A stunning 18 degree Saturday morning in Pittwater was the perfect setting for the opening round of the 2025 U19s Super Rugby season. The Waratahs took to the field with clear intent. They were eager to avenge their senior counterparts’ loss on Friday night and were determined to have the perfect start after falling short last year.
The opening minutes tested both teams set-piece skills and the Waratahs showed their discipline, training and abilities, winning a series of penalties. Following the back of two attacking rushes, a scrum saw the ball fed to Brodie Mainwaring, who passed to fullback Louis Fenwicke which scored the first points to the Waratahs.
The ball remained with the Waratahs’ attacking end as the forwards showed dominance, driving through the centre of the field and testing the Force’s defence. After a series of forward-led phases, Sam Blank went crashing over the line, followed by a successful conversion which placed 12 unanswered points on the board.
Minutes later Tom Farr-Jones intercepted the ball and made a scything run along the sideline, stepping around his opponents and providing his teammates time to catch up before he threw out to Sam Blank to extend the lead.
Repeat infringements from Force prop Zane Wesley saw him receive a yellow card. The Waratahs’ dominance was immediately evident when a scrum drive went over the try line and Tyler Maybery went over.
The Force resorted to further infringements. A second yellow card left them with 13 players on the field. Again, the relentless Waratahs found the gap in defence and Toby Brial achieved his first try of the season. At the break the Waratahs enjoyed a comfortable 29-point advantage as they went into the sheds.
The Force came out into the second determined to capitalise, having created a change in momentum, despite being a player down. A series of attractive phases in the Waratahs' red zone was an obvious concern for the visitors. After a brief injury break for a Force forward, the team staged an attacking play as Force lock Manaia TeTana crossed the line to open the Force's scoring for the game.
The NSW skipper wasn’t planning on letting the Force build too much momentum; he stepped around their defensive line and planted the ball directly under the posts, delivering a quick reply to the Force’s try.
The second half continued with Waratahs' dominance after Force player, Nathaniel Gallagher received a red card, which left the Force with more minutes with a player down. The Waratahs continued their attacking spell, which earned further points on the scoreboard from a try by Tom Watts, with captain Marshall Le Maitre having completed a hat-trick in the opening game of the season.
As the full-time siren rang, a convincing victory gave the young U19 side a great start to the competition.
Match Details
NSW Waratahs (62) defeat Western Force (5)
Location: Pittwater Rugby Park, Sydney
NSW Waratahs (62)
Tries: Marshall Le Maitre (3), Tyler Maybery (2), Sam Blank (2), Tom Watts (1), Louis Fenwicke (1), Toby Brial (1)
Conversions: Sebastian Newman (3), Henry Conick (3)
Western Force (5)
Tries: Manaia TeTana (1)
