The coaches & staff of the 2015 NSW  U20s squad – Photo: Karen Watson

by Sam Ryan –

New South Wales will kick start their Australian Under 20 title defence today with an opening round match against invitational side Tonga in Canberra.

The Junior Waratahs began preparations back in November for the tournament, with an extended squad of 54 culled down to 25 after a number of internal and external trials.

“We started out with a large extended squad, which made training really competitive so the quality has been fantastic from the start,” NSW U20’s coach Tim Rapp told Rugby News.

The squad is spearheaded by flyer Andrew Kellaway and prop Matt Sandell, who’ve both trained with the Waratahs top squad in 2015.

“They’ve brought that quality of training back to this squad and really led things, so that has been great to see,” Rapp said.

However it’s some of the squads lesser known players who’ve impressed Rapp most after coming through Sydney’s Colts competition.

“Alex Newsome, Jack Redden, Ollie Kamp – they’ve come through the program and have really impressed. Plus there is a heap of young kids putting pressure on the older age groups.

“There are so many kids that leave school in year 10,11,12 that don’t get the opportunity at their school or maybe they’re late maturers. The Colts competition brings out a different level of physicality in those kids and we’ve seen that through this program.”

Rapp says his side will carry on the attacking philosophy of their senior counterparts.

“That’s something that has been instilled by ‘Cheik’ (Michael Cheika), Darryl (Gibson) and ‘Greysie’ (Nathan Grey).

“The identity of NSW Rugby is not only just at Waratah level but it needs to be transitioned down to our under 20’s and hopefully NSW Schools and our Junior Gold Cup sides as well.”

Whilst spots in the Australian Under 20’s side will be up for grabs, Rapp thinks the tournament is just as vital for those who miss out on selection.

“Ultimately the pinnacle for these guys is to make the Junior World Cup squad, but this tournament has also filled a really important gap for a lot of kids that come out of school or club footy.

“It allows them to play at that high level and help prepare them for higher honours, that can only be a good thing for Australian Rugby.”

New South Wales Under 20’s

1 Cameron Orr
2 Folau Faingaa
3 Matthew Sandell
4 Vunipola Fifita
5 Edward Craig
6 Francis Brown
7 Ned Hanigan
8 Harrison Williams
9 Nick Kellaway
10 Olly Kamp
11 Rory Davis
12 Andrew Deegan
13 Henry Hutchison
14 Ben Starkey
15 Andrew Kellaway (VC)
16 Jack Redden
17 Alex Newsome
18 Lukhan Lealaiauloco – Tui
19 Hamish Dunbar
20 Mitchell Short
21 Harry Jones
22 Christian Yassmin
23 Sam Croke
24Corey Tulloch
25 Jack McCalman(C)