Wed, Feb 21, 2024, 1:31 PM
Nathan Williamson
Australia U20s (formally Junior Wallabies) coach Nathan Grey has announced a 40-player squad for a training camp as they kick off their 2024 calendar.
The squad will assemble at the Australia Institute of Sport in Canberra on February 25 to participate in a three-way trial against Sydney Uni and the Brumbies Runners.
Don't miss Super Round 2024 in Melbourne from March 1-3. Get your tickets now!
It will be held at the AIS Rugby Field on March 3 at 11am in three 30-minute periods.
This will proceed the first-ever Junior Rugby Championships, to be held on the Sunshine Coast in April.
Reds playmaker Harry McLaughlin-Phillips headlines the squad, recently named for his Super Rugby Pacific debut against the NSW Waratahs.
McLaughlin-Phillips is one of several returning stars from the 2023 World Championships, including Lachlan Hooper, Divad Palu and Jack Barrett.
Sevens squad member Aden Ekanayake has also been included as he continues to push for a World Series debut.
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips debut v Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights
Breakout winger Ronan Leahy headlines a half dozen selections from the Western Force Academy.
"This camp is a great opportunity to bring the best U20s players in the country together and build on the satellite spot camps that have occurred over the past two months," Grey said in a statement.
"These players will be able to showcase their training and work ethic over 10 days, bond as a unit, and then test themselves in a trial situation as they face off against Sydney University, and the Brumbies Runners XV.
"With a big year of international Rugby ahead of us, this camp and trial is invaluable experience for these players, and we're looking forward to getting stuck in."
Australia U20 Training Squad
ACT BRUMBIES
1 Tevita Alatini - Prop - Gungahlin Eagles
2 Harvey Cordukes - Lock Uni - Norths Owls
3 Lachlan Hooper Backrow - Tuggeranong Vikings
4 Lington Ieli Prop - Tuggeranong Vikings
5 Toby Macpherson Lock - Uni-Norths Owls
6 Cullen Gray Flyhalf - Wests Lions
7 Jarrah Mcleod Centre - Canberra Royals
8 Dan Nelson Halfback - Canberra Royals
9 Sam Sahyoun Prop - Queanbeyan Whites
10 Angus Staniforth Fullback - Canberra Royals
11 Shane Wilcox - Fullback - Tuggeranong Vikings
MELBOURNE REBELS
12 Divad Palu Centre - Wyndham Rhinos
13 Judah Saumaisue Backrow - Power House Rugby Club
WESTERN FORCE
14 AJ Preketes Prop - Waverley College Sydney / Wanneroo Perth
15 Boston Fakafanua - Centre / Fullback - Sydney University / The Kings School
16 Ronan Leahy - Winger - Sydney University
17 Doug Philipson Halfback - Northern Suburbs RC / Palmyra RC
18 Dane Sawers Backrow - Kalamunda Districts Rugby Union Club
19 Kauri Tipene-Grace Winger - Wests Scarborough Rugby Club
20 Tiam Toufan - Winger - University of Western Australia
QUEENSLAND REDS
21 Ollie Barrett Hooker - Bond University / Nudgee
22 Nick Bloomfield Prop - Easts Rugby Club
23 Charlie Brosnan Lock - Brisbane Brothers Rugby Club
24 Ben Daniels Lock - Brisbane Brothers Rugby Club
25 Frankie Goldsbrough - Centre - Easts Brisbane
26 Trevor King Prop - Souths Rugby Club Brisbane
27 Joe Liddy Backrow - Easts Tigers Rugby Union Club
28 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips Flyhalf - Souths Rugby Club Brisbane
29 Will Nason Flyhalf - Souths Rugby Club Brisbane
30 Tom Robinson Backrow -UQ / St Joseph's College Gregory Terrace
31 Xavier Rubens - Centre / Winger - Souths Rugby Club Brisbane
NSW WARATAHS
32 Jack Barrett Prop - Randwick Rugby Club
33 Jullien Caillol Centre - Sydney University
34 Ben Di Staso Backrow - Eastern Suburbs
35 Bryn Edwards - Hooker - Sydney University
36 Aden Ekanayake Backrow - Gordon Rugby Club
37 Oniti Finau - Hooker / Backrow - Eastwood / Barker College
38 Ollie McCrea Lock - Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club
39 Archie Saunders Winger - Warringah Rugby Club
40 Hwi Sharples Halfback - Sydney University
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/first-...r-2024-2024220