The NSW Waratahs are excited to announce the 2025 U16’s squad who have been hand selected from all over the state. The squad is made up of a series of young talented players who have represented their schools and clubs throughout the season. These boys have now earned the opportunity to pull on the sky-blue jersey and represent their state, most of whom for the first time.
Differing from previous years, the U16’s will play in an independent competition facilitated by Rugby Australia on a separate schedule to other competitions. The U16’s Waratahs will play four matches against Victoria, The Brumbies, The Reds and The Force respectively, then they will strive to play in the Grand Final. The competition will run from Saturday 27 September to Sunday 2 November.
The squad will meet at the Waratahs Headquarters in Daceyville in the upcoming weeks to commence regular training. Training will be under the guidance of the extensive and experienced Waratahs coaching physio and leadership teams. For many of the players selected in the squad, this will be their first time training at a representative level and the exposure to professional facilities and resources will develop their skills and further their professional rugby aspirations, giving players an insight into life as a professional athlete.
The selected 30 players have been chosen from 19 different schools and 17 different clubs which shows the widespread talent across the state and strength of the wider NSW Rugby pathway systems. These players have impressed selectors with both their on-field skill and off-field attributes and will now begin preparation for the upcoming tournament.
All Games will be televised LIVE on Stan Sport - The Home of Rugby
Asera Peniata – Maitland Blacks – Rutherford Technology High School
Hugo Lestrange – Terrigal Trojans – Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College, Tumbi Umbi
Kaiasi Talakai – Blacktown Scorpions – Waverley College
Thomas Chan – Lindfield Junior Rugby Club – St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill
William Gleeson – Coffs Harbour Snappers – Knox Grammar School
Archie Hill – Dee Why Lions – Knox Grammar School
Talmage Lemusu – Blacktown Scorpions – Patrician Brothers Blacktown
Henry Baxter – Norths Pirates – Shore School
Noah Chrara – Lane Cove Junior Rugby Club – St. Joseph's College, Hunters Hill
Will Gencur – Lindfield Junior Rugby Club – Kincumber High School
Marlee Thomas – Dee Why Lions – St Paul’s Manly
Ruari Basten – Lindfield Junior Rugby Club – The Kings School
Jayden Richards – Newport Rugby Club – Barker College
Cooper Williams – Canowindra Pythons – St. Stanislaus College
Hunter Hall – Scone Brumbies – Newington College
Cordell Arama – Blacktown Scorpions – Patrician Brothers Blacktown
Eduardo Garcia Wood – Norths Pirates – St. Joseph's College, Hunters Hill
Noah Vaotangi – Campbelltown Harlequins – Patrician Brothers College, Fairfield
Izak Holmes – Newport Rugby Club – Barker College
Levi Ellis – Blacktown Scorpions – Oakhill College
Henry Salter – Hunters Hill Junior Rugby Club – St Ignatius’ College Riverview
Wilson Ruthven – Collaroy Cougars – St Augustine’s College
Payton Tarau – Blacktown Scorpions – Waverley College
Julian Minto – Mosman Whales – St. Joseph's College, Hunters Hill
Charlie Xuereb – Western Raptors – Patrician Brothers Blacktown
Ziyon Lepolo – Blacktown Scorpions – Patrician Brothers Blacktown
Finn Hannon – Mosman Whales – St. Joseph's College, Hunters Hill
Ben Wright – Randwick Warriors – The Scots College
Asher Chapman – Kiama Rugby Club – Illawarra Sports High School
Tom Longland – Collaroy Cougars – St Augustine’s College
