Australia U20 Confirm Side for Opening Rugby Championship U20s Game Against New Zealand
Australia U20 head coach Chris Whitaker has named his team for the opening match of the 2026 Rugby Championship U20 against New Zealand, set to take place at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Thursday, 1 May 2025 at 10pm AEST.
The squad, which will be captained by NSW Waratahs lock Eamon Doyle, includes several emerging talents from Super Rugby clubs across the country. Doyle will partner with Sydney Uni and Waratahs teammate Joe Mangelsdorf in the second row, even as Finn Baxter (ACT Brumbies) starts at loose-head alongside Western Force hooker Ollie Barrett and Kaleb Ah-Colt (NSW Waratahs).
Eli Langi starts in the back row, joined by Brumbies teammate Beau Morrison and Waratah Jacob Veiru. In the back three, Sevens star Sid Harvey earns his first U20s start on the wing, supported by Waratahs emerging star Cooper Watters and Brumbies fullback Shane Wilcox. The halves are formed by Waratahs duo Hwi Sharples and Joey Fowler, with Boston Fakafanua and Liam Grover in the midfield.
Trevor King provides experience off the bench, with James Martens leading the back replacements after his strong performance against Japan U23s earlier in the month. The team’s matches against New Zealand, South Africa, and Argentina U20 sides will serve as final preparations for the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy later in June and July.
The Rugby Championship U20 tournament runs from Thursday 1 May to Sunday 11 May 2025, with all games hosted at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and broadcast live and on-demand via Stan Sport.