After missing selection in the Waratahs Academy sides in recent years, beefed-up backrower Henri Dempsey has been named to start in the No.7 jersey for the Waratahs U16s against the Melbourne Rebels this weekend on the back of a breakout season at Riverview. 

“I didn’t get picked in the U14s teams. Then last year they picked four U15s teams to play trial games and I was in that, but didn’t make the eventual squad,” Dempsey told Rugby News. 

“I’ve always thought you should play rugby because you love it, not to get picked in teams so I used that and stayed patient and it’s good to get a chance this time around.”

Dempsey played off the bench in the second XV at Riverview last year while he was in year 10 then bulked up over summer and was one of a number of standout open side flankers across the GPS competition this year. 

“I got a taste of it in year 10 but it’s a big step up playing firsts. It’s so much faster and more physical and the breakdown is a lot tougher.

“We didn’t have our best season at Riverview but we learnt a lot this year and quite a few boys will be back again next year.”

Dempsey will start in the backrow alongside Riverview teammate Issac Perkins and Scots and Easts flanker Aston Weir against the Rebels on Saturday with Blacktown boy Samuel Polley set to make an impact from the bench. 

Gun No.8 Justice Taumoepeau has been rested for the clash but Dempsey said he’s enjoyed training and learning from a wide range of backrowers around him. 

“Justice is at Joeys and obviously we’ve got a pretty big rivalry with them,” Dempsey said. 

“He’s a dominant ball carrier and you’ve always got to have two defenders on him. Plus he’s got the skillset as well. There’s not many players like him so it’s great to have a chance to play alongside him. 

“(Samuel) Polley is at Oakhill so we don’t get to play him but I’ve known him for a few years now. He’s another tough ball runner with good skills. 

“It’s going to be hard for the coaches to pick the backrow each week.”

The Waratahs U16s face the Rebels at 11:35am at Leichhardt Oval in the first round of the Super U16s tournament. 

Following Saturday’s round one clash, the NSW teams will play the Reds in Brisbane on Sunday October 13, the Brumbies in Sydney at Rat Park on Saturday October 19 and the Force in Perth on Sunday October 27. 

The top two teams will then meet in the grand final at Ballymore on November 3.

“Each week is going to be exciting. I’m not looking ahead and focussing on specific teams, this week I want to beat the Rebels and it’ll be the same with whoever we are playing each round.”