After getting a taste of rep football as an underage player in 2023, newly appointed NSW U18s captain Marshall Le Maitre said he can’t wait to throw on a sky blue jersey and face Queensland again on Saturday. 

The gun Shore No.7, who has been part of the Waratahs development system since the under 15s, played two matches for the Waratahs U18s 2nd XV late last year, but will lead the first XV on to Ballymore this Saturday in the first of two early season matches against QLD U18s. 

“We were working hard over the summer but then when we found out we were playing some games against Queensland at the start of the season, everything picked up a bit,” Le Maitre told Rugby News during the week. 

“Some of us started playing together in the 15s and now we’ve moved through to the 18s so it’s exciting to get this opportunity. 

“I’ve met a bunch of new mates from all around the state. There are guys who you might not think you’d be mates with in every day life, but you put people in a rugby environment and it’s so easy to click and become really good friends.”

Le Maitre said he’s learnt plenty from some of his new mates in recent years while training under the Waratahs coaches at Daceyville. 

“I played against and then alongside Austin Durbidge last year and he’s so good over the ball with his jackle. I learnt a lot from him and a few of the other backrowers and that’s a part of my game that I’d like to focus on a lot this year. 

“I want to be more physical around the ruck area this season, but I’ve also been working on my footy IQ so I can identify when to attack the breakdown and when to leave it.

“Seven has always been my preferred position and I think that’s where I can contribute the most with my body shape, but I’m happy playing anywhere in the backrow to be honest. 

“I play a bit of a ball playing No.7 role, which is a little different, but I like being able to link with the backs. 

“First and foremost though, I know at No.7 I need to do my work for the team at the breakdown.”

Le Maitre was a standout for Shore in last year’s GPS competition but admitted he was a little disappointed with his side’s finish, despite beating Riverview, drawing with Joeys and falling just short against eventual premiers Kings. 

He’s confident though that Shore will take another big step forward this season. 

“Angus Sinclair is our head coach at Shore and he’s also the defensive coach for NSW 18s. It will be his second year in charge at Shore and I think we learnt a lot from him last season,” he said.

“We’ve also got a few new players coming up from the 16s. Rex Bassingthwaite is coming up at fullback. His brother played last year and did really well and Rex is going to be another great addition.”

Le Maitre is one of seven players that return after featuring in victories over Queensland late last year.

No.8 Toby Brial retains his starting spot in the NSW I forward pack that beat QLD I 47-40 in September last year. Prop Edwin Langi, backrower Luca Cleverley and scrumhalf Sam Blank also return after representing NSW I in their underage year.

Le Maitre and outside backs Tom Watts and Charlie Poynton will also start in Brisbane, after impressing in NSW II’s 71-26 victory over QLD II late last year.

“Toby Brial scored two tries in the last game against Queensland. He’s a big body, he’s really disciplined and he’s a great leader. 

“Gus Grover is another player to watch at halfback. Gussy and I have been playing together since we were little so it’s pretty cool to play 18s alongside one another.”

Down the track, Le Maitre said he’d love to play professional rugby, ideally with the Waratahs, but said at the moment he was focused on a big year of rugby ahead. 

“That’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid. But before all of that, I’ve just got to keep improving my game and gain as much experience as possible. 

“There’s obviously schoolboy rep teams picked at the end of the year and although everyone says they’re not thinking about it, it’s obviously my goal. It’s going to be a lot of hard work but it’s something I’ve been working towards for a long time and I really hope I can get there.”