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Junior Wallabies side named for first-ever round of U20 Rugby Championship

Australia line up for the national anthem during the match between New Zealand U20 and the Junior Wallabies at NZCIS on May 29, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Brumbies lock Toby Macpherson will lead the Junior Wallabies into battle on Thursday evening when the Australians take on Argentina in the opening round of the first-ever U20 Rugby Championship.

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Macpherson, who started in the No.4 jersey against traditional rivals New Zealand at the World Rugby U20 Championship last year, will serve as skipper while Ronna Leahy is the team’s vice-captain.

Recent Super Rugby Pacific debutant Jack Barrett will pack down in the front-row along with the Waratahs’ Bryn Edwards and the Brumbies’ Tevita Alatini.

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Captain Macpherson joins fellow-ACT-based second-rower Harvey Cordukes in the run-on side, while backrowers Aden Ekanayake, Joe Liddy and Jack Harley round out the forward pack.

Blindside flanker Ekanayake is one to look out for with the loose forward having been identified as a potential prospect of the Australian sevens side.

In the backs, Western Force halfback Doug Phillipson joins the Rebels’ in the halves, while vice-captain Leahy and the Brumbies’ Jarrah McLeod are the two starting midfielders.

The Reds have two wingers in the starting side with Xavier Rubens set to wear the No.11 jumper while Will McCulloch gets a start on the right. Shane Wilcox is the Junior Wallabies’ fullback.

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There are three Waratahs on the bench, as well as two players from the Reds and Brumbies, and finally one member of the Rebels in Nick Bloomfield.

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“We’re excited to see what these 23 young men bring to the gold jersey,” coach Nathan Grey said in a statement.

“This first game against Argentina is going to be a real challenge but we’ve prepared well.

“It’s an excellent opportunity to test new combinations and launch our TRC U20 campaign.”

The Junior Wallabies take on Argentina at 7 pm local time at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Thursday, May 2. Stan Sport will broadcast the fixture in Australia.

Australia U20 to take on Argentina

  1. Jack Barrett
  2. Bryn Edwards
  3. Tevita Alatini
  4. Toby Macpherson (c)
  5. Harvey Cordukes
  6. Aden Ekanayake
  7. Joe Liddy
  8. Jack Harley
  9. Doug Phillipson
  10. Joey Fowler
  11. Xavier Rubens
  12. Ronan Leahy (vc)
  13. Jarrah McLeod
  14. Will McCulloch
  15. Shane Willcox

Replacements

  1. Nathaniel Tiitii
  2. Tavi Tuipulotu
  3. Nick Bloomfield
  4. Ben Daniels
  5. Ben Di Staso
  6. Hwi Sharples
  7. Cullen Gray
  8. Angus Staniforth
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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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