THE NSW Waratahs Under 20s team to play NSW Pasifica on Saturday includes three players who have trained with the senior squad throughout pre-season.
The game features in a triple-header. The NSW Waratahs Under 20s first play NSW Pasifica Under 20s at 1pm. The NSW Waratahs then face NSW Pasifica at 4pm before NSW Waratahs Women take on NSW Pasifica Women at 6pm.
Following Wednesday’s announcement of the NSW Waratahs senior team, a twenty-five-strong NSW Waratahs Under 20s side was named this morning.
The NSW Waratahs Women’s line-up is due to be confirmed later today.
NSW Waratahs Under 20s coach Shannon Fraser has selected a line-up from the NSW Waratahs Academy that has trained together since last November, bar the trio who have undergone pre-season preparation with the senior squad.
Those three are Eamon Doyle in the second row who will captain the side, scrumhalf Hwi Sharples and flyhalf Joey Fowler who has also been selected to play off the bench for the NSW Waratahs later.
“It's a strong team of players who have been training together since early November,” Fraser said today.
“We also have the luxury of having a couple of players who have done a pre-season with the with the senior squad.
“They bring a lot of lot of experience and knowledge. The other players are excited to see how they not only perform but also lead.”
Fraser has no doubt the NSW Pasifica side they face will make for a skilled, strong, and physical opposition.
“We've got a quality opposition that will test ourselves as a team and test individual abilities,” Fraser said.
“The preparation has been short, but good. With the systems, structures, plays, and calls and the whole cohesive piece, it's going to be clunky.
“What we're looking for is the effort and individual actions of the of the players that we've been working with since November.
‘We've instilled a technical excellence into the key areas of the game. Now we’ll see how they respond to what they've learned and put that into game context.”
Asked what he expects from the NSW Pasifica Under 20s side, Fraser said: “There'll be some diamonds in there … a lot of talent.
“We know the talent that's in the Pasifica group and Western Sydney. So, we're looking to see what they bring.
“There'll be some big boys. There'll also be some fast boys and some hot steppers. So, it will be good challenge.”
Saturday’s program where the NSW Waratahs Under 20s, NSW Waratahs and NSW Waratahs Women all play NSW Pasifica sides should be a festival of rugby.
“What a great day it will be with three quality teams playing against sides representing the NSW Pacifica community,” Fraser said.
“It’s the first game of the year. Everyone has had pre-seasons, and there's been a lot of training.
“What a great opportunity to put your mark down and see where you're at and start off a positive year.”
- Loosehead Prop Nathanial Tiitii
- Hooker Charlie O’Kane
- Tighthead Prop Edwin Langi
- Left Lock Eamon Doyle (C)
- Right Lock Jacob Veiru
- Left Flanker Luca Cleverley
- Right Flanker Austin Durbidge
- Number Eight Toby Brial
- Scrumhalf Hwi Sharples
- Flyhalf Joey Fowler
- Left Wing Brendan Palmer
- Inside Centre Zach Fittler
- Outside Centre Cooper Watters
- Right Wing Thomas Hartman
- Fullback Tom Klem
- Reserve Bailey Park
- Reserve Jack Cesare
- Reserve Kaleb Ah-Colt
- Reserve Nathanial Thomas
- Reserve Wyatt Ballenger
- Reserve Sam Blank
- Reserve Jonty Fowler
- Reserve Louis Fenwicke
- Reserve Marshall Le Maitre
- Reserve Jay Mackenzie
When: Saturday 25 January
Where: Eric Tweedale Stadium, Granville
1pm: NSW Waratahs U20s v NSW Pasifica U20s
4pm: NSW Waratahs v NSW Pasifica
6pm: NSW Waratah Women v NSW Pasifica Women
All three games will be broadcast live and free on NSW Rugby TV https://www.nswrugbytv.com.au/
