Australia U18 head coach Shannon Fraser has announced his side to face the New Zealand Barbarians in Hamilton on Wednesday.
The match will serve as their lone hit out before they face their NZ Schools counterpart on Sunday 6 October.
Queensland backrower Tom Robinson captains the side after leading the Reds during the U16s in 2022.
Robinson is joined by Queensland teammate Eli Langi and impressive number eight Heinz Lemoto in the backrow.
Australia U20s centre Frankie Goldsbrough is the vice-captain as part of a strong backline.
Waratahs duo Angus Grover and Jonty Fowler make up the halves, with Fowler one of several selected in last year’s Australia under-16 squad last year to face the Pacific All Stars.
This includes winger and highly touted prospect Heamasi Makasini alongside fullback Rex Bassingthwaighte.
Reds flyer Tom Howard and centre Josh Takai round out the backline.
In the forwards, 16-year-old Kinglsey Uys starts at prop with John Grenfell and Edwin Langi in the front row.
Reds and Australia U16s lock Will Ross starts in the second row alongside Waratah Isaac Fonua.
New Waratah Zach Fittler will start the game from the bench, joined as the backs reserves by Finn Mackay and Sam Blank.
Ewald Kruger, Nick Hill and Jonah Rangiwai will serve as the front-row replacements as lock Avery Thomson and backrower Luca Cleverley round out the 23.
“It’s been something that we’ve been working through since February with the Under-18 Games and Academy Games in February around the States,” coach Fraser told rugby.com.au in September.
“There’s been a lot of work that’s gone into sort of narrowing down this squad of 40 and it’s a really important opportunity to sort of get these guys in together for a couple of days, compete hard against each other.
“I think that the cream will rise to the top and the 26 that we do take to New Zealand are going to be a really competitive group.”
St Paul’s Collegiate School, Hamilton
11am AEST (2pm local) Wednesday 2 October
1. Kingsley Uys – The Southport School
2. John Grenfell – Nudgee College
3. Edwin Langi – Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club
4. Will Ross – Padua College
5. Isaac Fonua – The King’s School
6. Eli Langi – Brisbane State High School
7. Tom Robinson (c) – UQ Rugby Club
8. Heinz Lemoto – The Scots College
9. Angus Grover – St Igantius College, Riverview
10. Jonty Fowler – St Joseph’s College
11. Heamasi Makasini – Newington College
12. Josh Takai – Brothers Rugby Club
13. Frankie Goldsbrough (vc) – Easts Rugby Club
14. Tom Howard – Marist College Ashgrove
15. Rex Bassingthwaighte – The Shore School
Reserves
16. Ewald Kruger – GPS Rugby Club
17. Nick Hill – Barker College
18. Jonah Rangiwai – The Southport School
19. Avery Thomson – GPS Rugby Club
20. Luca Cleverley – Newington College
21. Sam Blank – St Augustine’s College
22. Finn Mackay – St Laurence’s College
23. Zach Fittler – The Scots College
