A lively crowd gathered at Daceyville under overcast skies as the NSW Waratahs U20s delivered a commanding performance against the Western Force. With Academy Rugby returning to Sydney in 2025, the stands were filled with eager Tahs supporters ready to witness the home side’s talent.
The match kicked off with the Tahs making an immediate impact. Aggressive tackles from the opening kick-off set the tone, and a well-executed scrum layed the foundation for the strong half to come
Early on, the game was characterised by possession battles. A missed Tahs lineout handed momentum to the Force, and a near-try by Tahs left lock, Joe Mangelsdorf saw the momentum shift back to the Tahs. Jay McKenzie’s composure on the left wing saw Jay dash up the wing, penetrating the opposition’s defence.
A further breakthrough came when another Force lineout error allowed Hwi Sharples to gather the loose ball and distribute it to his backline. McKenzie capitalised on the opportunity, executing a smooth finish in the left corner. Over the next ten minutes, a midfield tussle saw both teams exchange attacking moves which followed by a well-placed kick recovered by the Tahs and a subsequent break through the middle securing additional field position. Soon after, the home side extended their lead with a dominate team try.
The Tahs further asserted their dominance when Jonty Fowler exploited space through the middle, slicing through defenders to score under the posts.
Despite standout individual efforts from Force winger Wallace Charlie, whose pace and kicking kept the Tahs on alert, the home side held firm. In the closing minutes of the first half, the Force pressed hard in the Tahs’ red zone, but strong defence ensured a 26-0 halftime advantage.
The second half saw the Force renew their attacking push. Force Captain, Boston Fakafanua nearly crossed early on but was held up by a steadfast Tahs defence. A misdirected Force lineout again handed possession to Hwi Sharples, setting the stage for a physical midfield battle. In a pivotal moment in the 52nd minute, the Tahs introduced Rugby Australia 7’s stars Hadley Tonga and Sid Harvey. Their fresh legs reinvigorated the side, and five minutes later, McKenzie completed his hat-trick with a well-worked try on the left wing.
A rolling maul initiated by a precise lineout call from Bailey Park further underscored the Tahs’ attacking intent, as Sharples’ distribution found Tonga to gracefully touch down for another Tah’s try.
Although the Force eventually broke through—with captain Boston Fakafanua scoring their first try and Doug Philipson adding a late second following an unfortunate yellow card to the Tahs during a desperate defensive effort on their own line.
Overall, the early dominance by the home side ensured they controlled the game to the final whistle.
Following his hattrick, Jay McKenzie, reflected on his performance and the game’s key moments:
“Pretty intense start. It was good to get one early, which really got the boys moving and built our momentum through the first half.”
“We were under the pump a bit in our own half, especially in the second half, but we managed to hold them off for a fair bit and regain some momentum. Although they got two tries at the end, I just got off some good attacking play.”
“We trained here every day—been training for two months now. It’s great to be on our own turf; it definitely gives us a boost of confidence because we’re all familiar with the grounds and the conditions. It really helped us in that game.”
Try Sorcerers:
Marshall le Maitre
Hadley Tonga
Brody McLaren
Jay McKenzie x3
Conversion:
Jonty Fowler x4
Try Sorcerers:
Boston Fakafanua
Doug Philipson
Conversion:
Finn Prass x2
