What Junior Wallabies selectors want to see from rising stars in Super Rugby U19 series

Junior Wallabies coach Nathan Gray wants big improvement in a number of key areas from teenagers vying for selection in his squad during the final games of the Super Rugby 19s series.

NSW player Omar Noureddine is bundled into touch in the Super Rugby U19s series. Picture: Julian Andrews

Junior Wallabies coach Nathan Gray said tough lessons were learned at the 2023 Under 20 World Cup which must be applied for success at the next event in 2024 in South Africa for Australia to be more successful.

It’s why the former Wallaby is looking for certain traits from young players in the final matches of the Super Rugby U19s series which doubles as a selection trial for an extended Junior Wallabies squad.

It’s also why he wants to see improvement in specific areas of the game as the competition heads into the fifth round this weekend with the Waratahs hosting Western Force on Sunday at Forshaw Park and the Queensland Reds host the Brumbies on Saturday.

“We look at this with the experience of the World Cup last year and I know the level of competition at this level,’’ Gray said.

“Defensively I would like more aggression in tackle and looking to tackle first not make the turnover.

JERSEYS ON LINE IN SUPER RUGBY 16S

NSW U19s player Billy Dickens. Picture: Julian Andrews

NSW player Harry Davis. Picture: Julian Andrews

“Line outs across the whole board needs to get better.’’

Gray said Australia must sent out bigger, stronger, taller and more physical players in the future.

“The lessons learned from World Cup is we need to be bigger, physically bigger, and we need to continue to use our skill, speed and tactical ability as a point of different. We did that well but we need to do it with bigger athletes,’’ Gray said.

“If you want to win we have to have the ammunition.

Oniti Finau in the tackle that injured his ankle playing against the Reds. Picture: Julian Andrews

“From the height perspective we are good. It’s the bulk. Something we have to work on.’’

The Super Rugby U19s series will help selectors deliver a Junior Wallabies squad of around 40.

This squad will be named in the wake of the Super Rugby 19s grand final with a camp to be held in the new year.

A number of matches are also being played prior to the World Cup in South Africa in June.

SANZAAR earlier this year announced an Under 20 version of The Rugby Championship will be played in 2024 between the rising stars of Australia, New Zealand and South African rugby in a sensational pathway for younger players into senior and international rugby.

“It’s huge. There is so much going on,’’ Gray said.