Eastern districts winger Aidan Toua has scored two tries as the Australian Under 20s kicked off their IRB Junior World Championship campaign with an emphatic 58-13 victory over Scotland in their pool match in Santa Fe, Argentina on Saturday (Sunday AEST).
Coach David Nucifora’s side raced away to a 34-6 lead at halftime at Estadio CA Colon, and despite the comfortable margin at the break, the youngest team at the JWC did not lose any intensity and went on to record an impressive nine-tries-to-one victory.
Qantas Wallabies Spring Tourist Luke Morahan, U20s captain Jake Schatz, Melbourne Rebels recruit Luke Jones, Brumbies pair Robbie Coleman and Colby Fainga'a, and winger Greg Jeloudev also found the try line while Matt To’omua kicked five conversions and a penalty goal.
Australian U20s coach Nucifora was impressed with his young side’s performance and said Australia had escaped the match without sustaining any serious injuries, reporting only bumps and bruises.
“They played very well in the first half to get 34-6 up, we scored five tries before halftime and secured the bonus point which was really good,” Nucifora said.
“The team controlled possession really well, made the Scots make a lot of tackles and essentially, through being patient, opportunities came and we scored some quality tries.
“The conditions were really conducive to playing open football and that helped us.
“We’ve got a young group and it’s going to be a challenge to, I suppose, back up game after game. Hopefully we keep on improving and we’re good enough.”
Australia will play Tonga in their next pool clash on Wednesday in Parana. Tonga were defeated 40-14 by Pool C heavyweights South Africa on Saturday while New Zealand beat Fiji 44-11 and England defeated Argentina 44-22.
Australian U20s team that played Scotland (15-1): Luke Morahan, Aidan Toua , Kimami Sitauti, Robbie Coleman, Greg Jeloudev, Matt To’omua (vc), Justin Turner, Jake Schatz (capt), Liam Gill, Colby Fainga'a, Greg Peterson, Phoenix Battye, Paul Alo-Emile, Siliva Siliva, Cruze Ah-Nau. Res: Salesi Manu, Sam Roberson, Luke Jones, Ed Quirk, Nick White, Jono Lance, Damon Anderson.
