Our final article in this series, there is no better place to finish than the positions held by some of the best players ever to wear the green and gold jersey – the outside backs.
No longer just a final line of defence, the fullback and winger roles have expanded well beyond their humble beginnings of ‘giving it to the fastest guy on the paddock.’ These players are now not only intrinsic to the kicking game within modern rugby, but also serve as some of the most potent attacking weapons in a rugby team.
Despite Australia’s mixed form this decade, plenty of quality players have shown themselves to be more than capable of excelling, from Marika Koroibete to Andrew Kellaway, and most recently Tom Wright and new arrival Max Jorgensen.
However, with much of the next generation already getting a taste for Super Rugby, the Australian game looks set to be on the verge of an explosion in back three-depth – and it could transform the Wallabies over the next decade.
Wing
The departures of Mark Nawaqanitawase and Jordan Petaia have come at a horrible time, given the new laws around the kick chaser having a clear runway plays into their strengths.
Thankfully, a few other big-bodied prospects are coming through to replace them. Many of these prospects will need time to not only grow physically but mature into their style of game – but judging by the talent already on display, it’ll be more a case of if, not when they are ready for the higher honours.
Archie Saunders
A bloke with sharp running lines, plenty of speed and critically, a pretty decent frame to throw around. While he has excelled for the Junior Wallabies, he’s still set for a real crack in sky blue. However, he already looks set for a solid career in Super Rugby and could work as a valuable running mate to Max Jorgensen. Expect him to take his chances when they come.
Tim Ryan of the Reds celebrates with Suliasi Vunivalu after scoring a try during the round 10 Super Rugby Pacific match between Queensland Reds and Blues at Suncorp Stadium, on April 27, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Tim Ryan
The Junkyard Dog himself. What else needs to be said?
You’ve seen plenty of him. Man’s got it.
Leo Jacques
With many of the Scots boys in this series going on to play representative footy (including some who didn’t make it, like Onitoni Large), it is incredible that the side didn’t go on and win a GPS premiership this year.
Yet another player to come through that side, Jacques has been moved around the backline throughout his school career. The simple reason why? He’s pure class. Big and fast, he’s the sort of outside back that seems primed to go viral with a highlights package of him burning all players around him. Expect him to be primed for a stellar run in the Junior Wallabies next year.
Aussie Sevens player Darby Lancaster. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Darby Lancaster
Talk about getting them in young! Another player who has excelled in both the fifteen-a-side and seven-a-side game, Lancaster earlier this year made his Wallaby debut against Georgia – all by the age of 21! You’ve all already seen the promise, but like Saunders, Lancaster is set to get a lot bigger. Soon he’ll probably realise how much of a wrecking ball he could actually be out on the wing.
Hadley Tonga
It was such a shame that injury cruelled Tonga’s chances for a big year in 2024. However, when he returns, he seems set to carve up in both sevens and fifteens. One of our smaller players, Tonga has one key advantage: speed and elusiveness. Imagine the Wallabies’ answer to Cheslin Kolbe – and the best part is he’s not afraid of contact either.
Honourable mention: Tom Hartman
Fullback
Tom Wright has made the fullback position his own for the Wallabies this year, and with Max Jorgensen building nicely it feels like our men in gold have the makings of a solid transition program, with the young Waratah a likely frontrunner to claim the starting fullback position after the Brumby.
Even better, a plethora of exciting fullbacks loom behind the young Wallaby – setting the stage for a period of strong depth in gold!
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 09: Max Jorgensen of Australia celebrates scoring his team’s fifth try during the Autumn Nations Series 2025 match between England and Australia at Allianz Stadium on November 09, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Max Jorgensen
Start with the obvious one. After overcoming several injuries, Jorgensen is starting to deliver on the hype – with space in front of him, the young star can really come into his own, and Australian fans should be looking forward to seeing him back at fullback for the Tahs.
The only danger comes in the form of outside influence, with Roosters signing Rex Bassingthwaighte until 2026 they will likely have the appetite to go after Jorgensen again. The young star though seems a rugby boy through and through – and given his desire to play gold, could loom as a long-term prospect.
Treyvon Pritchard
The physics of this man is insane. If you thought Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii’s acrobatic antics against England were special, this young Queenslander will be right up your street. His work rate in the air for the Reds U18s is incredible, and with electric feet, he looms as a potentially exciting running mate to the Junkyard Dog at the Reds. A very special player.
Sid Harvey
If there is one who appears to have the most educated boots ever seen despite his young age, it is this young kid from Narrabri. Having spent his time in the Sevens program in 2024, his approach and game style seem better suited to the fifteen-a-side game, which we will likely see in 2025 when he returns for the Junior Wallabies. The management of that program should be commended – with his running game advancing in leaps and bounds.
So good is his boot, he might push the next bloke on this list out of his incumbent position in the Junior Wallabies.
Shane Wilcox
Following in the footsteps of Corey Toole is the next big thing out of Canberra. Shane Wilcox is one of the most deceptive runners in the Australian pathways, possessing lethal feet and real game-breaking ability. Even with pressure from Harvey, it would be hard to remove him from the Junior Wallabies; he could also be a dangerous prospect on the wing, and could loom as one of the most unpredicatable players in all of Australian rugby.
Will McCulloch
Finally, in our last player in this series, we have an exciting prospect who has just been elevated to the Reds’ senior squad.
Following the departures of Mac Grealy, Taj Annan and Floyd Aubrey, the fullback position for the Reds has emerged as a two-horse race between McCulloch and Mason Gordon, once Jock Campbell moves on to greener pastures. A natural footy player, the best way you can describe McCulloch is that he is almost a clone of Chris Latham – and as he grows physically that will only come out more.
Honourable mention: Charlie Poynton
Who did we miss in this series? Let us know in the comments!
