Eight Queenslanders have been selected in the Junior Wallabies side to take on Italy in Australia’s opening fixture of the World Rugby U20s Championship in Argentina.
St.George Queensland Reds players Harry Wilson, Isaac Lucas and Fraser McReight have been named to start, while developing squad members Josh Nasser and Michael Wood will also run on for the side.
McReight will captain the team following their successful Oceania U20s campaign on the Gold Coast.
Queensland Premier Rugby standouts Joe Cotton, Rhys van Nek and Kye Oates have been named on the bench, with van Nek in line to make his Junior Wallabies debut.
Junior Wallabies head coach Jason Gilmore said: “We’ve named a strong side ahead of our first match of the Championship, with the boys looking forward to their first hit-out over here.
“Like all the other teams in our pool, the Italians are fresh off their own six nations campaign, but we have prepared for this encounter and are looking forward to the challenge that they will bring.”
The match kicks off at 11.30pm tonight, Tuesday 4 June, and will be broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS 507.
Junior Wallabies to face Italy
1. Angus Bell, Sydney University
2. Lachlan Lonergan, Tuggeranong Vikings
3. Josh Nasser, University of Queensland
4. Michael Wood, Brothers
5. Trevor Hosea, Harlequins Rugby Club
6. Harry Wilson, Brothers
7. Fraser McReight (c), Brothers
8. Will Harris, Eastern Suburbs
9. Michael McDonald, Palmyra
10. Will Harrison, Randwick
11. Mark Nawaqanitawase, Eastwood
12. Noah Lolesio, Tuggeranong Vikings
13. Semisi Tupou, Box Hill
14. Triston Reilly, AU7s/Randwick
15. Isaac Lucas, Sunnybank
Reserves
16. Joe Cotton, Wests Bulldogs
17. Bo Abra, Eastern Suburbs
18. Darcy Breen, Sydney University
19. Rhys Van Nek*, Easts
20. Esei Ha’angana, Melbourne Unicorns
21. Pat Tafa, Northern Suburbs
22. Nick Frost*, Queanbeyan Whites
23. Carlo Tizzano, University of Western Australia
24. Henry Robertson, Sydney University
25. Ben Donaldson, Randwick
26. Sione Tui, Melbourne Unicorns
27. Kye Oates, University of Queensland
28. Joey Walton, Gordon
*Denotes uncapped player
Fixtures
Tuesday June 4
11:30pm - Australia vs Italy, Club de Rugby Ateneo Inmaculada, Santa Fe
Saturday June 8
11:30pm - Australia vs Ireland, Club de Rugby Ateneo Inmaculada, Santa Fe
Thursday June 13
Australia vs England, 4.30am AEST, Club de Rugby Ateneo Inmaculada, Santa Fe
