Standout players to watch at Australian national junior rugby union championships 2025
They are the rising stars ready to make a name for themselves at the Australian junior rugby championships. Discover the players to watch from the girls and boys under-18s and under-16s divisions.
Sunshine Coast
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The Australian Junior Rugby Championships are officially underway on the Sunshine Coast with a number of standout players making their mark in the U18s Boys division on day one.
With the U18 girls, U16 boys and U16 girls all starting on Wednesday we’ve tracked down which players from across the country are ones of keep a close eye on.
U18 GIRLS
NSW COUNTRY
Maia Madden-Khan
A mercurial back 3 runner with pace to burn.
Has really come into her own in confidence and game play since spending time with the Wildfires this season.
Able to launch from anywhere on the field, given space will be hard to run down.
Mathilda Thompson
Hailing from Inverell, this rugged flanker is a pilfering nightmare for the opposition.
Her prowess over the ruck was on full display for Central North at the State Champs and she will be looking to continue that pesky play at the next level.
Lily Grieve
Will take on a leader’s role in the middle of the paddock this campaign with a move to hooker.
She’s an energetic and dynamic game changer with all the skills of a 10 or 12 and the hardiness and willingness of a front rower.
Look for her strong carries, uncompromising defence and unpredictability.
Ruby Flanders
Is growing comfortably into a general by directing traffic.
Since finding her voice Ruby has transformed her game into one calm and clear management.
She brings crisp decision making and a strong tactical awareness ensures the team stays on the game plan, even when under pressure.
The Coffs Harbour Snappers and Hunter Wildfires have both benefited from the advances in Ruby’s game.
Abby Osborne
Out of the Central West, Osborne will be looking to dominate the hard spaces.
She brings technique and strength to the second row, her power running and body on the line defence will play a big part in the game.
Robust and tough, she will lead from the front.
Scarlett Slade
Another player that is also showing some real form heading into the tournament.
A deft runner in the wide channels she harnesses her formidable 7s talents to probe for space and opportunity.
A wily breakdown pest and safe pair of hands make her a threat on her favoured edge position.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Ashley Johns
A dangerous triple-threat midfielder from Onkaparinga.
Johns can beat a defender with pace, footwork and strength.
SYDNEY JUNIORS
Ella Walker
A gritty, hard running No. 8 or Hooker, Walker guarantees metres every time she gets her hand on the ball.
A wall in defence, the Manly junior is a natural leader on the field.
Sydney Davis
A busy and dynamic halfback from Gordon, Davis has a snappy delivery, great vision and is always there.
Molly Adamson
Is arguably the hardest worker on the field.
Adamson, a Uni rising star, is a terror on the ball and thrives at being a major pest for the oppositions.
Jewel Faaui
Is a gifted centre that runs hard, straight lines that keeps the opposition in two minds.
She has a big left boot and is a joy to have in the Sydney Juniors side.
Lola Harvison
Harvison is a star in the making.
She’s tall, athletic and unforgiving with a hugely positive approach to the game and life.
Was captain of NSW U16 Girls in 2024.
BRISBANE CITY, QLD COUNTRY and WESTERN AUSTRALIA
All did not respond prior to the time of publishing
U16 BOYS
TASMANIA
Henry Stone
A versatile backrower with a broad skill set across the park and at lineout time.
Will be 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
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
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.
BRISBANE CITY and QLD COUNTRY
Both did not respond prior to the time of publishing
U16 GIRLS
NSW COUNTRY
Angel Ngungutau
An exceptional back who plays her rugby on the Central Coast of NSW. This is her final year in the age group and she is playing with such confidence and maturity. Her game awareness and communication is outstanding and she is a real leader on the field.
Poppi Flanders
An exciting back who plays her rugby on the Mid North Coast, her organisation of the team is excellent.
She connects so well with her forwards as well as her inside and outside backs.
Her game awareness is what will make her stand out and her decision making is such a large strength to have.
Zoe Smith
A talented openside flanker who plays for Hunter, her work rate off the football is excellent, but her communication and organisation of her teammates is outstanding.
She is a great defender and loves a pilfer, but watch for her in attack this tournament.
Ruby Seitula
A dynamic forward who represents Illawarra, this is her third NSW Country representative jersey.
Her attack and set piece is outstanding but her defensive work rate is what will separate her from her opposition.
She is excellent on both sides of the ball and a real threat at this competition.
Ruby Brochtrup
Winger, who also plays rugby for Hunter, Ruby’s footwork in open space is electrifying, but her finishing ability is her key strength.
She is so dynamic with the ball in hand, and will dominate her competition.
Jessica Boreham-Cole and Isabella Newtown
Locks, who both represented the Central Coast. They are both individually outstanding players, but together they are exceptional. Their defensive work rate is so high, but their attack carries is what will set them apart from their competition. They are so dominant together, it’ll be great to watch them play in QLD.
Emma McCrae and Rylee Cash
Backs, who play their rugby in the Hunter and on the Central Coast respectively. Both are very experienced campaigners, whose core skills are outstanding. Their game knowledge and spatial awareness is what will make us very competitive at the tournament.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Jet Verwey
A livewire halfback from the Burnside club, Verwey loves to show off her slick passing skills and strong running game. Don’t take your eyes off her from the back of the ruck.
SYDNEY JUNIORS
Darci Turinui
A sports a famous rugby name and the daughter of top player Morgan Turinui.
She is a winger who has more speed than she needs.
Athletic and will turn heads.
Poppy Whitaker
Another daughter of a gun with father Chris now the Australia U20 men’s coach.
Whitaker is the teammate of Tuirnui at the famous Randwick club where she is a halfback playing her second year.
She can play centre or on the wing.
Tarnaya Smith
Another returning talent for city from Penrith in Sydney’s west, Smith was in the U14s last year.
She’s a Waratahs Junior academy player for their 15-a-side and a very talented fullback.
Scarlett Mitchell
Mobile with good agility and very enthusiastic.
She has great character on the field and is great at hyping her teammates up.
Hails from Manly on Sydney’s northern beaches.
BRISBANE CITY, QLD COUNTRY and COMBINED
All did not respond prior to the time of publishing
EARLIER
They are the players that are waiting in the wings or have even been overlooked by their school representative state sides which has only added more fuel to the fire for players at the Australian national junior championships.
In a massive week-long extravaganza on the Sunshine Coast starting Monday, the well-established Australian schoolboys and schoolgirls championship will be run concurrently with an Australian national championships for the first time.
The National Junior Championships, which in the past have been run predominantly for non Super Rugby junior teams, will soloy focus on the XV a side format.
Heavyweights Queensland and New South Wales will be represented by two city and country teams except for the under-18 boys who will field an Associated Schools team for Queensland and a New South Wales barbarians side.’
Just one player from the TAS competition has been selected in their respective state team with Oliver Rauchle from St Paul’s running out for the Queensland White Maroon.
Often regarded as the third tier of Queensland Association School Competitions, sitting behind Greater Public Schools (GPS) and Associated independent Colleges (AIC), the TAS representative side will be made up of students from Canterbury College, Cannon Hill Anglican College, John Paul College, Saint Columban’s College, West Moreton Anglican College, Ormiston College, St Paul’s School and St John’s Anglican College.
At the conclusion of the 2025 TAS First XV season, which was won for the third straight year by St Columban’s College, players were invited into an original 42-man training squad that has since been cut down to 25.
Led by head coach Mosiah Christian, who helped his St Columban’s side continue their three year unbeaten streak, he said his squad couldn’t be more eager to show what they can do.
“It’s a different dynamic but the players have come together really well and they have a lot to prove,” he said.
“They boys aren’t taking this opportunity for granted, out of the 60 odd years that TAS has been going for, this is the year or age group that’s been given a chance to compete against the country’s best players and a chance to shift the culture.”
The under-18s boys will get their tournament underway on Monday followed by the U18 girls, U16 girls and U16 boys on Wednesday
All games will be played at the Sunshine Coast Stadium with the tournament concluding with finals matches on Thursday, July 10.
Ahead of all the action here are some players that will no doubt demand plenty of eyeballs.
“Just carrying that TAS name, it doesn’t have the best reputation in comparison to the other high level school competitions so for them to have their chance at this national tournament is a real shot for them to make a name for themselves.
“We’ve already seen so much hunger, a lot of physicality, speed and excitement from the boys as they know they can prove people wrong.
U18 Boys
THE ASSOCIATED SCHOOLS (QLD)
1. Rohan Mendis-Galpin (Canterbury)
2. Ashton Snell (Ormiston)
3. Harry Dean (STC)
4. Max Newton (Canterbury)
5. Nate Levitt (JPC)
6. Ma’afu Takai (Canterbury)
7. Lachlan North (STC)
8. Urich Torkington (STC)
9. Lebron Tusitala (Canterbury)
10. Charley Ogden (STC)
11. Dom Filipo (STC)
12. Akeli Filipo (STC)
13. Eddie Welgemoed (Ormiston)
14. Angus Toovey (St Paul’s)
15. Josh Forsyth (STC)
16. Noah Drahm (STC)
17. Charlie Pickering (WMAC)
18. Tama Metheven (Ormiston)
19. Charlie Gardner (CHAC)
20. Sitaleki Tafa (Canterbury)
21. Leo Price (JPC)
22. Oliver Sampson (STC)
23. Kahlis Southon (Canterbury)
24. Jack Brown (STC)
25. Luke Harvey (STC)
CHARLEY OGDEN: Has starred for St Columban’s premiership winning side for the past two years and will be ready to continue his impressive run of form and confidence. With a rugby league background, Ogden is a talented fly half that 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 that 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 that can cover off numerous positions, Takai’s versatility will be key for his side. He is dynamic on both sides of the ball and arguably plays his best footy at 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.
NSWJRU Barbarians
1. David-Lavondre Bloomfield / Sydney University
2. Akylious Keti / Eastwood
3. Julian Tongia / Eastwood
4. Kai McDermott / Randwick
5. Gary Roberts / Eastwood
6. Nicholas Bett / Southern Country
7. Charlie Tanner / Randwick
8. Alex Futialo / Eastwood
9. Oliver Dart / Hunter
10. Jamie Grant / Central North
11. Zach Seckold / Two Blues
12. Felipe Huahulu / Eastwood
13. Etonia Kamotu / Sydney University
14. Corbin Devaney / Central Coast
15. Eli Fuller / Southern Country
16. Luke Jones / Mid North Coast
17. Cameron Vandergoot / West Harbour
18. Cy Preketes / Sydney University
19. Lisitoa Paea / Gordon
20. Lupeni Tonga / West Harbour
21. Harry Beckett / Sydney University
22. Coleman Robati / Warringah
23. Saxon Gaw / Randwick
NICHOLAS BETT: From Southern country and Temora. Bett is a lock who has great leadership potential. Comes in as a bit of a dark horse according to his coaches due to a lack of representative experience but is an exciting prospect.
CHARLIE TANNER: A great talent who was unlucky not to make a schools team. Had 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 will be 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 that creates opportunities at centre and will be looking to continue his impressive recent form.
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. His coach is keen to see him bring this form to the national junior 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.
VICTORIA (U17s)
In no particular order.
Baylee Kinash
Faiva Hehea
Cooper Brown
David Tuulakitau
Deante Kairua
Dylan Kostovski
Gregor Pickford
Isileli Otunuku
Jayden Mataio-Pokino
Jeremiah Niupulusu
Faf Krueger
Jordon Ngatoko
Joshua Tufuga Fatu
Malachi Toleafoa
Otto Wolfgramm
Patron Teariki
Phoenix Monteiro-Sua
Pj Anitelea
Rahzel Palemene
Saofai Malupeaua Fuimaono
Sidney Ng
Simona Lafulafu
Taiki Loffley
Taunifila Taufa
Vaiolini Petelo Taukatelata
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 squad. He has left school early and, in a big commitment, comes to training before starting his night shifts during the week. Will be full of grit.
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.
TASMANIA
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 phased 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.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Team list to be confirmed.
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.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Team list to be confirmed.
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.
Originally published as Standout players to watch at Australian national junior rugby union championships 2025
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