Australia U20s coach Chris Whitaker has named his side to face home team Italy in Tuesday’s 5th-8th place semi-finals.
It comes after the Aussies missed the semi-finals following a brutal last-minute loss to England to finish the group stages.
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Queensland Reds centre Dre Pakeho is a massive boost for the Australia U20s after missing the start of the tournament due to injury.
It was expected that Pakeho would miss the tournament due to a calf complaint, which ruled him out of the Reds’ tour match against the British & Irish Lions.
However, the damaging centre has joined the group in Italy and lines up at outside centre along with Malakye Enasio.
It’s a full circle moment for Enasio, who was originally called into the squad for Pakeho.
In further changes, Western Force hooker Ollie Barrett earns the start in the front-row alongside Nathaniel Tiitii, with the pair strong off the bench in their defeat to England.
Captain Eamon Doyle and Joe Mangelsdorf retain their starting second-row partnership as Whitaker opts to switch up the back-row once again.
This sees Toby Brial get his first start of the tournament at number eight after three appearances off the bench.
Aden Ekanayake moves to openside flanker, with 18-year-old Eli Langi back in the starting side after a game on the bench.
The combination of James Martens and Joey Fowler make up the halves, with experience Brumby Shane Wilcox on the wing alongside Cooper Watters and Sid Harvey.
On the bench, Lotu Vunipola will make his debut for Australia U20s as part of the front-row replacements.
Beau Morrison comes onto the bench, with Xavier Rubens back in the team after missing the loss to England.
Australia could potentially set up a rematch with the English, who find themselves in the other 5th-8th place playoff against Wales.
The Italians stunned Ireland for an 18-16 win, before a 19-all draw with Georgia ended their hopes of a dream semi-final appearance on home soil.
4.30am AEST Tuesday 14 July, Payanini Center, Verona 1. Nathaniel Tiitii (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)
2. Ollie Barrett (Western Force, Associates RUFC)
3. Edwin Langi (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)
4. Joe Mangelsdorf (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)
5. Eamon Doyle (c) (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)
6. Eli Langi (ACT Brumbies, Tuggeranong Vikings)
7. Aden Ekanayake (Australia Sevens)
8. Toby Brial (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)
9. James Martens (Queensland Reds, GPS Rugby Club)
10. Joey Fowler (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)
11. Shane Wilcox (ACT Brumbies, Tuggeranong Vikings)
12. Malakye Enasio (ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles)
13. Dre Pakeho (Queensland Reds, Brothers)
14. Cooper Watters (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)
15. Sid Harvey (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)
Replacements
16. Lipina Ata (ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles)
17. Lotu Vunipola (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)
18. Trevor King (Queensland Reds, Souths)
19. Ollie Aylmer (ACT Brumbies, Gordon)
20. Beau Morrison (ACT Brumbies, Sydney University)
21. Hwi Sharples (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)
22. Joe Dillon (ACT Brumbies, Canberra Royals)
23. Xavier Rubens (Queensland Reds, Souths)
