Rugby Australia have announced a 25-player Australian Schools and U18s squad.
The squad comes after a series of games between the Super Rugby Academy sides, with the group assembling at the Australian Institute of Sport for a week-long camp.
The camp will culminate with a game against an Australian Barbarians side in Canberra on Sunday 2 October at 11 am AEST, with the game shown on Rugby.com.au.
Head coach Shannon Fraser will take charge of the Schools/U18 side, which includes talent from all five Australian Super Rugby Pacific sides.
A number of players were considered but unavailable for selection, including Waratahs recruit Max Jorgensen, who will travel with Australia A for their tour of Japan.
The camp comes just days after RA confirmed an expanded U16 and U19 ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Championships, set to be held from October 9.
Rugby Australia General Manager of ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ High-Performance Programs, Adrian Thomson, believes the camp can help fast-track development for the next generation of players on and off the field.
“It’s fantastic to have assembled an exciting group here in Canberra after some great games over the weekend,” he said in a statement.
“It’s an exciting time for our Pathways programs with a refreshed U16 and U19 ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ competition now in place for October, and this game on Sunday and the camp this week for our Australian Schools and U18s is an important part of our development strategy for emerging talent across the country.
“Shannon Fraser will lead a full program for the group this week, supported ACT Brumbies Academy head coach Daniel Hooper and our Elite Programs coach Nic Henderson, with a focus on developing the players both on and off the field.”
2022 AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS AND U18S
Jack Barrett (NSW Waratahs, St. Joseph’s College Hunters Hill)
Harry Bell (NSW Waratahs, St. Joseph’s College Hunters Hill)
Nick Bloomfield (Queensland Reds, Easts Rugby Club Brisbane)
Charlie Brosnan (Queensland Reds, Anglican Church Grammar School)
Ben Daniels (Queensland Reds, Anglican Church Grammar School)
Bryn Edwards (NSW Waratahs, Barker College)
Oniti Finau (NSW Waratahs, Barker College)
Joey Fowler (NSW Waratahs, St. Joseph’s College Hunters Hill)
Caleb Karangaroa (Western Force, Aranmore Catholic College)
Trevor King (Queensland Reds, Downlands College)
Ronan Leahy (NSW Waratahs, St. Joseph’s College Hunters Hill)
Joe Liddy (Queensland Reds, Easts Rugby Club Brisbane)
Will McCulloch (Queensland Reds, Norths Rugby Club Brisbane)
Ryan McGloin (Western Force, Joondalup Brothers Rugby Club)
James McGregor (NSW Waratahs, Newington College)
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (Queensland Reds, Souths Rugby Club Brisbane)
Dan Nelson (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University Football Club)
Dre Pakaho (Queensland Reds, Anglican Church Grammar School)
Douglas Phillipson (NSW Waratahs, Barker College)
Jack Preston (ACT Brumbies, Queanbeyan Whites Rugby Club)
Dane Sawers (Western Force, Kalamunda Districts RUC)
Leafi Talataiina (Melbourne Rebels, Endeavour Hills RUC)
Savelio Tamale (NSW Waratahs, Narrabeen Sports High)
Hadley Tonga (NSW Waratahs, The King’s School)
Jaydon Viliamu (NSW Waratahs, Newington College)
Unavailable for selection
Lachie Hooper (NSW Waratahs)
Max Jorgensen (NSW Waratahs
Archie Saunders (NSW Waratahs)
Oliver McCrea (NSW Waratahs)
Shane Wilcox (ACT Brumbies)
