In what is set to be a busy spring on the Australian rugby calendar, Rugby Australia has confirmed the Australia U18 squad and Australian Schoolboys squad to contest a series of fixtures in Canberra later this month.
The two sides play three fixtures each, with the Australia U18 side set to take on the New Zealand Secondary Schools in a two-match series.
Watch all Australia U18 and Australian Schoolboys fixtures live on Rugby.com.au's YouTube channel
The Australian Schoolboys, meanwhile, will take on the Fiji Schoolboys side in a two-match series, forming a doubleheader with the U18s side at Viking Park.
Before the commencement of their respective series, however, the two Australian sides will face off against each other to kick off their preparations.
"There is fantastic talent across the country and to narrow it down to 30 players for the Australia U18 team and then 23 for the Australian Schoolboys has been a challenge," Rugby Australia National Pathways Manager Nic Henderson said in an official statement.
"Invariably some good players will miss out.
"We started this selection process back in March, when the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds U18 sides played each other in a home and away series.
"We've continued it all the way through the various club and school competitions held over the last few months, as well as representative matches and championships.
"We have worked very closely with the Australian Schools Rugby Union and the Super Rugby clubs to select the two national squads.
"The process has involved regular meetings and discussions on players across the system, leading to a final selection day where we selected the top 30 U18 players in the Australia U18 squad, allowing the Australian Schools to follow and select their 23-player squad with the stipulation that these players are U18, attend school and attended the National Schoolboy Championships held in July."
Head coach Dan Hawke is set to take charge of the Australian Schoolboys for these series of fixtures, with Dale Roberson set to coach the Australia U18 side.
"We have selected a strong 30-man squad," Roberson added.
"We have several returning players from the 2024 team who will provide valuable leadership. It was a tough process to narrow it down to 30 as there have been many strong performances through the schools and club competitions and the academy matches earlier in the year.
"The states have done a tremendous job preparing their teams and players for their respective championship games throughout the year and it has certainly provided a great platform to select from.
"It was pleasing to see strong performances from the WA, VIC and ACT teams at the national school championships.
"Many of their players put their hand up for selection in both the Australia U18 and Australian Schoolboys teams and several U17 aged players are now on the watchlist for 2026.
"The coaching team are confident that the squad selected will prepare well and we are excited to take on our traditional rivals from New Zealand.
"We are under no illusions of what will be required to beat them but we are sure this Australia U18 squad is ready for the challenge."
All fixtures will be broadcast live and free on the Rugby.com.au YouTube Channel.
Australia U18 v Australian Schoolboys
12pm AEST Thursday 25 September
Viking Park, Canberra
Australian Schoolboys v Fiji Schoolboys
12pm AEST Monday 29 September
Viking Park, Canberra
Australia U18 v New Zealand Secondary Schools
2pm AEST Monday 29 September
Viking Park, Canberra
Australian Schoolboys v Fiji Schoolboys
12pm AEST Saturday 4 October
Viking Park, Canberra
Australia U18 v New Zealand Secondary Schools
2pm AEST Saturday 4 October
Viking Park, Canberra
Angus Grover - St Ignatius College, Riverview
Brody Folkes - St Iganatius College, Riverview
Chayse Geros - St Augustine's College
Cyrus Bloomfield - Oakhill College
Dylan Simmons - Newington College
Ed Kasprowicz - Sydney University
Finn Mackay - Souths Rugby Club, Brisbane
Glassie Glassie - Patrician Brothers College, Fairfield
Hasani Bloomfield - The King's School
Hayden Lavercombe - The King's School
Heinz Lemoto - The Scots College
Isaac Fonua - The King's School
Isaac Rauluni - Nudgee College
Jarryd King - Newington College
Jarvis Orr - Knox Grammar
Jonah Rangiwai - Bond University
Jonty Fowler - Easts Rugby Club, Sydney
Justice Taumoepeau - St Joseph's College
Kingsley Uys - The Southport School
Levi Slater - Nudgee College
Nicholas Conway - Wests Rugby Club, Brisbane
Oliver Smith - The King's School
Rory O'Connor - St Joseph's College
Tahj Smith - Barker College
Taione Taka - Brisbane Boys' College
Talen Risati - The King's School
Tito Hamala - Nudgee College
TJ Talaileva - Barker College
Treyvon Pritchard - Anglican Church Grammar School
Will Ross - Padua College
Bennett Armistead - Nudgee College
Isaiah Sheck - Newington College
Adrian De Klerk - Sunshine Coast Grammar School
Angus Tagicakibau - Brisbane State High School
Brock Prideaux - Trinity Grammar School
Cameron Kirsten - Marist College Canberra
Cyrus Suniula - Brisbane State High School
Daniel Muir - Newington College
Denzel Veikune - Daramalan College
Elijah Breen - Brisbane Grammar School
Gavin Wilson-Tyres - Downlands College
George Tancred - St Ignatius College
James Finegan - Waverley College
Jeremy Rath - Barker College
Jerome Pongi - St Brigid's Catholic College, Lake Munmorah
Josh Barr - Waverley College
Keegan Daly - Barker College
Kobi Nouanrasy - King's Christian College
Lane Edmonds - Ipswich Grammar School
Noah Rylands - St Augustine's College
Oscar Cleary - Kinross Wolaroi School
Rohan Nichol - Sunshine Coast Grammar School
Tannar Baker - Ipswich Grammar School
Thomas Haslam - Knox Grammar
Will Trostel - Trinity Grammar
