The NSW Waratahs have shown they will again be the team to beat in the Super Rugby U16 competition after opening their season with a 97-0 demolition of the ACT Brumbies at Viking Park on Saturday.
The defending champions took barely more than 60 seconds to score their opening try through fullback Finn Hannon and then rolled through the Brumbies’ defensive line with relative ease on their way to a 50-0 lead at half-time.
By the time the drubbing was over, Hannon, winger Benjamin Wright and prop Asera Peniata had bagged doubles, and winger Asher Chapman had snagged a scintillating hat-trick.
The Waratahs scored 14 tries in Canberra, with flyhalf Wilson Ruthven knocking over seven conversions before handing the tee to Hannon, who ended the day with personal haul of 18 points.
In the forwards, backrower Cordell Arama scored one try and set up another, and caught the eye with an impressive showing of power and skill with every touch.
James Barkell’s side was dominant in every facet of the contest and would have pushed their score into three figures if not for some dropped ball at key moments.
The Waratahs will now return home to begin preparations for next Sunday’s clash with the Western Force at Warringah Rugby Club.
NSW Waratahs 97 (Chapman 3, Peniata 2, Hannon 2, Wright 2, Baxter, Thomas, Tarau, Arama, Holmes, Chan tries; Ruthven 7 con, Hannon 4 con) defeated ACT Brumbies 0
