2026 Junior Reps: 20 South Sydney Rabbitohs pathways squad players to watch
The future of the Rabbitohs will be on show this Junior Reps season across the four grades. We look at 20 young male and female pathways squad talents ready to ignite in 2026.
The future of the South Sydney Rabbitohs is on show with the announcement of their 2026 Junior Reps squads.
We take a deep dive into their squads with the 20 young men and women to keep an eye on.
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HAROLD MATTHEWS
PAYTON TARAU
It’s little wonder both league and union are desperate to keep him for the future. A standout for South Sydney throughout the Harold Matthews season, the five-eighth has carried that form over for the Waratahs U16s, helping them to a Super Rugby title and earning Australian U16s honours in the process.
CHARLIE BATEUP
Featured in a few roles throughout the Harold Matthews season, including off the interchange and at hooker, before ending the year at halfback. Quick, exciting talent who can make things happen and you’d think will get first crack at the seven jersey alongside Tarau.
ANTHONY MAILANGI
A breakout season for the Rabbitohs forward in 2025, the trajectory is off the charts for the Maroubra/Brighton junior. Named as the U17s Player of the Year, the hard-running, big-hitting talent is one of the more exciting forward prospects at the club.
COOPER WILLIAMS
Country boy from Canowindra who goes to school in Bathurst and is making waves in Sydney. Another cross-code talent who earned Australian U16s honours, has the versatility to make an impact in the middle and on an edge.
CRUZ MORRIS
The son of former NRL player John, the Endeavour SHS student attracted attention after impressing for NSWCHS at the ASSRL event this year. Has featured in the halves and fullback, so will be interesting to see how he is used in 2026.
LISA FIAOLA
TAYA DONOVAN
Back for her second season of U17s with the Rabbitohs, the Condobolin teenager will take plenty of benefit from that. A fullback who showed glimpses of her brilliance when given space to work in.
COBI RYAN-LAST
It would’ve been a travesty if the Rabbitohs lost her to another team. One of the brightest female prospects in the region, Ryan-Last is coming off a 35-try club season with Mascot, including a hat-trick in the U16s grand final to pull off one of the great comebacks.
FREYA HODGES
Bathurst Panthers junior who returns to the Rabbitohs for another crack at Lisa Fiaola Cup. Has played club at fullback but used mostly in the middle last season, will be interesting to see what role she takes on in 2026.
JADE JOHNSTON
Formed a great partnership with Ryan-Last at Mascot and is a promising talent in her own right. A winger with exceptional speed, Johnston has fantastic footy smarts despite playing just two years of league. One for the future.
BRONTE MCKEE
Enjoyed stints in the halves and at lock-forward last season. Was the goalkicker for Erina as they won the U17s title on the Central Coast where she was among the competition’s leading pointscorers. Will improve in year two.
SG BALL
TAJ ALVAREZ
Signed with the Rabbitohs until 2028, such are the opinions the club has on the young five-eighth from the Central Coast. Among the top scorers in SG Ball last season, Alvarez is a running half with lightning speed and all the tools to progress much further than this level in 2026.
COOPER MAGUIRE
South Eastern junior who will be looking to break into the side in 2026. Has a great knack for scoring tries. A half who likes to take on the line, he impressed during the development fixtures last year and has earned a crack at this level.
ISAAC FOTU-MOALA
Another Central Coast talent who made his A-grade debut with Wyong in the strong RLCC comp this year. Plenty of experience in the pathways and looks the natural fit to partner Alvarez, forming one of the most lethal halves combinations in the U19s.
PHILLIP LAVAKEIAHO
A Matraville Sports High student who has jumped from the Roosters to the Rabbitohs. A big-bodied front rower who was good in the front row to help the tricolours to the SG Ball title in 2025, Lavakeiaho made his NSW Cup debut this season.
JOSHUA BALLARD
You can’t teach pace and Ballard has plenty of it. An absolute flyer on the wing, he returns for his second season of SG Ball and he’ll again be a focal point of their attack. Prolific scorer who boasted a personal best of four in a game in 2025.
TARSHA GALE
EVIE PHILLIPS
An Alexandria Rovers/Marrickville junior returning home to the region after stints with the Roosters and Tigers. Gives South Sydney some much-needed ferocity in the forwards as a strong, line-running edge back rower.
MARLEY GRISTWOOD
An astute pick-up from the Roosters pathways, Gristwood gives the Rabbitohs a player who can fill just about any position in the backs. Featured in the Lisa Fiaola Cup grand final this year and is a Country representative. Good signing.
MEQUYNNE LOGAN
Another who got to experience the highs of reserve grade in 2025, Logan is a key middle returning for another season with Souths. Didn’t look out of place when playing at prop against older women and that will bode well for her back at U19s level.
HANNAH KALLAND
Been in the Rabbitohs system for a few years now and was rewarded with a HNWP debut this season. Hardworking middle forward who is a previous U17s Player of the Year with the club and the Matraville SHS student looks set for another big season.
SARAH FAKHR
Steps up from Lisa Fiaola Cup where she was good in the centres and on the wing. Coming off a good club campaign with Mounties and with a solid team around her, she’s one that can have a breakout season.
Originally published as 2026 Junior Reps: 20 South Sydney Rabbitohs pathways squad players to watch
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