The Super Rugby U16s and U19s competitions are underway as players look to make a statement in round one.
The Western Force were the major winners with a clean sweep over the Melbourne Rebels whilst the ACT Brumbies and NSW Waratahs split their games in Canberra.
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Junior Wallabies coach Nathan Grey is among several keeping a keen eye on the action as they look to build for the future ahead of next year’s World U20 Championships and potential U18s and Australian Schools matches.
Rugby.com.au looks at the teams of the week from both competitions as picked by Grey and National Pathways Manager Nic Henderson.
*Please note the Queensland Reds had the bye in round one and will not feature
Super Rugby U16s
As expected, the NSW Waratahs dominate the team after their convincing 50-5 win over the ACT Brumbies, headlined by winger Tom Hartman.
Hartman scored four tries in the victory, one of 11 NSW-based players in the side.
He is joined in the back three by teammates Heamasi Makasini and Rex Bassingthwaighte, with Onitoni Large in the centres.
Flyhalf Harrison Dene slots into the halves alongside Force captain Tamarangi Tunui, who is one of two Force players in the backs along with centre Peni Naqau after his game-turning performance.
Number eight Blake Bretton is the lone Brumby in the squad, selected in the back row with NSW duo James Finegan and Jarvis Orr.
Rebels prop Ramsey Sefo joins Waratahs Darcy Emmett and Lewis Wilson in the front-row, with Isaac Fonua rounding out the NSW dominated pack alongside Force lock Patrick Woods.
Team of the Week
- Ramsey Sefo (Melbourne Rebels)
- Darcy Emmett (NSW Waratahs)
- Lewis Wilson (NSW Waratahs)
- Patrick Woods (Western Force)
- Isaac Fonua (NSW Waratahs)
- James Finegan (NSW Waratahs)
- Jarvis Orr (NSW Waratahs)
- Blake Bretton (ACT Brumbies)
- Tamarangi Tunui (Western Force)
- Harrison Dene (NSW Waratahs)
- Heamasi Makasini (NSW Waratahs)
- Peni Naqau (Western Force)
- Onitoni Large (NSW Waratahs)
- Tom Hartman (NSW Waratahs)
- Rex Bassingthwaighte (NSW Waratahs)
