After months of debate we are finally ready to reveal our World Under 18 XV for 2023.
15) JC Mars (Paarl Boys, South Africa)
Paarl Boys certainly performed below expectation this year but JC Mars was one of their shining lights. Already as a rookie his potential was there for all to see but few could have predicted his meteoric rise this year.
Searing pace, quick feet and an unbelievable ability to open opposition defenses Mars showcased his talents against a strong England Under 18 team this year showing his class in inspiring the team to a win against the odds. Another hot stepper and perhaps an heir to the Cheslin Kolbe throne?
14) Hadley Tonga (Kings Paramatta, Australia)
There is often talk of wingers with pace, there are plenty out there but then there is Hadley Tonga who as a Year 12 ran the 100m in a staggering 10.84 second in the rain.
He is no slouch on defense either putting in some bone crunching tackles and his reading of the game shows his maturity is beyond his years. Good news for rugby fans is he has turned down a move to the NRL and decided to pursue a career in Union.
13) Caelys Putoko (Hamilton Boys, New Zealand)
Putoko has the ability to play both on the wing and as a centre, this versatility has proven to be an invaluable asset to Hamilton Boys who despite winning yet another Super 8 title fell short on the national stage.
Selected in Year 12 and 13 for the New Zealand Under 18 team showcases just how talented Putoko is and we look forward to seeing him continue his development.
12) Boston Fakafonua (Kings Parramatta, Australia)
Many have called Boston one of the best centre prospects to come out of Australia in many years and it is no shock to see why. His speed off the mark makes him especially dangerous and this coupled with his power and ability to dominate in the tackle make him the total package.
But perhaps one of the most impressive aspects of his game is his offloading and handling ability, we see him as a very similar player to Sonny Bill Williams and while we have no knowledge of his immediate plans we do hope he is not lost to Union as he could become a key player for Australia in the future.
11) Johan Wasserman (Nevers, France)
Wasserman’s performances for France in the U18 Six Nations Festival had people in both hemipsheres chattering. France realised they had a sublime talent on their hands, while in South Africa there was a realisation that he could turn his senior attention their way, his father is South African and played for the Bulls before moving to Montpellier, hence Wasserman’s French selection.
He is more than just a dual-qualified player though, he is an outstanding prospect. He has incredible pace and a good footballing brain as well, one on one few will get the better of him – on either side of the ball.
10) Ollie Davies (Kirkham Grammar, England)
As an U17 Ollie Davies was already creating waves, helping Kirkham Grammar School to the Sedbergh 10s title and playing in the centres for England U18 in the U18 Six Nations Festival in a series of wonderful performances. Through the summer he was handed the reigns at 10 for England U18 by Jonathan Pendlebury during the tour of South Africa, where the pace and width of his passing game had pundits purring.
However while the thrilling excitement of his play has impressed all observers, the real sign of his continued development could be seen in the final of the 2023 St Joseph’s Festival, where his game-management in the final put his Kirkham Grammar School side in position to seal a dramatic late victory, and his boot was the tool through which they did it as he nailed a drop goal at the death for the title. The increasing maturity of his play, allied to his thrilling abilities makes him a hugely exciting prospect.
9) Archie McParland (Stowe School, England)
Within months of leaving school McParland was already getting good game time for Northampton Saints, seizing upon the chance created by Alex Mitchell’s Rugby World Cup call up. He jumped at the opportunity and what has shone through is his ability to think his way through a game with such maturity, happy to boss the forwards and lead a backline in conjunction with another youngster, Finn Smith.
For one so young that is a huge achievement, and when added on top of such a wonderfully balanced set of attributes, from passing to running to kicking, it is little wonder that McParland observers taking real note. One to watch, without doubt.
8) Henry Pollock (Stowe School, England)
It says an awful lot about Pollock that despite being an openside we simply had to find a space for him in this team. As a schoolboy he was given senior experience by Northampton Saints and since turning pro he has been given more and more, despite playing in such an abrasive position at such a young age.
Pollock is fast, incredibly fast, a breakdown specialist, and has an eye for the try line that few can match. He has now started to add size to that package, a fact that players the world over will be quaking in their boots upon hearing. It will not be long before he becomes a regular starter for Northampton Saints.
7) Oli Mathis (Hamilton Boys, New Zealand)
Mathis is one of the most impressive young loose forward talents on the planet right now, high praise for sure but watch any game this youngster has played and you will see a consistent performer who is a born leader and plays with the heart of a lion.
His physicality is a sight to behold, his strength in the breakdown and ability to inspire his teammates makes him a cut above the rest and a massive future awaits this young star.
6) Divan Fuller (Paarl Boys, South Africa)
The bone crusher has been known to audiences since his under 14 tackle went viral and he hasn’t stopped since then.
Although his season was disrupted by injury and Paarl Boys as mentioned did not perform to expectation when Fuller was fit and playing he took the team up a level. Fuller doesn’t tackle, he destroys and once a player has been tackled by Divan Fuller they know it. Named our number one prospect for good reason remember the name because it is going to be one that will long be remembered.
5) Sione Latu (Scots College, New Zealand)
A physical specimen, Latu absolutely dominated in the Wellington Premiership this year making his presence known and easily being the best lock in the competition and New Zealand this year.
Possessing a high work rate, excellent in the lineout and being a key player in an impressive Scots team we certainly are expecting big things from him in the future.
4) Jaco Grobbelaar (Fichardtpark, South Africa)
We named Grobbelaar one of our 100 to watch this year, we knew he was an absolute unit in terms of size and strength but even we could not have predicted his rise this year.
Grobbelaar comes from an unfashionable school with respect to Fichardtpark and from our understanding received numerous offers from around the country but stayed loyal to his school truly revealing this is not only an outstanding player but one who has tremendous character as well.
He will go onto achieve big things in the game, you read it here first!
3) Jean Erasmus (Grey College, South Africa)
Grey College enjoyed yet another unbeaten season and one of the unsung heroes as most props are was Jean Erasmus.
A powerful scrummer yes, but the pace this young man has as a prop is something else. He is an extremely hard worker and his carries entertained crowds throughout South Africa, his performances earned him a national callup which was well deserved.
2) Kepu Tuipolotu (Harrow, England)
Tuipulotu is already a name known the world over after sensational performances for Harrow, London Irish (now London South Central Academy), and England U18. A ball carrier of immense power and no little pace, he is also a great all-round player and a menace at the breakdown as well. Perhaps more important than any of that though, Kepueli is a tremendous character, captain of Harrow and of England U18 and a young man that genuinely wants to see those around him succeed as well.
Perhaps the biggest sign of his quality is that he has been used across hooker, number 8, and in the centres in his school career, such is the roundness of his skillset. Without doubt, one of the most highly rated U18s in the world.
1) Macarius Pereira (Nudgee College, Australia)
Nudgee enjoyed yet another successful season and key to that was the performances of Pereira. He has been part of the Nudgee 1st XV for 3 years, a rare feat especially for a prop and this year he showed he has no equal in Australia when it came to the loosehead position.
Just how highly rated is he? He has already been named in a 45 man training squad for the Australian Under 20 team, the fact we will continue to see this young man continue his career in Union is a major coup for rugby Australia and we cannot wait to see how his career progresses from here.
BENCH
16) Eli Oudenryn (Palmerston North, New Zealand)
17) Tamiano Ahloo (Sacred Heart, New Zealand)
18) Edouard-Junior Jabea Njocke (Massey, France)
19) JJ Theron (Grey College, South Africa)
20) Ellyjah Ibsaiene (CABBG, France)
21) Haashim Pead (Bishops, South Africa)
22) Josh Bellamy (Trinity, England)
23) Ben Redshaw (Sedbergh School, England)
