While there may have been many pre-conceptions as to who would dominate the Super Rugby U16s and U19s competitions, both competitions have thrown up plenty of surprises as the final round looms this weekend.
Week Four of the competition saw the Reds clean sweep the Force in Perth, with the U16s kicking off festivities with a 48-5 demolition.
While winger Roldan Waike continued his golden run in Red with a hattrick, the real damage with done in a rampaging forward pack, with Jack Calleja standing out in the second row.
The Force offered more resistance in the U19s, however, the Reds would still prove too strong, running out 45-17 winners and ending the West’s hope of a late title charge.
After the Reds blew out to a 33-5 lead, Tafito Ahki got the hosts rolling as the second half turned into a tense affair, with both sides trading tries. However, the Reds would get the last laugh through Daniel Malum – their bonus point win seeing the Reds go above the Tahs in the table and sitting hot on the heels of the title-defending Brumbies.
Meanwhile, at Rat Park, the Waratahs U16s all but locked up the top of the table and capped off an outstanding season, winning 87-7 over the Brumbies to show a golden generation looms in New South Wales.
Winger Samuela Sorovi picked up four tries in the rout, while Talen Risati and Jack Kalms also enjoyed strong games in the backline.
Even with two players sent to the bin, the Tahs proved more than capable of handling the Brumbies, with the visitors only managing a single try.
However, the U19s would get their revenge, with the Brumbies showcasing an exciting local generation with a 29-14 win to go top of the table.
A well-disciplined performance from the Brumbies pack saw a rolling maul try to Lipina Ata, while the Waratahs disciplined saw shudder into life early on.
The Brumbies currently sit at the top of the ladder in Super Rugby U19s (Photo: Brumbies Media)
Australian U20s fullback Shane Wilcox scored twice for the visitors, before the Tahs fought back in the second half to reduce the margin to eight points. However, a Billy Hansen charge down proved the difference, with hooker Bailey Buesnel scoring the match winner.
It was an ideal result for the Brumbies, however, they could find themselves dropping at least one place, with the Canberrans enjoying a bye while the Reds host the Rebels and the Force host the Tahs in the final round of the regular season.
NSW achieve come-from-behind victory in Byron Bay, claiming Next Gen Sevens
After a fortnight which saw NSW and Queensland only being able to split by points differential, the final round of the Next Gen Sevens took place in Byron Bay, with the winner of the day set to take home the title.
In an almost expected reflection of the quality of the competition, the first match saw both sides unable to be split on 7-7, before Queensland claimed match two 19-12, with Amahli Sieli Hala scoring a double for the Sunshine State, while Ruby Nicholas and Wallaroo Waiaria Ellis scoring for NSW.
Queensland’s Amahli Hala on the charge against NSW in the Next Gen 7s. Photo: Karen Watson
The hosts, however, would come from behind to win the final two matches 21-19 and 21-12, securing a 2-1 victory over the weekend, and a 2-1 series win overall.
With much discussion over the potential future of Australia’s Sevens success as the women’s game grows in the NRLW and AFLW, the quality of talent on display has highlighted that Australia looks set to have generation of highly competitive sevens players to follow in the footsteps of Charlotte Caslick and the Levi sisters.
Fortunately, we won’t have to wait long to see them compete at an international level, with an Australia A and Australia U18 squad set to be named in the coming weeks for contests in December.
Australia A is set to take part in the International Invitational Division in Dubai Sevens, while Australia U18s will head to Auckland to play in the Global Youth Sevens.
