Australian schools and U18 squad for NZ tests dominated by stars of Waratahs v Reds rugby battle

Schoolboy stars of the recent Waratahs v Reds battle have been rewarded with selection in their first Australian Test squad. But there’s a couple of big names missing. See who made the cut.

Some of the young guns who have made the cut for the Australian schools team.

The Waratahs have eight forwards and five backs named in the 26-strong Australian

Schools & U18s squad to take on the best teenage secondary schools talent in New Zealand in the first battle between the two rugby rivals since 2019.

The squad was confirmed in the wake of the Waratahs beating the Reds under 18s in both Academy matches played in Sydney on Tuesday.

This saw the Tahs win the annual under 18s battle between the two clubs 2-0 in 2023.

Lipina Ata (NSW Waratahs, Newington College), Will Goddard (NSW Waratahs, Knox Grammar School), Lachlan Doheny (NSW Waratahs, Eastwood Rugby Club), Aden Ekanayake (NSW Waratahs, Gordon Rugby Club), Austin Durbridge (NSW Waratahs, The Kings School),

Toby Brial (NSW Waratahs, The Scots College) Nathaniel Tiitii (NSW Waratahs, The Kings School) and Samuel Niulala (NSW Waratahs, Trinity Grammar School) have been named as forwards in the squad.

The Reds earned six sports with Avery Thomson (Brisbane Boys College), Lehopa Leota (Iona College), Fergus Gillan (The Southport School), Oliver Barrett (St Joseph’s Nudgee College), Macarius Pereira (St Joseph’s Nudgee College) and Charlie Brosnan (Brothers Rugby Club) named.

SCHOOLS TEAM NAMED FOR NZ BATTLE

Waratahs' Austin Durbridge with the ball at the under 18s NSW Waratahs v Queensland Reds match. Picture: John Appleyard

Wyatt Ballenger (Melbourne Rebels, Marcellin College) is the only none NSW or Queensland player in the forwards.

Tahs players also dominate the backs with Waratahs under 18s captain Hwi Sharples (St Joseph’s College), Boston Fakafonua (The Kings School), Brendan Palmer (Hunter Wildfires), Leo Jaques (The Scots College) and Joe Walsh (St Augustine’s College) named.

Waratahs' Joe Walsh with the ball in the main event on Tuesday. Picture: John Appleyard

The Reds have four backs in the squad in Dre Pakeho (Brothers Rugby Club), Luke Aiken (Sunshine Coast Grammar School), Finn Prass (Brothers Rugby Club), Xavier Rubens and (Brisbane Boys College).

Joey Fowler (Melbourne Rebels, Sydney University Rugby Club) and Shane Wilcox (ACT Brumbies, Tuggeranong Vikings Rugby Club) have also been named.

Two notable absentees from the squad list are Tahs player and Sevens Rugby speedster Hadley Tonga and young Reds star Trevor King who were unavailable due to injury, as was Frankie Goldsbrough from the Reds and the Anglican Church Grammar School.

QLD Reds' Xavier Rubens gets over the line for a try in the annual battle between the Tahs and Reds. Picture: John Appleyard

“In selecting this squad we considered not only the ability the players have already shown across provincial, club and school games, but also their long-term potential as future Wallabies,’’ said coach Shannon Fraser.

“The challenge now lies in bringing them together as a group to perform against what will no doubt be a strong New Zealand team.”

The Australians will take on New Zealand at Canberra’s Viking Park on September 28 and October 2.

Some of the young guns who have made the cut for the Australian schools team.

2023 AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS & U18s SQUAD

Forwards: Lipina Ata (NSW Waratahs, Newington College), Will Goddard (NSW Waratahs, Knox Grammar School), Lachlan Doheny (NSW Waratahs, Eastwood Rugby Club), Aden Ekanayake (NSW Waratahs, Gordon Rugby Club), Austin Durbridge (NSW Waratahs, The Kings School), Toby Brial (NSW Waratahs, The Scots College), Nathaniel Tiitii (NSW Waratahs, The Kings School), Samuel Niulala (NSW Waratahs, Trinity Grammar School), Avery Thomson (QLD Reds, Brisbane Boys College), Lehopa Leota (QLD Reds, Iona College), Fergus Gillan (QLD Reds, The Southport School), Oliver Barrett (QLD Reds, St Joseph’s Nudgee College), Macarius Pereira (QLD Reds, St Joseph’s Nudgee College), Charlie Brosnan (QLD Reds, Brothers Rugby Club), Wyatt Ballenger (Melbourne Rebels, Marcellin College).

Leo Jaques in last year’s National U16 series. Picture: Julian Andrews

Backs: Hwi Sharples (NSW Waratahs, St Joseph’s College), Boston Fakafonua (NSW Waratahs, The Kings School), Brendan Palmer (NSW Waratahs, Hunter Wildfires), Leo Jaques (NSW Waratahs, The Scots College), Joe Walsh (NSW Waratahs, St Augustine’s College), Dre Pakeho (QLD Reds, Brothers Rugby Club), Luke Aiken (QLD Reds, Sunshine Coast Grammar School), Finn Prass (QLD Reds, Brothers Rugby Club), Xavier Rubens (QLD Reds, Brisbane Boys College), Joey Fowler (Melbourne Rebels, Sydney University Rugby Club), Shane Wilcox (ACT Brumbies, Tuggeranong Vikings Rugby Club).

SERIES FIXTURES

Game 1 - 2.10pm AEST Thursday 28 September - Viking Park, Canberra

Game 2 - 12.10pm AEST Monday 2 October - Viking Park, Canberra