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Next-gen to ‘pull on the gold jersey’ after landmark U16 announcement
By Finn Morton
Following the end of the Super Rugby U16 Championship last weekend, Rugby Australia has announced an Australian squad that will see the nation’s brightest up-and-coming rugby talent “pull on the gold jersey.”
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National Pathways Manager, Nic Henderson, and Head Coach Tim Rapp have selected a squad of 25 players who will take on a Pacific All Stars side on December 12 at the Australian Institute of Sport’s rugby field.
With the junior Super Rugby competitions proving to be a success in their inaugural seasons, with the Waratahs and Brumbies claiming titles, this Australia U16 side is another opportunity to showcase the future of Australian rugby.
“We’ve picked an extremely talented squad out of the Super Rugby U16s Championship that will come into camp on December 8 at the AIS,” Rugby Australia’s National Pathways Manager, Nic Henderson, said in a statement.
“Starting with the upcoming game against the Pacific All Stars, this will be the first of many opportunities for these young men to pull on a gold jersey and represent their country.
“It’s exciting to think there are players in this squad that could be our Wallabies at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, and we’re looking forward to harnessing and encouraging that talent.”
The team will be coached by the renowned trio of Tim Rapp, Cam Blaes and Ryan Schultz. This squad will assemble at the AIS on December 8 before facing the Pacific All Stars.
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Australia U16 2023 squad:
Forwards
Bennett Armistead (Reds)
Berakah Tuifaasisina (Reds)
Daryus Sione (Waratahs)
Ed Baxter (Waratahs)
James Finegan (Waratahs)
Jarvis Orr (Waratahs)
Justice Taumoepeau (Waratahs)
Kiama Jione (Reds)
Kingsley Uys (Reds)
Lewis Wilson (Waratahs)
Liam Robinson (Reds)
Marcus Mastro (Waratahs)
Louis Treacy (Rebels)
Will Ross (Reds)
Backs
Angus Grover (Waratahs)
Cameron Kirsten (Brumbies)
Denzel Veikune (Brumbies)
Finn McKay (Reds)
Heamasi Makasini (Waratahs)
Liam Collett (Brumbies)
Onitoni Large (Waratahs)
Peni Naqau (Force)
Rex Bassingthwaighte (Waratahs)
Tom Hartman (Waratahs)
Treyvon Pritchard (Reds)
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The weather was dreadful but the playing surface was great so there is no real excuse for such another poor standard of play from both sides. Dragons just the better team. But, what a shocking decision by the TMO not to award the Fifita try. This pretty much sums up Welsh rugby with poor teams and poor officials. The WRU have a lot of work to do and it needs to be done quickly to avoid rugby being lost to our future generations.
Go to commentsNo chance of Borthwick selecting any young talent. He announced his selection policy from the outset with naming a poor OF as Captain, retaining an equally poor Youngs and Vunipola brothers when there were many better EQP in the Premiership. SB revival of Leicester was based on SA muscle and a terrific Welsh flanker he has generally ignored young English talent.
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