Australia make change at 10 as Rugby Championship U20 title race heats up

Brumbies prospect Joe Dillon will become the third fly-half to start for Australia U20 in as many matches, with coach Chris Whitaker making some key changes ahead of the side’s final outing at The Rugby Championship U20 against Argentina U20.

Joey Fowler from the Waratahs and the Force’s Finn Prass were both given the chance to wear the golden No. 10 jersey earlier in the tournament, but now it’s Dillon’s chance to shine, with Australia still in the running to claim their first-ever TRC U20 title.

Dillon has been named to start for the first time in the tournament, and it’s the same selection outcome for halfback James Martens and hooker Lipina Ata. Reds product Tom Robinson has also been named for the first time, starting at openside flanker.

Australia started their campaign with a dramatic 29-all draw against New Zealand, with HSBC SVNS Series rookie Sid Harvey nailing a conversion after the siren. In their second match, the Aussies pulled off a remarkable 29-24 comeback win over South Africa last Wednesday.

With one more match to play, Australia will claim the TRC U20 crown if they beat Argentina, and South Africa shocks defending champions New Zealand. All matches will be played at Gqeberha’s Nelson Mandela Stadium on Sunday, May 11.

Loosehead prop Trevor King will pack down alongside hooker Lipina Ata and tighthead Kaleb Ah-Colt, while the Waratahs duo of Joe Mangelsdorf and captain Eamon Doyle round out the tight five as the two second rowers.

Charlie Bronsan and Tom Robinson, both from the Queensland Reds, will take their place on a flank each, while Toby Brial from the Waratahs starts at No. 8. On the bench, the replacement forwards are prominently from the Tahs, including a fully New South Wales front-row.

Martens and Dillon will link up in the halves, while Boston Fakafanua and Liam Grover will form the midfield combination. Xavier Rubens will wear the No. 11 jersey, while Shane Wilcox starts on the right edge, and Harvey has been retained at fullback.

This match will kick off at 10:00 AEST.

Australia U20 to take on Argentina U20

1. Trevor King (Queensland Reds, Souths)
2. Lipina Ata (ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles)
3. Kaleb Ah-Colt (NSW Waratahs, Randwick)
4. Joe Mangelsdorf (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)
5. Eamon Doyle (c) (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)
6. Charlie Brosnan (Queensland Reds, Brothers)
7. Tom Robinson (Queensland Reds, University of Queensland)
8. Toby Brial (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)
9. James Martens (Queensland Reds, GPS Rugby Club)
10. Joe Dillon (ACT Brumbies, Canberra Royals)
11. Xavier Rubens (Queensland Reds, Souths)
12. Boston Fakafanua (Western Force, Wests Scarborough)
13. Liam Grover (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)
14. Shane Wilcox (ACT Brumbies, Tuggeranong Vikings)
15. Sid Harvey (Australia Sevens)
Replacements
16. Charlie O’Kane (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)
17. Nick Hill (NSW Waratahs, Warringah)
18. Edwin Langi (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)
19. Ollie Aylmer (ACT Brumbies, Gordon)
20. Beau Morrison (ACT Brumbies, Sydney University)
21. Hwi Sharples (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)
22. Joey Fowler (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)
23. Cooper Watters (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)