Youngsters impress on the opening day of Super Rugby Au
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The Queensland Reds ended a seven-year drought as they beat Waratahs 32-26 at Suncorp Stadium on Friday.
Brad Thorn’s side came into the match with his side losing 21 of their last 26 Super Rugby games against fellow Australian opposition, and they had also been on a five-match losing streak.
Heading into this encounter the Tahs had won their last 11 Super Rugby games on the bounce against their opposition and were hoping to keep this record alive while on the road but it was sadly not to be.
Here are four young players that stood out in the opening Australian derby:
Jack Maddocks (Waratahs)
The 23-year-old has been earmarked to become the next Wallaby fullback and his performance against the Reds has certainly pushed him in the right direction. Maddocks was lively with the ball in hand today, but was also solid in defence one must add.
The No. 15 Made 84 metres with ball in hand, beat two defenders, produced two offloads and scored a lovely try. On defence, it’s worth mentioning that he made 100% of his tackles.
Harry Wilson (Reds)
The No. 8 is another promising young player in Australian rugby and showed that he is one player for the future today. The 20-year-old gained 24 metres with ball in hand but carried the ball up on 13 occasions.
On defence, he managed to make 10 tackles and also won one turnover in the process.
Will Harrison (Waratahs)
The young flyhalf was unfortunately on the losing team this week, but he put in a performance that will get people talking. The 20-year-old first of all scored 16 points for his side and racked up a 100% kick success rate.
On defence the No.10 wasn't bad either as he managed to make 7 out of 10 tackles and even won a turnover.
Tate McDermott (Reds)
The Reds scrum-half keeps impressing week in and week out, some are even saying he is the best No.9 currently playing in Australia right now. The 21-year-old made 55 metres with the ball in hand, beat three defenders and had two clean breaks today.
One also needs to highlight that he scored his sixth try this year for the Reds.
"That's why people hate halfbacks, little smart arses that do that kind of stuff” 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/OGHPPTVit1
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) July 3, 2020
