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Aussie 7s ace included in Junior Wallabies squad for New Zealand series
By Finn Morton
Australian Sevens ace Darby Lancaster headlines an exciting 31-man Junior Wallabies squad to take on the New Zealand Under-20s in Wellington.
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Ahead of the World Rugby U20 Championship 2023 in South Africa, the Junior Wallabies will travel across the ditch to play their arch rivals.
The trans-Tasman rivals will go head-to-head in two matches, including a Super Rugby Pacific curtain-raiser early next month.
Australia will play New Zealand at NZCIS in a couple of weeks’ time on May 29, before playing the curtain-raiser at Sky Stadium ahead of the Hurricanes’ clash with the champion Crusaders on June 3.
“We’re very excited about getting the squad together and testing ourselves against New Zealand, who always present a great challenge,” coach Nathan Grey said in a statement.
“In particular the scheduling of the second game as a curtain-raiser to the Super Rugby Pacific fixture presents a valuable opportunity for the players to experience a big stadium and a big stage to perform on.
“Many of the players in the squad essentially picked themselves through the quality and consistency of their performances playing for their clubs over the last month.
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“Super Rugby Pacific commitments have forced some changes but we have the benefit of being able to draw from an extended shadow squad of players who have been involved in the program to date.
Congratulations to all our #JuniorWallabies 👏
This 31-man squad will play a two game series against New Zealand U20’s in Wellington on 29th May and 3rd June!
Read more 👉 https://t.co/1gnSc7maQX pic.twitter.com/IlOzr4uBYV
— Wallabies (@wallabies) May 17, 2023
“From all comers of Australia, they come together under the Junior Wallabies banner, to represent their country with pride and take a huge step in their development as rugby players.”
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Rising stars Tom Lynagh, Max Jorgensen and Marley Pearce were initially included in the Junior Wallabies squad, but have been made unavailable due to their Super Rugby Pacific commitments.
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tom Morrison and Chris Mickelson have replaced the trio in the Australian Under-20s setup.
The Junior Wallabies will assemble for a camp on the Gold Coast on May 21, before heading off to New Zealand – continuing their preparations for the U20 Championship next month.
Australia have been drawn alongside England, Ireland and Fiji in pool play at the tournament, which is set to kick-off on June 24.
At the last instalment of the esteemed event in 2019, the Junior Wallabies reached the final – but lost to France in a thriller.
Junior Wallabies squad
Reds
Taj Annan
John Bryant
Ben Daniels
Nick Bloomfield
Harrison Usher
Jarrod Homan
Tim Ryan
Nick Baker
Trevor King
Max Craig
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
Rebels
Leafi Talataina
Mason Gordon
David Vaihu
Daniel Maiava
Brumbies
Liam Bowron
Massimo De Lutiis
Lachlan Hooper
Klayton Thorn
Matias Jensen
Chris Mickelson
Force
Ned Slack-Smith
Jhy Legg
AU Sevens
Darby Lancaster
Waratahs
Jack Barrett
Ollie McCrea
Teddy Wilson
Jack Bowen
Henry O’Donnell
Jackson Ropata
Tom Morrison
