Waratahs provide half of Australia U20s squad for Rugby Championship

Thu, Apr 16, 2026, 5:47 AM
Waratahs
by Waratahs

Australia U20 head coach Chris Whitaker has revealed a 31-man squad for their U20 Rugby Championship campaign in South Africa, which includes 15 players from the Waratahs.

The squad will come together in Sydney on Friday before flying out to South Africa for three games in thirteen days.

The tournament takes place in Gqeberha with all games as part of The Rugby Championship taking place inside Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

The Australia U20s will start the tournament against New Zealand on the Monday after ANZAC Day before taking on South Africa and concluding their campaign against Argentina.

All TRC U20 matches will be streamed live on Stan Sport

The side is coming off a successful training camp where they claimed wins against both the Fiji U20s and Japan U23s as part of the Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby.

Head of Academy & Pathways at the Waratahs Andrew Cleverley said on the mass selection of his players:

"Waratahs Academy staff are proud to have a large contingent of players make the TRC squad.

"It is a reflection of the hard work that has gone into their training and the dedication made to be improving them as young men and rugby players.  

"We are certainly all aware of the challenge these three games will be for the players as they provide the cornerstone of World Cup preparation later in the year.

Former Waratah and current Australia U20s head coach Chris Whitaker said of the squad:

"We are looking forward to taking the momentum from our week-long camp in Coffs Harbour and building upon it with three tough games in South Africa.

"The Rugby Championship U20 provides us with another opportunity to continue developing as a team against top opposition in unique circumstances.

"Our group is ready to embrace the challenge and are excited to get the chance to represent Australia on the international stage."

Australia U20 Squad:

NSW Waratahs                                  

Edwin Langi - Prop

Harper Strachan - Prop

Nick Hill - Prop

Tyler Maybery - Hooker

Isaac Fonua - Lock/Backrow

Luca Cleverley - Backrow

Marshall Le Maitre - Backrow

Toby Brial - Backrow

Angus Grover - Scrumhalf

Sam Blank - Scrumhalf

Jonty Fowler - Flyhalf

Zach Fittler - Centre

Cooper Watters - Centre/Wing

Leo Jaques - Centre/Wing

Louis Fenwicke - Centre/Fullback

ACT Brumbies

Ewald Kruger - Hooker

Tavita Loughland - Lock

Cooper Eagle - Backrow

Eli Langi - Backrow

Chayse Geros - Scrumhalf/Wing

Riley Whitfeld - Centre/Wing

Western Force            

Jasper Asi - Prop

Queensland Reds                          

Jacob Job - Prop

Jonah Rangiwai - Prop

Charlie Hollyman - Hooker

Kenneth Harris - Lock

Will Ross - Lock

Tom Robinson - Backrow

Finn Mackay - Flyhalf

Frankie Goldsbrough - Centre

Taione Taka - Centre/Wing

Unavailable for selection            

Dylan Bretton - (Brumbies, injury)

Oscar Cleary - (Brumbies, injury)

Felix Cooper - (Force, injury)

Manaia Te Tana (Force, injury)

Bennett Armistead (Reds, injury)

John Grenfell - (Reds, injury) Kingsley Uys - (Reds, injury)

Nicholas Conway - (Reds, injury)

Treyvon Pritchard - (Reds, SRP commitments)

Dylan Simmons (Waratahs, injury)

Ed Kasprowicz (Waratahs, injury)

Tom Farr-Jones (Waratahs, injury)

Wallace Charlie (AU Sevens)

Australia U20 Rugby Championship Schedule:

All three matches played at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha

  • Matchday 1: Australia U20 v New Zealand U20 on Monday 27 April at 14:00 (local time).
  • Matchday 2: Australia U20 v South Africa U20 on Sunday 3 May at 16:10 (local time).
  • Matchday 3: Australia U20 v Argentina U20 on Saturday 9 May at 14:00 (local time)

All matches will be streamed on Stan Sport

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