23 under 23: the next-gen Wallabies, Wallaroos, Sevens and Super Rugby Pacific stars to watch in 2025
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As we start closing the book on 2024, there's no better time to cast eyes over the young talents set to take Australia by storm in 2025.
Rugby.com.au last compiled our 23 brightest stars under the age of 23 back in 2022 – click here for the full list – and there's a brand new 23 to keep tabs on ahead of a massive year for our XVs and 7s stars.
Get your tickets to the Perth SVNS (24-26 January) here!
Some of these players are already household names. Others are only just beginning their careers in gold or cracking their senior squads. Read on for our full list:
NOTE: This list includes players who have not turned 23 at the time of publication (December 13 2024) and excludes players named in our 2022 article.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
He’s the name on everyone’s lips after a breakout Spring Tour we’ve only seem glimpses of Suaalii’s immense talent.
At just 21, Suaalii is poised to become Australia’s next global rugby sensation following his headline-grabbing debut against England and a string of highlight-reel moments across the Wallabies’ Northern Hemisphere campaign.
Equally comfortable across centre, wing and fullback, Suaalii will only get better with a full Super Rugby Pacific season under his belt before a mouthwatering date with the British & Irish Lions.
Faitala Moleka
It’s easy to forget how young Moleka still after the 2023 Wallaroos rookie of the year winner emerged a clear head during Australia’s rollercoaster 2024
With Arabella McKenzie preferred at flyhalf for the opening five Tests, Moleka had to wait until the Wallaroos’ two-game UK tour before earning the #10 jersey and rose to new heights with a best on ground showing in their WXV2 opener against Wales.
At just 19, Moleka proved the difference in Australia’s unbeaten campaign with her kicks from hand and unerring ability to find space wreaking havoc.
Max Jorgensen
The Wallabies’ hero of Twickenham is just 20 and fans can expect plenty more fleet-footed heroics from Max Jorgensen in 2025.
Jorgensen’s injury-plagued 2023 was a distant memory this year with the teenage flyer earning a Wallabies debut against South Africa during the Rugby Championship before notching two tries in seven Tests under Joe Schmidt.
Now preparing for his third Super Rugby Pacific season with the Waratahs, Jorgensen looms a back-three trump card in both sky blue and Wallaby gold.
Bella Nasser
Passed the captain’s armband by Charlotte Caslick earlier this year, 22-year-old Nasser is quickly emerging the heir apparent to legendary sevens duo Sharni Smale and Shannon Parry.
The similarities are uncanny with Nasser’s uncompromising defence, dogged breakdown efforts and hard running lines casting shades of 2016 across an Australian squad stacked with talent.
Nasser’s tenure opened with a win in Dubai but the Queenslander will be hungry for silverware in Perth following a fourth-placed finish in Cape Town – and don’t be surprised if you see her foray into Super Rugby Women's result in another gold jersey next year.
Darby Lancaster
You’d be remiss not to keep an eye on this double-threat either with Aussie 7s flyer and Wallaby #980 Darby Lancaster eyeing even greater heights in 2025.
At 21, Lancaster already boasts a Test debut against Georgia to go with try-scoring stints with the Melbourne Rebels, Australia U20s and Australian men's Sevens.
Though the Kempsey junior faces stiff competition in a stacked Waratahs outside back contingent, Lancaster’s raw pace sets him apart and could launch him towards a Wallabies recall.
Tabua Tuinakauvadra
The barnstorming backrower known as “Boo” is a scary prospect for rival packs – especially given she’s only 21.
After earning her Wallaroos debut against Fiji in 2023, Tuinakauvadra has risen as a genuine challenger to Piper Duck’s number eight jersey following a breakout WXV2 campaign.
Massive shifts against Wales and Scotland showcased her bruising carry game and staunch defence – definitely one to watch when the Brumbies got toe-to-toe with Duck’s Waratahs next year.
Tom Lynagh
The Lynagh legacy is one of Australian rugby’s biggest but 21-year-old Tom is already carving his own path as a Queensland and Wallaby pivot.
Fresh from a three-Test debut season with the Wallabies, Lynagh will head into his third season of Super Rugby Pacific as Queensland’s primary playmaker following James O’Connor’s departure.
Though Noah Lolesio has the inside line to wear Australia’s #10 against the British & Irish Lions, fate could yet see this son of a gun eclipse his father by featuring in a winning series.
Tia Hinds
An unsung hero in the star-studded women’s Sevens, Tia Hinds shot to fame with a clutch sideline conversion enroute to Australia’s SVNS crown in Madrid last year.
Now with over 300 points to her name, 22-year-old Hinds is a goalkicking triple threat and key to Tim Walsh’s hopes of once again ascending the Olympic ladder in 2028.
Hinds is one of nine sevens stars pressing for a Wallaroos call-up in 2025 so keep an eye out for her name on a Brumbies team sheet throughout the 2025 Super Rugby Women’s competition.
Tim Ryan
At just 21, Ryan – aka the Junkyard Dog - has already attained cult status north of the Tweed following a breakout 2024 Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
The flying winger burst onto the scene following his 2023 Hospital Cup heroics for Brothers with nine tries in nine Reds appearances, including two hat-trick showings against the Blues and Rebels.
Now locked in at Ballymore through 2026, Ryan’s tipped for higher honours long-term but the "JYD" will face stiff competition from Queensland’s off-season signings out wide with Lachie Anderson and Filipo Daugunu in the mix.
Caitlyn Halse
From one breakout star to another, Halse is Australia’s reigning Wallaroo rookie of the year for a season.
“The Kid” earned six Test caps in her debut international season after impressing at fullback through the Waratahs’ unbeaten Super Rugby Women’s campaign and boasts a skillset and physicality beyond her 18 years.
Entrusted with the starting role in each of Australia’s three WXV2 victories, Halse saved her best for last with a clutch showing against Scotland to secure the title – her battle with Lori Cramer for the Wallaroos #15 jersey will be one to watch in 2025.
Shane Wilcox
This livewire fullback out of Canberra has been carving up age-grade so don’t be surprised to see Wilcox in a Brumbies matchday 23 this year.
Wilcox, 19, shot to prominence with a two-try showing for Australia U20 to down the Junior Springboks in May before earning Junior World Championship selection and captaining ACT to a Super Rugby 19s title.
Now signed with the Brumbies senior squad, Wilcox will battle the likes of Tom Wright, Corey Toole, Andy Muirhead and Ben O’Donnell for time across a stacked back three.
Bridget Clark
21-year-old Clark couldn’t have timed her run to an Australian Sevens jersey better last year.
Though injuries paved way for Clark’s debut tournament in Hong Kong, a match-winning performance in the bronze final sparked a rich vein of form that made her Olympic selection undeniable.
Blessed with jet shoes and Velcro hands, Clark is yet another of the next-gen women set to anchor Australia's sevens future.
Teddy Wilson
Fresh from a drought-breaking Shute Shield title with Eastern Suburbs and a taste of the SVNS circuit, Wilson is primed for a breakout 2024 at the Waratahs.
At just 21, Wilson looms the heir apparent to Jake Gordon’s sky blue #9 but will be challenging the Wallabies incumbent even earlier.
A former Australia U20 captain, Wilson’s slick service and level head will be key to NSW’s hopes of a Super Rugby Pacific revival, especially when paired with Beasties clubmate and halves partner Jack Bowen.
Allana Sikimeti
20-year-old Sikimeti enjoyed a dream 2024 but the best is yet to come for this up-and-coming prop.
A pre-season shift from Brisbane to Canberra saw Sikimeti earn both her maiden Super Rugby Women’s and Test caps, finishing the year with three Wallaroos appearances under Jo Yapp.
Now signed with the Force through 2025, Sikimeti’s powerful carry game and staunch set piece are key to the West Australians’ hopes of domestic glory – and there’s doubtless one eye on a maiden World Cup call-up.
Ronan Leahy
Here’s a name that should have Force fans even more excited for their 20th anniversary season.
Named in 2024’s TRC U20 team of the tournament, Leahy went on earn a Super Rugby Pacific debut in Round 14 against the Reds before topping Australia U20s’ carry metres and clean breaks of the Junior World Championship in South Africa.
Equally adept at centre and wing, Leahy, 20, offers genuine X-factor in the wider channels and looms a wildcard in Simon Cron’s bid for a maiden Force finals appearance.
Desiree Miller
Arguably the form Australian winger throughout 2024 despite teammate Maya Stewart's record-breaking season, 22-year-old Miller is yet to hit her rugby ceiling.
After tasting Test rugby in 2023, the former gymnast shot to the fore with a three-try effort in the 2024 Super W grand final before going one better with a four-try haul against Fiji.
Miller has quickly become a fan favourite on the left edge and was a standout performer throughout Australia’s WXV 2 title win, including a best on ground showing against South Africa.
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
McLaughlin-Phillips’ 2025 season is of keen interest to Queensland and Australian rugby pundits alike.
The 20-year-old sparkled during Australia’s Junior World Championship campaign, ranking fourth overall for points scored and defenders beaten, and has shown glimpses of his potential across a handful of Super Rugby Pacific and Australia A caps.
The departure of James O’Connor to New Zealand will fast-track HMP's journey from age-grade star to senior playmaker sooner rather than later - but can he unseat teammate Tom Lynagh as the Reds' starting #10 next year?
Heidi Dennis
After bursting onto the scene as an 18-year-old SVNS debutant in Perth, Dennis is yet another women’s sevens star to watch through 2025.
The Queensland flyer scored on debut against South Africa but was sidelined by injury throughout much of 2024, including the Paris Olympics.
Her age-grade pedigree is undeniable – Dennis scored four tries in Australia’s Youth Commonwealth Games final against Canada back in 2023 – and the SVNS world is eagerly awaiting her next crack at the top level.
Ben Dowling
In an era of transition for the Australian men’s sevens program, 22-year-old Dowling could well be the constant for its next generation.
The rangy New South Welshman has donned gold at both the Commonwealth Games and Olympics either side of a Waratahs stint and consistently plays above his weight on the circuit.
A rookie during Australia’s 2021/22 World Series victory, Dowling’s experience will be even more valuable for a side missing the likes of Maurice Longbottom, Nick Malouf and Dietrich Roache.
Waiaria Ellis
She’s the most sought-after multi-sport prospect in the country but rugby insiders are confident of retaining the lightning bolt known as Waiaria Ellis.
The 17-year-old has already tasted international rugby with Australia A following her sparkling debut season with NSW Waratahs and is the star name in Australia’s Global Youth Sevens squad for 2024 after spending time in Wallaroos camp.
Ellis’ speed off the mark and agility is unrivalled and few will be surprised if she beats out teammate Caitlyn Halse to become the youngest ever Australian Test debutant.
Aden Ekanayake
Those who tuned into Stan Sport's SVNS coverage from Cape Town will have already spotted this multi-format prospect.
Ekanayake, 19, was a backrow staple in this year’s Australia U20s and served a lengthy apprenticeship under John Manenti’s reign before earning a call-up under new coach Liam Barry new heights in the 24-25 World Series.
Handed his Australian Sevens debut in Dubai, Ekanayake’s physicality and nose for the try line has served him well across the first two legs – keep an eye out for this one in Perth.
Nat Wright
The rise of Wright has added starch to Australia’s halfback stocks ahead of Rugby World Cup 2025.
Wright, 22, has embraced her new life as a XVs specialist following multiple injury setbacks within the Australian Sevens system and earned four Test caps this year.
The Queenslander’s versatility as a wing option will be key to earning World Cup selection under Jo Yapp but there’ll be stiff competition throughout Super Rugby Women’s with fellow young gun Sammie Wood (20, Western Force) pushing the likes of Layne Morgan and Jay Huriwai.
Massimo De Lutiis
At an imposing 126kg and 188cm, you could be forgiven for thinking Massimo De Lutiis missed the cut for players under 23.
Yet at just 21-years-old, tight head prop De Lutiis is already highly regarded following three Reds appearances and a taste of international rugby with Australia XV.
The Queenslander’s tin-shifting ability is undeniable – click here if you don’t believe us – but Reds and Wallabies fans alike will be eager to see his scrummaging develop ahead of his debut Super Rugby Pacific season.
