By Jonathan B Geddes

RISING frontrower Finn Baxter really is a chip off the old prop.

The son of Wallabies, Waratahs and Northern Suburbs great Al Baxter is in the Australian squad for the World Rugby Under 20 Championships, which kick off  at the end of the month in Italy.

Like his dad, Finn plies his trade in the engine room packing down as a prop.

During his distinguished career Al won 69 caps for the Wallabies and 121 for the Waratahs. When he retired in 2011 he held the record of being Australia’s most capped Test prop.

“It’s been so nice to see Finn come up through the ranks over the last couple of years,” proud dad Baxter senior told Rugby News.

“Similar to myself at school, he didn’t make any rep teams and wasn’t playing NSW Schoolboys.”

He said his eldest son has worked his backside off to get where he is now.

“He’s just turned 20 and is well ahead of where I was at 20,” Al said. “He has developed in strength and skills and scrummaging and lineouts.”     

At the same age as Finn, Baxter senior was running around with Norths first grade Colts with a call-up to representative footy still on the horizon.  

STRONG SUPPORT 

FINN was captain of the Shore first XV in 2023, had a season with Sydney Uni Colts before being recruited by the Brumbies last year. He was in their side which won the Super Rugby Under 19s title, a team which also included winger Samson Tuqiri, the son of another former Wallaby Lote Tuqiri.

While there is no prouder Waratah than Baxter senior, he is delighted watching Finn advancing his career and enjoying his rugby with the Brumbies.

“He’s got to find his own way and has done that amazingly well at the Brumbies,” he said. “I’m so happy he’s taken his own path and doing what’s best for him.

“I am a Waratah through and through, but I support all the teams  Finn is in wholeheartedly.”

A BIG ENGINE WITH PLENTY OF PETROL 

AUSTRALIAN Under 20 coach Chris Whitaker is a former teammate of Al Baxter in the Wallabies and Waratahs. 

“Finn’s  a chip off the old block, he’s his old man 100 per cent,” Whitaker said. 

“Even when you look at him you go ‘far out’. He’s a big athletic kid as well just  like his old man.

“He’s also a smart kid, he speaks well, people respect him and he loves what he is doing.” That description could equally have applied to Al Baxter in his playing days.

Whitaker described Finn a big body who is super fit and plays big minutes.

 “He’s got an engine on him,” Whitaker said. “People who can play 60 or 70 minutes are invaluable, especially in the frontrow. It’s pretty rare these days but he does it quite easily.”

MY THREE SONS

IT IS no surprise to anyone who knows the humble Al Baxter that he is anything but a pushy rugby parent. While he has a vast knowledge of the game, especially frontrow play, he is more than happy to take a backrow seat.    

“Any advice I have given him has been minimal and his success has been driven by his determination and hard work and the excellent coaching he’s had at the Brumbies, Shore and Sydney University,” Al said. “I am more than happy to give advice when I am asked, not otherwise.”   

It helps that Finn’s younger brothers are also budding  rugby forwards.

Ed is a lock who was in the Shore premiership-winning side last year and played in the NSW Under-18s this season, while Henry is hooker in the Shore First XV this season.

“We do sometimes do some scrum set-ups in the backyard,” Al admitted.

THE BRUTAL CHALLENGE 

AUSTRALIA’S recent performances at the Under 20 Rugby Championship in South Africa, where they finished undefeated, was the ideal preparation for the World tournament.

Whitaker said the Aussies played three very physical teams — South Africa, New Zealand and Argentina – in the tournament.     

“It was three games with five-day turnarounds and it is tough,” Whitaker said. 

The World Championship will be a step up again, involving five games with five-day turnarounds which Whitaker said was “brutal”. 

“Someone like Finn who’s shown he is durable and can play big minutes is going to be invaluable definitely,” Whitaker said.

The Australians Under 20s are in a tough pool including South Africa, England and Scotland, but Baxter senior believes the Australians can win the World Championships.

“To be the best you’ve got to beat the best,”  he said. “They have a fantastic mix of big forwards who work hard and quick backs with silky skills. I think they have the cattle to do it.”

Al and his wife Jen are heading over to support Finn in the Aussies’ first three games.

He admits there will be nervousness as he sits in the stand as a spectator, just as there was during his distinguished playing career.

“It’s a different kind of nerves,”  he said. “When you play at least your nerves disappear when you get into the game. As a parent your nerves only increase when the game starts.”

The Aussies will open their campaign against South Africa on June 29.