LIVE: The Super Rugby U16s and U19s grand finals get underway today with Queensland welcoming New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory to Ballymore Stadium.
The Waratahs (U16s) and Brumbies (U19s) finished minor premiers but will face stiff opposition from the Reds, who clawed their way into second place across both age groups with back-to-back bonus-point wins to round out their regular seasons.
Watch the Super Rugby U16s and U19s grand finals live and exclusive on Stan Sport.
Recent history paints NSW as favourites for U16s crown after earlier defeating Queensland 50-20 while the Reds are similarly placed for the U19s title following their 53-12 demolition of ACT back in Round 2.
The U16s decider between the Waratahs and Reds kicks off proceedings at 12:05pm AEST before Brumbies and Reds get underway in the U19s decider at 2:35pm AEST.
Rugby.com.au spoke with each captain ahead of Sunday’s grand finals – here’s what they had to say:
Justice Taumoepeau – NSW Waratahs U16s (minor premiers, four wins, zero losses)
“We’ve had tough weeks of training throughout the season, just rocking up wanting to do a job every single weekend. It just comes down to effort on the field and effort off the field in our recovery.
“We’re forming really tight bonds across the group and that what I’d put (our season) down to.”
“Last time we played them (Queensland) doesn’t mean anything. We’ve really jsut go to aim up and be physical. We know they’ll aim up, especially through the middle with their strong forwards, and that where we’ll have to front up to give our backs some space on the edge.”
Agapetos Lote-Felo – Queensland Reds U16s (runners up, three wins, one loss)
“I’ve been pleased with how we’ve been able to keep on going, especially picking ourselves up after how we played in our first game against the Waratahs.”
“It was a pretty big loss for us but it was good how we picked ourselves up to get to the grand final.
“After that loss, we went back to the drawing board and we’ve come up with a new plan we think should help us get up over the Waratahs. At home, we have all the fans and all Queensland backing us.”
Shane Wilcox – ACT Brumbies U19s (minor premiers, three wins, one loss)
“It’ll be good to do it here (at Ballymore). They came to Canberra and won so we’ll come here and try to get a job done too.”
“I think our season’s come down to the boys’ connection – we’ve got boys from everywhere in our team – so we’ve been really focused on connecting as a group.
“We’ll just worry about ourselves tomorrow and about what we can control.”
Xavier Rubens – Queensland U19s (runners up, three wins, one loss)
“It’s a grand final – it’s all to play for and the last game doesn’t really matter much.”
“We can take real confidence out of last week (67-0 win over Melbourne). We know our structure works and we can stick to that.
“Whatever the Brumbies throw at us, we know we can handle it. We just need to minimise their threats, especially their outside backs.”
Rugby.com.au will live blog both games with coverage commencing from 12.00pm AEST.
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