The Queensland Reds were pipped at the post in the 2024 Super Rugby Men’s Under-16sGrand Final, going down to the NSW Waratahs 31-29 on a sweltering Sunday afternoon at Ballymore.
You feel like five more minutes would have been enough for the men in maroon to complete an outstanding comeback against a Waratahs team who had been utterly dominant throughout the regular season matches.
The Waratahs had averaged just ten points against throughout their four matches to date and had won 50-20 last time these teams met just three weeks ago.
The Reds had no shortage of belief. Ultimately, it wasn’t quite enough, in a decider for the ages.
Queensland Reds centre Taione Taka was selected as the team’s Player of the Series and was presented with Canterbury boots and headgear by KDL Property General Manager Matthew Barr.
The Reds started strongly, with scrumhalf Alfie Bowman dragged down just short in the first five minutes as the Waratahs infringed in their last line of defence. The Reds were unable to capitalise, and NSW were the first to pounce as a clever lineout play saw loosehead prop Nicholas Kotarac over in the seventh minute.
The Southport School product Dylan Terblanche came close to hitting back immediately and beat two defenders as he ran it back from halfway, but was stopped just short of the line.
The Reds finally got their deserved first points when winger Hemi Rakuita flew over in the corner after 15 minutes. Despite missing a penalty attempt moments earlier, Angus Underwood nailed the conversion sweetly from the sideline.
The repeated penalties against the Waratahs saw backrower Samuel Polley sent for 10 minutes in the bin, but despite that Creighton Meafou scored the Waratahs’ second try just after the 20-minute mark. The Reds remaining in touch with an instant penalty goal reply from Underwood.
Polley redeemed himself when he returned to the field, scoring in the corner at the front of the McLean Stand at the northern end of the ground on the half hour mark as the Waratahs led by nine at the break. They added to their lead minutes into the second half when Selestino Mainakavika went over from close range.
His counterpart, Reds No. 8 and captain Agapetos Lote-Felo, hit back immediately to keep the Reds in it. Mainakavika scored his second for the Waratahs minutes later.
A superb play from Rakuita set up replacement back Isaac Fidock under the posts. When a compelling maul saw replacement hooker Aiden Luke over, the successful kick from Isaac Kefu reduced the gap to two points with just under 10 minutes to play.
That’s how it stayed; 31-29 to the Waratahs.
It was a fantastic year of growth from a Reds team who played with pride until the very end.
The competition continues to play a pivotal role in preparing the next generation of Buildcorp Reds Academy and Queensland Reds players. The likes of Lote-Felo, Taka and Terblanche (among others) show the future remains bright.
Tries: Kotarac (7), Meafou (21), Polley (30), Mainakavika (38, 51) .
Conversions: Risati (3/5) Yellow Cards: Polley
Tries: Rakuita (15), Lote-Felo (44), Fidock (57), Luke (63) .
Conversions: Underwood (1/1), Kefu (2/3) .
Penalties: Underwood (1/2)
Half Time: NSW Waratahs 19 vs Queensland Reds 10
NSW Waratahs U16s:
1 to 15: Nicholas Kotarac, Oliver Smith, Hasani Bloomfield, Hamish Bell, Tahj Smith, Samuel Polley, Justice Taumoepeau, Selestino Mainakavika, Jeremy Rath, Talen Risati, Darcy Feltham, Keone Anitelea-Tsioussis, Cyrus Bloomfield, Creighton Meafou, Kden Carter Reserves: Anakin Richardson, Tyson Burden, Roman Leilua, Charlie Grant, Henri Dempsey, Flynn Farrell, Ofa Latu, Jarryd King
Reds U16s:
1 to 15: Harrison Asi, Adrian de Klerk, Visesio Kite, Jack Calleja, Jack Burton, Dyer Akauola, Lincoln Dalton, Agapetos Lote-Felo, Alfie Bowman, Angus Underwood, Hemi Rakuita, Rohan Nichol, Taione Taka, Malakaih Beals, Dylan Terblanche Reserves: Aiden Luke, Tyrece Herniman, Gavin Wilson-Tyers, Manasa Railati-Vunibola, Keegan Cook, Isaac Kefu, Pierre Poluleuligaga, Isaac Fidock
