The next generation of Super Rugby and Wallabies stars will be on full display as the Super Rugby U19s competition kicks-off this weekend.
Running alongside Super Rugby AUS, the competition has been a breeding ground for future stars such as Tim Ryan, Jack Bowen and Lington Ieli to make their name before debuting for their respective clubs.
The ACT Brumbies will hunt for a three-peat in the competition as they begin their season with a grand final rematch against the Queensland Reds on Sunday at Ballymore.
The Brumbies are skippered by U20s back-rower Eli Langi, who was immense in the campaign in Italy as the Australians finished fifth.
Former U18s Australian hooker Ewald Kruger will also start at hooker, with flyhalf Chace Oates, brother of former Sevens star Kye, set to guide the team around.
As for the Reds, flyer Tom Howard, son of former Wallaby Pat, will slot in at fullback.
The side will be skippered by centre Ryan Heaton, who was a top performer in first grade for Norths this season, with Australia U18s star Josh Takai adding real quality in the midfield.
The season will kick off at Rat Park in NSW as the Waratahs host the Western Force on Saturday.
The Waratahs are loaded with Australia U20s talent that includes Toby Brial, Edwin Langi and Luca Cleverley.
Shute Shield Rookie of the Year Marshall Le Maitre skippers the side, with Zach Fittler, son of NRL legend Brad, named at centre.
For the Force, exciting Sevens star Wallace Charlie adds serious pace at fullback after his debut for Australia at the Grand Final event in Los Angeles.
They have rewarded a host of young stars, with six players in the squad recently a part of the Wanneroo’s Premier Grade title triumph, headlined by Grand Final Player of the Match and Academy fly-half Brodie Mainwaring.
WARATAHS (1-15): Nick Hill (Warringah), Tyler Maybery (Randwick), Edwin Langi (Eastern Suburbs), Arthur Greer (Eastern Suburbs), Aron Brennan (Warringah), Luca Cleverley (Randwick), Marshall Le Maitre (Northern Suburbs) (c), Toby Brial (Eastern Suburbs), Sam Blank (Warringah), Sebastian Newman (Southern Districts), Tom Watts (Sydney University), Zach Fittler (Eastern Suburbs), Mitchell Holmes (Eastwood), Tom Farr-Jones (Randwick), Louis Fenwicke (Eastern Suburbs)
Reserves: Riley Osborn (Warringah), Harper Strachan (Sydney University), Justin Amituanai (Sydney University), Ethan Hamilton (Hunter Wildfires), Charlie Bull (Sydney University), James Thompson (West Harbour), Henry Conick (Sydney University), Riley Evans (Randwick)
FORCE (1-15): Zavier Hawira (Palmyra), Cajun Arnfield (Wildfires, NSW), Zane Wesley (Wanneroo), William Crew (Southern Lions), Manaia TeTana (cc) (Wanneroo), Felix Cooper (Associates), Luke Holt-Brown (Perth Bayswater), Nathaniel Gallagher (Cottesloe), Tamarangi Tunui (Wanneroo), Brodie Mainwaring (Wanneroo), Penijameni Naqau (Southern Lions), Chris Jansen (Wanneroo), Thomas Yates (Palmyra), Iziah Lolohea (Nedlands), Wallace Charlie (cc) (Southern Lions)
Reserves: Lachlan Cook (Cottesloe), Carter Tagaloasa (Endeavour Hills, Vic), Billy Krsticevic (Wests Scarborough), Xavier Vaauli (Wanneroo), Connor Hulme (Wests Scarborough), Conan Thiedeman (Southern Lions), Sonny Kani (Palmyra), Kade Davis (Wanneroo)
REDS (1-15): Jacob Job, Harry Solofa, Preston O'Brien, Kenny Harris, Avery Thomson, Ezalle Matautia, Joe Stoddart, Angus Kelly, James Prole, Charlie Bird, Ilan Cloete, Josh Takai, Ryan Heaton (c), Kiyan Gunewardene, Tom Howard
Reserves: Will Pamenter, Lucas Oxley, Salesi Kali, Will Pascoe, Keanu Rasch, Stanley Keats, Netani Lesimaikimatuku, Jackson Hill, Oli Aleman
BRUMBIES (1-15): Nate Hepi, Ewald Kruger, Lochlan Smith, Jack Gordon, Billy Hansen, Cooper Eagle, Bailey Bouquiaux, Eli Langi (c), Sam Watson, Chace Oates, Blake Miller, Dylan Bretton, Riley Whitfeld, Zander Ward, Jacob Johnston
Reserves: Will Hodge, Jeziah Sega, Brad Patmore, Thomas Alloggia, Charlie Baker, Marley Ngatai, Paddy McInally, Matthew Ribot
