Five next-gen Aussies set to light up the 2025/26 SVNS Series

Australia’s SVNS hopes have long been pinned on their star-studded women’s program – but there’s a stirring Down Under following an overhaul of the Aussie men’s roster.

Three weeks out from the Dubai SVNS, RugbyPass casts an eye over the five Australian rising stars to watch in the 2025/26 HSBC SVNS Series.

Wallace Charlie

One of the hottest prospects in Australian rugby, Charlie, 19, is primed for a breakout SVNS Series following his Los Angeles debut last season.

The Torres Strait speedster made a mockery of Australia’s Super Rugby U19 tournament, finishing with 19 tackle busts and 337 carry metres from just three games for the Western Force.

He’s since re-joined Liam Barry’s squad and will be available for the entire 25/26 Series before linking back up with the Force on a two-year contract.

Amahli Hala

19-year-old Hala slotted seamlessly into the Australian women’s system and is ready to take centre-stage this season

Easily identifiable by her pink headgear, Hala got tongues wagging enroute to a 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games gold medal before produced an all-time debut tournament in Hong Kong, including an early try against Spain.

Hala’s ability to create space for others was key in Queensland’s surprise Next Gen 7s title in 2025 and she’ll continue pushing for regular game time under veteran coach Tim Walsh.

Will Cartwright

Equally comfortable at halfback or on the wing in XVs, the pint-sized Cartwright has genuine gas and an appetite for big games.

Catapulted into Les Kiss’ Queensland system after a breakout 2024 season of Hospital Cup powerhouse Brothers, Cartwright found himself facing Wales and Tonga in a Reds jersey last year and continued to impress through their Super Rugby Australia campaign.

His combination of pace and footwork quickly caught the eye of Australian Sevens selectors, who invited him to their inaugural training combine and quickly secured his services for the 2025/2026 SVNS Series.

Kiiahla Duff

Another debutant from the 2024/2025 SVNS Series, Duff has serious sevens pedigree and the skillset to match.

Duff, 22, is the cousin of Australian Sevens teammates Faith Nathan and Sariah Paki and shapes an equally dangerous prospect in her sophomore season.

A former Australian touch football representative, Duff had to bide her time in the Next Gen Sevens before earning her first cap in Dubai last Series and racking up 27 games in green and gold.

Cooper Watters

One of Australia’s breakout performers from the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship, Watters shapes a wildcard wing option to debut under Liam Barry.

Hailing from the NSW country town of Bathurst, Watters started seven of eight Junior Wallabies fixtures on the wing last year and finished as Australia’s tournament leader for linebreaks (seven)

Watters’ defence is invaluable with the outside back also topping the Junior Wallabies tackle count in South Africa (45) ahead of Sevens teammate Aden Ekanayake.