Fresh off the back of one of the most successful colts campaigns in Randwick’s history, the club is eagerly anticipating a huge injection of young talent into their grade ranks next year.

The Wicks secured the first and second colts premierships in 2025, with their third colts also making the Grand Final, in a season Head of Colts, Jack Harrison, described as the “perfect storm”.

Looking ahead to 2026, more than half of the premiership winning first colts’ side will be making the transition to grade rugby.

Speaking with Rugby News, Harrison highlighted five of those players who have the potential to crack into the Shute Shield next season.

Darcy Standfield

A Randwick junior and former Australian Schoolboy, Standfield captained Randwick’s first colts in 2025.

Having already experienced a taste of grade rugby and been involved in the NSW Waratahs U19s program, the young scrum half will add even more depth to the club’s talented group of no.9s.

“Darcy was our captain last year and he’s a very mature player for his age,” Harrison said.

“He knows what the club values are about and how we want to play, and he plays a style of footy that really suits Randwick. He got a bit of grade opportunity last year, so he will be good to go for grade this season.”

Felix Turinui

Another Randwick junior, Turinui has followed a similar path to his halves partner in Standfield.

Having featured in the historic win against Japan U23s earlier this year and been part of the Waratahs U19s set up, the flyhalf has a promising future at the club.

“Felix is another one who improved substantially last year – he’s got all the ability to play at those high grades,” Harrison said.

“Felix and Darcy have been around the club since they were U6s, and the last few years in the colts program they have matured very well.

“They still have plenty of improvement left in both of them, which is the exciting part, but I think the journey for them both in grade is going to be pretty exciting to watch.”

Oscar Jorgensen

Cousin of Wallaby Max, this powerful outside back is yet to find his best position. But with a bag of skills, and the speed and power to match, Jorgensen is another exciting prospect for the future of the Galloping Greens.

“Oscar played first grade last year already, and he’s a big lad, so I think from a grade point of view he’s ready to slot in,” Harrison said.

“He’s a strong ball carrier, a really good defender, and he has that X-Factor about him. He’s been playing centre, but with his size and speed he could play on the wing as well.”

Matteo Cleverley

Awarded the first colts best and fairest in 2025, Cleverley has endured difficult periods of injury but is still making waves at Coogee Oval. The centre has been on the Waratahs age-group radar and also got some game time against Japan U23s.

“Matteo’s got a lot of potential. He’s been under a bit of an injury cloud for the last few years, but last year he had a good preseason,” Harrison said.

“He played pretty much every game for us last year and he was fantastic. He’s a very hard worker, gets the game very well, is physically very strong and has great skills.

“He’s still got plenty of improvement areas, but that’s the exciting part with someone like him. A couple of key areas of improvement and he could be anything really.”

Wyatt Ballenger

Having made the move up from Melbourne, flanker Wyatt Ballenger has already been involved in the Australian Schools and U18s programs, along with stints at the Rebels and Waratahs academies.

Now moving into grade, the traditional openside could follow in the footsteps of a long line of talented backrowers to wear the Wicks no.7 jersey.

“Wyatt is someone who could be a big factor in the first grade season,” Harrison said.

“He’s a classic genuine seven. Very good on the ball, a good ball carrier, very fit and a really good defender.

“He’s just an absolute menace at the breakdown and he’s already physically ready to go for grade, so I think he’ll have a really good impact.”

Future looks bright

First Grade Head Coach Shaun Berne said there’s plenty of excitement around the young group moving into the grade ranks in 2026, and selections will be more competitive than ever.

“There’s a bit of hope around the club that these guys will come through and have a few good years in grade for us,” Berne told Rugby News.

“There’s a lot of competition for spots. Last year we had a lot of injuries, so with those guys coming through, it makes our depth that much stronger right throughout the grades.

“They’re still young guys who are learning, but there’s no reason why any of those five boys can’t play first grade next year. But they will have to rip in, do the work and show us they can play at that level.

“No one just walks into first grade – they’ll still have to earn their stripe. We’ve got good depth across the club and these boys will still have to compete with quality players who are already in grade ahead of them.”

And while the playing stocks may be in a good place, there’s an understandably sombre feel around Coogee Oval heading into the 2026 season.

Randwick is grieving the tragic loss of one of their most loyal members in Peter ‘Marzo’ Meagher. The club’s first grade manager and a volunteer of over 40 years, Peter lost his life in the horrific terror attack at Bondi Beach late last year.

Facing the prospect of their first season without a man who has been described as a “heart and soul figure of Randwick Rugby”, Berne said the club will look to honour Peter’s memory in all they do.

“Every club needs volunteers, and he’s someone who has done it for 40 plus years. Whether it be refereeing, as a team manager or a ball boy, he’s been around the club for such a long time,” Berne told Rugby News.

“Every Shute Shield coach would feel they’re strong at this time of year. Everyone’s got a plan and can’t wait for 2026 to start. But to add on for us, I’m encouraging the guys every week to want to rip in for Peter, because he’s someone who just loved to be there.

“I hope what’s happened would give our guys that passion to want to play and represent Randwick for a guy who just loved to be there. I hope our guys will turn up and be appreciative of the fact that they can run out and play rugby.

“He loved the club, so we’ll try to do Peter and his wife proud next season.”

Randwick has set up a GoFundMe page to support Peter’s wife, Virginia, at this incredibly difficult time.

If you would like to donate to Peter’s memory, you can do so via this link: Donate in loving memory of Peter Meagher

The post Colts’ premiers to Shute Shield bolters: The young Galloping Greens to watch in 2026 appeared first on Rugby News.

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