Tasmania’s rugby was in the spotlight this month as two players were identified as future talents and the state president was honoured.

U16 state representatives Cooper Crowther and Tom Alomes have been named in Rugby Australia’s Barbarians training squad after impressing at the recent Southern States Junior Championships in Adelaide.

Both Cooper and Tom played key roles in Tassie’s U16 campaign, with Tom scoring a try against Victoria and Cooper leading the attack.

Rugby Australia pathways manager Nic Henderson selected both players for an expanded training group of 18 players, with Cooper now set to play in next month’s U16 Barbarians clash with the ACT Brumbies.

“Southern states like Tasmania are an important part of our national routes,” Henderson said.

“We saw great enthusiasm and a real attacking mentality at the Southern States Junior Championships. All the players selected to take on the Brumbies and included in our squad deserve recognition.”

TRU President Shaun Killian was also recognised this month by Australian Schools Rugby, who named him the 2024 winner of the Merv and Iris Allen Award for his outstanding contribution to schools and youth rugby.

Australian Schools Rugby chairman Kevin Culliver said Killian was the first Tasmanian recipient in “more than two decades” and paid tribute to his “extensive and outstanding contributions”.

“Shaun is a pillar of the youth sector and has fully committed himself in his roles at school, club and state level, alongside his work as chairman of TRU,” said Culliver.

“He has kept the course for touring, receiving and hosting incoming teams and outgoing teams from Tasmania. He has been tireless.”

Southern States U16 Barbarians squad to take on ACT Brumbies on September 29

Jack Kerr (NT), Owen Healy (SA), Kae Mauheni-Edwards (SA), Harry O’Hare (NT), Matthew Du Plooy (SA), Cooper Crowther (TAS)Manuel Docampo (SA), James Byrne (SA), Oliver Liddicoat (NT), Luan Oberholzer (NT), Couper Liddicoat (NT)

Southern States U16 Barbarians wider squad members

Ethan Le Mesurier (NT), Declan Rogerson (NT), Rhys Warren (SA), Tom Alomes (TAS)Markus Iselin (NT), Nathan Goetsch (SA)