Waratahs v Reds U18s: Australian schools team spots for NZ Test on line in rugby Academy battle

The Australian schools and under 18s coach said the looming Waratahs v Queensland Reds battle is so important it will determine places in the team to tackle New Zealand. New SQUAD

Queensland Reds under 18s v New South Wales under 18s. Picture courtesy of Tom Primmer/QRU.

The Australian schools and under 18s coach said the upcoming NSW Waratahs v Queensland Reds under 18s battle is so important it will determine multiple places in the team to take on New Zealand later this month.

Australia’s schools and U18s rugby coach Shannon Fraser said there are Waratahs and Reds players who need to outplay their opposites in their Sydney match on September 19 to make national team selection.

It is expected NSW and Queensland players will dominate the squad to take on New Zealand in Canberra on September 28 and October 2.

But while some young guns have already played their way into the squad, Fraser said there are still positions up for grabs in the match to be played at Foreshaw Park in southern Sydney.

The Australian school and under 18s team will meet up in Canberra for a camp in late September prior to the Tests against their New Zealand opposites.

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GPS2's Tyrese Lokeni with the ball in a trials match.

It will be the first time these two great rivals of rugby have clashed at this level since 2019.

“This is their major thing. This is the first time they get to represent Australia in a Test and it's the first time since 2029 when we beat them.’’ Fraser said.

Selectors have monitored a series of games between all the Rugby Academy sides ahead of the squad announcement post the Waratahs and Reds match.

But Fraser said the last game before the squad naming will be crucial for some players.

Baily Park scores in a match last year.

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“We are confident with a core of the group who we have been tracking,’’ he said.

“But there are a good handful of decisions to be made out of this game.

“It’s a fairly important match for them.

“Last year it was one apiece between the Waratahs and Reds. This year the Tahs won convincingly in the first game but that was outside their school footy. They are a little more primed and prepped now.

“There are guys who need to outplay their opponent here. It (selection) could come down to this game for them.’’

Sam Niulala at the back of the scrum.

Fraser said after the match a squad of 26 will be named with players immediately heading to Canberra for a camp.

“This is their first exposure to this level, their first time on the international stage,’’ Fraser said.

“It starts their professional journey, exposure to a professional program, into the Super 19s program across the next year, Junior Wallabies. It’s an exciting time.’’

WARATAHS ACADEMY WHITE U18S TO TAKE ON QUEENSLAND REDS

Will McKinnon Knox Grammar School, William Guilfoyle The Scot’s College, Kaleb Ah-Colt Cranbrook School, Ned Ericsson Knox Grammar School, Jacob Veiru Newington College, Jonathan Ryan Knox Grammar School, Marshall Le Maitre Shore School, Beau Morrison Knox Grammar school, Orly Hatton-Ward Trinity Grammar school, Joseph Dillon St Ignatius College, Riverview, Charlie Poynton Barker College, Oscar Jorgenson St Joseph’s College, HamishMacDonald Barker College, TomWatts The King’s School, Sid HarveyNarrabri High School, Kye Pule Waverley College, Charlie O’Kane St Joseph’s College, Nick Hill Barker College, Adam Van Wyk Barker College, Jacob John Chifley College, Darcy Standfield Waverley College, Wihan Kruger Southern Districts Rugby Club, Jay McKenzie The Scot’s College

WARATAHS ACADEMY BLUE U18S TO TAKE ON QUEENSLAND REDS

NathanielTiitii The King’s School. Lipina Ata Newington College, Will Goddard, Knox Grammar School, Aden Ekanayake Gordon Rugby Club, Lachlan Doheny Eastwood Rugby Club, Sam Niulala Trinity Grammar School, Austin Durbidge The King’s School, Toby Brial The Scots College, Hwi Sharples St Joseph’s College, Joe Walsh St Augustine’s College, Leo Jaques The Scots College, Tyrese Lokeni The King’s School, Malakye Enasio Knox Grammar School, Liam Grover St Ignatius College, Riverview, Boston Fakafanua The King’s School, Bailey Park The King’s School, Nick Ashdown The King’s School, Edwin Langi The King’s School, Eamon Doyle St Joseph’s College, Luca Cleverley Newington College,

Sam Blank St Augustine’s College, Joseph Dillon St Ignatius College, Riverview, Tom Klem Shore School.