Australia U20 World Championship Squad

[Burgs]

Six new faces in Nathan Grey's Australia U20 World Championship squad

Tue, Jun 11, 2024, 9:00 AM
Lachlan Grey

Australia U20 head coach Nathan Grey has named six fresh faces in his 30-man squad to contest the upcoming World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa.

Australia face Georgia, Ireland and Italy in Pool B and Grey hasn't shied away from sweeping changes in a bid to improve last year's fifth-placed finish in Cape Town.

Watch Australia U20 in action during the U20 World Championships LIVE and exclusive on Stan Sport.

ACT's Kadin Pritchard (outside back) and Dan Nelson (scrumhalf) have been brought in alongside NSW trio Oniti Finau (hooker), Joe Dillon (flyhalf) and Archie Saunders (winger) with Queensland's Trevor King (prop) also returning in a new-look 30-man squad.

King was a member of last year's U20 World Championship tilt while Saunders' inclusion is set to turn heads with the young winger clocked around 10.3 seconds over 100 metres.

Reds playmaker Harry McLaughlin-Phillips adds firepower to the squad after being called into TRC U20 at the eleventh hour with lock Toby Macpherson and Brumbies stablemate Nelson named captain and vice captain respectively.

Forward duo Dom Thygesen and Eamon Doyle also hold onto their berths after entering last month's tournament as injury cover.

"We've selected an exciting group of players who have been delivering impressive performances for their club sides over the last few weeks," Grey said.

"The opportunity for these young men to now come together and represent Australia on the world stage is truly special.

"What awaits us in Cape Town is a formidable challenge, starting with our three pool opponents in Georgia, Italy and Ireland.

"However we're prepared and ready to embrace that challenge."

Grey's coaching team has been bolstered by the inclusion of former Wallaby backrowers Matt Cockbain and Ben Mowen, who will take over the forwards portfolio with Laurie Fisher joining Joe Schmidt's Wallabies.

Australia U20 World Championship Squad

ACT Brumbies

Tevita Alatini - Gungahlin Eagles
Harvey Cordukes - Uni-Norths Owls
Toby Macpherson – Uni-Norths Owls
Jarrah McLeod – Canberra Royals
Dan Nelson – Canberra Royals
Angus Staniforth – Canberra Royals
Shane Wilcox - Tuggeranong Vikings
Jack Harley - Gungahlin Eagles
Lington Ieli - Tuggeranong Vikings
Kadin Pritchard - Gungahlin Eagles

Western Force

Boston Fakafanua - Sydney University
Ronan Leahy - Sydney University
Dane Sawers – Kalamunda Districts Rugby Union Club

Melbourne Rebels

Ottavio Tuipulotu - Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club

Australia Sevens

Aden Ekanayake – Gordon Rugby Club

Queensland Reds

Nick Bloomfield – Easts Rugby Club
Frankie Goldsbrough - Easts Brisbane
Trevor King – Souths Rugby Club Brisbane
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips – Souths Rugby Club Brisbane
Dominic Thygesen - Souths Rugby Club Brisbane
William McCulloch - Norths Brisbane

NSW Waratahs

Jack Barrett – Randwick Rugby Club
Ben Di Staso – Eastern Suburbs
Bryn Edwards - Sydney University
Ollie McCrea – Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club
Archie Saunders – Warringah Rugby Club
Eamon Doyle - Sydney University
Hwi Sharples - Sydney University
Joe Dillon - Manly Marlins
Oniti Finau - Randwick Rugby Club

Commiserations to Doug Philipson, Kauri Tipene-Grace and AJ Preketes who had all been in the mix previously. I think Philipson particularly could think himself unlucky.

[Burgs]

Force trio named in Australia's World Rugby U20 Championship squad

Tue, Jun 11, 2024, 8:01 AM
Ben Somerford

Fortescue Western Force Academy trio Boston Fakafanua, Ronan Leahy and Dane Sawers have earned selection for Australia at the upcoming World Rugby U20 Championships.

The trio were all part of Australia’s recent campaign in the U20 Rugby Championship on the Sunshine Coast, where Leahy was the side’s vice-captain.

Selection has now been finalized for the upcoming tournament in South Africa which runs from June 29 to July 19. The 30 players will assemble in Sydney next week to finalise preparations before departing for Cape Town.

Australia is grouped with Georgia, Italy and Ireland, with the side’s opening game against Georgia in Cape Town on June 29.

The call-up comes after UWA and Sydney University winger Leahy made his Super Rugby Pacific debut in Round 14, having been named in the U20 Rugby Championship Team of the Tournament last month.

Fakafanua, who has returned to play NSW Shute Shield with Sydney Uni, and Kalamunda back-rower Sawers also impressed in their recent spell with the Australia U20s.

Australia U20 head coach Nathan Grey said: "We've selected an exciting group of players who have been delivering impressive performances for their club sides over the last few weeks.

"The opportunity for these young men to now come together and represent Australia on the world stage is truly special.

"What awaits us in Cape Town is a formidable challenge, starting with our three pool opponents in Georgia, Italy and Ireland. However we're prepared and ready to embrace that challenge."

The full draw for the tournament is available here. https://www.world.rugby/tournaments/u20/championship

Australia U20 Championship Squad:

Western Force

Boston Fakafanua - Sydney University

Ronan Leahy - Sydney University

Dane Sawers – Kalamunda Districts Rugby Union Club

ACT Brumbies

Tevita Alatini - Gungahlin Eagles

Harvey Cordukes - Uni-Norths Owls

Toby Macpherson – Uni-Norths Owls

Jarrah McLeod – Canberra Royals

Dan Nelson – Canberra Royals

Angus Staniforth – Canberra Royals

Shane Wilcox - Tuggeranong Vikings

Jack Harley - Gungahlin Eagles

Lington Ieli - Tuggeranong Vikings

Kadin Pritchard - Gungahlin Eagles

Melbourne Rebels

Ottavio Tuipulotu - Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club

Australian Sevens

Aden Ekanayake – Gordon Rugby Club

Queensland Reds

Nick Bloomfield – Easts Rugby Club

Frankie Goldsbrough - Easts Brisbane

Trevor King – Souths Rugby Club Brisbane

Harry McLaughlin-Phillips – Souths Rugby Club Brisbane

Dominic Thygesen - University of Queensland

William McCulloch - Norths Brisbane

NSW Waratahs

Jack Barrett – Randwick Rugby Club

Ben Di Staso – Eastern Suburbs

Bryn Edwards - Sydney University

Ollie McCrea – Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club

Archie Saunders – Warringah Rugby Club

Eamon Doyle - Sydney University

Hwi Sharples - Sydney University

Joe Dillon - Manly Marlins

Oniti Finau - Randwick Rugby Club

[The InnFORCEr]

I know Nathan Gray made a 90 minute call to Caleb Karangaroa from Wanneroo on Friday so I was really hoping he made the cut. He went through a heap of recorded local club matches highlighting his strengths and weaknesses, sounded very professional and encouraging.

[Burgs]

Among several to really watch, Aden Ekanayake is a particular stand out for me.
From a late bloomer at Sydney's Barker College to Captain last year of the Australian School & U18s, he is a dominating and very mobile #6.
Meanwhile also breaking into the Aus7's program at only 18.
If managed correctly, I wouldn't be surprised to see him in contention for higher honours around RWC time.
He reportedly has an eye on the Waratahs, which as a local is only natural, however, with a relatively young Backrow department already there, would be well served joining his long term Rep team mates Leahy and Sawers in the sunny West.