U23 Men’s Junior World Cup 2023: Australia names Burras squad packed with Hockey One talent, led by Kookaburras international Craig Marais

A NSW teenager who is yet to finish his HSC studies has been chosen in Australia’s under-23 World Cup squad in a sign he has been earmarked as a future international star of the sport.

The Aussie U23 World Cup squad is packed with young talent from all over Australia.

Craig Marais is the lone member of the Australian U23 Junior World Cup squad that has already been capped for the senior squad, his experience at the highest level making him the perfect candidate to lead the fledgling Burras.

The 21-year-old boasts 14 appearances for the Kookaburras and is mindful of bringing his junior teammates, who will be part of the green and gold’s next generation, along for the ride in Malaysia, viewing his leadership role as one of providing comfort and safety to a group stacked with high-level talent plucked from all over the national Hockey One League.

“I’ve been fortunate to be able to captain some state sides and some junior Australian teams,” Marais, who represents Hockey Club Melbourne, said.

Australian U23 captain Craig Marais in action for the Kookaburras.

“I try to get the best out of people (and) make the group feel comfortable working with each other.

“If everyone feels like they are in a safe place they are going to play to their potential.”

While 21-year-old Marais has rubbed shoulders with the likes of Aussie stalwarts Eddie Ockenden and Blake Govers on the biggest stage, teenage wunderkind Toby Mallon, 17, is still finishing his HSC studies as he cuts his teeth with the undefeated NSW Pride men’s squad.

Pride coach Brent Livermore said Mallon, player of the tournament at last year’s U18 National Championships, possessed skill and composure that belied his tender years.

“He was made part of the junior program in 2022 and, at 17, he has the potential to play in two junior World Cups,” Livermore said.

“He has amazing talent, and his maturity is well above his age in the sense of what he can do in the midfield (with) his composure under pressure and his fundamental skills.”

Toby Mallon, 17, is the youngest player in the Burras' squad. Pictured in action for the NSW U21 side.

Mallon missed the recent Sultan of Johor Cup, also in Malaysia, due to exams but the Burras return with some unfinished business, having stormed through to the final of the pre-World Cup tournament, before falling to Germany in a heartbreaking penalty shootout.

The squad boasts 15 players on Hockey One lists, including Sultan of Johor Cup second-leading scorer Cooper Burns, a teammate of Marais at HCM, and rising stars Noah Fahy (Brisbane Blaze) and Brodee Foster (Perth Thundersticks).

Temperatures in Malaysia can tip 35C and average 30C in December, Marais revealing the squad has used heat chambers in a bid to acclimatise to the scorching conditions.

Cooper Burns is a weapon for Hockey Club Melbourne and the Burras. Picture: Mark Avellino Photography

Noah Fahy is blazing a trail in Brisbane — and on the world junior stage.

Burras coach Jay Stacy, a legendary four-time Olympian who won silver in Barcelona (1992) has named a 20-man squad ahead of its first Junior World Cup game on December 5,

“I think we’ve got a really deep squad and we ticked a lot of boxes in each of the areas,” Stacy said.

“That’s why selection becomes difficult. We want to have that difficulty but we’re looking at the right balance to bring all of that together.

“They want to show you what they’ve got but we always reflect that it is a team-first attitude.

“We have a saying in the group that, whatever action you perform in the game, you’re trying to have the guy beside you have his best day.”

Originally published as U23 Men’s Junior World Cup 2023: Australia names Burras squad packed with Hockey One talent, led by Kookaburras international Craig Marais