The NSW Waratahs have continued their hot start to the U16 and U19 Championships, once again dominating this week’s team of the week.
The Waratahs were convincing winners across both grades over the ACT Brumbies, cementing their status as the team to beat.
Meanwhile, the Melbourne Rebels started their season on a strong note, grinding out a pair of victories over the Western Force.
High-Performance ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Programs Coach Nathan Grey is among several keeping a keen eye on the action as they look to build for the future, highlighted by the Junior Wallabies and the likely return of the World U20 Championships.
Rugby.com.au looks at the teams of the week from both competitions as picked by Grey.
*Please note the Queensland Reds had the bye in round two and will not feature
Under 16s Championships
The Waratahs once again have six selections in the U16 Team of the Week following their 51-10 win over the Brumbies.
Lock Zion Poitaha makes it two weeks in a row as part of four forwards included, joined by front-rowers Luke Muriti, Nick Hill and backrower Luca Cleverley.
Tylan Berryman has been rewarded for his breakout game, selected at fullback as Leo Jacques earns selection at outside centre.
The remaining teams in action across round two managed three selections each.
Rebels winger Jackson Jury has been selected after his promising performance along with number eight Teina Graham and lock Mapu Fiso.
Force flyhalf Brodie Mainwaring once again earns selection despite the losing effort alongside halves partner Tamarangi Tunui and inside centre Christoffel Jansen.
The squad is round out by Brumbies loosehead Jeziah Sega, flanker Bronson Brown and exciting winger Denzel Veikune.
Team of the Week
- Jeziah Sega (ACT Brumbies)
- Luke Muriti (NSW Waratahs)
- Nick Hill (NSW Waratahs)
- Zion Poitaha (NSW Waratahs)
- Mapu Fiso (Melbourne Rebels)
- Luca Cleverley (NSW Waratahs)
- Bronson Brown (ACT Brumbies)
- Tenia Graham (Melbourne Rebels)
- Tamarangi Tunui (Western Force)
- Brodie Mainwaring (Western Force)
- Jackson Jury (Melbourne Rebels)
- Christoffel Jansen (Western Force)
- Leo Jacques (NSW Waratahs)
- Denzel Veikune (ACT Brumbies)
- Tylan Berryman (NSW Waratahs)
Under 19s Championships
Likewise with the U16s, the NSW Waratahs dominate the squad with six inclusions.
This includes backrower Clem Haloholo and backs Tom Morrison and Charlie Worthington, backing their inclusions from last week.
They are joined by prop Jamie Clark, who lit up social media with his step and offload to set up their final try, scrumhalf Tom Goddard and fullback Jack Matthews.
Junior Wallaby Divad Palu headlined the quartet of Rebels inclusions, with forward trio Max Johnson, Patrick Levamai and Lefai Talataina earning selection.
Brumbies winger Henry Palmer continues his impressive season with selection, whilst hooker Liam Bowron and lock Sam Bertram have been included despite the defeat.
Force duo Dane Sawers and Brad Avery round out the team as they search for the first victory.
Team of the Week
- Jamie Clark (NSW Waratahs)
- Liam Bowron (ACT Brumbies)
- Patrick Levamai (Melbourne Rebels)
- Sem Bertram (ACT Brumbies)
- Max Johnson (Melbourne Rebels)
- Clem Halaholo (NSW Waratahs)
- Dane Sawers (Western Force)
- Leafi Talataina (Melbourne Rebels)
- Tom Goddard (NSW Waratahs)
- Tom Morrison (NSW Waratahs)
- Henry Palmer (ACT Brumbies)
- Charlie Worthington (NSW Waratahs)
- Divad Palu (Melbourne Rebels)
- Brad Avery (Western Force)
- Jack Matthews (NSW Waratahs)
