Australian U20’s Head Coach Adrian Thompson has today announced his squad for next month’s World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy.
After falling to New Zealand in the final of the Oceania Junior Rugby Championship on Saturday, the squad has been bolstered for the World Rugby U20 Championship with the return of RaboDirect Melbourne Rebels flier Jonah Placid.
The 28-man squad features strong Asteron Life Super Rugby and Qantas Australian Sevens experience with Placid being joined by Lolo Fakaosilea, Michael Gunn, Campbell Magnay and Adam Korcyzk from the Queensland Reds, Andrew Kellaway from the NSW Waratahs and Brad Wilkin from the Qantas Australian Sevens squad.
Despite being unavailable to play in the Oceania Rugby Junior Championship final with a hamstring injury, Wilkin will join the squad after being cleared by the Australian medical team.
Thompson offered his congratulations to the players selected:
“The Oceania Rugby Junior Championship provided a great Test for our squad and has given us an ideal preparation for the World Championship. “
“The return of our Super Rugby players adds key leadership and experience and we have strong depth across the squad.
The Australian side will reconvene at the Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen to finalise preparations from Saturday 16 May, ahead of a May 25 departure for Italy.
Having placed fifth in the 2014 tournament Australia has drawn last year’s runners up, South Africa, alongside host nation Italy and Samoa in a tough Pool B. The young Aussies’ first match will be against Samoa on Tuesday 2 June.
Australian U20’s World Championship Squad:
Cameron Orr (West Harbour, NSW)
Folau Faingaa (Sydney University, NSW)
Matthew Sandell (Sydney University, NSW)
Ned Hanigan (Randwick, NSW)
Olly Kamp (Randwick, NSW)
Andrew Deegan (Randwick, NSW)
Andrew Kellaway (Randwick, NSW)
Alex Newsome (Eastern Suburbs, NSW)
Lukhan Lealaiauloto-Tui (Randwick, NSW)
Tyson Davis (Warringah, NSW)
Sam Croke (Randwick, NSW)
Conrad Quick (Sunnybank, QLD)
Campbell Magnay (GPS, QLD)
Aaron Pleash (University of QLD, QLD)
Adam Korczyk (University of QLD, QLD)
Lolo Fakaosilea (Sunnybank, QLD)
Michael Gunn (Easts, QLD)
Duncan Paia’aua (GPS, QLD)
James Dalgleish (University of QLD, QLD)
James Tuttle (GPS, QLD)
Harry Nucifora (Bond University, QLD)
Brad Wilkin (Easts, QLD)
Connal McInerney (Tuggeranong, ACT)
Tyrell Lomax (Tuggeranong, ACT)
Riley Winter (Wests Scarborough, WA)
Fereti Saaga (Melbourne Uni, VIC)
Sione Tuipolotu (Southern Districts, VIC)
Jonah Placid (Melbourne Uni, VIC)