Rugby Australia can confirm the Australia Under-18 and Australian Schoolboys squads for their 2026 season.
Australia U18 head coach Dale Roberson has selected 26 players from 15 different schools across five states.
The Australia U18s are bolstered by the return of versatile Queensland back Taione Taka for a second year in the program.
Taka, who is still U18s eligible, was a prominent figure for the Australia U20s in their 2026 Junior World Championship campaign in Georgia.
His versatility means he is expected to be a high-impact outside centre for the U18s after playing wing for the U20s.
He is one six Queenslanders in the squad beside Ipswich Grammar lock Jack Calleja, Nudgee College hooker Aiden Luke, Brisbane Boys' College No.8 Harrison Asi, The Southport School back James Smith and Brisbane Grammar centre Harper Enasio.
Unfortunately, Downlands College prop Gavin Wilson-Tyres could not be considered because of injury.
Bruising back rower Justice Taumoepeau — who was in camp with the U20s before an injury cost him a spot on the plane — returns for his second year in the U18s setup.
Also returning from the 2025 side that went undefeated in Canberra against New Zealand schools are forwards Hasani Bloomfield, Tahj Smith and Oliver Smith.
The squad includes TSS standout Smith, a graduate from last December's Australia U16s camp.
Roberson will be joined by assistants James Hilgendorf and Cameron Blades.
The Australia U18 and Australian Schoolboys will face off in their annual matchup on Friday 25 September at Knox Grammar School in Sydney.
Both teams will then travel to Hamilton in New Zealand where they will face their trans-Tasman rivals with two games each in five days at St Paul's Collegiate School.
Australia U18 head coach Dale Roberson said:
“The staff and playing squad are really looking forward to the challenge of taking on the Australian Schoolboys, New Zealand Barbarians and New Zealand Schools over the next six weeks.
"We’ve selected a strong squad, and our focus now is on preparing well and making sure we’re ready for what will be a great challenge.
"It’s been really pleasing to see the depth of talent coming through the Australian Rugby pathway. The various school, club, state and national competitions have provided a strong pool of players to select from, and that competition for places has been a real positive.”
The Australian Schools Rugby Union has selected 26 players from 18 schools across New South Wales, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria.
The squad will assemble at the Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen, on Wednesday 23 September for a preparation camp and a match against Australia U18s at Knox Grammar School, before departing for New Zealand on Saturday 26 September.
The touring party will be based at St Peter’s School, Cambridge, and will play two Tests at St Paul’s Collegiate School, Hamilton — against New Zealand Schools on Wednesday 30 September and New Zealand Māori U18 on Sunday 4 October.
Australian Schoolboys will be led by head coach Daniel Hawke with Lachlan White and Michael Crank as assistants.
