Written by Nathan Williamson, courtesy of rugby.com.au Source article
Rugby Australia has announced the Australia U18 development squad for 2024.
The squad has been selected to recognise some of the brightest emerging stars in Australian Rugby as they prepare for a Test against New Zealand.
Tickets for the 2024 Wallabies home Test season are available here.
The Australia U18s will face the New Zealand Barbarians in Hamilton on October 2 before facing the New Zealand side on October 6.
Queensland Reds centre Frankie Goldsbrough headlines the squad, currently in South Africa with the Australia U20s at the World Championships.
Goldsbrough signed a full-time contract with the Reds straight out of school, featuring for the Australia U20 side against Italy in South Africa off the bench.
There are also several returning stars from last year’s Australia U18s clash with New Zealand, including vice-captain Toby Brial.
Brial is the son of former Wallaby Michael, with older brother Joe making his Super Rugby debut with the Reds earlier in the year.
Flyhalf Joey Fowler and second rower Avery Thomson are amongst the returning faces from last year’s campaign.
Western Force backrower Manaia Tetana has been selected but is unavailable to play due to injury
The squad will go into camp in early September and depart for New Zealand at the end of the month.
“This is a highly talented group of players who I have no doubt will form the nucleus of a team capable of achieving success in New Zealand later in the year,” Australia U18 coach Shannon Fraser said to Rugby.com.au in March when the initial squad was named.
“It’s imperative that these players perform through the regular season to not only maintain their position within the squad, but to ensure they arrive in September in good form ready to compete.”
Australian Under-18 Development Squad
Angus Grover (Waratahs/St Ignatius College)
Avery Thomson (Reds/GPS)
Bailey Bouquaiux (Brumbies/Royals)
Bennett Armistead (Reds/Nudgee College)
Charlie Poynton (Waratahs/Barker College)
Dylan Bretton (Brumbies/Wests)
Edwin Langi (Waratahs/Eastern Suburbs NSW)
Ewald Kruger (Reds/GPS)
Finn Mackay (Reds/St Laurences College)
Frankie Goldsbrough (Reds/Easts QLD)
Hayden Lavercombe (Waratahs/The Kings School)
Isaac Fonua (Waratahs/The Kings School)
Jay McKenzie (Waratahs/The Scots College)
Jonty Fowler (Waratahs/St Josephs College)
Josh Takai (Reds/Brothers)
Kingsley Uys (Reds/The Southport School)
Leo Jacques (Waratahs/The Scots School)
Luca Cleverley (Waratahs/Newington College)
Marshall Le Maitre (Waratahs/The Shore School)
Nick Hill (Waratahs/Barker College)
Sam Blank (Waratahs/St Augustine’s College)
Sam Niulala (Waratahs/Eastwood)
Talia’uli Latukefu (Brumbies/Marist College)
Toby Brial (Waratahs/The Scots College)
Tom Hartman (Waratahs//St Ignatius College)
Tom Robinson (Reds/UQ Rugby)
Treyvon Pritchard (Reds/Anglican Church Grammar School)
Will Ross (Reds/Padua College)
Unavailable due to injury
Manaia Tetana (Force/Wanneroo)
