Next generation Wallabies: Australia’s best junior rugby stars who could one day play the British & Irish Lions
The next generation of Australian rugby heroes are watching on as the Wallabies prepare to take on the touring British & Irish Lions. Meet the best under-16 and under-18 players in Australia.
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The next generation of Australian rugby heroes are watching on as the Wallabies prepare to take on the touring British & Irish Lions.
They are the rising stars of Australian rugby who hope to one day wear the Wallabies’ jersey in international blockbusters against overseas rivals.
The very best juniors have been moulding their game on paddocks across the country and recently put on a show at the Australian Schools and Junior Rugby Championships in Queensland.
From schools to clubs, discover the best emerging Australian rugby talent playing at under-16 and under-18 level.
NEW SOUTH WALES
UNDER-18S:
HASANI BLOOMFIELD: A prop who stood out with GPS II at recent trials with a dominating run and strong carries. For a player of his size, he moves well and his scrummaging is excellent. Part of a strong front row.
TAJ SMITH: Outstanding in lineouts. Has a special understanding of how to fit into play and is exciting for the game arrangement. He has a cool and calm head.
HENRI DEMPSEY From St Ignatius College and a No. 7 who impressed playing for GPS 1 at trials. He is highly valuable for his work effort off ball. He’s good on the ball and has great energy and a big engine.
CHAYSE GEROS: From St Augustine’s College on Sydney’s northern beaches and an ISA player tackling No.9. He has an ability to run and control play. His running game has impressed coaches and selectors. Said to have X-factor of a Will Genia.
CREIGHTON MEAFOU: From Edmund Rice College and the CCC rep team. His coach says he has the athleticism of a Joseph Suaalii or Israel Folau. Meafou has great ball skills and is always a handful in attack. Described as a “big, fast unit’’.
REILLY CASWELL: He is a young star of the CAS system. From Knox Grammar, he has a great turn of pace and reads the game well. Has a calming influence and is a great communicator.
PAYTON TARAU: Is another CAS player who attends Waverley College in Sydney as a 16-year-old fullback. He is an exceptional kicker and communicator and has some silky skills.
KEONE ANITELEA-TSIOUSSIS: From Newington College, he has a very good kicking game and offered some great contributions to GPS.
TYSON BURDEN: One to watch now and in the future. A big loose head prop with a massive presence on the field and great communication. Hardworking and aggressive and one who has his coaches excited.
SELESTINO MAINAKAVIKA AND NOAH RYLANDS: The No. 7 and No. 8 for NSW Schools II are great together. They bring aggression and physicality and a high work rate.
OSCAR CLEARY: This ISA young gun will be a No.6. He is an excellent ball carrier and fantastic in lineouts.
ISAAC ELLIOT: Hails from the West Harbor, a club known for its tough guys. Different from many of his rivals as he has been playing Under 20s in the Illawarra competition. This prop is a real menace around the field.
BLAKE GILL: A teenager is associated with West Harbour. He missed making an assortment of rep sides in the past and flew well under the radar before making the grade this year. Went from 3rd to 1st Colts at his club in a matter of weeks.
GLASSIE GLASSIE: Played NSW country at recent trials and was close to making the Australian schoolboys team last year. An awesome contributor and a physical and hard-running centre with the ability to create space. Something special.
ILIKAYA TURAGAVUKICA: Another West Harbour player who made it to state representation via Sydney Juniors after moving to Sydney for his rugby. Known as Junior, he has been described as a “man child” on the pitch he is an open side flanker with a big presence not usually seen at this age.
SOUL TUILETUFUGA: The No. 8 attends St Patrick’s Fairfield, a school well known for turning out a stream of top rugby and league players. He also plays in the 1st grade men’s competition at Camden.
NICHOLAS BETT: From Southern country and Temora, Bett is a lock who has great leadership potential. Is described by his coaches as an exciting prospect.
CHARLIE TANNER: A great talent who has big potential to be a great player around the park. An all-rounder who is game smart. Hails from the well-known Randwick club.
LISITOA PAEA: From the Gordon rugby club, he is used as a back and front rower. He’s big, fit, mobile and out to impress Australian U18s selectors.
ETONIA KAMOTU: From the Sydney University rugby club and a standout at the recent state championships where he was unlucky to miss the NSW teams. Kamotu is a powerful ball runner who creates opportunities at centre.
OLIVER DART: A Hunter player from Scone, Dart is a halfback with fantastic skills. He is smart and has a high skill set for his age group. Definitely one to watch.
KAI MCDERMOTT: A teammate of Tanner’s at Randwick, McDermott is a player who consistently performed well at the recent state championships.
DAVID-LAVONDRE BLOOMFIELD: Another player from Sydney University, Bloomfield is an explosive and big front rower and very strong. Another to watch out for.
QUEENSLAND
UNDER-18S:
ANGUS TAGICAKIBAU: Was with the Queensland white side in 2024 where he grew in confidence and was later selected in the Australian Schoolboys rugby 7s side. Has great footwork, communication and roaming ability.
CYRUS SUNIULA: A talented hooker who made the Australian Schoolboys side in 2024 and returned this year for his third straight stint in the Queensland side. Is always seen leading from the front.
TREMAYNE PATELESIO: The key number eight was absolutely immense for South Coast at the State Championships and brings with him some exposure in the Queensland Reds under-18 academy. Has a great rugby IQ paired with solid power and a huge workrate.
JESSE MAUGATAI: A dynamic ball runner who adds a different and dynamic layer to the Queensland maroon forward pack. The Met East talent is a strong runner of the ball, feeding off big collisions which he generally wins.
ISAAC FIDOCK: From the Gold Coast Isaac dazzles with blistering pace and sharp footwork. A constant threat on counter-attack, he evades defenders with ease and sparks game-changing breaks from deep. Safe under the high ball and solid in defence, his flair and speed make him an exciting prospect.
HARVEY KACHEL: From Cairns Harvey brings composure, leadership, and sharp tactical awareness to every match. Known for precise passing, smart kicking, and cool-headed decision-making, he guides attack and controls game tempo. A proven leader on and off the field.
TYLER RIDDELL: Tyler had an exceptional Queensland Championships and is known for his powerful ball carries and physical presence. He is a key force in set piece and open play. He breaks tackles, gains hard metres, and energises the forward pack. His strength, endurance, and aggression set the tone upfront, anchoring both scrum and attack.
PATRICK EDWARDS and LINCOLN PAYNE: Both Sunshine Coast players haved starred for their Maroochydore Swans A-Grade club side this season. Despite his age, Edwards has shown he can match it with the best of them, competing really strongly against the likes of former Wallaby Blake Enever just weeks ago. Payne is a damaging rising hooker who has risen through the Queensland academy systems and continues to grow in confidence.
CHARLEY OGDEN: Has starred for St Columban’s premiership winning side for the past two years and is ready to continue his impressive run of form and confidence. With a rugby league background, Ogden is a talented fly half who has enhanced his rugby union IQ in recent seasons while also massively improving his kicking game.
LEBRON TUSITALA: A bottom age talent, Tusitala is a player who possesses raw talent and plenty of speed. He excels in playing eyes up footy from halfback.
AKELI FILIPO: Was arguably the best player of the TAS competition who let rip in every game. A physical, try scoring threat, Filipo will prove his worth in the backline.
MA’AFU TAKAI: A player who can cover off numerous positions, Takai’s versatility will be key for any team he plays in. He is dynamic on both sides of the ball and arguably plays his best footy as a flanker.
HARRY DEAN and MAX NEWTON: Full of physicality and a huge workrate, Dean shines in a fast, up-tempo game in the front row. Newton is a true leader on the field, leading with his actions and getting his fingerprints on anything and everything from second row.
VICTORIA
UNDER-18S:
ANGUS HAY: A country gun who only started to play rugby a few years ago. A hooker and tight head, he attends from Xavier College. Angus brings something special to the Victorian side. He fights for everything, tackles hard and his coach is predicting a big future.
RAMSEY SEFU: A real talent who played Under 16s last year. A dynamic player who is strong on the ball and carries very well. A loosehead prop who is fantastic in the scrum and has a great attitude.
UKARAU ZAHVID TARIU SOMONIS: A very elusive player and a No. 6 from The Grange College. Powerful, smart, a great line jumper and good in scrummage. He’s a workaholic in the gym and has a great attitude.
FELIC LAUOFO: Is the Victorian No. 8 and a great player according to his coach. Missed state selection last year, but then asked for advice and addressed all areas to make the team. A good leader who others looks up to. Has a great rugby IQ, is a good defender and ball carrier and handy in the lineout.
NOAH JURY: The younger brother of fellow rugby gun Jackson Jury, Noah has plenty of people talking. He has an innate ability to read a game and played state rep at No10 despite being younger than his teammates.
SONIX AIGA: A player his coach has described as “special’’ and like a “wizard with his feet’’. Has a X-factor Victoria are hoping they will see him make it into a an Australian squad. Plays No. 13.
PHOENIX MONTEIRO-SUA: Is a fly half who also played with the Rebels U16 last season. He is playing first five for Haileybury College 1st XV this year who significantly, beat last year’s champions Brighton, for the first time in over a decade.
GREGOR PICKFORD: Plays in the back row and was with the Rebels U16 last year. He is having a dominant season for St Kevin’s College after a big off-season rowing which has him fit and ready to rock.
RAHZEL PALAMENE: A back rower who played beside his teammates with the Rebels U16s in 2024. He is one of the hardest workers in the Victorian squad. He has left school early and, in a big commitment, comes to training before starting his night shifts during the week.
FAF KRUEGER: A centre also from the 2024 Rebels U16s., Krueger is from the dominant Brighton College first XV in Melbourne. With a South African background, he still has the accent, living and breathing rugby.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
UNDER-18S:
LUKE MEGSON: Appointed captain of the travelling side, Megson is a damaging hooker who displays exceptional qualities on and off the field. Megson brings with him Force under-20s experience where he showed he is a huge asset at the set piece but also very solid and mobile across the park.
IZIAH LOLOHEA: His raw skills have simply been a joy to watch in recent years and the threatening fullback will be out to catch the attention of opposition players, coaches and scouts once again. He is almost unstoppable in open space and will happily punish teams that kick the ball his way with a poor defensive chase.
FELIX COOPER: Another Force under-20s prospect, Cooper is a talented flanker who has endured a rapid rise in the past 12 to 18 months. He is a handful at the breakdown and in attacking support.
ACT
UNDER-18S:
MARLEY NAGATI: From the well known Canberra Viking’s club but originally from Queensland. A smart and clever scrum half with superior game understanding and very coachable. He leads the ACT backline.
TOM JENSEN: A Marist product and the No. 12. He has good rep experience as part of the Australia U16s.
CAM KIRSTEN: An electric player for the AC. He contributes well and his coach says he has great full field vision. From Marist and the No. 15 for this ACT side.
BLAKE BRETTON: Another Marist player expect to have an impact. Bretton
is smart, and as tough as nails - usually a winning combination in rugby. The coaches believe he is poised for a breakout tournament.
FLETCHER BURROWS: A schoolmate of Bretton, he is the hooker and a class act at the set piece. He is also crisp at the lineout and a good understanding of the game.
TASMANIA
UNDER-18S:
COOPER CROWTHER: Represented the Australian U18 Barbarians last year, Crowther is a tough enforcer on both sides of the ball and around the set piece.
HAMISH GRANT: A skilful inside centre with two years’ experience playing senior Tasmanian rugby with Taroona Penguins, Grant won’t be fazed by larger rivals.
JOSIAH JEFFREY: Already running the cutter for Devonport Bulls in senior Tasmanian
rugby, this versatile playmaker kicks goals and directs traffic with ease beyond his years.
UNDER-16S
Henry Stone
A versatile backrower with a broad skill set across the park and at lineout time.
Is one of this side’s key leaders.
Zavier Throw
Throw is a well-balanced runner with a knack for finding the tryline.
He’s particularly dangerous on the kick return and in broken play.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
UNDER-18S:
MACKENZIE MORGAN: One of the smoothest operators in South Australian rugby, the Brighton Tiger has a playmaking game beyond his years. Run, kick or pass, he can do it all.
UNDER-16S
Munotidaishe Chirau
This Old Collegians powerhouse is one to watch from the scrumbase.
His powerful carry game mixed with hard-hitting defence is a recipe for success.
Don’t get in his way.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
LUAN OBERHOLZER: A gun midfielder who shone at the 2024 Southern States tournament in Adelaide. Can play inside and outside centre, strong both sides of the ball and kicks goals.
ELIGH POMROY: Can play anywhere in centres or back three but most suited to the number 15 jersey. He’s got a massive boot, aggressive line speed in defence and capable of tearing teams apart on the counter.
UNDER-16S
Jack Cogill
A rangy ball-playing 12 with a sharp game sense and a knack for picking holes in the defence. Joins the side from NT Titans U15s representative league side.
Declan Rogerson
An elite on-baller who pilfers well, competes hard and tackles the lights out. Is fit, mobile and sharp on the edges in attack.
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Originally published as Next generation Wallabies: Australia’s best junior rugby stars who could one day play the British & Irish Lions
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