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Ford Australian U19s to be tested by home-town favourites
April 05, 2007 - 2:07pm
Story by: ARU
Reigning World Under 19s Rugby Champions Australia face a tough initiation in the early hours of tomorrow (AEST) when they take on host country Ireland in the first of their three pool matches.
The 24-man Ford Australian U19s squad has been training hard at the world-class facilities provided for them at the Australian Institute of Sport, and is primed to defend the title they won last year.
Returning from the victorious 2006 team are captain Brett Gillespie and Vice Captain Sam Wykes, as well as power-players Ben Daley and James Hanson.
With an intimate knowledge of the tournament, these four are expected to use their experience gained last year to full effect .
If history is any guide, Ireland will be a formidable foe.
Coach Phil Mooney is under no illusions about the task ahead of the Australians.
“We are in a tough pool with Ireland - France and Fiji will be no easy tasks either,” Mooney predicted.
“We have trained hard and made the most of our short time together. We now have to take what we have done on the training field and execute it in a match situation”.
The team for the opening pool game against Ireland on Thursday (5 April) is as follows;
1. Tetera Faulkner
2. James Hanson
3. Daniel Palmer
4. Robert Simmons
5. Sam Wykes (VC)
6. Ben McCalman
7. Rodney Maa
8. Michael Uoka
9. Jeremy Sua
10. Patrick McCabe
11. Andrew Barrett
12. Brett Gillespie (C)
13. Rowan Kellam
14. Alfred Mafi
15. Peter Betham
16. Ben Daley
17. Daniel Penca
18. Albert Anae
19. Adam Campbell
20. Jared Hargreaves
21. Chris Harkins
22. Dan Robinson
23. Jason Ryan
24. Mitchell Inman
25. Blair Connor
26. John Grant
NB: Under tournament rules, all squad members can be named as reserves, but only seven replacements can be used.
To view the full draw visit www.irbu19.com . Australia's results throughout the tournament will be available on www.rugby.com.au
IRB Under 19 World Championship - Australia’s Matches
Day 1 – Thursday 5th April 2007
Australia v Ireland
Day 2 – Monday 9th April 2007
Australia v Fiji
Day 3 – Thursday 13th April 2007
Australia v France