A Waratahs A side led by Shute Shield guns Jack Bowen, Hunter Ward and Sateki Latu ran in six unanswered first half tries against the Brumby Runners on Friday afternoon just hours before the Tahs’ top squad kicked off their 2023 Super Rugby Campaign. 

With Tahs coach Darren Coleman running water and Wallabies coach Eddie Jones an interested onlooker, the young Tahs’ were close to perfect in the first 40 minutes and led 36-0 at the break. 

The Brumby Runners worked their way into the match in the second half, but were clearly outclassed, with NSW winning comfortably. 

Standout Performers – NSW A

Mosese Tuipolotu (Eastern Suburbs No.12)

After several injury interrupted seasons, 22-year old Easts centre Mosese Tuipolotu looks ready to become a dominant force in the Shute Shield and potentially work his way into the Tahs top squad. 

Tuipolotu is a similar player to former Souths’ gun Apo Latunipulu. The big bodied No.12 carries over the advantage line extremely well, but also has silky hands, nice footwork and is fantastic in defence. 

Jack Bowen (Eastern Suburbs No.10)

Still eligible to play colts, Bowen is a classy playmaker who directed play well and created space for his outside backs every time he straightened and fixed his defender. 

While he had an off afternoon with the kicking tee, the rest of Bowen’s game was extremely strong. While he shouldn’t be rushed, it won’t be long until he’s challenging Edmed and Donaldson for time in the Tahs’ No.10 jersey. 

Hunter Ward (Manly No.7)

After a full summer training with the Tahs, 24-year old Manly flanker Hunter Ward looks an even more complete footy player than he did last year at the Marlins. 

Tough and hard over the ball, Ward also picked the right moment to drift and attack in the wider channels and scored a nice try late in the first half doing just that. 

Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco (Western Sydney No.8)

After losing his Waratahs contract late last year, Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco reminded the Waratahs’ coaches what they are missing with a blistering performance against the Brumby Runners. 

The big, mobile No.8 ran with brutal explosiveness in the wide attacking channels. It was almost scary to watch. After steam rolling the young Brumbies several times, he then attracted a handful of defenders and threw a 20 metre cut-out ball to his winger to set him up to score untouched. 

It was a super impressive performance from Warren-Vosayaco who has linked with the Two Blues for the 2023 Shute Shield season and will be one to watch closely.

Harry Wilson (Eastwood No.13)

Another young Tah that has had a tough run with injuries over recent years, Eastwood centre Harry Wilson looks in fantastic shape and made metres every time he touched the ball against the Brumbies. 

Physically, Wilson wouldn’t look out of place on a Super Rugby park already and he’s still growing into his body. 

Sateki Latu (Warringah No.1)

After a breakout season at Warringah last year, prop Sateki Latu looks super fit after training with the Waratahs over summer. He and his front row partners dominated the Brumbies at scrum time. 

But Latu was equally impressive around the park, working hard at the breakdown and running perfect lines in attack. He scored a fantastic tight forward try off a Jack Bowen short ball in the second half.