NSW Waratahs U18s Academy coaching staff, Pathways coordinator Matthew Evrard and Head of Talent Management Andrew Cleverley have handpicked a number of young players from rather unique development pathways to feature in his squad ahead of this weekend’s matches against two QLD U18s teams this Saturday.

A few years back, Rugby Australia rejigged the Youth rep program to include all under 18 players, even those not at school. This has opened the door to young school finishers, tradies and rugby players from a variety of different backgrounds to make representative teams across all of the states and including the Australian Schools and U18 team. 

This team was rebranded from the Australian Schools team.

Those players had the opportunity to turn up to open trials for the Sydney Open representative team that competed alongside the likes of GPS, CAS, ISA, CCC, AICES and NSW Country in trials to make the Waratahs Academy U18 side.

Cleverley noted that the introduction of Hudl, a platform that allows coaches to watch rugby matches, including the Shute Shield colts competition, had helped his coaches find the best U18 talent in the state.

Here are a few that will wear NSW colours this weekend:

Fergus Gillian – A big strapping lock from Lennox Head, Gillian was spotted by Cleverley at the NSW Country U16s Championships last year, where he was picked as the tournament’s best forward, and invited to join the Waratahs Academy.

Savelio Tamale – Tamale, a centre from St Paul’s Catholic College in Manly, starred for CCC in the NSW Schools trials and forced his way into the Waratahs U18s squad. Tamale played junior rugby for Warringah and now plays for their colts team, he also featured in last year’s NSW Youth 7s squad.

Jackson Ropata – A tradie that plays first grade colts at Southern Districts, Ropata was spotted earlier this year playing against well credentialed 19 and 20 year old’s. He then turned up to the Sydney rep trials earlier this year and continued to impress throughout the NSW Schools trials.

Harry Agar – Agar finished school in 2021 but remains eligible to play under age rugby this year. He captained the Sydney rep side during the NSW Schools trials. Plays lock for Norths’ first grade colts side and is currently studying at Macquarie Uni.

Louis Dalrymple – A backrower playing colts at Eastern Suburbs, Dalrymple earned selections in a NSW Waratahs Academy program last year that was largely cancelled due to Covid. He has trained full time with the older Academy players since then. Dalrymple gets his chance this year as an 18-year old and will likely thrive playing against players his own age.

Dan Nelson – A highly touted scrumhalf that graduated from St Ignatius’ last year, Nelson was in the mix for Junior Wallabies (U20s) selection this year, despite being just 18. He’s scored 8 tries for Sydney Uni colts in his first season at the club and has captained the team.

Omar Noureddine – Another 18-year old scoring plenty of tries for Eastwood in the Shute Shield colts competition, Noureddine is a talented outside back with blinding speed, who has also impressed on the 7’s field.