Australia national under-20 rugby union team

Australia
UnionRugby Australia
NicknameJunior Wallabies
CoachChris Whitaker
Team kit
First international
 Australia 81–12 Canada 
(6 June 2008; Rodney Parade, Newport)
Largest win
 Australia 91–7 Tonga 
(1 May 2018; Bond Sports Park, Gold Coast)
Largest defeat
 Australia 12–69 New Zealand 
(10 July 2022; SC Stadium, Bokarina)
World Cup
Appearances14 (First in 2008)
Best resultRunners-up (2010, 2019)

The Australia national under-20 rugby union team, nicknamed the Junior Wallabies, is the national under-20 rugby union team that represents Australia. The team has been competing at the annual World Rugby U20 Championship since it began in 2008, replacing the previously held under-19 and under-21 championships. The team also competes at the Oceania U20 Championship as of 2015 and the U20 Rugby Championship since 2024.

History

The Junior Wallabies name was incorporated into the Australian under-20 crest prior to the 2018 season, but the name was also previously applied to several other teams in the history of Australian rugby.[1][2] In the era of amateur rugby from the 1950s onwards, the Junior Wallabies team was selected from uncapped players (with no age restriction) to play against touring Test sides[3][4] or to represent Australia on goodwill tours to Asia and the Pacific.[5][6] Media publications sometimes also used the name Junior Wallabies to refer to age-graded national teams such as the Australian under-19 side,[7] Australian Schoolboys,[8][9] and later the Australian under-20 team.[10][11]

Australia's highest finish at the World Rugby U20 Championship was second-place in 2010[12][13] and 2019. The team finished third in 2011 by beating France in the third place playoff,[14] and fourth in 2009 after losing to South Africa 32–5 in the third place playoff.[15]The Junior Wallabies also finished second in the first four editions of the Oceania U20 Championship before being crowned champions in 2019 after defeating New Zealand 24–0.[16][17][18]

Selection policy

In June 2026, ahead of the team announcement for the 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship in Georgia, Rugby Australia (RA) made a major change to its selection policy by including overseas-based players in the Junior Wallabies squad for the first time.[19][20] As had been standard practice, all players were selected locally. The policy's aim was to maintain connections with talented Australians playing abroad and reduce the risk of losing them to other nations, similar to Emmanuel Meafou, who later chose to represent France.[19] While the decision was seen as potentially controversial because it reduces opportunities for locally based players, RA said it is necessary to strengthen the talent pool and adapt to the increasing number of Australians pursuing professional pathways in France.[19]

The Sydney Morning Herald stated that the move reflected the growing number of young Australian rugby players developing in French club academies.[19] Two France-based props, Lehopa Leota of Racing 92 and Hayden Lavercombe of Vannes, were expected to be selected for the Junior World Championship squad.[19] RA said overseas selections would remain limited and will only apply to standout performers.[19] The former was later selected in the squad.[20]

Competitive record

Junior World Championship

Junior World Championship record
Year Round Pld W D L PF PA
2008 Fifth place 5 4 0 1 221 68
2009 Fourth place 5 3 0 2 186 74
2010 Runners-up 5 4 0 1 239 131
2011 Third place 5 3 0 2 166 117
2012 Eighth place 5 1 0 4 107 94
2013 Seventh place 5 2 0 3 114 84
2014 Fifth place 5 4 0 1 176 101
2015 Fifth place 5 4 0 1 136 110
2016 Sixth place 5 2 0 3 120 116
2017 Sixth place 5 3 0 2 135 106
2018 Fifth place 5 3 0 2 178 103
2019 Runners-up 5 3 0 2 171 122
2023 Fifth place 5 3 1 1 179 157
2024[a] Sixth place 4[a] 2 0 2 89 71
2025 Fifth place 5 3 0 2 196 194
2026 To be determined.
Total Runners-up (2) 69 41 1 27 2,217 1,454

U20 Rugby Championship

U20 Rugby Championship record
Year Round Pld W D L PF PA
2024 Fourth place 3 1 0 2 55 80
2025 Runners-up 3 2 1 0 98 89
2026 Fourth Place 3 1 0 2 78 120
Total Runners-up (1) 6 3 1 2 153 169

Oceania Rugby U20 Championship

Oceania Rugby U20 Championship record
Year Round Pld W D L PF PA
2015 Runners-up 3 2 0 1 109 87
2016 Runners-up 2 1 0 1 35 54
2017 Runners-up 3 2 0 1 81 87
2018 Runners-up 3 2 0 1 170 55
2019 Champions 3 3 0 0 104 14
2022 Third place 3 1 0 2 91 98
Total Champions (1) 17 11 0 6 590 395

Head coaches

Coach Tenure P W D L W%
Brian Melrose 2008[23] 5 4 0 1 80%
David Nucifora 2009–2012[24][25] 20 11 0 9 55%
Adrian Thompson 2013–2016[26] 25 15 0 10 60%
Simon Cron 2017[27] 8 5 0 3 62.5%
Jason Gilmore 2018–2019[28] 16 11 0 5 68.75%
Nathan Grey 2020–2024[29] 17 8 1 8 47.06%
Chris Whitaker 2025–present[30] To be determined

Players

Current squad

On 11 June 2026, a 30-man squad was announced for Australia's 2026 Junior World Championship.[31] Included in the squad were two players in the Australia national sevens team, and two players based in France.[31][20]

Head coach: Chris Whitaker

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Charlie Hollyman Hooker (2007-07-20) 20 July 2007 1 Australia Reds
Ewald Kruger Hooker (2006-01-16) 16 January 2006 3 Australia Brumbies
John Grenfell Hooker (2006-07-05) 5 July 2006 0 Australia Reds
Jacob Job Prop (2006-01-05) 5 January 2006 3 Australia Reds
Edwin Langi Prop (2006-04-22) 22 April 2006 10 Australia Waratahs
Lehopa Leota Prop (2006-05-06) 6 May 2006 0 France Racing 92
Matthew Sauao Prop (2007-07-14) 14 July 2007 0 Australia Waratahs
Kingbenjamin Swerling-Finaipepe Prop (2007-03-29) 29 March 2007 0 France Castres
Toby Brial Lock (2006-05-23) 23 May 2006 9 Australia Waratahs
Isaac Fonua Lock (2007-03-02) 2 March 2007 3 Australia Waratahs
Kenny Harris Lock (2006-09-30) 30 September 2006 3 Australia Reds
Will Ross Lock (2007-05-09) 9 May 2007 3 Australia Reds
Luca Cleverley Back row (2006-11-17) 17 November 2006 3 Australia Waratahs
Eli Langi Back row (2006-09-25) 25 September 2006 10 Australia Brumbies
Marshall Le Maitre Back row (2006-07-30) 30 July 2006 2 Australia Waratahs
Tom Robinson (c) Back row (2006-03-17) 17 March 2006 7 Australia Reds
TJ Talaileva Back row (2007-05-25) 25 May 2007 0 Australia Waratahs
Sam Blank Scrum-half (2006-07-28) 28 July 2006 2 Australia Waratahs
Angus Grover Scrum-half (2007-09-24) 24 September 2007 3 Australia Waratahs
Jonty Fowler Fly-half (2007-02-25) 25 February 2007 3 Australia Waratahs
Finn Mackay Fly-half (2007-06-04) 4 June 2007 2 Australia Reds
Zach Fittler Centre 1 Australia Waratahs
Leo Jaques Centre (2006-05-05) 5 May 2006 3 Australia Waratahs
Treyvon Pritchard Centre (2007-04-04) 4 April 2007 0 Australia Reds
Tom Farr-Jones Wing (2006-01-26) 26 January 2006 0 Australia Waratahs
Tai Taka Wing (2008-01-06) 6 January 2008 3 Australia Reds
Cooper Watters Wing (2006-08-21) 21 August 2006 10 Australia sevens
Charlie Bird Fullback (2006-11-20) 20 November 2006 0 Australia Waratahs
Wallace Charlie Fullback (2006-08-06) 6 August 2006 0 Australia sevens
Chayse Geros Fullback (2007-08-19) 19 August 2007 2 Australia Brumbies

Results

The following is a list of Australia's recent match results, as well as upcoming scheduled fixtures, during the 12 months up to the end of 2026:

  Win   Draw   Loss   Upcoming

27 April 2026 New Zealand  34–29  Australia Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha  
14:00 SAST (UTC+02) Report Referee: Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa)
3 May 2026 South Africa  56–17  Australia Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha  
16:10 SAST (UTC+02) Report Referee: Gonzalo de Achaval (Argentina)
9 May 2026 Argentina  30–32  Australia Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha  
14:00 SAST (UTC+02) Report Referee: Christopher Allison (South Africa)
27 June 2026 Australia  90–22  Spain Aia Arena, Kutaisi  
20:30 GET (UTC+04) Report Referee: Kevin Bralley (France)
2 July 2026 Australia  53–17  Fiji Aia Arena, Kutaisi  
15:30 GET (UTC+04) Report Referee: Luke Rogan (United States)
7 July 2026 France  34–29  Australia Aia Arena, Kutaisi  
18:00 GET (UTC+04) Report Referee: Ben Connor (Wales)
12 July 2026 Australia  36–38  Wales Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi  
20:30 GET (UTC+04) Report Referee: Robbie Jenkinson (Ireland)
17 July 2026 Argentina  29–52  Australia Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi  
18:00 GET (UTC+04) Referee: Kevin Bralley (France)

Head-to-head record

As of 17 July 2026.[b]
Opponent Pld W D L W% PF PA Diff.
 Argentina 11 6 0 5 54.55% 286 240+46
 Canada 2 2 0 0 100% 167 12+155
 England 10 2 1 7 20% 266 280–14
 Fiji 9 9 0 0 100% 405 142+263
 France 8 3 0 5 37.5% 207 204+3
 Georgia 1 1 0 0 100% 35 11+24
 Ireland 4 2 0 2 50% 98 84+14
 Italy 8 7 0 1 87.5% 276 112+164
 Japan 3 3 0 0 100% 165 64+101
 Japan U23 1 1 0 0 100% 54 26+28
 New Zealand 19 4 1 14 21.05% 406 660–254
 Samoa 6 6 0 0 100% 228 94+134
 Scotland 7 5 0 2 71.43% 252 128+124
 South Africa 7 3 0 4 42.86% 147 285–138
 Spain 1 1 0 0 100% 90 22+68
 Tonga 4 4 0 0 100% 252 25+227
 Wales 7 5 0 2 71.43% 240 171+69
Total 108 64 2 42 59.26% 3,573 2,560+1,013

Awards and honours

Awards

The following Australia U20s players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2008:[33]

World Rugby Junior Player of the Year
Year Nominees Winners
2009 Richard Kingi —
2010 Robbie Coleman
2015 Jonah Placid
2019 Fraser McReight

Honours

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 In the pool stage of the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship, Australia's scheduled fixture against Ireland was cancelled due to weather conditions, rendering the pitch unplayable and unsafe.[21][22] Each team was awarded two points.[22] Thus Australia did not play the expected three pool stage matches followed-up by two knockout stage matches. Rather, Australia played two pool stage matches and two knockout stage matches, or four in total.
  2. ↑ "rugbydatabase.co.nz" displays the Australia U20s record, however does not include a pre-2023 World Rugby U20 Championship two-test tour of New Zealand.[32]

References

  1. ↑ "S. Africa Names a Strong Side". The Canberra Times. Vol. 45, no. 12, 873. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 27 July 1971. p. 22. Retrieved 13 April 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ↑ "Ainslie makes appeal". The Canberra Times. No. 13, 064. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 8 March 1972. p. 36. Retrieved 13 April 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ↑ Australian Rugby Union (27 January 2009). "Biographies – Norman Peter Reilly". Brave and Game. Archived from the original on 25 January 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  4. ↑ "Third visit in five years". The Canberra Times. Vol. 64, no. 20, 175. 8 July 1990. p. 14. Retrieved 13 April 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ↑ "State Players Nominated". The West Australian. Vol. 69, no. 20, 882. Perth, Western Australia. 25 June 1953. p. 18. Retrieved 13 April 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ↑ "Union Teams Selected For Ceylon, Fill Tours". Illawarra Daily Mercury. New South Wales. 9 July 1953. p. 12. Retrieved 13 April 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ↑ "Roff keen to tackle NZ side". The Canberra Times. Vol. 69, no. 21, 646. 22 July 1994. p. 28. Retrieved 13 April 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ↑ "Junior Wallabies maintain unbeaten record". The Canberra Times. Vol. 56, no. 16, 918. 22 January 1982. p. 18. Retrieved 13 April 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ↑ "Rugby Union | Schoolboys Still Dominant". The Canberra Times. Vol. 56, no. 16, 924. 28 January 1982. p. 26. Retrieved 13 April 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ↑ Tucker, Jim (7 May 2016). "Goalkicker Mack Mason proves hero as junior Wallabies become history-makers in beating All Blacks". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 13 April 2018.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  11. ↑ "Sport: Samoa expecting full-strength Australia in U20 opener". Radio New Zealand. 2 June 2015. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  12. ↑ "New Zealand crowned JWC 2010 champions". IRB. 21 June 2010. Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  13. ↑ "Young Wallabies finish runners up at Junior Worlds". 2010.
  14. ↑ "France 17–30 Australia". IRB. 26 June 2011. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  15. ↑ "Australia finishes fourth at IRB Junior World Championship". 2009.
  16. ↑ "Rugby – Junior Wallabies beat New Zealand to win Oceania under-20s crown". Special Broadcasting Service. 5 May 2019.
  17. ↑ Decent, Tom (5 May 2019). "Junior Wallabies thumping of NZ provides lift game desperately needs". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 5 May 2019.
  18. ↑ "Junior Wallabies deliver good news with Oceania title win over New Zealand". The Australian. News Corp Australia. 6 May 2019.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Payten, Iain (4 June 2026). "France-based giants picked for Junior Wallabies in major RA policy shift". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 23 June 2026. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  20. 1 2 3 Lulham, Amanda (23 June 2026). "Tom Farr-Jones honours famous rugby heritage with Jnr Wallabies spot, world junior championships". The Daily Telegraph. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  21. ↑ "Ireland v Australia in World U20 Championship cancelled". BBC Sport. BBC. 9 July 2024.
  22. 1 2 Williamson, Nathan (9 July 2024). "Australia U20s coach Grey blasts call to cancel Ireland game, ending World Championship semi-final hopes". rugby.com.au. Rugby Australia.
  23. ↑ "Australia announce strong U20s squad". ESPN. 6 May 2008. Archived from the original on 7 May 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  24. ↑ "Annual Report 2009" (PDF). Australian Rugby Union. pp. 40–41. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  25. ↑ "Trans-Tasman rivals set for final showdown". ESPN. 20 June 2010. Retrieved 7 May 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  26. ↑ "Australian U20s coach announced". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 15 February 2013. Archived from the original on 7 May 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  27. ↑ "Simon Cron, who led Northern Suburbs to Shute Shield win, named Australian U-20s coach". The Daily Telegraph. 9 November 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  28. ↑ "Jason Gilmore says Super Rugby experience with Reds will help him plot junior Wallabies revival". Fox Sports. 10 April 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  29. ↑ Williamson, Nathan (18 June 2021). "Junior Wallabies name squad for Oceania Tournament". Rugby.com.au. Archived from the original on 18 June 2021.
  30. ↑ "New coach Whitaker names first Australia U20s squad of 2025". Rugby.com.au. 21 March 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  31. 1 2 "Australia U20 Squad Announced for 2026 Junior World Championships". super.rugby. SANZAAR. 11 June 2026. Retrieved 24 June 2026.
  32. ↑ "Australia Under-20 – Head to Head". rugbydatabase.co.nz. Archived from the original on 18 May 2025.
  33. ↑ "Awards Roll of Honour – World Rugby". world.rugby. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
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