It has been a stellar year for Rugby in Western Australia, resulting in several of its finest players being selected for the National U16 and U19 Championship.
Rugby Australia recently announced an expansion to its Super Rugby-controlled team competition, the last time this competition ran was back in 2019.
As a result of an incredible season, Caleb Karangaroa (Wanneroo), Dane Sawers (Kalamunda), and Ryan McGloin (Joondalup) were selected for the U19's squad and represented Australia in the U18's team.
Head Coach of the U19's side Sam Rarasea was thrilled for the young men.
"It has been amazing watching some of these young men develop into the stars of the next generation".
Rarasea had to make some tough choices when it came to selections.
"We had a really good crop of players to pick from."
"It's a hard balance in selecting the team for the competition, tossing up between some of the older players and younger ones."
"These types of competitions really allow us to upskill our Junior Wallabies."
Under 16's Coach, Colin Philips is ecstatic with his boy's opportunity.
"It's a great opportunity and environment for these boys to learn and grow, not just on the field but as men too."
"For some, it's their first time travelling without their parents and school teachers. So it really gives them a chance to mature and learn how to behave properly."
"Some of these lads may have to do a job and a half in their local clubs, but we allow them to really excel at just one and allow them to trust their teammates."
The five-week regular season competition will kick off on the 9th of October, with five clubs set to battle it out.
A venue for the Grand Final has yet to be confirmed, but it will feature the top two teams in the competition on Sunday, November 13th.
There will be games in Canberra, Queensland, New South Wales, Melbourne, and the last two rounds will be played here in Western Australia.
We look forward to seeing you at Success Regional Sporting Facility for Round four (October 30th) and Round five (November 6th) at Kingsway Sporting Complex.
Thanks to Stan Sports, If you cannot attend the match, you can watch all games live and on demand on STAN Sports.
32-man U16's squad
1 Salesi Tatafu - Wanneroo
2 Jed Spencer - Perth Bayswater
3 Ruiz Lee - Joondalup
4 Zane Wesley - North Coast/ Wanneroo
5 Charles Groom - Perth Bayswater
6 Ellis New - Associates
7 Jackson Bridges - Wests Scrborough
8 William Crew - Southern Lions
9 Manaia Te Tana - Wanneroo
10 Hugh Chapman - Scotch College
11 Rohan Viskovich - Perth Irish/ Wests Scarborough
12 Luke Holt-Brown - Perth Bayswater
13 Ngadang Kunai - Arks
14 Tamarangi Tunui - Wanneroo
15 Samuel Almond - Wests Scarborough
16 Brodie Mainwaring - Wanneroo
17 Chris Jansen - Wanneroo
18 Ken Ah Hong - Wanneroo
19 Tataama Rere - Perth Bayswater
20 Dalvin Paki - Perth Bayswater
21 Thomas Yates - Wesley College
22 Josh Whittingham - Joondalup
23 Ethan Pike - Wests Scarborough
24 Eben Prinsloo - Palmyra
25 Adrien Cotte - Aquinas College
26 Devan Button - Wanneroo
27 Alius Tutai - Perth Irish/ Wests Scarborough
28 Siosifa Tuipulotu - Arks
29 Zavier Hawira - Southern Lions
30 Luc Du Toit - Palmyra
31 Felix Cooper - Wests Scarborough
32 Johannes Van Der Hyden - Mandurah
Head Coach: Colin Philips
Assistant Coaches: Daniel Whiston & Damien Elton
32-man U19’s squad:
1 Jonathan Chapman-Stean - Palmyra
2 Andre Scholtz - Southern Lions
3 Joey O’Brien - Nedlands
4 Marley Pearse - Wests Scarborough
5 Jeroslav Tamala- Nedlands
6 Josh Mongard- Nedlands
7 Liam Timmins - Associates
8 Rueben Baker - Wanneroo
9 Anthony Moataane- Nedlands
10 Caleb Karangaroa - Wanneroo
11 Jhy Legg - Wests Scarborough
12 Ruben Steenkemp- Palmyra
13 Hugo Welborn – Nedlands
14 Ihaia Kamizona-Heke – Kalamunda
15 James Pese – Nedlands
16 Aidan McDonagh - Perth Bayswater
17 Dane Sawers - Kalamunda
18 Charlie Wartlers – Palmyra
19 Ned Slack-Smith - Western Force
20 Cristiano Tizzano - UWA
21 Lucius Gouws - Joondalup
22 Hunta Boyes - Wests Scarborough
23 Blake Mettam - Wests Scarborough
24 Edward Turagava - Palmyra
25 Nathan Tahu - Wanneroo
26 Ammaru Iti – Nedlands
27 Ollie Cummins - Western Force
28 Ryan McGloin - Joondalup
29 Justin Landman - Associates
30 Justin Talemaira - Wanneroo
31 Kauri Grace - Wests Scarborough
32 Brad Avery - Cottesloe
Head Coach: Sam Rarasea
Assistant Coaches: Jeremy Thrush & Kieran Longbottom
