Wallaroos, sons of legends and Sevens future on display at Global Youth Sevens

Wed, Dec 13, 2023, 9:50 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
The Australians will take a strong side to the Global Youth Sevens. Photo: Getty Images/Supplied
The Australians will take a strong side to the Global Youth Sevens. Photo: Getty Images/Supplied

The U18s Australia Sevens sides will head to Auckland this weekend to showcase the future of the Sevens programs as they look to impress.

The Men's side is headlined by Sevens development player Aden Ekanyake, with the Gordon young gun recently playing for Australia at the Oceania Sevens

Watch the Global Youth Sevens exclusive, ad-free and live on Stan Sport. 

Ekanyake played for the Australia Schools and U18s side against New Zealand alongside scrumhalf Hwi Sharples and winger Brendan Palmer.

The team coached by Sevens hero Stu Dunbar include several second-generation players eager to make their name.

Rocco Gollings, son of England legend and Fiji coach Ben, will pull on the green and gold jersey at the event highlighting the best up-and-coming talent in the world.

He is joined by Queensland outside back Samson Tuqiri, son of dual-code star Lote, whilst Waratah young gun Tylan Berryman is a major game-breaker for the side.

The Australians have been drawn in Pool D alongside NZ Barbarians, NSW Fiji and Niue, with teams from Japan, Samoa, USA and Cook Islanders taking part.

As for the Women's side led by Shannon Parry, it is largely made up of the successful Youth Commonwealth Games champions.

Ten players featured for Australia in the Sevens event in Trinbago, taking out gold against Canada.

Faitala Moleka is one of those gold medalists, out to continue her breakout season.

The outside back debuted for the Wallaroos at the start of the season, becoming a regular starter under Jay Tregonning.

The team also has a host of Australia A talent that featured in Dubai, including Piper Simons, Anaia Cruickshank and Amahli Hala.

They have been drawn in Pool I alongside Cook Islanders, Aotearoa Maori and USA side Belmont Shore.

The main field will be shown Live on Stan Sport, with the other fields on the Global Youth Sevens website

Australian U18 Boys

1. Aden Ekanyake - NSW

2. Archie Campbell – NSW

3. Brendan Palmer – NSW

4. Hwi Sharples – NSW

5. Jono Ryan – NSW

6. Liam Grover – NSW

7. Rocco Gollings – QLD

8. Samson Tuqiri – QLD

9. Sid Harvey – NSW

10. Tafito ah-ki – QLD

11. Tom Klem – NSW

12. Tylan Berryman – NSW

13. Wallace Charlie - QLD

14. Xavier Rubens - QLD

Australian U18 Girls

1 Amahli Hala – QLD

2. Anaia Cruickshank – NSW

3. Ava Wereta – QLD

4. Damita Betham – NSW

5. Elise Simpson -ACT

6. Faitala Moleka – NSW

7. Fleur Ginn – QLD

8. Lucy Bourke – QLD

9. Mackenzie Davis – NSW

10. Piper Simons – NSW

11. Rhani Hagan – QLD

12. Shalom Sauaso – QLD

13. Waiaria Ellis – NSW

 

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