Week three of Super Rugby U16 and 19s are in the books as the NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies start to establish themselves as key contenders.
The Waratahs produced a clean sweep over rivals Queensland Reds in a rematch of last year's finals.
Watch every game of Super Rugby U16s and U19s LIVE on Stan Sport. Start watching Stan Sport now.
As for the Brumbies, they were convincing in their victories over the Melbourne Rebels at Viking Park.
Rugby.com.au recaps all the action from week three
U16s
The Brumbies have powered to a 37-19 win over the Melbourne Rebels to record their first win of the season.
The win was built off a dominant first half, with the hosts scoring three tries in the first 15 minutes.
It started with lock Nicholas Bett, with the second-row stepping past the defence and sprinting over the line after a stolen line-out on the 22.
The hosts almost instantly had their second when the Rebels failed to clean up a kick from flyhalf Nate Pfitzner, allowing hooker Fletcher Burrows to dive over for a 12-0 lead after ten minutes.
Winger Trent Nagel completed the fast start, bumping off the defence to score.
The Rebels eventually struck back through Felix Lauofo but it was all the Brumbies as Denzel Veikune’s powerful effort gave them a 25-7 lead at the break.
Veikune’s second in the 42nd minute put the game out of reach for the Rebels, completing his hat-trick in the 57th minute after the visitors went down to 14 following a yellow card to Dru Faletolu.
U19s
The Brumbies have continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 37-5 win over the Melbourne Rebels.
The hosts started fast as they rolled down to the field thanks to some great runs from their forwards, with fullback Shane Wilcox scoring the opener after nine minutes.
Wilcox didn’t have to wait long for his second three minutes later as Cullen Gray put Eli Sagala through a hole, with the fullback there to finish off a series of offloads for the well worked try.
Gray set up another in the 22nd minute as winger Angus Staniforth finished acrobatically in the corner for the 15-0 lead, with the blistery conditions causing chaos for Gray, failing to convert their first five tries
The Brumbies forward pack continued to dominate and whilst Tobias Macpherson was denied a try, they couldn’t stop lock partner Harvey Cordukes as the hosts took a 25-0 lead into the break.
They picked up from where they left off, with Staniforth kicking the ball downfield for replacement Jarrah McLeod, winning the race to the ball for the try.
The win was sealed by a beautiful rolling maul try, starting from the Rebels 22 as the Brumbies powered over the line through hooker Cameron Johns.
U16s
The NSW Waratahs have cruised to a 38-10 win over the Queensland Reds.
The hosts established their dominance early as the impressive Isaac Fonua dived over for the opener, set up by flanker Jarvis Orr’s great carry.
Fullback Rex Bassingthwaighte then produced some magic, juking and stepping past several Reds defenders from inside his 22 before setting up Justice Taumoepeau for their second, with the number eight there to collect the loose ball after Bassingthwaighte’s pass was knocked down illegally by opposite number Tyson Walker.
Walker was sent to the bin as a result and the Waratahs looked to have pounced on the extra space through Bassingthwaighte, only for his solo effort to be brought back for a foot in touch.
Scrumhalf Angus Grover extended the lead shortly afterwards, fooling the Reds defence with a lovely dummy to waltz through untouched for a 19-0 lead at the break.
Heamasi Makasini continued the onslaught in the second half, running over a defender before carrying two more over the line for the try.
The Reds eventually got on the board via winger Myles Rosemond, however, it was instantly answered by prop Keegan Daly.
Winger Tom Hartman sealed the win with a try in the corner, set up by a barnstorming run from Marcus Mastro.
U19s
The Waratahs have hung on for a 31-19 win over the Queensland Reds to complete the sweep over their rivals.
The victory was set up by an early double to Archie Saunders, allowing the hosts to control the majority of the game.
Saunders scored the opener after sustained pressure on the Reds line, stepping past his defender before racing over the line.
The centre had his second in the 15th minute as he palmed off the defence and sprinted away to give the hosts a 14-0 lead.
Their lead was extended with a great rolling maul finished off by Bryn Edwards.
Despite the slow start, the Reds refused to go away and scored a great try when Will McCulloch’s deft offload set up Ryley Bierton.
However, the Waratahs had an answer as winger Nacani Batidravu capitalised on an awkward bounce and indecision at the back for the Reds.
Bierton got his second after the break, running a great line to reduce the margin to 12.
Once again though, the Waratahs responded as number eight Philip Talaileva dived over from short to restore the lead.
They were forced to defend their line with 13 after yellow cards to Oliver McCrea and Oliver Schmude. The Reds eventually fought their way over through Australian Schools centre Dre Pakeho, giving the visitors some hope heading into the last quarter
In the end, they couldn’t find a way through as the Waratahs controller the last ten minutes to secure the win.
