Rugby Australia is pleased to announce the Australian Under 18's Sevens Boys squad to compete at the Global Youth 7s in Auckland from December 19-21.
The Global Youth 7s is an international Under 18's rugby tournament for boys and girls, established in 2016, that brings together some of the world’s best youth Sevens players, to showcase their skills and talent on a global stage.
The Australian Under 18's Boys are the reigning champions after winning the 2024 tournament with the side looking to defend their title across the three-day event.
Players were selected following training camps held in Lennox Head and Casuarina across November with former Australian Sevens players Stu Dunbar and Tom Connor to coach the side.
The squad includes four players from NSW Waratahs, three from ACT Brumbies, two Queensland Reds representatives and one Western Force and Rugby Victoria player respectively.
Returning players include Tom Hartman, Jarvis Orr and Bailey Roberts-Lintmeijer, who helped the side claim the title last year.
Orr, Brody Folkes, Chayse Geros and Treyvon Pritchard were all part of Australia’s under 18's victory over New Zealand Secondary Schools in October.
Roberts-Lintmeijer and Folkes are currently on development contracts with the Australia Men's Sevens national program.
Rugby Australia Head of Men’s Sevens Pathways Shannon Fraser said: “We’ve selected a strong team after starting the selection process from 32 players last month, and we believe this group can help us go back-to-back this year.
“The team we’ve selected has great representation across Australia with players coming from not only the typical strong holds of NSW and Queensland, but also from the ACT, Western Australia, and Victoria, further highlighting the strength of rugby sevens nationwide.
“The Global Youth 7s has been a natural pathway for our players to progress through to the Aussie Men’s program and we anticipate for that to continue through to the 2028 Olympics.”
Graduates from the Australian under 18's program include current Australia Sevens squad members Wallace Charlie, Ben Dowling, Aden Ekanayake, James McGregor, Beau Morrison, Dietrich Roache, Hadley Tonga and Cooper Watters.
Wallabies stars Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Tane Edmed, Tate McDermott and Dylan Pietsch have also represented the Australian Under 18's previously.
The team will assemble in Sydney on December 15 before travelling to Auckland for the start of their title defence.
Australia Under 18's Youth Boys 7s Team
- Brody Folkes – Australia Sevens - St Ignatius College Riverview
- Chayse Geros – ACT Brumbies - St Augustine's College
- Tom Hartman – NSW Waratahs - Sydney University RFC
- Ryder Koia – Queensland Reds - Brisbane Boys College
- Iziah Lolohea – Western Force - Nedlands RUFC
- Julian Minto – NSW Waratahs - St Josephs College
- Tom O’Hara – NSW Waratahs - The Scots College
- Jarvis Orr – ACT Brumbies - Knox Grammer School
- Treyvon Pritchard – Queensland Reds - Anglican Church Grammar School
- Max Prykiel – NSW Waratahs - Knox Grammer School
- Bailey Roberts-Lintmeijer – Australia Sevens - Newington College
- Will Trostel – ACT Brumbies - Trinity Grammer School
- Ian Tunufa’i – Rugby Victoria - Lilydale High School
- Head Coach: Stu Dunbar
- Assistant Coach: Tom Connor
The Global Youth 7s can be streamed via the streaming hub at https://www.globalyouthsevens.rugby/watch
