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Super, Sevens stars named in Australian U20 squad
- Updated: May 9, 2017
A GROUP of rising Super Rugby and Sevens stars have been included in Australia’s squad for the under-20 World Championship in Georgia.
Coach Simon Cron has named Super Rugby players including Izaia Perese and Hamish Stewart (Queensland Reds), Sione Tuipulotu, Jack Maddocks, Jordan Uelese and Harrison Goddard (Melbourne Rebels), Shambecklar Vui (Western Force) and Rob Valetini (ACT Brumbies).
Australian sevens players Simon Kennewell, Liam McNamara, Henry Hutchison and Lachie Anderson have also been picked in his squad.
Australia have been drawn to play Wales, Samoa and England in Pool A in the tournament that kicks off on May 31.
“We have a number of our players involved in Super Rugby this season and we are looking forward to getting those players involved as soon as possible,” Cron said.
“The Australian sevens contingent still have a final two tournaments so those players will join us in Georgia.
“They will all have high aerobic and anaerobic capacities which is essential during a World Cup campaign.
“Our performances against New Zealand, Samoa and Fiji highlighted a number of key areas we need to work on in our sessions.
“Some rugby brains, in regards to game management, is a key, as well as the execution of catch and pass skills while running so these will be high on our priority list.”
Australia suffered a 43-6 loss to New Zealand in the Oceania under-20 decider at Bond University on the Gold Coast on Saturday, the Kiwis claiming the Oceania trophy for the third successive year.
Cron expected his side to re-group quickly.
“New Zealand was a really good side,” Cron said.
“Their catch and pass was good, as was their running lines which is probably the area that let us down.
“I thought defensively some of the boys did a lot of work in that forward pack, in the backs we didn’t complete many launch plays.
“It’s hard to attack when you drop the ball off the first phase.
“We have a lot of work to do in that side of it and you can tell that some of the players need our help in that area.
“I think the loose forwards and second row worked really hard throughout the match and they were tested heavily.”
The Australia squad will assemble on Wednesday for a camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.
“I am looking forward to some time with the lads at the AIS in Canberra,” Cron said.
“This camp has been tough on the boys, three games in 10 days and our 1, 3, 6 and 8 played almost every minute this tournament and that’s tough.
“However, it will make them more resilient in their ability to play more minutes.”
Australia squad for the under-20 World Championship:
Cody Walker, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Shambecklar Vui, Gavin Luka, Jordan Uelese, Efi Maafu, Sama Malolo, Ryan McCauley, Harry Hockings, Angus Blyth, Angus Scott-Young, Liam Wright, Reece Hewat, Lachie Anderson, Rob Valetini, Lachlan Swinton, Harry Nucifora, Harrison Goddard, Hamish Stewart, Liam McNamara, Sione Tuipulotu, Nick Jooste, Izaia Perese, Jack Maddocks, Semisi Tupou, Dylan Riley, Henry Hutchison, Simon Kennewell
