The Australian Under 20s had their last hit-out at Chatswood Oval in Sydney last night out before traveling to the World Under 20s Championship to be held in Italy next month.
In wet conditions they played an Australian Barbarians team of senior players from regional NSW and club sides from Sydney, Canberra and Queensland.
First Half
After a willing five minutes flyhalf Andrew Deegan got the Under 20s close to the 5-metre line with a scrum penalty kick. From the lineout 7 Michael Gunn took the ball and, running as he landed, got over the line to score. Deegan converted from near touch. 7-0.
12 Sione Tuipolotu started a weaving run from his own half and after several short thrusts near the goal line by LHP Cameron Orr and others, lock Lukhan Lealaiauloto-Tui went over for the Juniors and they led 12-0 at 15 minutes.
In the exchanges leading up to the try fullback Jonah Placid strained his medial ligament and was assisted off the field.
A light rain persisted and a few promising moves broke down from the ball squirting out of hands from the pass or the catch.
Both sides were hitting the rucks hard—and the scrum of the youngsters was starting to dominate except when the Barbarians got the hit just right.
Play was more often in the Barbarians half but that didn’t stop winger Sam Hyne from the Brothers club in Queensland chancing his arm from his own territory. After a high speed chase he chipped defenders, recovered the ball and scored near the corner. Wow.
A fine conversion by flyhalf Mitch Walton from Norths made the score 12-7 to the Under 20s near the half-hour mark.
After another brilliant excursion from his half Tuipolotu got the ball to Gunn who ran with the savvy of of an outside back, and swerved around grasping tacklers, for a try.
Just before the break the Juniors attacked; it was thwarted but they came again and peppered the Baas’ line for reserve prop Fereti Sa’aga to score handy.
After conversions of all the tries except one from the Juniors, the Australian Under 20s led 26 -7 at half-time.
Second Half
Both sides had a crack after the break. The Juniors were foiled after several attacks in the Baas’ 22, then Tuipolotu had to make a boot-lace tackle to save a long gain by the Baas, who came again when 7 Kotoni Ale made a fine run—but a wet ball was dropped.
Eventually the Barbarians went over after good work from scrummie Angus Pulver of Eastern Suburbs, but no. 8 Nuku Swerling from the Bond University club got the meat pie. 26-12 at 48 minutes.
Reserves from both teams were on by this stage and in one of the best moves of the day scrummie Harry Nucifora and Duncan Paia’aua worked the ball near touch and reserve flyhalf James Dalgleish got the inside pass for the five-pointer.
The young Aussies were kicking productively in the conditions and after 13 Campbell Magnay chased well, he charged down a clearance kick and WA lock Riley Winter scored when the ball was moved to the other side of the field.
There were several fine conversions in the conditions by the Juniors. Deegan missed just one in the first half and replacement James Dalgleish slotted all of his in the second – and some for both were from touch.
Dalgeish converted the Winter try to make the tally 40-12 about midway through the second half.
Reserve prop Tyrel Lomax from the ACT scored for the Juniors after another charge down opportunity and Barbarian reserve prop Joel Whitlock from the Eastwood club replied for the Seniors after they kicked a penalty to the corner.
Final score: Australia Under 20s beat Australian Barbarians 47-19.
The Wrap-up
The Barbarians were a worthy side and would have been formidable after some time together, but they met at the ground.
The Under 20s were not challenged as much as they were at Bond by the young Kiwis. They were still susceptible to kicks through and to quick tap and goes—but there was no waiting around for others to plug holes on defence.
Whereas they kicked the ball badly on attack at Bond they kicked to effect in wet conditions at Chatswood, and the chasing was good.
Coach Adrian Thompson was happy with the work done in the Sydney camp:
It was funny up there at Bond because we didn’t really do any preparation we just played games whereas we’ve had some time down here to prepare now, and I think defensively we were much better tonight.
They had improved but I still think the back three have to work better as a defensive unit.
The Players
Scrumhalf James Tuttle gave better service than he did at Bond and the combo with flyhalf Andrew Deegan worked so well that they looked like a rugby couple, if you know what I mean.
Thompson was pleased that skipper Andrew Kellaway got the opportunity to “play in a few positions were he might be needed” and he praised replacement inside centre Duncan Paia’aua. He had a fine stint, but I thought the run-on 12, Sione Tuipolotu, was exceptional also.
Big bopper lock Lukhan Lealaiauloto-Tui, still in his U19 year, was destructive to defensive lines despite running too upright.
But Gunn was the gun player according to Thompson and that was a fair assessment also. He said to Green and Gold exclusively:
I think Michael Gunn stood up tonight he’s very good running the ball, Gunny, and sometimes needs to do a lot more work around the football at the breakdown—and he did that, which was good.
(See video of his second try below.)
Scoring
Australia U20’s 47 (M. Gunn 2, L. Lealaialoto-Tui, F. Sa’aga, J. Dalgleish, R, Winter, T. Lomax tries; A. Deegan 3, J. Dalgleish 3 cons) def. Australian Barbarians 19 (S. Hyne, N. Swerling, J. Whitlock tries; M. Walton, A. Robinson cons).
Video highlights – Australian Under 20s v. Australian Barbarians
Chatswood Oval 2015
Video – ARU – Photos by ARU and Lee Grant
