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Eight Qld reps in Aust U20 team for opener
Richard Kingi - scrumhalf for Aust U20sThursday, 4 June 2009
Eight players with QR Reds or QAS Reds Academy experience have been named in the starting team for the Australian Under 20's iRB Junior World Championships debut match, against Canada in Japan tomorrow.
Lock Robert Simmons, blindside flanker Andrew Shaw, scrumhalf Richard Kingi, wing Rod Davies and inside centre Ben Tapuai all made their Reds' debut in this year's Investec Super 14 season, while No 8 Jake Schatz, tighthead prop James Slipper and loosehead prop Albert Anae are all in the QAS Reds Academy.
The U20 backline also features Super 14 playmakers Kurtley Beale from the NSW Waratahs at fullback and Matt To'omua from the Brumbies at flyhalf.
The match will be played at Best Amenity Stadium in Fukuoka with kickoff at 5pm local time (6pm AEST) Friday.
Australia also played Canada in last year’s tournament, winning 81-12.
The Australian team, coached by David Nucifora, is:
15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Rod Davies, 13 Robert Horne, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 10 Matt To'omua, 9 Richard Kingi, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Sam Latinipulu, 6 Andrew Shaw, 5 Robert Simmons, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 James Slipper, 2 Damian Fitzpatrick (c), 1 Albert Anae. Reserves: 16 Nathan Charles, 17 Kesomi Lolotonga, 18 David McDuling, 19 Tom Murday, 20 Nick White, 21 Robbie Coleman, 22 Dane Haylett-Petty.
The IRB Junior World Championships involve 16 teams split during the preliminary stages into four pools of four.
Australia is in Pool D with Canada, Wales and Tonga.
The Australians play Tonga on June 9 and Wales on June 13.
The top nation from each pool will advance to the semi finals.
POOL A
New Zealand
Argentina
Ireland
Uruguay
POOL B
England
Samoa
Scotland
Japan
POOL C
South Africa
France
Fiji
Italy
POOL D
Australia
Wales
Tonga
Canada