Australia’s brightest young rugby talent will gather in Canberra later this month in preparation for two highly anticipated clashes against the New Zealand Barbarians and New Zealand Secondary Schools teams at the start of October.
Tickets for the 2024 Wallabies home games are now available for purchase.
Among the standout names is Zach Fittler, son of NRL legend Brad Fittler, who has been turning heads in the Waratahs system. Fittler played a key role in the NSW U16 team’s national championship win in 2022, and his promising performances have earned him a spot on the national stage.
Joining him is Heamasi Makaiani, a dual-code prospect whose impressive displays for Australia U16s last year have attracted attention from both rugby union and league scouts. The duo’s inclusion in the squad is a reward for their recent strong showings at school level.
“These young men are exceptional rugby players, and many have a range of options when it comes to their sporting careers,” said coach Shannon Fraser. “They’ve performed at a high level for their schools, and it’s a great opportunity for them to play for Australia and compete on New Zealand soil.”
Several others from Queensland’s school and club competitions have also been added to the squad, based on their outstanding recent performances.
One such player is Reds centre Frankie Goldsbrough, who has been making waves since being included in Queensland’s full-time Super Rugby Pacific squad earlier this year. After representing Australia U20s at the World Championships in South Africa, Goldsbrough is ready to step up as a leader in this U18 group.
“Frankie is an extraordinary talent who has been well-recognized by the Reds,” Fraser added. “His exposure to the Australian under-20s program and his premier-grade experience in Brisbane has prepared him well for this opportunity. We expect him to lead by example and showcase his depth of ability.”
The squad, currently made up of 40 players, will be trimmed to 26 before heading to New Zealand. Fraser is eager to see who will rise to the occasion.
“We’ve been building towards this since the Under-18 and Academy Games in February, and a lot of work has gone into selecting this group. It’s a competitive environment, and we believe the best will emerge to represent Australia.”
Australia U18 Development Squad:
- Angus Grover – St Ignatius College, Riverview
- Avery Thomson – GPS Rugby Club
- Bennett Armistead – Nudgee College
- Blaze Moana – The Southport School
- Charlie Poynton – Barker College
- Dylan Bretton – Wests Rugby Club
- Edwin Langi – Eastern Suburbs
- Eli Langi – Brisbane State High School
- Ewald Kruger – GPS Rugby Club
- Finn Mackay – St Laurence’s College
- Frankie Goldsbrough – Easts Rugby Club
- Hayden Lavercombe – Kings Parramatta
- Heamasi Makasini – Newington College
- Heinz Lemoto – The Scots College
- Isaac Fonua – Kings Parramatta
- Jacob Johnson – Nudgee College
- Jay McKenzie – The Scots College
- John Grenfell – Nudgee College
- Jonty Fowler – St Joseph’s College
- Josh Takai – Brothers Rugby Club
- Kingsley Uys – The Southport School
- Leo Jaques – The Scots College
- Lewis Wilson – St Augustine’s College
- Louis Fenwicke – Kings Parramatta
- Luca Cleverley – Newington College
- Marshall Le Maitre – The Shore School
- Nathaniel Thomas – Barker College
- Nick Conway – Nudgee College
- Nick Hill – Barker College
- Noah Rylands – St Augustine’s College
- Rex Bassingthwaite – The Shore School
- Sam Blank – St Augustine’s College
- TJ Talaileva – Barker College
- Toby Brial – The Scots College
- Tom Goldie – The Southport School
- Tom Hartman – St Ignatius College, Riverview
- Tom Howard – Marist College
- Tom Robinson – UQ Rugby Club
- Will Ross – Padua College
- Zach Fittler – The Scots College