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Australia recruit more speed and power for U20 Championship squad

Ronan Leahy of Australia in action during The Rugby Championship U20 Round 2 match between Australia and South Africa at Sunshine Coast Stadium on May 07, 2024 in Sunshine Coast, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Six new names feature in the Australia U20 squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship beginning at the end of this month in South Africa.

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The 30-man squad includes the standout performers from Australia’s inaugural Rugby Championship campaign, with all five Super Rugby clubs represented as well as Australia Sevens.

Among the new faces is Archie Saunders of the Waratahs, a winger with a rapid 100m sprint time of 10.3 seconds. Two front rowers, a scrumhalf, a flyhalf and another outside back have also been brought in.

Video Spacer

Toby Macpherson excited for the U20 World Championship | TRC U20

Video Spacer

Toby Macpherson excited for the U20 World Championship | TRC U20

Having placed fifth in 2023, this year will see Australia face Georgia, Ireland and Italy in Pool B, led by lock Toby Macpherson as captain and Dan Nelson as vice-captain.

“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.”

Related

Former Wallaby forwards Matt Cockbain and Ben Mowen will assume coaching duties of the forwards portfolio as Laurie Fisher departs the U20 setup in favour of Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies staff.

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

In this episode of Walk the Talk, Jim Hamilton chats with double World Cup winner Damian de Allende about all things Springbok rugby, including RWC2023 and the upcoming Ireland series. Watch now for free on RugbyPass TV

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J
JW 1 hour ago
'He wants players to be able to play four positions': Former All Black critiques Robertson's strategy

Sorta “rent a comment” kinda guy really.

Haha yep another great way to say it.


Look I actually agree with the guy, he might have heard something said and seeing as he loves to make a spotlight, and be in it, he decided/mistakenly came up with this headline grabber?


Despite what I already said was the actual idea for the topic he mistook, I think, at this particular moment, there are plenty of situations people should be sticking. I’m OK with the Dmac situation if its just until Stevenson and Etene start sharing the Fullback job. I’m OK with Barrett being left at 15 and Perofeta being given the job to displace Plummer (easy task for him imo) as the first five (with the ABs in mind). But pretty much all the others, like your suggestions, they are far off optimal understanding of their core positions so should be trying to specialize for a couple of years. Think Ioane and Proctor, one or the other, not trying to get both on. Barrett or ALB/Higgins/Lam, Sititi and Sotutu at 8, Finau/Haig/all the 6’s injured or gone etc.


From Razors perspective, of a coach on the limit of what can be achieved, he wants to a balance of core and niche. Having players able to cover situations when your down a man, through card or because he’s lying on the ground, you want your players to be adaptable. Does this mean he’d like them to learn that adaptable by playing other positions fully, like for a whole game in another position, or just as in terms of their skills sets. Because if you apply what I suggested Razor was referring to as “four” positions, wingers can be very useful in other roles like a carrying 12, or a pilferring 7, let alone benefit from a tight relationship and understand of what a 13 is trying to do for them.


This concept applies to pretty much every single position. Take your(my) Lock example, theyre now lifters, they can (size and shape allowing) ruck and maul like the front row, run like a back and offload like a basketballer. Many recent young locks of of this rangy razzle dazle variety.


Personally I really like and think that adding versatility is inevitable with the amount of training and really early highperformance skill/athleticism work they get through. Max Hicks looked interesting as a 2m beanpole playing openside in France, PSDT showing the frame is certainly viable (as apposed to the typical 6 playing lock), opensides really need a running/carry side to their play these days and could easily play in midfield. Halfbacks are starting to play standing up straight rather than low to the ground, how cool would it have been if the Hurricanes had decided to retain Preston by switching Roigard to 10 for this season? Like Leroy Carter they’re already good wingers with the right pace. I do really see the back three players staying were they are for the most part though, unless theyre special players like Dmac.

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