Australia U20s coach Chris Whitaker has named a 27-player squad for the opening game of the year against Fiji U20 at the Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby in Kempsey on Wednesday.
Norths flanker Marshall Le Maitre skippers the side, coming off claiming Rookie of the Year in the Shute Shield in 2025.
Catch the match live on NSW Rugby TV from 5:00 pm AEST on Wednesday 8 April
He partners Toby Brial and Cooper Eagle in the back row, with Brial one of several returning stars from last year to start.
This includes lock Isaac Fonua and winger Cooper Watters, who made his Australia Sevens debut earlier in the year.
Brumbies flyer Riley Whitfield and Waratah Louis Fenwicke join Watters in the back three, with Sam Blank and Jonty Fowler named in the halves.
Queensland Reds midfielder Frankie Goldsbrough has been cleared to play at inside centre, partnering with fellow Super Rugby Pacific rookie Leo Jaques.
In the forwards, Brumbies hooker Ewald Kruger starts alongside Reds props Jacob Job and Joanh Raingiwai, with teammate Tavita Loughland completing the tight five alongside Fonua.
hitaker has named an experienced bench, with the likes of Tom Robinson, Luca Cleverley, Edwin Langi and Eli Langi all returning from last year's U20 World Championship campaign.
They are complemented by a host of graduating Australia U18s stars, including Reds trio Kingsley Uys, Will Ross and Finn Mackay.
Treyvon Pritchard was originally named in the squad; however, he is unavailable due to Super Rugby Pacific commitments, with Nicholas Conway and Oscar Cleary also out injured.
Chayse Geros, Zach Fittler and Kenny Harris come into the squad, with Geros selected on the bench.
The match is the first of two games at the Festival of Rugby, set to play Japan U23 on April 11.
The Japan side, coached by former Wallabies boss Eddie Jones, started their year with a 48-39 win over the Fiji U20s.
- Jacob Job
- Ewald Kruger
- Jonah Rangiwai
- Tavita Loughland
- Isaac Fonua
- Toby Brial
- Marshall Le Maitre (c)
- Cooper Eagle
- Sam Blank
- Jonty Fowler
- Cooper Watters
- Frankie Goldsbrough
- Leo Jaques
- Riley Whitfield
- Louis Fenwicke
Tyler Maybery
Kingsley Uys
Harper Strachan
Edwin Langi
Jasper Asi
Will Ross
Tom Robinson
Luca Cleverley
Eli Langi
Finn Mackay
Taione Taka
Chayse Geros
- Esira Livicala
- Osea Dasalusalu
- Josh Ratulomai
- Sosiceni Waqa
- Apenisa Naevo
- Epeli Roseruvakula
- Ravuama Samo
- Isoa Koroinawai (c)
- Cale Maurice
- Sikeli Bari
- Sevuloni Satala
- Anare Tabakaucoro
- Maleli Nauvasi
- Apete Rokosuka
- Tevita Ledua
Itu Josaia
Marika Koroi
David Seuvou
Savenaca Qabale
Suliano Savenaca
Carter Mucunabitu
Netani Lesimaikimiatuku
Judah Draiva
