Future Wallabies will be on show as the best under-20 players from NSW take part in the inaugural Newcastle Under-20s Sevens tournament at Maitland on Sunday.
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The Maitland Blacks in conjunction with the Hawthorne Club are hosting the action-packed event which will feature teams from the Shute Shield competition, the NSW Waratahs and Central Coast rugby academies and a Hawthorne Club Academy team.
Maitland Blacks scrumhalf Max Stafford is part of the Hawthorne Club side. Exciting Blacks back Isaac Ulberg was named in the squad but is unable to play.
“This is bringing rugby union of the highest quality of the Hunter,” Blacks president Pat Howard said.
“These are some of the best young players in Australia, there will be plenty of future Waratahs and Wallabies on display.
“These players are playing in the elite Shute Shield and are part of NSW Waratahs and other academy programs.
“In discussion with the Hawthorne Club we felt hosting an under-20s tournament was ideal because it is such an important stage in the players’ development.”
Howard said to have two players in the Hawthorne Club squad to be coached by Stu Pinkerton was a real feather in the cap for the Blacks.
“Unfortunately, Isaac will not be able to play but we’re excited about seeing Maxy play at this level.”
Action in the round-robin tournament starts at 9am with back-to-back action on the No.1 and No.2 fields.
Entry is by gold coin donations and there is full catering.