Junior rugby fans were treated to a summer spectacle on Thursday as Australia U16 ran out 43-5 victors over Waratahs U17.
The nation’s best young talents lit up Concord Oval but few shone brighter than star NSW duo Talen Risati and Justice Taumoepeau, who helped Australia turned around an early deficit to inflict a heavy loss on their home state.
Flyhalf Risati was electric with ball in hand, setting the tone early with three line breaks in the opening quarter and finishing with four conversions, while try-scoring captain Taumoepeau’s physicality was felt both sides of the ball.
Waratahs U17 opened the scoring through hooker Darius Sione in the 4th minute but failed to trouble the scorers from there as Australia U16 clung grimly on for a 5-0 deficit at the 20-minute water break before laying on three quickfire tries to lead 17-5 on the half-hour mark.
Taoine Taka opened Australia U16's account with a 70m counterattacking effort sparked by centre partner Chase Bunce before livewire fullback Jarryd King created runaway breaks for halfback Alfie Bowman and lock Tahj Smith in quick succession.
Reds Super Rugby U16s standout Hemi Rakuita should've had two of his own for Australia before half time as well but the damage was already done as Waratahs U17 hit the sheds rattled by their sudden 12-point deficit
A 37th minute try to Taumoepeau kept momentum with Australia U16 shortly after oranges and the lead shot out to 24 when replacement prop Harrison Asi crashed over in the 45th minute.
Three minutes later, a textbook attacking scrum play saw Darcy Feltham flying down the left touchline for Australia U16's sixth try and the game was effectively over when Taumoepeau set up reserve winger Aidan Wunsch for yet another in the 53rd minute.
Trailing 43-5, Waratahs U17 looked to rally but failed to crack the gold wall once more with Australia U17 holding out for a seven-tries-to-one victory in Sydney.
AUSTRALIA U16 (Smith, Taumoepeau, Bowman, Feltham, Asi, Wunsch, Taka tries; Risati 4 cons) def WARATAHS U17 (Sione try)
