Strong NSW Colts squad announced for National Championships
The NSW Waratahs have named a strong 28-man Colts squad for the National Under 20s Championships in Canberra.
The NSW Colts kick off their championship campaign this Saturday, March 22 against Southern States (6.30pm) at Viking Park, Wanniassa, ACT.
Their second game is against Tonga Under 20s (invited team) on Monday, followed by a big clash with arch rivals Queensland next Wednesday.
NSW Waratahs coach Michael Cheika took a hands-on approach to the development of the next generation of Waratah players. The driver of the project, Cheika contacted senior club coaches in Sydney to get the Shute Shield’s hottest young prospects, while Waratahs’ chief scout Tim Kelaher searched the country areas for their best young talent.
Cheika then ran the training program personally with the help of senior NSW coaches and players, and a select group of youngsters also spent time with the Waratahs during the off-season in preparation for selection and ultimately the national under 20’s championship.
Cheika has now handed the responsibility over, appointing former Waratahs scrumhalf Tim Rapp as Under 20s coach.
“It’s a great honour to help nurture the next generation of Waratahs,” said Rapp, whose young changes have played a number of trial games.
Born in Singleton, Rapp is a former Australian Schoolboy and also represented NSW and Australia in the Under 19 and Under 21 Championships, as well as being a member of the Australian Sevens team in 2003.
Helping to identify the next generation of talent is one thing, seeing them perform is another and Rapp can’t wait to see them in action.
“It’s been a tough preparation for the Colts, playing the Australian Barbarians, Pampas PRC and Fijian Warriors.
“I’m hoping the physical lead-up will continue through in their performances in the National Titles.”
Rapp has worked with or coached around three quarters of this Colts’ squad. “There are two Australian schoolboys captains in the squad and a number of players who’ll make rapid progress, playing at a higher level against some of the best young talent in the country,” claims the coach.
Full of potential, Sydney University’s Angus Pulver and Siotame Kavapalu from Manly have both represented Australia at schoolboy and national Under 20 level, as has Jack Dempsey who went on the NSW Barbarians’ end of season tour to Argentina last August.
Current Waratahs Expended Playing Squad member and Randwick flyhalf David Horwitz is another with the rugby world at his feet, representing his state and country at a schoolboy level, while Cameron Skelton is the younger but bigger brother of the NSW lock Will Skelton.
Rapp is also delighted for Manly’s Rory O’Connor, Sydney University’s Tom Robertson, Folau Faingaa and Johnny Vaux, plus Randwick’s Tevita Vea, West Harbour’s Cameron Orr, Norths’ duo Sam Croke and Will Paterson, and Daniel Gallagher from Easts. All have made it from their club’s Colts team.
“I am really pleased for these guys, they’ve had to tough it out to make it. That won’t harm them when they take on some of the best rugby talent Australia has to offer,” Rapp finished.
NSW Colts squad for the National Under 20 Championships
Forwards
Rory O’Connor (Manly)
Matt Sandell (Sydney University)
Tom Robertson (Sydney University)
Cameron Orr (West Harbour)
Folau Faingaa (Sydney University)
Tevita Vea (Randwick)
Siotame Kavapalu (Manly)
Matthew Phillip (Manly)
Ned Hannigan (Randwick)
Cameron Skelton (Sydney University)
Jack Johnson (Randwick)
Jack Dempsey (Gordon)
Sam Croke (Northern Suburbs)
Jack McCalman (Sydney University)
Pat Sio (Eastwood)
Mitch Whitely (Sydney University)
Backs
Angus Pulver (Sydney University)
FabianNatoli (Manly)
David Horwitz (Randwick)
Andrew Deegan (Randwick
Andrew Kellaway (Randwick)
Ellis Abraham (Manly)
Benson Fakau (Manly)
Henry Cluines Ross (Sydney University)
Jonny Vaux (Sydney University)
Will Paterson (Eastern Suburbs)
Harry Jones (Warringah)
Daniel Gallagher (Eastern Suburbs)
Train on with squad:
Sam Kitchen (Northern Suburbs)
Mitch Short (Randwick)
Photo: Supplied by Waratahs Rugby
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