Isaac Fonua is out to follow his good mates as the NSW Waratahs' young gun makes the back row his own for the Australia U20 side against Fiji on Thursday.
Fonua has been named at number eight for the second match of the Junior World Championship after coming off the bench in their thumping win over Spain.
Watch every match of the Junior World Championship live and on demand via Stan Sport.
The Sydney Uni product starred for Australia U18 in the second row but feels confident his success will continue at the back of the scrum after moving there following the U20 Rugby Championship.
“I was usually playing six [blindside flanker] or eight in juniors coming through; it’s only been rep [football] I’ve played second row with the talent we already have, so it’s nothing new," he told Rugby.com.au before the side headed to Georgia.
“It’ll be fun and it’s always been great to be able to play both and have the skill set of either position.
“...I’ve wanted to be more dominant with my collisions and with my ball-running game, working on my footwork.”
Fonua has revelled in watching some of his best mates, Heamasi Makasini and Heniz Lemoto, take both Rugby codes by storm in the past 12 months.
Makasini became the first schoolboy since Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to play in the NRL, whilst Lemoto has already made waves in the Top 14 with Toulouse, one of the best teams in the world.
All three played for Australia U18 together in 2024, and Fonua was eager to follow in their footsteps with the older age group.
“The best thing is to see your mates succeed," he said.
“Seeing them, obviously, do so well with ‘Masi’ in the league, Heinz over in France, and I've got other mates coming up as well, it makes you, as a mate, want to do the same thing.
“Just really happy for all the boys."
Fonua has already spent a pre-season with the NSW Waratahs, such is the standing the club hold him in.
This included coming off the bench during their trials against the Queensland Reds, using the valuable experience to deal with the pressure of the World Championship.
“It was really cool to spend pre-season with them and go to camp in Mudgee, especially with the Wallabies coming back from their end-of-year tour, so I was trying to learn everything I could," Fonua noted.
“There were a few that came over from France and other competitions and just seeing how they play and how they come to the games, prep throughout the week, their day, and just life in general. I think it's really helped, especially now in 20s camp.
"A few boys have had pre-seasons with the top squads and it’s definitely helping.”
