Future Wallabies run riot to score 81 points against New Zealand

The Wallabies may have lost the chance to win the Bledisloe Cup on Saturday, but the Australian Under-18s have provided some hope for the future, handing New Zealand Schools their biggest defeat, 81-48, in Canberra on Monday.

The Australian try-scorers included dual-code sensation No.8 Heinz Lemoto, who will join French club Toulouse, and Sydney University second-rower Ed Kasprowicz, the son of former Test cricketer Michael Kasprowicz.

The 12-try display at Viking Park included three five-pointers from outstanding Waratahs centre Cyrus Bloomfield, who also plays rugby league for Parramatta in the Harold Matthews Cup.

Bloomfield’s centre partner, Treyvon Pritchard, also scored two tries in a dominant display against New Zealand. He signed a two-year elite development deal with the Queensland Reds in July.

Last year, Australia Under-18s beat New Zealand in Hamilton for the first time in five years, with Heamasi Makasini signing a three-year deal to remain at Wests Tigers a day after scoring a try in the seven-point victory.

Of Makasini’s teammates from that win in New Zealand, 23 of the 26 have stayed in Australian rugby, with fullback Rex Bassingthwaighte signing a four-year deal with Sydney Roosters and Lemoto playing in France.

RA has also worked hard to stay engaged with Lemoto, one of the best underage talents in Australian rugby, who turned down the opportunity to sign with Penrith in the NRL to stay in Super Rugby.

Rugby Australia general manager of men’s high-performance pathways and competitions Ben Whitaker said the decision to include Lemoto in the Australian Under-18 squad was a new strategy, aimed at retaining a lasting connection with the growing list of young players starting their careers overseas.

That list includes at least 21 Australian players under 23 years of age playing in France.

RA’s support starts with a formal system led by former Fiji coach Simon Raiwalui and former Wallaby Chris Whittaker.

“The first thing that’s really important in this decision was it was a system-wide decision, so we made it together and that’s RA at the very top, with Peter [Horne] and Phil [Waugh], right down through our Super Rugby clubs,” Whitaker said.

“So we actually sat in a room up here over a month ago and worked through it. And it was unanimous that everyone felt that. We can’t sit back and just say, these players are going to, say, France or Japan, and we just say, see you later.

“We’ve got even more work being done now that provides a formal support program for young players who go to France and Japan through our connections and people over there.

“Players know that if they do need to reach out, say in France as an example, we’ve got people both here and on the ground over there that can work with you.”

In Canberra, the Australian Under 18 team showcased some of the best talent available, including opening try-scorer, tight-head prop Levi Slater and the equally impressive loose-head prop Kingsley Uys. Second-rower Isaac Fonua played in the victory last year against New Zealand in Hamilton and his strong carries were rewarded with a try in Canberra.

All of these players are part of a broader strategy to ensure that Australian rugby has enough talented young front and second-rowers staying in the country to develop.

Before the Wallabies Test against Argentina in Sydney, $420,000 was raised by the Australian Rugby Foundation for what has been nominally called the tight-five retention fund.

The Australian Under-18 team will return to play New Zealand Schools on Saturday at Viking Park in Canberra.