Shambeckler Vui, Jordan Uelese, Harrison Godard, Hamish Stewart, Sione Tuipulotu and Izaia Perese have all pulled on Super Rugby colours this season and are named in Simon Cron’s side to take on Wales U20 at the Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi today..
They are joined by a trio of Sevens internationals in Henry Hutchison, who won the HSBC World Rugby Series Rookie of the Year in 2015-16, Simon Kennewell and Liam McNamara.
No 8 Reece Hewat captains the side and is excited by the talent surrounding him, insisting they have had no issues gelling in such a short period.
Hewat said: “Obviously that’s always going to be a challenge (bringing players with no matches together) but they’re at that level where they have been playing at a professional level so they’re good enough to adapt to where they need to be with our game plan, our coaching staff and the other players in our group.
“It’s been real easy just to gel in and they’ve obviously been in a professional environment beforehand so it makes it a bit easier to transition in.
“A lot of the guys have been in sevens and Super Rugby, so they’ve been amongst some of the great players and they’ve obviously picked up a lot of professionalism and they bring a lot of calmness to the group.
“I noticed from the Oceania tournament that a lot of our key positions were being a bit rushed so having these players back definitely brings the energy levels and anxiety levels down so it’s good to have them there.”
Wales U20’s opening encounter will be broadcast live on S4C, kicking off at 5.30pm BST. Jason Strange’s men will then go on to face England on Sunday and Samoa a week Thursday.
Australia U20s team to take on Wales U20s
15. Liam McNamara, (Australian Sevens, Sunnybank Reserves)
14. Henry Hutchison, (Australian Sevens, Randwick)
13. Izaia Perese, (Queensland Reds, Easts)
12. Sione Tuipulotu, (Melbourne Rebels U20s, Southern Districts)
11. Simon Kennewell, (Australian Sevens, Randwick)
10. Hamish Stewart, (Queensland Reds, Bond University)
9. Harrison Goddard, (Melbourne Rebels U20s, Randwick)
1. Cody Walker, (NSW Gen Blue, Easts)
2. Jordan Uelese, (Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne University)
3. Shambeckler Vui, (Western Force, University of WA)
4. Ryan Mccauley, (NSW Gen Blue, Easts)
5. Harry Hockings, (Queensland U20s, University of Queensland)
6. Angus Scott-Young, (Queensland U20s, University of Queensland)
7. Liam Wright, (Queensland U20s, Easts)
8. Reece Hewat (C), (Queensland U20s, Norths)
Replacements:
16. Efi Maafu, (Queensland U20s, Wests)
17. Sama Malolo, (Western Force U20s, Wests Scarborough)
18. Harry Johnson-Holmes, (NSW Gen Blue U20s, Sydney University)
19. Lachlan Swinton, (NSW Gen Blue U20s, Sydney University)
20. Rob Valetini, (Brumbies, Wests)
21. Harry Nucifora, (Queensland U20s, Bond University)
22. Nick Jooste, (Brumbies U20s, Wests)
23. Semisi Tupou, (Melbourne Rebels U20s, Box Hill)
Wales U20 face daunting Aussie outfit
Australia have selected a side containing six rising Super Rugby stars for their World Rugby U20 Championship opener with their Welsh counterparts.
