When Cyclone Alfred postponed their first game against the Reds U18s last weekend, the Waratahs didn't have to look far for some top quality opposition to train against. Based at the Waratahs headquarters, coach Angus Sinclair enlisted the Waratahs women’s team, the defending Super Rugby W champions, to give his side a tough non-contact workout to bring them up to speed for the opening match of their annual two game series on Saturday in Queensland. “It was 15 on 15 on a full size field against someone other than ourselves so that was great,’’ Sinclair said. “The majority of the boys are in the Academy so have been going since last November and they were getting pretty hungry to play a game.’’ Sinclair then followed this with a hard session against Easts 1st and 2nd Colts - some a year or two older than his young charges - in what he believes will be a key preparation for his side in Saturday’s match and the delayed opening game in Sydney later this month. There is plenty of interest in the Waratahs U18s squad which boast a number of teenagers already identified as stars of the game in the future “A lot of the forwards are back from last year and it's a pretty big dominant pack,’’ Sinclair said. FUTURE: Duo impress in Tahs v Brumbies U20 battle INSIGHT:Game still inspiring this Waratah “A few of them have been in the Australian U16s, Australian U18s or Australian schoolboys. “There’s Hasani (Bloomfield, prop), Olli (Smith), Justice (Taumoeapeau), Ed Baxter was captain of the schoolboys, TJ (Talaileva), Hayden Lavercombe, Isaiah Sheck. “It’s a really strong pack and we would expect them to set a big platform.’’ Other players to watch in the U18s space are Jonty Fowler, who has been playing up with the Waratahs U20 and turning plenty of heads, and Harrison Dene. “They were the Australian nine and 10 last year so you would expect them to drag us round the park pretty well,’’ Sinclair said. The match is being played at Ballymore on Saturday afternoon ahead of the Waratahs U20 and Reds U20s battle. MORE FROM AMANDA LULHAM HERE Originally published as Waratahs U18s players to watch in first battle with Queensland Reds after unusual preparation