After spending most of 2024 playing against and dominating forwards two age groups above him, Justice Taumoepeau will captain the NSW U16s this Sunday against Queensland. 

The Joeys’ backrower was one of the most dominant forwards in the GPS U18s competition this season but said he won’t change his approach this weekend when he drops back to play against other kids his own age. 

“I try not to change my mentality or the way I play regardless of who I’m playing for or who I’m playing against,” Taumoepeau told Rugby News. 

“I just try to play rugby, like I’ve done all my life, stick to the basics and put my best foot forward.

“I was lucky enough to play in this tournament last year so it helps knowing what to expect. 

“There’s a lot of talent across all the sides, right across the country, but we’re lucky to have a pretty good group here in New South Wales and I’m excited to play with them again.”

Taumoepeau will start at No.7 for the Tahs at Ballymore on Sunday with Dubbo boy Selestino Mainakavika and Blacktown junior Samuel Polley to join him to form a big and powerful backrow. 

“There’s lots of competition for spots in the backrow within the squad but we’re all feeding off it, picking up different things from each other and learning all the time,” Taumoepeau explained. 

“I played No.6 in the GPS rep game earlier this year and played No.8 for most the year with Joeys but I’ve enjoyed No.7 since I had a run there in our trial a few weeks ago.

“It’s different but I’m open to it and I think that’s the best thing about rugby. There are lots of different positions that seem similar but require different skills and focus and I’m enjoying moving around and learning in all positions at the moment.”

Taumoepeau has been a mainstay of Joeys first XV side for several seasons now after debuting as a 15-year old and said he has a strong desire to win a GPS title in his year 12 season at Hunters Hill next year. 

“Going into my debut game I remember being really nervous and it was weird to look around and see all the older boys that you looked up to being your teammates. 

“But they really helped me through it and gave me a lot of confidence and that’s something I try and do when new players come into our side now.

“We started well this year but fell away at the end so hopefully we can fix that for next season.”

Waratahs U16s team to play Reds U16s (1-15)

Lawson Armstrong, Oliver Smith, Hasani Bloomfield, Tahj Smith, Josh Arundel, Samuel Polley, Justice Taumoepeau, Selestino Mainakavika, Flynn Farrell, Talen Risati, Darcy Feltham, Keone Anitelea-Tsioussis, Cyrus Bloomfield, Creighton Meafou, Kden Carter