There is a plethora of young stars coming through the Australian Rugby system.
Some have already established themselves as key players of the future with a 'Golden Decade' on the horizon.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR EARLY BIRD AND HOSPITALITY TICKETS FOR THE HSBC SYDNEY SEVENS
Meanwhile, others are ready to take that next step towards stardom as they prepare for an exciting season.
As we celebrate the new year, Rugby.com.au looks at the 23 brightest stars under the age of 23.
NOTE This list includes players who have not turned 23 at the time of writing.
Therefore, those who have just hit the mark have been excluded, including (but not limited to): Lachlan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Nick Frost, Ben Donaldson, Arabella McKenzie, Adiana Talakai, Layne Morgan, Nathan Lawson, Kye Oates and Lily Dick
Jordan Petaia (22)
It’s hard to believe Petaia is still so young, bursting onto the scene at the 2019 World Cup.
Petaia has struggled with injuries across his career, however, 2022 was his most consistent in terms of staying on the field, playing 21 games for club and country.
He looms as a key piece of the backline heading forward for the Wallabies. Where he fits in is another question, initially earmarked for fullback although the rise of Jock Campbell has seen him float across several positions.
Angus Bell (22)
Another player who has been around the Wallabies set-up for a long time.
The loosehead has been a revelation since his debut season for the Waratahs, rushed into the national set-up in 2020.
Bell dealt with injuries at the back end of 2022 and will push captain James Sipper for a starting spot in 2023.
Langi Gleeson (21)
Gleeson is still reflecting on an incredible 2022 campaign that saw the Manly product rocket to stardom.
Entering 2022 an unknown prospect, the backrower has excelled at every level, finding himself starting the last Test of the season against Wales.
He returns to a stacked Waratahs pack eager to shrug off any suggestions of second-year syndrome.
Mark Nawaqantiawase (22)
Nawaqanitwase has emerged as a genuine starting option for the 2023 World Cup.
The Waratah possess a unique X-Factor that was on full display for the Waratahs and Australia A before his game-winning outing against Wales.
Like Gleeson, he enters 2023 with plenty of hype as he looks to replicate his performances with NSW, looming as a key piece in their push for the top four.
Kaitlan Leaney (22)
Kaitlan Leaney continues to shine since making her debut for the Wallaroos at the start of 2022.
Leaney formed an imposing partnership with Michaela Leonard and has become a central piece of the Waratahs and Wallaroos pack heading forward.
Her talent has been recognised, picked up by English club Harlequins alongside fellow Wallaroo Arabella McKenzie, starting regularly in the Premier 15s as they start the season strong.
Piper Duck (21)
Piper Duck is the latest in a long line of NSW backrowers taking the International stage by force.
Duck made her debut during the Wallaroos’ opening Test of 2022 against Fijiana, with the 21-year-old’s consistent showings as a finish earning her first start against Canada, one of few to play every Test in the build-up to the World Cup.
She raised her stocks ever further at the hallmark event and steps up as a leader for the 'Tahs with Emily Chancellor slated to head overseas for Super W.
Grace Kemp (21)
Kemp is another backrower showing plenty of potential in the Wallaroos' set-up.
The number eight swept the awards for the Brumbies before making her mark on the International stage during the Pac-Four.
The 21-year-old got her maiden start during the O’Reilly Cup series against the Black Ferns and will continue to push the likes of Chancellor, Grace Hamilton and Shannon Parry.
Bienne Terita (19)
Terita has played just six months of 15s but has quickly established herself as a genuine superstar of the Wallaroos set-up.
The teenager made her name with the Sevens program, where she remains a key contributor, however, found herself starring on centre stage after scoring a quick double against the Black Ferns in the Rugby World Cup opener.
Whatever the format, Terita is a talent to keep a close eye on as the leader of the latest generation of stars
Billy Pollard (21)
Pollard was thrust into the Wallaby set-up after a rapid rise for the Brumbies.
The hooker has always been touted as a player of the future, however, even he would concede his call-up against Argentina in August was earlier than expected.
He will compete with fellow young gun Lachlan Lonergan, with the departure of Folau Fainga’a opening the door for further player time.
Tane Edmed (22)
Edmed’s rise in 2022 has been meteoric, emerging as a key playmaker for the future.
He slotted into the starting side for the Waratahs in round six and never looked back, engineering several victories over Kiwi opposition.
The Eastwood junior will once again battle good mate Ben Donaldson for the starting spot in 2023.
Jackson Pugh (22)
Pugh is a player that has flown under the radar, however, is a player to certainly watch in 2023.
The backrower impressed enough for the Force to earn selection for Australia A, before spending the off-season with Auckland in the NPC.
Pugh worked his way into the starting side as they made the semi-finals, looking to bring similar form back to the west and help them upset a few teams in 2023.
Carter Gordon (21)
Gordon has established himself as the Rebels’ playmaker of the future, stepping as a leader in 2023.
He has shown his talent since debuting in 2021, with this year key to his development behind an impressive pack and a backline stacked with weapons.
Gordon flies under the radar in Melbourne and will attract plenty of headlines as a potential Wallabies bolter if the Rebels start strong
Jack Bowen (19)
Bowen is the latest in a long line of impressive NSW playmakers coming through the system.
He was electric in the U18 National Championships, earning Player of the Match in the Final with a starring performance against the Queensland Reds.
The son of Wallaby Scott will take a central role in the Junior Wallabies’ U20 World Championship campaign.
Maya Stewart (22)
Stewart will be eager to build off a rollercoaster 2022 campaign as she looms as the player to watch in Super W 2023.
The leading try-scorer in 2021 overcome an ACL injury to make her Wallaroos debut in the Rugby World Cup against Scotland.
The winger will continue to light up opposition and with an expanded International calendar, will figure significantly in the Wallaroos’ plans heading forward
Malaela Su’a (17)
Su’a is the youngest by far on the list but has shown her talent for the Queensland Reds in Super W.
The dual code star has been added to the Gold Coast Titans Academy but remains firmly in the plans for the Reds after being named in their extended squad for 2023.
She is joined by young playmaker Imogen Hei as Simon Craig builds for the future
Madison Ashby (21)
Ashby has been earmarked as a star of the future since she was 13 and is living up to the hype.
Such is the standing Tim Walsh holds the 21-year-old in, he was quick to elevate Ashby into the leadership group alongside superstars Charlotte Caslick, Demi Hayes and Sharni Williams.
Ashby enters 2023 in red-hot form, named Player of their Final from Dubai to open their Triple Crown defence.
Maddison Levi (20)
The older of the Levi sisters is one of the deadliest finishers on the Sevens circuit.
Maddison finished the series as the leading try-scorer, continuing the form into the first two legs of 22-23 with 18 tries.
The Rookie of the Year was nominated for World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year in 2022 and is making a real case for back-to-back nominations
Teagan Levi (19)
Teagan has emerged on the scene alongside sister Maddison as the key member of the Triple Crown-winning side.
It’s clear to see Levi’s development since making her debut in Dubai in 2021, helping the side to the Rugby Sevens World Cup title with a crucial try in the semi-finals.
Whilst Maddison has dominated the headlines, Teagan is primed to command her own share of the spotlight as the Sevens series returns at the end of the month.
Faith Nathan (22)
Nathan is another superstar that emerged since the Sevens program's rebuild.
Like Levi, the flyer was shortlisted for World Rugby Player of the Year after a breakout season that included nine tries in the Rugby Sevens World Cup, including five against Madagascar.
Nathan was recognised by her peers, winning RUPA’s Sevens Player of the Year, and forms a deadly combination on the edge with Maddison Levi heading into the future.
Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea (21)
Like Petaia, it’s incredible to remember just how young Lefau-Fakaosilea is, already developing an incredible Rugby resume.
She debut for the Wallaroos as an 18-year-old, named Rookie of the Year in 2019 before making the switch to Sevens.
Since then, she has an Olympics and a Triple Crown to her name. Not bad for someone who just turned 21.
Corey Toole (22)
Toole’s incredible season for the Sevens program has seen the Gungahlin flyer burst onto the scene at the national and international level.
He was named Impact Player of the Year after helping Australia to a maiden World Series title before being picked up by the ACT Brumbies for 2023.
The departure of Tom Banks frees Tom Wright to head to the back, opening a position for the Sevens flyer to slot in.
Dietrich Roache (21)
Roache is leading the way for the next generation of stars of Men’s Sevens.
He finished the 21-22 Series as the leading point-scorer with 343 before inspiring Australia to victory in Hong Kong.
In a squad constantly changing, Roache remains a core star for years to come.
Dally Bird (20)
Bird made an impression on his Sevens debut in Cape Town as the team dealt with injuries.
The hard-running Manly product is a player to watch heading forward, showing great skills in an Australian team that struggled.
