The under 20’s begin their campaign in this year’s IRB under 20 World Cup tomorrow night playing Canada in Fukuoka, Japan.
The Australian team is choca-block full of players with regular Super 14 experience and it is with high hopes they would go into this year’s tournament, mind you, we all thought the same thing last year which turned into an unmitigated disaster.
Of particular interest is the selection of Matt Toomua ahead of Kurtley Beale at fly half with Kurtley named as the starting fullback.
For Tah freaks, there is plenty to cheer about with Rob Horne being named at outside centre and Damian Fitzpatrick to lead the team.
No doubt this team looks like a strong one, and should things go to plan, the business end of the tournament will involve games against Nu Zuland in the semi final and then under 20 Six Nations champs, France, in the final.
The team is coached by David Nucifora.
15 Kurtley Beale (Tahs)
14 Rod Davies (Reds)
13 Robert Horne (Tahs)
12 Ben Tapui (Reds)
11 Afusipa Taumoepeau (Brumbies)
10 Matt Toomua (Brumbies)
9 Richard Kingi (Reds)
8 Jake Schatz (Reds Academy)
7 Sam Latinipulu (Tahs Academy)
6 Andrew Shaw (Reds)
5 Robert Simmons (Reds)
4 Kane Douglas (Tahs Academy)
3 James Slipper (Reds Academy)
2 Damian Fitzpatrick © (Tahs)
1 Albert Anae. (Reds Academy)
16 Nathan Charles (Brumbies Academy)
17 Kesomi Lolotonga (Brumbies Academy)
18 David McDuling (Tahs Academy)
19 Tom Murday (Force Academy)
20 Nick White (Brumbies Academy)
21 Robbie Coleman (Brumbies Academy)
22 Dane Haylett-Petty (Force)
GO BOYS!!!!!
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="3346 https://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/?p=3346">20 Comments
I still cant figure out how we did so shit last year with an even better line-up
Could it have been the ‘Cooper Curse’?
3…..2…..1…..
Who was the coach?
Brian Melrose, currently Tah’s backs coach.
That’s two ringing endorsements!
This year they have the much more heavyweight David Nucifora, who I would like to see take on the Tahs. Yet another reason to be interested!
Is that my cue? Or is it mugs away?
Nice Matt!!!
I do think however, while this team might not have the star power of last year’s team, there seems to be a more even spread of talent across key positions.
Guys like Cooper, JOC and Pocock had to carry a fair bit of deadwood that wasn’t up to it.
This year is different, all of the backline are reasonably seasoned (in under 20 terms) Super 14 players and will be able to share the load of winning games more evenly.
Ummm… JOC wasnt there?
Indeed he wasn’t, that’s precisely the reason they didn’t win!
Thanks for setting me straight
The K-Sulk!
Will be interesting to see how the boys perform. Does anyone know if this game (or any of the World Cup games) are being broadcast?
Cheers
Sherro,
There a few that are being telecast on pay TV in Aust – not sure where you are….
I’m looking for a schedule and if I find it I’ll post when our lads are playing.
Leahlifano must still be injured. He would make an awesome inside centre in a team with 3 super 14 fly halves.
Its annoying that both props are academy.
All our hopes are on Alexander and Robinson, lets hope they dont get a ben darwin like accident…
that’d be a really bad idea.. three wannabe generals and not one of them can tackle a rampaging no.8.
I am pretty excited to see KB at FB and Toomua at 5/8, that could work for Australia after RWC11 imho. Barnes will continue at 12 and that is a pretty solid creative core!
GO CANADA! You guys have no chance against the young might of Canadian rugby in full stride. We will descend upon you like an artic winter blast and blow you away like the driving blizzards that ravage the land we inhabit.
So try to be nice, and only beat us by about 50 or less…..seriously, we are nice people so don’t hurt us…
I am sure that they will share a drink with your boys after the game, does that count?
Beale at 15? Where will they hide him next? Toomua will be interesting, he showed some real class for the brumbies at times.
8 of the starting 15 Reds or Reds Academy, I wonder how many of these guys Reds management will let get pinched by the 5th Oz Super side?
overconfidence last year perhaps?