U20’s: Australia v Samoa Match Report

The Australian U20s team continued their strong series against the clearly outclassed Samoans, with a strong 60-5 win at Somerset College on the Gold Coast on Saturday. With a number of notable names allowed to head back to their Super sides, it was the perfect opportunity for others to stake their claims prior to Mondays selection of the Australian Junior World Cup Squad.

On a perfect day, with only a slightly swirling breeze to contend with, the Aussies amassed nine tries to one to decimate the Samoans. Outside Centre, Andrew Kellaway (Randwick) and fullback Jonny Vaux (Sydney Uni) bagged a brace each, with Vaux scoring both despite only spending 30 minutes on the field. Despite an early missed penalty to fly half Jake McIntyre (Sunnybank), it didn’t take long for the first points to come. Excellent open running from left winger, Brad Lacey (Force Academy) led to front foot ball with McIntyre giving a nice short ball to the very impressive inside centre, Jim Stewart (Sydney Uni), who bullocked his way through a few tacklers to score.

The scorers had to wait a little while longer as the Samoans got in the faces of the Australians, but a penalty on the thirty metre mark after 20 minutes, and subsequent kick for the line showed the Australians intent. The ensuing passage of play and another strong carry from Stewart in heavy traffic enabled quick distribution from industrious halfback, Joe Powell to find his outside back in Kellaway to break tackles and set up an easy try to fullback Vaux. A good conversion from McIntyre took the score to 14-0.

Just a few minutes later, it was Stewart in the thick of it again, pulling off a huge hit that dislodged the ball and led to some good forward play. On the next phase, a dubious grubber from McIntyre into the in-goal produced an outstanding one-handed put down from Lacey for the third, taking the score to 21-0. McIntyre, who looks like a good prospect, but favoured the boot a number of times including a two poor kicks in the first half. Surprising, given the centre pairing of Stewart and Kellaway outside him looked like fantastic Super rugby prospects – both are big, strong and carry the ball well into traffic, often brutalising their opponents.

Minutes later and a good run from the skipper, Matt Philip (Manly), led again to quick ball with McIntyre who delivered an excellent short ball to fullback Vaux who bagged his second.  Not long after, Vaux as at it again, on the end of excellent hands down a short side. Sadly for Vaux, with one man to beat and a man outside, he dummied and was sickeningly knocked out cold in a spear tackle. The tackle led to a long stoppage and a yellow card to the Samoan fullback. Vaux may not do that again in a hurry.

Another try took the margin to 36-0 at half time and the only question was by how much.

The second half brought more of the same, with a second yellow card for foul play to the Samoans leaving the flood gates open. Australia also made some changes with young Waratahs fly half,  David Horwitz replacing McIntyre, and hooker, Alifelieti Kaitu’u being replaced by David Vea (Randwick) with both making their presence felt. Vea, not a big hooker, was fearless and hit every ruck hard, along with big No. 8, Pat Sio gave good forward as the Samoan defence softened. On the 50 minute mark, a 5 metre lineout taken by blindside flanker, Ross Haylett Petty (Cottesloe) led to a strong forward rumble for a good set piece try. Sio, the younger brother to Brumby, Scott Sio, who more resembles Wyclif Palu, was a surprise omission from Monday’s world cup squad, when it cut the 33 down to 28.

Not long after,  a good run from Haylett Petty led to deft quick hands from Vea to Powell, who scurried down the sideline to score again. Horwitz added another individual try which was out of the top draw, though he struggled with his conversions – something which may bite hard in a world cup.

Overall, a bit of a cakewalk and a tough one to read much from. Vea, Lacey, Kellaway and Stewart were standouts as well as strong games from solid half, Powell and forwards, Philip and Haylett Petty. Surprisingly, Tom Staniforth (Brumbies) wasn’t a standout and for Samoa, big Cam Skelton wasn’t entirely impressive. The latter is even bigger than his older brother, Will, but is raw and hasn’t quite learnt how to get the most out of his large frame.

It’ll be interesting to see how far this team can go once they come up against England and Argentina in the pool stage. Add in Luke Burton (Force), Sean McMahon (Rebels) and Jonah Placid (Reds) to some of the aforementioned names and they should give it a shake if they can get their combinations right. They certainly have some entertaining backs so it might be a question of whether the forwards can continuously provide the platform. On a separate note, it’s also good to see the Force providing some home grown talent with four players selected in the world cup squad.

Score and Scorers:

Australia: (Andrew Kellaway 2, Johnny Vaux 2, Ross Haylett-Petty, Pat Sio, Joe Poewell, Jim Stewart, Tom Banks, David Horwtiz, Jake McIntyre 4 cons 1 pen, David Horwitz 1 con, Andrew Deegan 1 con)

Samoa: 5 (Almanda Motuga try).

National Under 20s Squad for IRB Junior World Championship: