Manly Colts centre, Benson Fakai had an outstanding 2013 season
Photo: seiserphotography.com

Manly Rugby Media Release –

Players from the Manly Colts 2013 first grade squad have dominated selections in the Waratahs 2014 Under 20s program, potentially leading to selection in the Australian Under 20 Squad and the Waratahs. The program provides the opportunity for these players to play rugby at the highest level in their age group.

The Under 20 Squad is overseen by Waratahs coach Michael Cheika, with other coaches for position specific development, and is part of the objective of Cheika to open up opportunities to join the selection pathway to the Waratahs. Cheika has said it is all part of the new “FutureTahs”.

Marlins front rowers Rory O’Connor, Siotame Kavapalu and Alex Brand, second rowers Matt Philip and Karel Lloyd, openside flanker Ethan Uili, Number 8 Vinnie Baranyi, half Fabian Natoli, fly half Reece Hodge and outside centre Benson Fakai were all invited to join the Waratahs Squad.

Marlins halfback, Fabian Natoli
Photo: seiserphotography.com

The Waratahs Under 20s program will run until the National Under 20s Championship at the end of March 2014, at which time the Australian Under 20 Squad will be selected for the 2014 Rugby Junior World Championship in New Zealand in June.

The Waratahs program involves three training sessions each week, leading into a series of trial matches in February and March for final selection into the Waratahs Colts squad to represent New South Wales in the National Under 20s Championships.

As well as 2013 Australian U20 players, Matt Philip, Siotame Kavapalu and Reece Hodge, 7 other Colts players who have not previously been part of the U20 program have been brought into the Waratahs program.

Throughout the 2013 season, local junior Benson Fakai terrorised opposing outside backs with his pace and strength in attack, “I have been playing Colts since I was 16 and have never previously been selected in a high level training group. I am enjoying it. I have been called into a couple of contested sessions with the Waratahs Senior squad because of some players doing rehab and particularly enjoyed those experiences. My locker was next to Kurtley Beale’s,” Benson said.

Another of the Marlins in the squad, Ethan Uili, played in the South Australian Schools team at the Australian Schools Rugby Championship in 2012 and was selected in the Presidents XV which played Tongan Schools, and joined the Marlins in 2013. “I came over from Adelaide to test my skills in a stronger competition and was welcomed by the Manly Colts. We had a great set up and a very committed player group which helped me to have a successful season. I am really happy that I joined the Marlins and have been selected in the Waratahs squad. I will be giving it my all,” Ethan said.

Ethan Uili in action against Warringah in 2013 – Photo: seiserphotography.com

According to Colts Head Coach Jono Harvey, “It is a great initiative by Michael Cheika. Our boys are absolutely loving the program. They are training three times a week in a semi-professional environment. The performance of our Marlins 2013 Colts team showed that all the players in that team have the talent and are capable of going to the next level. I am very pleased for all the players and pretty happy that I have been invited to attend one of the sessions each week in 2014.”