Australia name U20 squad

Editor

Australia’s U20 World Championships squad was announced on Tuesday, with the 28-man group to leave for England on May 31.

Head coach Adrian Thompson said they would need to be ready to adapt to the English conditions and the northern hemisphere style of rugby, especially with England and Scotland in their pool.
 
A 25-24 win over New Zealand in the second match of their Oceania Championship series was a major morale boost but Thompson said adaptation was their next step.

“The fact we’ve had this Oceania tournament is a big improvement from what we've had in previous years,” he said.

“I think the thing is now getting the boys to understand the type of rugby we're going to play especially in the first game, against Scotland, they’ve got a heavy reliance on maul and field position obviously something the Kiwis don’t do.”

Queensland's James Tuttle and Campbell Magnay will be two Super Rugby players adding to the squad who didn't feature in last week's matches, with the pair tied up with Queensland Reds duties during the Oceania Championships last week.

“These guys are going to have to come in and value add, so they're going have to come in and catch up with the systems pretty quickly.

“Fortunately from the Queenslanders’ perspective, they’ll be there for at least a week before they go away.”

Thompson said in the introduction of the Super U20s competition this season had thrown some bolters into the mix.

“I think a couple of the Melbourne boys have surprised. Melbourne getting through to the final surprise at the start, like their hooker Jordan Uelese and a couple of the young Queensland boys as well."

The squad will spend two weeks at a training camp in Narrabeen, including matches against the Australian Barbarians and the NSW Country side, before heading to Manchester on May 31.

Australia U20s fixtures for the 2016 World Rugby U20 Championship:
Australia v Scotland, Pool B, 8 June (KO 2.30am AEST), AJ Bell Stadium, Salford
Australia v Italy, Pool B, 11 June (KO 10.30pm AEST), AJ Bell Stadium, Salford
Australia v England, Pool B, 16 June (KO 4.45am AEST), AJ Bell Stadium, Salford

Australia U20 squad:
Forwards: Faalelei Sione, Tyrel Lomax, Vunipola Fifita, Ryan McCauley, Shambeckler Vui, Josh Taylor, Richie Asiata, Lukhan Tui, Harry Hocking, Maclean Jones, Angus Scott-Young, Izack Rodda, Liam Wright, Jordan Uelese, Rob Leota, Harley Fox

Backs: Nick Jooste, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Simon Kennewell, Jack Maddocks, James Tuttle, Harry Nucifora, Mack Mason, Izaia Perese, Campbell Magnay, Liam Jurd, Joey Fittock, Sione Tuipulotu