U20: Australia pick vs Samoa
The Australian Under-20 side to play Samoa has been named as the Australian side looks to start the quadrangular Oceania Rugby Junior Championship off with a win against Pacific heavy weights, Samoa.
Australian Under-20 coach, Adrian Thompson was happy with the progression of his young charges in camp. He said: “The squad has already gelled together really well and we are looking forward to our first match against Samoa.
“The team we've picked has a lot of developing experience with Andrew Deegan to be our starting flyhalf after a successful tournament at the National Under-20 Championship.
“We expect a tough physical battle up front from the Samoans and our forwards will need to be ready for that challenge.”
All of the matches will be played at Bond University on the Gold Coast
In the first match of the Oceania Rugby Junior Championship Japan will challenge New Zealand.
Australian Under-20: 15 Alex Newsome, 14 Christian Yassmin, 13 Andrew Kellaway (captain), 12 Duncan Paia’aua, 11 Jack Redden, 10 Andrew Deegan, 9 James Tuttle, 8 Lolo Fakaosilea, 7 Michael Gunn, 6 Brad Wilkin (vice-captain), 5 Riley Winter, 4 Ned Hannigan, 3 Tyrell Lomax, 2 Connal McInerney, 1 Cameron Orr
Replacements: 16 Folau Fainga'a, 17 Aaron Pleash, 18 Fereti Saaga, 19 Lukhan Lealaiauloto-Tui, 20 Olly Kamp, 21 Harry Nucifora, 22 James Dalgleish, 23 Tyson Davis, 22 James Dalgleish, 23 Tyson Davis
With injuries impacting the side heading into the tournament there has been some changes to the original squad with Harry Jones and Campbell Magnay succumbing to injury through club rugby.
Melbourne Rebels flyer Jonah Placid is currently unavailable because of a groin strain.
Australian Under-20 Squad: Cameron Orr (West Harbour, New South Wales), Folau Fainga'a (Sydney University , New South Wales), Matthew Sandell (Sydney University, New South Wales), Ned Hanigan (Randwick, New South Wales), Harrison Williams (Sydney University, New South Wales), Olly Kamp (Randwick, New South Wales), Andrew Deegan (Randwick, New South Wales), Andrew Kellaway (Randwick, New South Wales), Alex Newsome (Eastern Suburbs, New South Wales), Lukhan Lealaiauloto-Tui (Randwick, New South Wales), Mitch Third (Sunnybank, Queensland), Jack Redden (Sydney University, New South Wales), Aaron Pleash (University of Queensland, Queensland), Adam Korczyk (University of Queensland, Queensland), Lolo Fakaosilea (Sunnybank, Queensland), Michael Gunn (Easts, Queensland), Duncan Paia’aua (GPS, Queensland), James Dalgleish (University of Queensland, Queensland), James Tuttle (GPS, Queensland), Tyson Davis (Warringah, New South Wales), Harry Nucifora (Bond University, Queensland), Brad Wilkin (Easts, Queensland), Connal McInerney (Tuggeranong, Australian Capitol Territory), Tyrell Lomax (Tuggeranong, Australian Capitol Territory), Riley Winter (Wests Scarborough, Western Australia), Hayden Anderson ((Wests Scarborough, Western Australia), Fereti Saaga (Melbourne Uni, Victoria), Sione Tuipolotu (Southern Districts, Victoria), Christian Yassmin (Sydney Uni, New South Wales)
Oceania Rugby Junior Championship Fixtures
Friday, 1 May 2015
New Zealand vs Japan
Australia vs Samoa
Tuesday, 5 May 2015
Samoa vs New Zealand
Japan vs Australia
Saturday, 9 May 2015
Samoa vs Japan
Australia vs New Zealand
From ARU