Australian schools & U18 rugby team win big against Barbarians, stars, standouts, scorers

The future of rugby looks very bright. Australian schools and U18 rugby stars, standouts and scorers after a big win against the Barbarians.

James McGregor from the Waratahs.

It was the best way possible to finish up a week of high performance training alongside the best rugby talent in the country.

Coach Shannon Fraser said the Australian schools and under 18 team deserved their resounding win over a Barbarians U19 side in Canberra on Sunday.

The schools side took the match 59-5 in a major show of power with scorers for the Australian side including Savelio Tamale, Dan Nelson and Oniti Finau who all racked up two tries each in the game.

“It was a great result for all their hard work this week,’’ Fraser said.

“It was a good hitout. There were really good signs of guys growth across the week.

“They are a pretty talented group.’’

GRAND FINAL PHOTO SPECIAL

SJRU's Rodney Blake tackled by CCC's Savelio Tamale in a trial match this year.

Fraser said coaching staff were particularly happy with Australian ball carriers, including Barker and Waratahs gun Finau, who went over twice in the opening four minutes.

“Oniti was very powerful and scored our first two tries,’’ Fraser said.

“Talataiina (Melbourne Rebels) was very strong and Jayden Viliamu (Waratahs, Newington College) and Savelio Tamale (Waratahs, St Paul’s Catholic College, Manly) were really strong in the second half. It was great to see his fight and contact.’’

Fraser identified Nelson (Sydney University) and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips as other standouts. The later made six conversions.

“Doug Phillipson (Waratahs, Barker College) and Joey Fowler (Waratahs, St Josephs College) also played front football very nicely,’’ he said.

“I was very pleased with the way he (Fowler) pushed the ball to the edges where the space was.

“Dane Sawers (Force) came off early injured but he was very aggressive and they had a couple of good turnovers.

“And it was nice to see Hadley Tonga (The Kings School) score a really nice try out left.’’

Other try scorers for Australia were Fowler and Ryan McGloin. McLaughlin-Phillips made six conversions. The Barbrians only pit s came from Cooper Wright from the ACT.

SCHOOLS V BARBARIANS PREVIEW

THURSDAY: Coach Shannon Fraser has described players in the Australian school and U18 team as “immensely talented” as they kick off their high performance journey in rugby with an outing against the Barbarians in Canberra on Sunday.

Fraser has been in camp this week with players he said rugby officials are looking to prepare for the world of professional rugby.

And he's been impressed by the talent assembled.

“We have some fast outside backs, nice creative inside backs, lots of intelligence and in the engine room we have nice solid, bulky boys and a bit of height,’’ he said.

“We also have a hungry and abrasive back row, crafty and intelligent inside backs and some really good speed and talent. This team is well balanced and creative.

Joey Fowler is in the squad.

“It’s very much about their individual skills and how we can connect them to get a collective result.

“We are very much focused on their individual development on and off the field.’’

Players have been working with a range of experts during their time in Canberra.

“Off the field it’s about creating high performance behaviour, developing a sense of learning, inquisitiveness about the game, a hunger to learn about nutrition, recovery, preparations.

“This kicks off their first week of their high performance journey forward.

“These players will progress into their Super Academies and franchises. They are potential

potential Junior Wallabies in 2023 and 2024.’’

Rugby Australia unveiled the 25-strong Australian Schools and U18s squad this week for the camp and match against an Australian Barbarians group to be played on Sunday at 11am.

Players from all Australian Super Rugby Pacific clubs have made the cut.

CCC's Savelio Tamale charges through the line in rugby trials earlier this year. .

2022 AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS AND U18S SQUAD

Jack Barrett (NSW Waratahs, St. Joseph’s College Hunters Hill), Harry Bell (NSW Waratahs, St. Joseph’s College Hunters Hill), Nick Bloomfield (Queensland Reds, Easts Rugby Club Brisbane), Charlie Brosnan (Queensland Reds, Anglican Church Grammar School).

Ben Daniels (Queensland Reds, Anglican Church Grammar School), Bryn Edwards (NSW Waratahs, Barker College). Oniti Finau (NSW Waratahs, Barker College), Joey Fowler (NSW Waratahs, St. Joseph’s College Hunters Hill), Caleb Karangaroa (Western Force, Aranmore Catholic College), Trevor King (Queensland Reds, Downlands College).

Ronan Leahy (NSW Waratahs, St. Joseph’s College Hunters Hill), Joe Liddy (Queensland Reds, Easts Rugby Club Brisbane), Will McCulloch (Queensland Reds, Norths Rugby Club Brisbane), Ryan McGloin (Western Force, Joondalup Brothers Rugby Club).

James McGregor (NSW Waratahs, Newington College), Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (Queensland Reds, Souths Rugby Club Brisbane). Dan Nelson (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University Football club), Dre Pakaho (Queensland Reds, Anglican Church Grammar School).

Douglas Phillipson (NSW Waratahs, Barker College), Jack Preston (ACT Brumbies, Queanbeyan Whites Rugby Club), Dane Sawers (Western Force, Kalamunda Districts RUC), Leafi Talataiina (Melbourne Rebels, Endeavour Hills RUC), Savelio Tamale (NSW Waratahs, St Paul’s Catholic College), Hadley Tonga (NSW Waratahs, The King’s School), Jaydon Viliamu (NSW Waratahs, Newington College)

Originally published as Australian schools & U18 rugby team win big against Barbarians, stars, standouts, scorers