Rugby crystal ball! Teens tipped to be future Wallabies, U16s, U19s Super Rugby stars, game changers
So who are our future Wallabies? We’ve asked the experts and they’ve come up with a 50 plus list of game changers, speedsters, try sensations to watch out for - and they are all teenagers
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It’s where new talent emerges, players blossom and precociously talented teenagers get a real taste of what it will take to be a star of the game.
The Super Rugby U16 and U19 series kicks off this week with the series a pathway to success for young stars of rugby, helping unearth and target our next Wallabies, Junior Wallabies and Super Rugby stars of the future
It’s also a showcase for the best teenage talent in the country to show their wares – not just to coaches and selectors but also fans of the game.
And if these teenagers continue to grow and improve as expected, there’s an exciting future for the sport
We’ve gone to the top rugby academies in the country to compile a list of players to watch in the series and the young guns they believe are on the right trajectory to play for their state, country or both in the future.
With the assistance and input of their Academies, coaches, pathway managers, high performance teams and talent identifiers, we have compiled a select but oh so sweet list of the players expected to be turning heads, producing breakout performances, garnering interest and attracting new fans to the game in the 2024 Super Rugby series – and potential, down the track, for Australia on the international stage.
Check out the list below.
NSW WARATAHS TEEN STARS OF THE FUTURE
U16s to watch
Kden Carter: Described as a “super quick, freakishly fleet-footed full back”, Carter is likely to tear teams apart on counter attack. He has been outstanding in every game he played in 2024, especially for the Snappers and Country Rugby. The Waratahs warn “kick to him at your own risk’’.
Justice Taumoepeau: Big talent with a famous name. A returning U16 Waratah who has also played for the Waratahs U18’s. A big ball carrying back rower with an outstanding off load who is very efficient at all elements of the game. Has been plenty tipping a big future for this teen.
Tahj Smith: A backrower from the Barker school in Sydneey who can play second row. This teenager has an amazing work rate and the skills to go with it. He also has an old head on his shoulders at lineout time.
Hamish Bull: Waratahs tall timber hailing from the Wagga Crows. This 2m plus country lad attends The Scots College and has had an outstanding season dominating lineouts across all areas of U16 rugby. He has silky skills and heart to go with it and the Waratahs say they “expect a bit tournament from Hamish’’.
Jarryd King: In a team that has plenty of speed and skill Newington student King is a shining light of players who focus on playing rugby union. The Waratahs said his ability to play wing, full back or even centre mean we will see a lot of his graceful running in the 2024 tournament.
U19’s to watch
Austin Durbidge: Kings old boy who announced himself as a player with plenty of potential when he made the made the Australian U18 team last year and then the Australian U20’s at 19. Has outstanding ball skills and ability to turn over the opposition. Very competitive and a huge talent for the future.
Eamon Doyle: A former Woonona Shamrock’s player who has been turning plenty of heads in 2024 on his comeback from a serious knee injury at the start of 2023. He’s a 196cm, 110kg big ball carrying back rower hailing from the South Coast now playing for Sydney Uni.
Kaleb Ah-Colt: A Cranbrook graduate who has also suffered a string of injuries but is rated by the Waratahs as “easily one of the hardest working academy players”. He had an outstanding end to has season with the Randwick colts and is being touted as a player to watch closely.
Sid Harvey: Country rugby gun originally from Narrabri who scored an extraordinary 33 points for Eastern Suburbs colts in their recent grand final. A former junior County captain in fixtures against City, his is quick and evasive and appears destined for the Australian U20’s in 2025. The Waratahs are expecting big things from him.
Brendan Palmer: The Waratahs are looking forward to seeing Brendan Palmer in blue after a number of outstanding games for the Newcastle Wildfires in Shute Shield. Uses his blinding speed to score good tries.
Will Goddard: A scrum master at the age of 19, Goddard is an exciting prospect who again spent a lot of the 2024 season playing 1st grade for Sydney University in the Shute Shield and is expected to turn heads in the U19 Super Rugby competition. Received a late call-up to the Australian U20s last year.
ACT BRUMBIES TEEN STARS OF THE FUTURE
U16s to watch
Isaiah Cornforth: A centre from Marist College whose father Tim was an ACT rep. Cornforth is seen as a player of the future for rugby, very athletic “and a good style of player and person’’. “His defence is sound, he has a bit of vision, he will run a hole but sets up support well,” said Andrew Clark, Head of Pathways.
Thomas Jensen: A fullback/centre also from Marist College and with the Brumbies Academy. He also has a strong family connection to the game with an older brother on the Brumbies books in the past in Matias Jensen who won a Shute Shield grand final with Randwick last year. “A gifted footy player with a bit of smarts,” said Clarke.
Aidan Wunsch: A fullback/fly half from Daramalan College on the comeback from a hand injury who has shown great pre-season form with an outstanding local performance in his grand final. He has talent, good handling skills and shows plenty of promise and is “lightning on his feet, a smart player and humble. Very exciting.”
James Martens. A hooker from St Edmunds College which has produced seven members of the 2024 Brumbies U16s squad for the Super Rugby tournament. A promising talent with great size. “We need front rowers. Could be handy further down the track,” Clarke said.
U19s to watch
Shane Wilcox is a fullback/wing from the famous Tuggeranong Vikings club attracting plenty of attention. Has been the Junior Wallabies U20 fullback and while he has developed through the Brumbies pathway he has also dabbled in league along the way. Spent time with the Brumbies open squad this season and has great footwork and a strong kick. “He’s a bit of an all-rounder but his strength is how elusive his running is,’’ said coach Dan Hopper.
Silas Pilot: Plays on the wing for the Tuggeranong Vikings and has great scoring potential. Unknown to much of the rugby community but expected to make a real mark this year. The Brumbies are going he will jump out at selectors looking to mould a new U20s team. Has speed and ability to run and a very elusive winger originally from Adelaide.
Johnathan Ryan is a backrower also from the Tuggeranong Vikings but originally from Knox. Playing Canberra club rugby and a very exciting player who is fast, a powerful runner and tough. Was behind Austin Durbidge in Sydney and sees this as an opportunity to get big and meaningful minutes. Hopper said he should be in the mix for the U20s and while quick, has an all-round toughness.
Malachi Enasio: A talented centre who plays for the Gungahlin Vikings but played at Knox and moved to the ACT a year ago for opportunity on a development contract with the Brumbies. An intelligent footballer and a big expected to feature for the Brumbies.
Samson Tuqiri: The surname will be familiar as he is the son of cross code star Lote. Has joined the Brumbies from the Queensland Reds Academy and while he’s tall, is not as bulky as his father. But he is very quick.
Finn Baxter: Another son of a gun. His father is Al Baxter who played more than 50 Tests for his country as prop. Plays club rugby for Sydney Uni but come to Canberra for the Brumbies front row. “A prop like his old man and very good,’’ said his coach.
QUEENSLAND REDS TEEN STARS OF THE FUTURE
U19S to watch
Trevor King: Already well know after two years in Australian U20s and a tryscorer in Souths loss to University of Queensland in a recent minor semi-final. One of the most exciting forwards of the U20 World Cup and a big man at 194cm and 120-130 kilo. A former Downlands College Toowoomba student who his coaches describe as “special’’.
“He played premier grade tight head last year as an 18-year-old. I don’t know any other kid who has done that. It’s such a specialist position. He is special. You can’t describe him any other way,’’ said coach Dale Roberson
Charlie Brosnan: A lock whose appearance in the Super Rugby competition will be his first since dislocating his hip playing for Brothers against Randwick at the Australian Club Championship. A tall backrower, strong, a powerful ball runner and a good defender.
Tom Robinson: A blindside flanker and another son of a gun with Wallaby Brett Robinson his father. He’s still under 18 and recently made the Australian development team. He’s in the Reds Academy and played colts and second grade at a young age. A backrower who has a good all around game, a line-up jumper, ball runner, tackler and very smart with good leadership. The Reds rate him “an all-round package already’’.
Daniel Malum: A pacy and elusive winger out of Brisbane Boys College. Has the ability to score long range tries with has exceptional speed. Very good under the high ball. The coaches rate him a “bit of an X-factor player” and “very opportunistic’’.
John Grenfell: A hooker still at Nudgee College but originally hails from the Northern Territory. Has made the Australian development team and is tough with a very good running game.
James Martens: A very good halfback whose father players for South Africa in the same position. Plays for Wests in Brisbane and the Hospital Cup. Big, very good ball runner and a running threat as a halfback.
U16S to watch
Jack Calleja: The big lock is a big talent who played in the recent Emerging Reds Cup. The 16-year-old hails from Innisfail and played in a regional team in his first ERC. He’s played for South-East Queensland in two events since coming to Ipswich Grammar as a boarder. The 2m lock is a lineout winner with a clever off-loading game.
Dylan Terblanche: A classy winger-fullback from The Southport School. The Reds said his natural pace comes with good footwork to beat a man and an unselfish attitude to put away his supports.
Rupeni Baravilala: A skilful and powerful lock from Toowoomba Grammar School. The Hervey Bay teen was spotted playing for Central Queensland at a country carnival in Toowoomba. He’s been a boarder at TGS since the beginning of last year and is already 112kg.
Pierre Poluleuligaga Skilful inside centre who runs smart, strong lines in attack. A rising talent at Nudgee College who plays at Brothers Rugby club.
Agapetos Lote-Felo: Strong ball carrier from No. 8 and a standout at the recent Buildcorp Emerging Reds Cup where he was named Best Forward at Under-16s level. He’s Gold Coast-based and attends The Southport School.
Taione Taka: An athletic centre with thrust and good defensive nous. A Sunshine Coast product who is a boarder at Brisbane Boys’ College where he played First XV rugby this year.
VICTORIAN TEEN STARS OF THE FUTURE
U16s to watch
Cire-James Tom: An experienced back rower involved in the 2023 Rebels U16 squad when just 15. He has had a successful season playing for the Scotch College 1st XV and will be an asset for Victoria defensively and with ball in hand.
Lewis Brinkworth: Another player in his second year with the Rebels U16s. Lewis was a key part of the Wyndham Rhinos who won the Victorian club competition and brings size and power to the scrum and physicality around the park.
Noah Jury: Part of the Brighton Grammar 1st XV that won the 2024 competition and his brother Jackson is also in the U19s. Jury will drive Victoria around the park from his position as No9. No10 and use his skillset to shift the ball to weapons out wide.
Samson Tuaine: A strong ball carrying centre who has skills to distribute and get the ball to space. He’s looking to build on a dominant performance with The Grange P-12 College after winning the Rebels shield (state schools comp).
Eitini Samasoni is a “bit of a wildcard”. Still in the U15s he has proven himself an exciting young prospect through his involvement in the Rugby Victoria U15 state team. He uses footwork and pace from the wing or fullback to beat players one-on-one.
U19s to watch:
Wyatt Ballinger: Was in the Australian U18 squad last year and contracted to the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby side. He has played his club rugby for Randwick in NSW and is looking forward to returning home to Melbourne to represent the region.
Xander Iosefo: A physical back row/second row in his second year in the Rebels U19 team after a strong club season with University of Queensland.
Paul Aiolupotea: Has had a successful club season, winning the first grade Dewar Shield with Power House Rugby Club. A hard working tight head prop who will lead from the front with his physicality and work rate.
Jimmy Thompson: A talented halfback from the UK who is joining the Rebels U19s after playing for West Harbour in the Sydney club rugby competition. Drives the energy and fast paced style of play.
Jackson Jury: Made the ASRU U18 schoolboys team this season. A talented No 10, No 12, he will add his speed and footwork to the Victorian backline.
WESTERN FORCE TEEN STARS OF THE FUTURE
U16 players to watch
Dozion Laupama: A local loose head prop who played hooker in the 16s last year. Off field he is an “awesome person” according to Force who sets a high standard for himself and his teammates. As a plater his physicality has stepped up and h has developed a good shape.
Bareek Kleine-Deters Aussage: A tight head lock and one of the younger members of the side who is playing up thanks to his talent. This youngster is big and “super intelligent” when it comes to rugby. Force like his soft skills and he has a good pass before contact and footwork. Also “does the things a lock should be able to do, like hight balls’’ according to his coach. “He’s quite a caring person and super positive. The boys look up to him for leadership.’’
Leeson Tiakia: A 15-year-old prop who is the biggest hitter in the game and likes a breakdown. Brings the humour and handles collisions. The enforcer of the squad said coach Gavin Laycock.
Fatani Fatanitavake: Being looked at as a No. 12. Has great skills. “It’s like he has the ball on a string’. Has a super high rugby IQ a massive work ethic and is always doing the extras post training. Not cocky but very confident in his own ability and skill level.
Chase Bunce: The nephew of former All Black Frank Bunce. Was in the group last year as the youngest player in the squad at 13. Is a big body who runs hard. A confidence player who has turned into one of the leaders of the group. An outside centre and dangerous. “His ability to play after contact is about the best in the team.’’
MORE RUGBY
U19s to watch
Boston Fakafanua: An Australian U20s rep who played 2nd grade for Sydney Uni then joined the Force Academy this year. Level headed and a talented football with a huge potential in the game. Will be in the mid field at 12 or 13 and has a great understanding of the game. He will directs around the field. Coaches like his catch pass, ball carrying and strong, abrasive defence.
Zak Griffiths: A Southern Lions junior who has played Premier Grade this year. A back-rower who has come through the WA re system. A loose forward “who plays like a No. 8” according to his coaches. “A tough kid, ball carries great, tackles strongly and won’t shy away from contact,’’ said U19 head coach Jeremy Thrush
Josiah Marks: A Joondalup Brothers product. A lock and a solid player. Played up a year in the U19s in 2023 an a work horse who played 80 minutes in all of his games. Gets through the dirty work that others don’t see to “let the superstars of the group do their work.’’
Peni Naqau,: Played U16s last year and selected in Australian U18s. Moved into the Force Academy this year. A centre with an “unreal skill set, catch pass, beautiful hands and very quick. From the Southern Lions and a local talent.
Tamarangi Tunui: In the mix to be starting scrum-half. Played in the U16s last year. A Wanneroo local who is an abrasive halfback. Big, still working in his craft but likes to have a run with the ball and isn't afraid to pilfer. aid to get a pilfer.
Finn Prass: Academy talent, a regular for Brothers this year and a quality fullback.
Played two games for Force last year. Has silky skills. “His point of difference is he looks like he has a lot of time on the ball’. Great kicking game and a really good boot,
2024 Super Rugby U16s and U19s match schedule
Round 1, September 29
Brumbies v Force, Viking Park ACT, U16s 12.05pm, U19s 2.05pm
Waratahs v Rebels, Leichhardt Oval NSW, U16s 11.35am, U19s 1.35pm
Round 2. October 5
Rebels v Force, Harlequin Rugby Club VIC, U16s 11.35am, U19s 1.35pm
Brumbies v Reds, Viking Park ACT, U16s 11.05am, U19s 1.05pm
Round 3, October 12
Rebels v Brumbies, Harlequin Rugby Club VIC, U16s 11.05am, U19s 1.05pm
October 13
Reds v Waratahs, Ballymore Stadium QLD, U16s 12.05pm, U19s 2.05pm
Round 4, October 19
Waratahs v Brumbies, Warringah Rugby Club NSW, U16s 1.05pm, U19s 3.05pm
20 October
Force v Reds, Revo Fitness Stadium WA, U16s 11.05am, U19s 1.05pm
Round 5, October 26
Reds v Rebels, Ballymore QLD, U16s 12.35pm, U19s 2.35pm
27 October
Force v Waratahs, Revo Fitness Stadium WA, U16s 9.05am, U19s 11.05am
Grand Finals, November 3, Ballymore Stadium
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