Confident Aussies head for SA

The Australian Under-20 squad on Monday departed for South Africa, ahead of the IRB Junior World Championship being held from June 4 to June 22.

The side will leave with some confidence, having defeated the Samoan Under-20 side 57-12 in a trial match last Friday.

While happy with the match, Australian Under-20 coach Anthony Eddy knows there is still work to be done before the tournament.

"It was a good start," Eddy said.

"We've had good preparation and the squad is looking good.

"It was good to get a hit out before the tournament."

One change has been made to the squad prior to departure, with Malietoa Hingano replaced by Jock Merriman due to injury.

The Australian Under-20 will look to improve on last year's performance at the IRB Junior World Championship, where they finished third following a 7-37 loss to New Zealand in the semifinal, before beating France 30-17 in the third-fourth play-off game.

The IRB Junior World Championship sees Australia's Under-20 as the top seed of Pool C, taking on France, Argentina and Scotland.

Pool A features New Zealand, Fiji, Wales and Samoa - while Pool B contains England, South Africa, Ireland and Italy.

Australia Under-20: Allan  Alaalatoa, Curtis  Browning, Lindsay Crook, Steven  Cummins, Thomas  Cusack, James Dargaville, Allan  Faalavaau, Con Foley, Nicholas Frisby, Liam Gill, Kyle Godwin, Lewis  Holland, Jed  Holloway, Oliver  Hoskins, Sam Jeffries, Silatolu  Latu, Apolosi  Latunipulu, Matthew  Lucas, Leslie  Makin, Sean  McMahon, Benn Melrose, Jock Merriman, Maile  Ngauamo, Pettowa  Paraka, Sam Reiser, Hugh  Roach, Christopher Sautia, Ulupano Seuteni.