After a weekend that saw the Queensland Reds and other respective Queensland teams dominate across several pathway competitions, the rest of Australia has struck back – led by the Waratahs in the Super Rugby U16s and U19s competitions.
The hosts started the weekend in quality fashion, the U15s side coming from a 16-point deficit to beat the Tahs 20-19, with the son of 1980s Wallaby Brian Smith, Chilli Tonelli-Smith, nailing three consecutive conversions in blustery conditions at Norths Rugby Club.
However, the Tahs would get their revenge the following day, as the U16s wore down the Reds in an entertaining first half, before exploding out of the blocks in the second half to run out 50-20 winners.
The result fires a brutal warning shot of the rest of Super Rugby U16s, with Jarryd King having a phenomenal performance off the bench, while Justice Taumoepeau also excelled with an effort of his own. Four consecutive second-half tries put the match beyond doubt, with the Tahs bench particularly effective.
However, things were a lot tighter in the U19s, with the Waratahs having to survive a clawing Reds to win 42-31 in a frenetic clash.
Liam Grover was a standout, scoring two tries for his efforts for the men in blue, while Sid Harvey is proving himself to be a real find, kicking superbly in difficult conditions. The Reds had several great talents of their own stand up, with Finlay King the standout, however execution in critical moments proved the key difference between the sides.
The Tahs will take a lot from such a crucial away victory – and it definitely will be one current U19s champions the Brumbies will have to take note of.
The boys from Canberra had a clean sweep of their own this weekend, brushing aside the Rebels at La Trobe University in Melbourne.
The U16s earned their first win of the season, running out 36-17 winners thanks to strong performances from captain BJ Pumpa and flyhalf Callum Spooner, with Tomas Jensen also having a strong afternoon with the boot.
The Brumbies enjoyed a clean sweep in Super Rugby U16s and U19s (Source: Brumbies Media)
Despite the loss, the Rebels have improved massively since their massive loss to the Tahs in the opening round, with Samson Tuaine continuing to grow in a positive performance.
The U19s however saw a more one-sided affair, with the Brumbies keeping the foot on the throat from the get-go to run out 52-15 winners.
Captain Malarkey Enasio and Sam McLachlan stood out in a strong team performance for the visitors, while Journey Wana continued his ability to find the line for the Rebels.
The Rebels will enjoy the bye this weekend, the Waratahs host the Brumbies at Rat Park and the Reds will head across the Nullarbor to face the Force at Revo Fitness Stadium.
Things were much more successful for the Reds down the road in Toowoomba, as they won the second leg of the Next Gen series against New South Wales, setting up a decider to be played in Byron Bay this weekend.
Similar to round one, but sides picked up two wins apiece – meaning the result would once again come down to points differential – however, the Reds demolished their southern counterparts in their two victories, seeing them run out with a points differential of 79-47.
The Reds hit the ground running in their first match, winning 31-7, with five different try scorers, including arguably the best performer on the park, Faagase Tupuola-Palale.
While the Tahs struck back in the second match to win 19-7, the Reds would put the weekend beyond doubt in match three, winning 29-7 with more tries to Rhani Hagan, Amahli Sieli Hala and Tahlia Evans, as well as a double to Tupuola-Palale.
New South Wales would win the final match 14-12 – setting up the upcoming weekend at Byron Bay Rugby Union Club as winner-takes-all for the series.
Allana Sikimeti of the Wallaroos celebrates with Tiarna Molloy after their victory during the women’s International Test match between Australia Wallaroos and Fiji at Allianz Stadium in Sydney. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Finally, the Western Force has continued preparations for their women’s program, signing Wallaroos prop Allana Sikimeti for the 2025 Super W season.
Sikimeti has enjoyed a strong 2024 season, joining the Brumbies and earning her Super W debut, before debuting off the bench for the Wallaroos in their dominant win over Fiji in Sydney.
Her year has been capped off with a successful South African tour, proving instrumental in the Jo Yapp-led side winning their first-ever major title.
The Force has been on a major recruitment drive for their men’s and women’s programs as they look to transform fortunes in the West. After making their maiden finals berth in 2024, the Force Women’s look to go one better than the semis in 2025, announcing a three-match tour of Japan to finish off this year.
“Allana is in a targeted age profile with our recruitment strategy but also she has huge potential in her position in the front row,” Force women’s head coach Dylan Parsons said in the official announcement.
“She’s a modern front-rower, who is dynamic with ball skills. We want to keep refining all the other parts that make her a really good prop. She’s an exciting prospect and has genuine opportunity for the World Cup in 2025.
“She is very young for a prop but it just shows she’s really been able to transfer some of her learnings over the last 12 months and grow from the Super W 2024 season.”
The Western Force can also take confidence in the growing contingent of players making the national side – with six Force players named in the Wallaroos final clash of the year against Scotland.
“Allana is part of the developing Wallaroos at the moment and she’s one who’ll be aiming for the 2025 World Cup, but also the 2029 World Cup,” said Parsons.
“One of our goals at the Force is to make sure we have a big group of Wallaroos in 2029 in that home World Cup.”
Sikimeti has linked up with the squad for their upcoming tour of Japan, which will kick off this weekend and see them play fixtures against Pearls / Yokohama TKM, Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix and Yokogawa Musashino Artemi Stars.
Western Force Japan tour squad
Forwards: April Downey, Nami Dickson, Rosie Ebbage, Zoe Elliot, Topaz-Jean Porter, Tamika Jones, Michaela Leonard, Loretta Mailangi, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Sera Naiqama, Alapeta Ngauamo, Hannah Palelei, Allana Sikimeti, Sofaia Talemaira, Braxton Walker, Lucy Winter
Backs: Georgia Cormick, Halley Derera, Grace Freeman, Leilani Hills, Sheree Hume, Tizanae Kovacs, Nicole Ledington, Ngamihi Monk, Cecilia Smith, Ocean Tuhua, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Samantha Wood
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