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Australia national under-20 rugby union team
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| country | Australia |
| image | Junior_Wallabies_crest_2018.png |
| imagesize | 175 |
| union | Rugby Australia |
| nickname | Junior Wallabies |
| coach | Chris Whitaker |
| pattern_la1 | _wallabies19h |
| pattern_b1 | _wallabies19h |
| pattern_ra1 | _wallabies19h |
| pattern_so1 | _australia22 |
| leftarm1 | F6970B |
| body1 | F6970B |
| rightarm1 | F6970B |
| shorts1 | 004044 |
| socks1 | F6970B |
| first | 81–12 |
| (6 June 2008; Rodney Parade, Newport) | |
| bigwin | 91–7 |
| (1 May 2018; Bond Sports Park, Gold Coast) | |
| bigloss | 12–69 |
| (10 July 2022; SC Stadium, Bokarina) | |
| World cup apps | 14 (First in 2008) |
| best | Runners-up (2010, 2019) |
(6 June 2008; Rodney Parade, Newport) (1 May 2018; Bond Sports Park, Gold Coast) (10 July 2022; SC Stadium, Bokarina)
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.
Australia's highest finish at the World Rugby U20 Championship was second-place in 2010
Team name
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. 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 or to represent Australia on goodwill tours to Asia and the Pacific. Media publications sometimes also used the name Junior Wallabies to refer to age-graded national teams such as the Australian under-19 side, Australian Schoolboys, and later the Australian under-20 team.
Overall record
Summary for all competitive test matches up to and including the 2025 season:
| Opponent | Pld | W | D | L | W% | PF | PA | Diff. | Total | 95 | 57 | 2 | 36 | % | 3,040 | 2,106 | +934 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | % | 202 | 181 | +21 | ||||||||||
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | % | 167 | 12 | +155 | ||||||||||
| 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | % | 165 | 204 | –39 | ||||||||||
| 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | % | 352 | 125 | +228 | ||||||||||
| 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | % | 178 | 170 | +8 | ||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | % | 35 | 11 | +24 | ||||||||||
| 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | % | 98 | 84 | +14 | ||||||||||
| 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | % | 232 | 91 | +141 | ||||||||||
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | % | 165 | 64 | +101 | ||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | % | 54 | 26 | +28 | ||||||||||
| 18 | 4 | 1 | 13 | % | 377 | 626 | –249 | ||||||||||
| 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | % | 228 | 94 | +134 | ||||||||||
| 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | % | 218 | 104 | +114 | ||||||||||
| 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | % | 113 | 156 | –43 | ||||||||||
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | % | 252 | 25 | +227 | ||||||||||
| 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | % | 204 | 133 | +71 |
World Rugby U20 Championship record
| a | #006629 | 2px}}" colspan=10 | Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | a | #006629 | 2px}}" | Total | a | #006629 | 2px}}" | Runners-up (2) | a | #006629 | 2px}}" | 69 | a | #006629 | 2px}}" | 41 | a | #006629 | 2px}}" | 1 | a | #006629 | 2px}}" | 27 | a | #006629 | 2px}}" | 2,217 | a | #006629 | 2px}}" | 1,454 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wales 2008 | Fifth place | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 221 | 68 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Japan 2009 | Fourth place | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 186 | 74 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Argentina 2010 | Runners-up | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 239 | 131 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Italy 2011 | Third place | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 166 | 117 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Africa 2012 | Eighth place | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 107 | 94 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FRA 2013 | Seventh place | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 114 | 84 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Zealand 2014 | Fifth place | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 176 | 101 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Italy 2015 | Fifth place | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 136 | 110 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| England 2016 | Sixth place | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 120 | 116 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Georgia 2017 | Sixth place | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 135 | 106 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| France 2018 | Fifth place | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 178 | 103 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Argentina 2019 | Runners-up | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 171 | 122 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Africa 2023 | Fifth place | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 179 | 157 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Africa 2024 | Sixth place | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 89 | 71 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Italy 2025 | To be determined.}} |
U20 Rugby Championship record
| a | #006629 | 2px}}" colspan=10 | Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | a | #006629 | 2px}}" | Total | a | #006629 | 2px}}" | Runners-up (1) | a | #006629 | 2px}}" | 6 | a | #006629 | 2px}}" | 3 | a | #006629 | 2px}}" | 1 | a | #006629 | 2px}}" | 2 | a | #006629 | 2px}}" | 153 | a | #006629 | 2px}}" | 169 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia 2024 | Fourth place | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 55 | 80 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Africa 2025 | Runners-up | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 98 | 89 |
Oceania Rugby U20 Championship record
| a | #006629 | 2px}}" colspan=10 | Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | a | #006629 | 2px}}" | Total | a | #006629 | 2px}}" | Champions (1) | a | #006629 | 2px}}" | 17 | a | #006629 | 2px}}" | 11 | a | #006629 | 2px}}" | 0 | a | #006629 | 2px}}" | 6 | a | #006629 | 2px}}" | 590 | a | #006629 | 2px}}" | 395 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia 2015 | Runners-up | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 109 | 87 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Australia 2016 | Runners-up | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 35 | 54 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Australia 2017 | Runners-up | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 81 | 87 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Australia 2018 | Runners-up | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 170 | 55 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Australia 2019 | Champions | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 104 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Australia 2022 | Third place | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 91 | 98 |
Head coaches
| Coach | Tenure | P | W | D | L | W% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS Brian Melrose | 2008 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | |
| AUS David Nucifora | 2009–2012 | 20 | 11 | 0 | 9 | |
| AUS Adrian Thompson | 2013–2016 | 25 | 15 | 0 | 10 | |
| NZL Simon Cron | 2017 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | |
| AUS Jason Gilmore | 2018–2019 | 16 | 11 | 0 | 5 | |
| AUS Nathan Grey | 2020–2024 | 17 | 8 | 1 | 8 | |
| AUS Chris Whitaker | 2025–present | To be determined}} |
Players
Current squad
On 9 June 2025, head coach Chris Whitaker announced a 30-player squad for the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy.
On 18 June, Dre Pakeho withdrew from the squad due to injury and was replaced by Malakye Enasio.
Head coach: AUS Chris Whitaker
| Position | Name | Age | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prop | Edwin Langi | NSW Waratahs | |
| Prop | Finn Baxter | ACT Brumbies | |
| Prop | Nathaniel Tiitii | NSW Waratahs | |
| Prop | Lotu Vunipola | NSW Waratahs | |
| Prop | Nick Hill | NSW Waratahs | |
| Prop | Trevor King | Queensland Reds | |
| Hooker | Lipina Ata | ACT Brumbies | |
| Hooker | Ollie Barrett | Western Force | |
| Hooker | Will Guilfoyle | NSW Waratahs | |
| Lock | Aden Ekanayake | Australia Sevens | |
| Lock | Eamon Doyle (c) | NSW Waratahs | |
| Lock | Joe Mangelsdorf | NSW Waratahs | |
| Lock | Ollie Aylmer | ACT Brumbies | |
| Back row | Beau Morrison | ACT Brumbies | |
| Back row | Charlie Brosnan | Queensland Reds | |
| Back row | Eli Langi | ACT Brumbies | |
| Back row | Toby Brial | NSW Waratahs | |
| Back row | Tom Robinson | Queensland Reds | |
| Scrum-half | Hwi Sharples | NSW Waratahs | |
| Scrum-half | James Martens | Queensland Reds | |
| Fly-half | Joe Dillon | ACT Brumbies | |
| Fly-half | Joey Fowler | NSW Waratahs | |
| Centre | Boston Fakafanua | Western Force | |
| Centre | Cooper Watters | NSW Waratahs | |
| Centre | Malakye Enasio | ACT Brumbies | |
| Centre | Xavier Rubens | Queensland Reds | |
| Winger | Liam Grover | NSW Waratahs | |
| Winger | Nick Conway | Queensland Reds | |
| Fullback | Shane Wilcox | ACT Brumbies | |
| Fullback | Sid Harvey | NSW Waratahs |
Previous squads
2024
| 2024 World Rugby Under 20 World Championship Squad | Player Name | Club Representation |
|---|---|---|
| Tevita Alatini | ACT Brumbies/Gungahlin Eagles | |
| Harvey Cordukes | ACT Brumbies/Uni-Norths Owls | |
| Toby Macpherson | ACT Brumbies/Uni-Norths Owls | |
| Jarrah McLeod | ACT Brumbies/Canberra Royals | |
| Dan Nelson | ACT Brumbies/Canberra Royals | |
| Angus Staniforth | ACT Brumbies/Canberra Royals | |
| Shane Wilcox | ACT Brumbies/Tuggeranong Vikings | |
| Jack Harley | ACT Brumbies/Gungahlin Eagles | |
| Lington Ieli | ACT Brumbies/Tuggeranong Vikings | |
| Kadin Pritchard | ACT Brumbies/Gungahlin Eagles | |
| Aden Ekanayake | Australia Sevens/Gordon Rugby Club | |
| Ottavio Tuipulotu | Melbourne Rebels/Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club | |
| Jack Barrett | NSW Waratahs/Randwick Rugby Club | |
| Ben Di Staso | NSW Waratahs/Eastern Suburbs | |
| Bryn Edwards | NSW Waratahs/Sydney University | |
| Ollie McCrea | NSW Waratahs/Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club | |
| Archie Saunders | NSW Waratahs/Warringah Rugby Club | |
| Eamon Doyle | NSW Waratahs/Sydney University | |
| Hwi Sharples | NSW Waratahs/Sydney University | |
| Joe Dillon | NSW Waratahs/Manly Marlins | |
| Oniti Finau | NSW Waratahs/Randwick Rugby Club | |
| Nick Bloomfield | Queensland Reds/Easts Rugby Club | |
| Frankie Goldsbrough | Queensland Reds/Easts Brisbane | |
| Trevor King | Queensland Reds/Souths Rugby Club Brisbane | |
| Harry McLaughlin-Phillips | Queensland Reds/Souths Rugby Club Brisbane | |
| Dominic Thygesen | Queensland Reds/Souths Rugby Club Brisbane | |
| William McCulloch | Queensland Reds/Norths Brisbane | |
| Boston Fakafanua | Western Force/Sydney University | |
| Ronan Leahy | Western Force/Sydney University | |
| Dane Sawers | Western Force/Kalamunda Districts Rugby Union Club |
Honours
;World Junior Championship :* Runners-up (2): 2010, 2019
;Oceania Junior Championship :* Winners (1): 2019 :* Runners-up (4): 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Award winners
The following Australia U20s players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2008:
| Year | Nominees | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Richard Kingi | — |
| 2010 | Robbie Coleman | |
| 2015 | Jonah Placid | |
| 2019 | Fraser McReight |
Notes
References
--
--
References
- (5 May 2019). "Rugby – Junior Wallabies beat New Zealand to win Oceania under-20s crown". [[Special Broadcasting Service]].
- (5 May 2019). "Junior Wallabies thumping of NZ provides lift game desperately needs". [[Nine Entertainment]].
- (6 May 2019). "Junior Wallabies deliver good news with Oceania title win over New Zealand". [[News Corp Australia]].
- "Australia Under-20 – Head to Head".
- (9 July 2024). "Ireland v Australia in World U20 Championship cancelled". [[BBC]].
- (9 July 2024). "Australia U20s coach Grey blasts call to cancel Ireland game, ending World Championship semi-final hopes". [[Rugby Australia]].
- (18 June 2021). "Junior Wallabies name squad for Oceania Tournament".
- (20 June 2025). "Reds star Pakeho headlines Australia U20 squad for World Championships". Rugby Australia.
- (21 June 2025). "'Making ex-Wallabies proud': The mantra guiding Australia heading into U20s World Championship tilt". Rugby Australia.
- (10 June 2024). "Six new faces in Nathan Grey's Australia U20 World Championship squad". Rugby Australia.
- "Awards Roll of Honour - World Rugby".
- (25 Jun 1953). "State Players Nominated". The West Australian.
- (9 July 1953). "Union teams selected for Ceylon, Fiji tours". Illawarra Daily Mercury.
- (27 July 1971). "S. Africa names a strong side". The Canberra Times.
- (6 March 1972). "John Weatherstone, 22, left, who will leave Australia on Saturday to tour Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan with the Junior Wallabies". The Canberra Times.
- (22 January 1982). "Junior Wallabies maintain unbeaten record". The Canberra Times.
- (28 January 1982). "Schoolboys still dominant". The Canberra Times.
- (8 July 1990). "Third visit in five years". The Canberra Times.
- (22 July 1994). "Roff keen to tackle NZ side". The Canberra Times.
- Australian Rugby Union. (27 January 2009). "Biographies - Norman Peter Reilly". Brave and Game.
- Tucker, Jim. (7 May 2016). "Goalkicker Mack Mason proves hero as junior Wallabies become history-makers in beating All Blacks". The Courier-Mail.
- (2 June 2015). "Sport: Samoa expecting full-strength Australia in U20 opener".
- (6 May 2008). "Australia announce strong U20s squad".
- "Annual Report 2009". Australian Rugby Union.
- (August 2017}}{{Dead link). "Australia finishes fourth at IRB Junior World Championship".
- (August 2017}}{{Dead link). "Young Wallabies finish runners up at Junior Worlds".
- (20 June 2010). "Trans-Tasman rivals set for final showdown".
- (21 June 2010). "New Zealand crowned JWC 2010 champions". IRB.
- (26 June 2011). "France 17–30 Australia". IRB.
- (15 February 2013). "Australian U20s coach announced".
- (5 May 2014). "McMahon leads junior Wallabies". Rugby 365.
- "Australia JWC Squad 2014". IRB.
- (5 May 2014). "Australian Under 20s announce squad for Junior World Champs". Australian Rugby Union.
- (9 November 2016). "Simon Cron, who led Northern Suburbs to Shute Shield win, named Australian U-20s coach". The Daily Telegraph.
- (21 March 2025). "New coach Whitaker names first Australia U20s squad of 2025".
- (10 April 2018). "Jason Gilmore says Super Rugby experience with Reds will help him plot junior Wallabies revival".
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