacks / Rutherford Technology High School)
- Talmage Lemusu (Blacktown Scorpions / Patrician Brothers Blacktown)
- Kaiasi Talakai (Blacktown Scorpions / Waverley College)
- Marlee Thomas (Dee Why Lions / St Paul's College)
- Will Gencur (Lindfield Junior Rugby Club / Kincumber High School)
- Cordell Arama (Blacktown Scorpions / Patrician Brothers Blacktown)
- Cooper Williams (Canowindra Pythons / St. Stanislaus' College)
- Hunter Hall (Scone Brumbies / Newington College)
- Izak Holmes (Newport Rugby Club / Barker College)
- Wilson Ruthven (Collaroy Cougars / St Augustine's College)
- Benjamin Wright (Randwick Warriors / The Scots College)
- Charlie Xuereb (Western Raptors / Patrician Brothers Blacktown)
- Payton Tarau (Blacktown Scorpions / Waverley College)
- Asher Chapman (Kiama Rugby Club / Illawarra Sports High School)
- Finn Hannon (Mosman Whales / St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill) Reserves:
- Henry Baxter (Norths Pirates / The Shore School)
- Hugo Lestrange (Terrigal Trojans / Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College)
- Thomas Chan (Lindfield Junior Rugby Club / St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill)
- Ruari Basten (Lindfield Junior Rugby Club / The King's School)
- Jayden Richards (Newport Rugby Club / Barker College)
- Levi Ellis (Blacktown Scorpions / Oakhill College)
- Ziyon Lepolo (Blacktown Scorpions / Patrician Brothers Blacktown)
- Tom Longland (Collaroy Cougars / St Augustine's College)
NSW Waratahs U19 Vs ACT Brumbies U19
Where: Tuggeranong Vikings Rugby Union Club
When: Saturday, 27 September 2025
Kick-off: 3.00 pm (AEST)
The game will be broadcast LIVE and on demand on Stan Sport and the Rugby.com.au YouTube Channel
