NSW Gen Blue coach Tim Rapp said his focus is on the development of his players throughout the inaugural Australian Super 20’s competition and not on results.

However the former scrumhalf admitted that hasn’t been an easy point to get across to his players.

“Our ultimate goal is to turn as many of these players into Waratahs as possible, that’s what we are looking to do, but in saying that, these guys are elite rugby players and they all want to win every match they play in,” Rapp told Rugby News.

“We started with a fairly big squad so it’s been competitive from day one and that is only going to continue from here.”

Rapp’s original 60-man squad was culled to 45 before Christmas and again to 36 following a trial against NSW Country U20’s last month, with only a handful of players returning from last year’s National Championship winning side.

“We’ve only got a few back from last year but I don’t think that is such a bad thing. A lot of the guys spent last season playing club rugby so they have had to work hard for an entire season to earn a spot in this squad and that makes them really eager to play.”

The transition of Gen Blue from an under-20’s side to a wider development pathway has allowed Rapp to introduce a handful of younger players to the program at an early age.

He pointed out former Scots and now Eastern Suburbs flanker Charlie Smith as one such player.

“It’s not just about picking a team of 20-year olds to try and win a few games. We want some of those 18 and 19-year old guys to train with the squad, learn what the Waratahs are about and continue to develop as footy players.

“Charlie Smith is a perfect example. I told him earlier this year that I didn’t want him focussing on making the final squad, but he just kept turning up and training the house down and I really didn’t have a choice in the end.

“He’s a guy that is working hard on his body this year, but he is only 18 so he will get plenty of chances to play at this level.”

Gen Blue begin their Super 20’s campaign this weekend against QLD U20’s, a side Rapp expects will challenge the reigning champions physically.

“They will have a big side and have a lot of guys returning from last year so they will be tough to beat. Five or six of their guys have been training with the Reds main squad so they will bring a lot of confidence.

“But in saying that, our boys have been training together for a few months now so they have plenty of cohesion and I think they will work well together as they have been together for this whole process and formed a really strong bond.”

Rapp has lost three No.10’s to injury in recent weeks with Jack Clancy and Jack McGregor both suffering ACL injuries and Connor O’Shea tearing his hamstring. However he said the backline was filled with “real footy players with plenty of skill” and expected centre Tom Molloy to slot into the role without too much drama.

In the forwards, giant lock Ryan McCauley will add plenty of size to the NSW pack, along with Newcastle prop Harry Johnson-Holmes and hardworking flanker and skipper Jack Hayson.

Waratahs assistant coach Chris Malone will coach the side, with Daryl Gibson, Nathan Grey and Cam Blades also working with the team in the lead up to their opening match.

NSW Gen Blue final squad for Super 20’s tournament

Sione Afu, Lachlan Burland, Harry Chapman, Tim Clements, Ed Craig, Nick Champion De Crespeny, Sean Dillon, Dan England, Vunipola Fifita, Max Girdler, Harrison Goddard, Siaosi Halifonua, Jack Hayson, Harry Johnson Holmes, Tom Horton, Henry Hutchison, Simon Kennewell, Latu Latinipulu, Jordan Lotanui, Jack Maddocks, Sama Malolo, Ryan McCauley, Will McDonnell, Tom Molloy, Declan Moore, Connor O’Shea, James Pelowski, Tom Piroddi, Guy Porter, Ted Pye, Charlie Smith, Theo Strang, Lachlan Swinton, Sam Tabuatamata, Sepesa Loga Tarogi, Andrew Vatuvei, Ned Yeomans.