Australia U20s side confirmed for opening World U20s ...

3 days ago

Rugby.com.au

Australia U20s coach Nathan Grey has confirmed his side for the opening game of the World U20s Championships against Georgia in Cape Town.

Grey has made several changes to the team that went down to New Zealand in the final Rugby Championship on Sunshine Coast, with Brumby Toby Macpherson retaining the captaincy.

Tickets to the Wallabies 2024 Home Tests are available to purchase here.

Waratah Bryn Edwards comes into the starting pack at hooker, joined by teammate Jack Barrett and Reds prop Nick Bloomfield.

It's the lone change to the starting pack, with Macpherson and Harvey Cordukes forming an all-Brumby second row as Sevens squad member Aden Ekanayake, Dane Sawers and Jack Harley make up the back row.

Vice-captain Dan Nelson starts at scrum half, joined by Reds star Harry McLaughlin-Phillips.

Jarrad McLeod returns to the team at inside centre, with Brumbies teammate Kadin Pritchard coming into the side after impressing for Gungahlin Eagles.

It pushes Ronan Leahy to the wing after the flyer made a strong debut for the Force at the end of the Super Rugby season.

Waratah Archie Saunders and Brumby Shane Wilcox complete the back three, with Wilcox scoring a double in their win over South Africa earlier in the Rugby Championship.

Ottavio Tuipulotu slots back onto the bench, the brother of Sione and Mosese, with Brumbies Lington Ieli and Tevita Alatini as the front-row reserves.

Hwi Sharples and Ben Di Staso are amongst a quartet of NSW Waratahs in the reserves, with Angus Staniforth rounding out the bench.

Every game of the U20 Championship is available live, free and on-demand on RugbyPass TV.

Australia U20 vs. Georgia U20: Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town at 4.30pm Saturday 29 June (local) / 12.30am Sunday 30 June (AEST) 1. Jack Barrett - NSW Waratahs, Randwick Rugby Club

2. Bryn Edwards - NSW Waratahs, Sydney University

3. Nick Bloomfield - Queensland Reds, Easts Brisbane

4. Toby Macpherson (c) - ACT Brumbies, Uni-Norths Owls

5. Harvey Cordukes - ACT Brumbies, Uni-Norths Owls

6. Aden Ekanayake - Australia Sevens, Gordon Rugby Club

7. Dane Sawers - Western Force, Kalamunda Districts

8. Jack Harley - ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles

9. Dan Nelson - ACT Brumbies, Canberra Royals

10. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips - Queensland Reds, Souths Brisbane

11. Archie Saunders - NSW Waratahs, Warringah Rugby Club

12. Jarrah McLeod - ACT Brumbies, Canberra Royals

13. Kadin Pritchard - ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles