What happened to our best Junior Wallabies, and their role in Australia’s Test rugby resurgence
Five years on from the stellar Junior Wallabies run that came within one point of snaring the world U20 crown, we track down all the players and reveal which will figure in Australia’s looming Lions and home World Cup campaigns.
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They’re the champion junior team set to provide the backbone of a Wallabies outfit determined to turn around Australian rugby’s fortunes over the next three years.
It’s now five years since the Junior Wallabies made the U20 World Cup final, stunning some of the planet’s best sides in their run to the decider. While they ultimately lost by a point to defending champions France, a stellar campaign unearthed a generation of new stars.
Ten of those men have gone on to play for the Wallabies, with backrower Harry Wilson captaining Australia in the past four Tests during The Rugby Championship when regular skipper Liam Wright, and his Reds teammate and 2019 Junior Wallabies captain Fraser McReight, were out injured.
With Joe Schmidt to name a Spring Tour squad that heralds new beginnings for a maligned national team, can the Junior Wallabies of 2019 help turn the tide with a Lions tour and home World Cup on the horizon?
McReight, who ex-Wallaby Jeremy Paul rated earlier this year as arguably the form open-side flanker in world rugby, knew early the team assembled by coach Jason Gilmore was a special band of men.
Only the second Australian team to make the junior World Cup final, their run came almost a decade after the side that included future Wallabies captain Michael Hooper, scrumhalf Nic White and playmaker Matt Toomua lost the 2010 decider to New Zealand.
McReight’s side though beat New Zealand convincingly before they headed to Argentina, on the way to winning the Oceania Cup on the Gold Coast.
“What helped us was before the (World Cup), beating New Zealand 24-0 and the belief just grew,” McReight said.
“From that moment, we knew we had a very, very special group.
“There were a lot of debutants that year and the year after in Super Rugby that went straight away into key roles and key positions in Super Rugby.”
It was not only Super Rugby either.
McReight, Wilson, Noah Lolesio and Angus Bell made their Wallabies debuts in 2020, with McReight and Bell part of last year’s World Cup campaign, while Lolesio and Wilson were controversial omissions from Eddie Jones’s squad.
While Rugby Australia has worn criticism for that campaign and a range of other issues over the past few years, one thing it did get right was using its “future fund” to tie most of those Junior Wallabies and members of the 2019 Australian Schools and U18s team - who also beat the Kiwis that year, ending a seven-year hoodoo - to deals which beat off poaching raids from rival codes.
“I think there’s a lot more of a focus on (retention) now that another league team has come in, the focus on trying to get young talent locked in in rugby is paramount,” McReight said.
While McReight’s focus - and that of his Wallabies teammates - is not yet on a home World Cup, he can see silver linings ahead as improvements continue to be made under Schmidt ahead of next year’s British and Irish Lions Tour.
“The goal is next year, the Lions short-term, and then long-term, the World Cup; obviously everyone wants to do really well, and how awesome that would be to win the thing,” he said.
“But (the focus) this year was the new coaching group and how we want to play and learning that craft, I suppose, going into the Lions and just trying to compete with the other nations that have played a really good brand of footy the past 12 to 24 months.”
We take a look at all 28 squad members from the 2019 campaign - what became of their careers, and which of them are likely to be involved in the Spring Tour campaign, the Lions Tour and a home World Cup in 2027.
2019 Junior Wallabies squad
Triston Reilly
2019 program recruited from and JW position: Sevens, wing
School: St Joseph’s College
Junior club: Kempsey Cannonballs
Age: 25
Super Rugby: Debuted 2020; 16 caps for Waratahs 2020-22; 2024
NRL: 3 caps for Wests Tigers 2023
While he came into the Junior Wallabies from the Sevens program, Reilly has now re-signed with Waratahs until end of 2026; but after the addition of players including Joseph Suaalii, will continue to battle for a backline spot next season despite the departure of fellow winger Dylan Pietsch.
Noah Lolesio - ACT, centre
The Southport School
Tuggeranong Vikings
Age: 24
Super Rugby: Debuted 2020; 65 caps for Brumbies
Wallabies: Debuted 2020 v All Blacks; 25 caps
Re-signed with Brumbies until the end of 2025. While he played at inside centre for the Junior Wallabies, the Gold Coast product made his Brumbies debut the following year at flyhalf before making his Test debut in the halves later that year against the All Blacks. Returned to the Test team in 2024 after being a shock omission from Eddie Jones’ World Cup squad. In and out of the Wallabies squad since his debut as Australia seeks its next long-term No.10.
Lachlan Lonergan - ACT, hooker
Trinity Christian College
Tuggeranong Vikings
Age: 25
Super Rugby: Debuted 2020; 46 caps for Brumbies 2020-24
Wallabies: Debuted 2021 v France; 8 caps
Re-signed with Rugby Australia and the Brumbies, along with older brother and scrumhalf Ryan, until the end of the 2025 season. Suffered a nasty ankle injury early in 2024 that ruled him out for the remainder of the Super Rugby season but is determined to fight back to full form and fitness.
Nick Frost - ACT, lock
Knox Grammar School
Hornsby Lions
Age: 25
Super Rugby: Debuted 2020; 64 caps for the Brumbies
Wallabies: Debuted 2022 against England; 21 caps
Signed with Rugby Australia and the Brumbies until the end of 2025. One of the most athletics locks in Australian rugby, the 206cm Frost became a human highlight reel in Argentina after running 65m to score a stunning try against Ireland and continues to develop after a frustrating World Cup campaign last year.
Angus Bell - NSW, prop
Newington College
Hunters Hill
Age: 25
Super Rugby: Debuted 2020; 42 caps for the Waratahs
Wallabies: Debuted 2020 v All Blacks; 32 caps
After making his Waratahs and Wallabies debuts in the same season when still a teen, Bell was quickly recognised as a talent of the future, with RA recontracting him in 2023; locking the front-rower down until the end of 2027 and ensuring he will be around for a home World Cup. Has suffered two serious toe injuries but returned from foot reshaping surgery earlier this year to again wear the gold jersey.
Darcy Breen - NSW, prop
Scots College
Bays Rugby Club
Age: 25
Super Rugby: Debuted 2020; 8 caps for Waratahs
Played with the Waratahs for two seasons in 2020-21 and a mainstay of the Sydney Uni Shute Shield side until 2023, when he signed with US Major League Rugby side San Diego Legion for 2024.
Ben Donaldson - NSW, fullback
Waverley College
Clovelly Eagles
Age: 25
Super Rugby: Debuted 2020; 51 caps for Waratahs and Force
Wallabies: Debuted 2022; 13 caps
Was the fourth-string flyhalf in the Junior Wallabies behind Harrison, Lolesio and Lucas, but played a crucial role in the semi-final to ensure they made the decider and has emerged as one of the most talented and intelligent young playmakers in the Aussie system. Made his Wallabies debut on the Spring Tour of 2022, coming on late in the loss to Italy that all but ended Dave Rennie’s tenure, and made his first start the following week at No.10 in the win against Wales. Chosen over Lolesio for the 2019 World Cup and played four games.
Will Harris - NSW, No. 8
Scots College
Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club
Age: 24
Super Rugby: Debuted 2020; 54 caps for Waratahs and Force
Harris was one of the standout forwards for the Junior Wallabies in a side boasting some of the world’s best. Made his Super Rugby debut for the Waratahs in 2020 and played two games for Australia A in 2022, but has so far been unable to crack a spot in the Wallabies squad. Linked with the Force for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Will Harrison - NSW, flyhalf
Marcellin College
Coogee Seahorses
Age: 25
Super Rugby: Debuted 2020; 38 caps for Waratahs
The youngest player to sign a professional contract with the Waratahs, Harrison was one of the Junior Wallabies’ best in their charge to the final in Argentina but never quite managed to take his game to the level required of an international No.10. Was drafted into the Wallabies’ camp during Dave Rennie’s tenure though did not make his debut. Was not re-contracted by the Tahs for season 2025 and will head to Japan for the next two years.
Mark Nawaqanitawase - NSW, wing
St Patrick’s College
Eastwood Rugby Club
Age: 24
Super Rugby: Debuted in 2020; 58 caps for Waratahs
Wallabies: Debuted in 2022 v Italy; 11 caps
NRL: Debuted in 2024 for Roosters; 1 cap
Originally one of the least likely to forge a top-level career in rugby, given he did not make the top representative teams through his school years and was among the last players added to Jason Gilmore’s squad for the pre-Junior Worlds Oceania Cup. Quickly showed he had an X-factor in attack and had a stellar tournament in Argentina, going on to play for the Waratahs the next year before making his Wallabies debut on the 2022 Spring Tour. A sevens representative at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2024 Paris Olympics, as well as playing at last year’s World Cup, Nawaqanitawase crossed codes to the NRL and played a single game for the Roosters this season, scoring a try on debut.
Henry Robertson - NSW, scrumhalf
Kings College
Scone Rugby Club
Age: 24
Super Rugby: Debuted in 2021; 8 caps for Waratahs and Force
The back-up scrumhalf was a year younger than many of his contemporaries in Argentina but would not get a crack in what would have been his final Junior Wallabies year in 2020 due to Covid. Made his Super Rugby debut in 2021, notching seven appearances for the Waratahs before moving west to link with the Force, where he was named the rising star winner earlier this year and then re-signed with the club.
Pat Tafa - NSW, No.8
Brisbane State High School
Sunnybank Dragons
Age: 25
Super Rugby: Debuted 2020; 2 caps
A key member of the 2019 squad, Tafa went on to make his Super Rugby debut for the Waratahs in 2020 but was unable to establish himself given their depth in the second-row. Playing professionally in Japan for Kintetsu Liners in the League One competition.
Joey Walton - NSW, centre
Wadalba High School
Warnervale Wildcats
Age: 24
Super Rugby: Debuted 2020; 32 caps for Waratahs
Injuries and the pandemic have made Walton’s career at the top level a stop-start affair, with a broken ankle, ruptured ACL and herniated disc in his back slowing his progress. But back to full fitness he showed his class, being picked for Australia A before earning a call-up to the Wallabies squad following a slew of injuries to the backs ahead of the Wales Tests.
Bo Abra - NSW, prop
St Stanislaus’ College
Tamworth Pirates
Age: 25
Super Rugby: Debuted 2022; 12 caps for Western Force
A tighthead prop, Abra is still relatively young in his rugby journey and is attempting to get back to Super Rugby through Shute Shield, where he’s linked with the Hunter Wildfires and former Tahs coach Darren Coleman.
Rhys Van Nek - QLD, prop/hooker
Brisbane Boys College
Ipswich Rangers
Age: 25
Super Rugby: Debuted 2021; 33 caps for Rebels and Brumbies
Versatile prop who can play on either side of the scrum and is coming into his own after a couple of strong seasons at the Brumbies, under the guidance of veterans Allan Alaalatoa and James Slipper. Played for Australia A earlier this season and could be on the radar for the 2027 World Cup if he keeps developing.
Joe Cotton - QLD, hooker
Nudgee College
Wests Bulldogs
Age: 25
Super Rugby: Debuted 2020; 5 caps for Waratahs
England-born player moved back to the UK after a couple of seasons with the Waratahs and linked with the Bristol Bears, before being cut as part of a mass cull in 2022 after a severe reduction in the Premiership Rugby salary cap.
Fraser McReight - QLD, backrow
Brisbane Grammar
Albany Creek Brumbies
Age: 25
Super Rugby: Debuted 2019; 72 caps
Wallabies: Debuted 2020 v All Blacks; 22 caps
The Junior Wallabies captain in 2019, McReight won successive Junior Wallabies player of the year awards and was among five players in the running for the player of the tournament at the U20 World Cup in Argentina. Always destined for a big future, McReight played understudy to Michael Hooper - both as a Wallabies No.7 and a leader - for some time before being picked ahead of him in Eddie Jones’ 2023 World Cup team. Now entrenched as a senior forward and leader for both the Reds and Wallabies, and will be a key plank in Australia’s 2027 World Cup campaign on home soil.
Josh Nasser - QLD, prop
St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace (Terrace)
Easts Tigers
Age: 25
Super Rugby: Debut 2020; 31 caps for Queensland Reds
Wallabies: Debut 2024; 6 caps
The son of Wallaby Brendan Nasser, Josh represented the Junior Wallabies as a prop but has remade himself in the senior ranks, shifting into the middle of the engine room as a hooker, where he has spent most of his time with the Reds. Made his Wallabies debut earlier this year, just before sister Bella headed to the Olympics with the women’s Sevens side.
Kye Oates - QLD, centre
Toowoomba Grammar
Toowoomba Highfields
Age: 25
Sevens: World Series debut 2022 in Hong Kong
The flyer has made his mark in Queensland’s Hospital Cup, winning the Alec Evans Medal in 2021 before earning a call-up to Australia’s sevens program where he made his debut in Hong Kong, helping the Aussies to a tournament win.
Harry Wilson - QLD, backrow
St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace
Gunnedah Red Devils
Age: 24
Super Rugby: Debuted 2020; 70 caps for Reds
Wallabies: Debuted 2020 v All Blacks; 19 caps
After a rapid rise that included making his Super Rugby and Test debuts in 2020, there was always likely to be a plateau period for the backrower but few would have anticipated it to include being left out of the team for last year’s World Cup. If he was offside with Eddie Jones, though, Wilson has flourished in the past year, with another strong Super Rugby season despite facing surgery on a broken arm, Wallabies selection under new coach Joe Schmidt and ending the Rugby Championship as Australia’s 90th captain after an injury to Liam Wright.
Michael Wood - QLD, backrow
Padua College
Brothers Rugby Club
Age: 25
Super Rugby: Debuted 2021; 1 cap for Waratahs
Wood shifted from Queensland to the Waratahs for his chance to crack into the Super Rugby ranks and did that in 2021, playing a single game. A gifted second-rower and loose forward, Wood has faced injury and positional challenges during his journey but now back in Queensland and playing club rugby with Brothers, is showing the form that made him one of the gun players of Jason Gilmore’s team in Argentina. Won the Tony Shaw Medal as player of the grand final in Queensland’s Hospital Cup decider.
Isaac Lucas - QLD, flyhalf
St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace
Sunnybank Dragons
Age: 25
Super Rugby: Debuted 2019; 15 caps
Lucas was one of the most experienced members of the Junior Wallabies side, having made his Super Rugby debut with the Reds at the start of the 2019 season, and delivered outstanding form, nominated along with McReight as one of five nominees for player of the tournament. One of three Reds players to shift to Japan when Covid struck, terminating his contract with Rugby Australia after refusing to take a pay cut. Brought up his 50th cap for the Tokyo Black Rams earlier this year.
Esei Ha’angana - VIC, lock
St Paul’s Catholic College
Wests Juniors
Age: 25
Super Rugby: Debuted 2017; 12 caps for Rebels
Became the Rebels’ youngest-ever debutant just days after his 18th birthday and was one of the few Junior Wallabies with Super Rugby experience. Despite his early start though, played just 15 Super Rugby matches over three seasons before heading to Japan, where he linked with the Saitama Wild Knights, the club he now captains under former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans. Ha’angana won’t be among the players under the eye of Rugby Australia though, given he’s attempting to qualify for Japan for the next World Cup.
Trevor Hosea - VIC, lock
Brisbane Boys College
Harlequins Rugby Club
Age: 24
Super Rugby: Debuted 2020; 33 caps for Rebels
A talented Victorian product, Hosea made his Super Rugby debut in 2020 and played for his local Super Rugby outfit until the end of the 2023 season, when he headed to Japan to link with the Tokyo Sungoliaths.
Sione Tui - VIC, wing
St Kevin’s College
Melbourne Unicorns
Age: 25
One of the few members of the Junior Wallabies not to have made the transition to the Super Rugby ranks, Tui left Australia early in his professional journey to link with French Top 14 side Stade Francais. Now playing in France’s second division for Aix-en-Provence.
Semisi Tupou - VIC, centre
St Joseph’s College, Nudgee
Box Hill
Age: 25
Super Rugby: Debuted 2017; 8 caps for Rebels
Made his Super Rugby debut at just 18 for the Rebels and played sporadically over the next three years before linking with the Tokyo Black Rams in Japan, reuniting with former Junior Wallabies teammate Isaac Lucas.
Michael McDonald - WA, scrumhalf
Palmyra Rugby Club
Age: 25
Super Rugby: Debuted 2020; 10 caps for Waratahs and Force
Irish-born McDonald was the starting scrumhalf for the Junior Wallabies but had a difficult transition to the Super Rugby ranks, entering at a time when the Force had been kicked out of the competition; he and fellow West Australian product Carlo Tizzano were encouraged to move to the east coast to continue their development. Made his debut in 2020 for the Waratahs before heading back west during the pandemic and reuniting with the Force, who were readmitted to the Super Rugby AU ranks. Moved back to Ireland in 2022, when he played two matches for the Emerging Ireland squad.
Carlo Tizzano - WA, flanker
Trinity College
University of Western Australia
Age: 24
Super Rugby: Debuted 2020; 38 caps for Waratahs and Force
Wallabies: Debuted 2024; 4 caps
His renowned fight and passion caught the eye of coach Jason Gilmore, with Tizzano forcing his way into the Junior Wallabies squad as a bottom-age player ahead of the World Cup. That passion has both helped and hindered his career, but his drive paid off with a Wallabies debut earlier this year against South Africa and he will ensure regular No.7 Fraser McReight remains at his best if he is to keep the starting openside spot.
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