Ellis, Australia U18s stars headline Australia Global Youth Sevens squads

Tue, Dec 10, 2024, 7:00 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
The next generation of Australian Rugby stars are set to be unleashed as Rugby Australia confirms their teams for the Global Youth Sevens. Photo: Wallaroos Media
The next generation of Australian Rugby stars are set to be unleashed as Rugby Australia confirms their teams for the Global Youth Sevens. Photo: Wallaroos Media

The next generation of Australian Rugby stars are set to be unleashed as Rugby Australia confirms their teams for the Global Youth Sevens.

The three-day tournament will commence in Auckland from December 12, with the Girls the defending champions from last year.

Catch every game of SVNS World Series LIVE, ad-free and on demand on Stan Sport.

Wallaroos squad member Waiaria Ellis headlines the squad gunning to retain the title after her breakout season that saw her become the tied-youngest Waratah in history.

She is joined by a host of Australia A players from last fortnight's event in Dubai, including captain Rhani Hagan.

They will face the BC Bears, Rugby Vault and New Zealand Barbarians in the group stages.

As for the Men, they will call in several stars from the successful U18s Australian tour that saw them defeat New Zealand in October.

This includes scrumhalf Angus Grover and winger Tom Howard, with the Aussies facing the Bears, NZ Fijians and Eden in their pool matches.

“We are very excited to be sending two high quality teams to the Global Youth 7s in 2024," National Talent Pathway Manager Lachlan Parkinson said in a statement.

“The selections for these teams were challenging with so much talent across the country to choose from but we believe both teams are capable of competing for the title in New Zealand.

“The girls team includes a number of players who have played in the Australia A team recently in Dubai including captain Rhani Hagan, Damita Betham and Amelia Whitaker.

“The boys also boast some players from the victorious Australian U18 team that beat New Zealand earlier this year in Angus Grover and Tom Howard.”

Past players that have come through the program include Maddison Levi, Isabella Nasser and Piper Simons, with Simons helping Australia to victory last year.

The games will be available to watch via NZR+, which is free to access.

AUSTRALIA U18 GIRLS

Damita Betham - NSW 

Tahlia O'Brien - NSW

Rhani Hagan - Queensland

Waiaria Ellis - NSW

Talea Tonga - NSW

Fa'agase Tupuola-Palale - Queensland

Amelia Whitaker - NSW 

Coco Masters - NSW 

Elise Simpson - ACT

Madison Pomerenke - Queensland

Pyper Marchant - NSW 

Kaeyln Passi - Queensland 

Tekainga Enkera-Raveora - Queensland

AUSTRALIA U18 BOYS

Dylan Bretton - ACT

Tom Howard - Queensland

Declan Minto - NSW 

Angus Grover - NSW

Myles Rosemond - Queensland

Wallace Charlie - Queensland

Jacob Johnson - Queensland

Jarvis Orr - NSW

Cooper Watters - NSW

Angus Tagicakibau - Queensland

Charlie Bird - Queensland

Tom Hartman - NSW

Bailey Roberts-Lintmeijer - NSW

Jackson Hill - Queensland GLOBAL YOUTH 7s SCHEDULE

U18 Girls

  • Australia v BC Bears (Friday, 7:20am AEDT)
  • Australia v Rugby Vault (Friday, 10:40am AEDT)
  • Australia v New Zealand Barbarians (Saturday, 6:50am AEDT)

U18 Boys

  • Australia v BC Bears (Friday 9:20am AEDT)
  • Australia v NZ Fijians (Friday, 2:00pm AEDT)
  • Australia v Eden (Saturday, 8:50am AEDT)

Quarter-Final matches to be played on Saturday with Semi-Finals and Grand Final on Sunday.

Share
Queensland's Rhani Hagan on the dash against NSW during the Next Gen 7s series
A Special Honour for Rhani Hagan to lead Australia at Global Youth Sevens
Rugby World Cup 2027 reveals Brand Identity for Australia tournament
Former Queensland coach John Connolly in full cry. Photo courtesy The Courier-Mail
John "Knuckles" Connolly to be Inducted into Queensland Rugby Union Hall of Fame
Australian Rugby releases "From Green To Gold" Strategy for 2025-2029