Junior World Championship, Round One - Teams and Predictions
PREVIEW: The Junior Springboks will start their World Rugby Junior World Championship title defence against Uruguay at the Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia.
The Junior Boks are in Pool A alongside Wales, Uruguay and hosts Georgia, who recently stunned the Baby Blacks 22-19 in a warm-up match on home soil.
The South Africans, meanwhile, completed a clean sweep in the U20 International series hosted in Cape Town earlier this season against Fiji, Chile and Georgia.
Head coach Kevin Foote touched on that series and spoke about the team’s preparations for their title defence ahead of their departure from Cape Town International Airport.
“It’s huge,” Foote said when asked how important the U20 international series was in their preparations.
“Even in that last game against Georgia, when we played some of the guys that played in the TRC [U20 Rugby Championship] just to give them a last little hit out before they went into camp with the seniors, because we knew we won’t see them again.
“We’ve been training with this team for the last two weeks. We’ve done our preparation on Uruguay, and that’s all we’re thinking about now.
“This team has got some nice continuity. The guys returning from the Springboks are very well conditioned now.
“It’s been a tough two weeks for them, and they have a game under their belts, so we’re in a good position.”
Continues below…
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The Junior Bok mentor conceded that the team will have a target on their backs as the reigning champions heading into the tournament.
“I think everyone will try and play really well against us, but that’s not really our focus,” Foote told Rugby365.
“Teams will come after us, but we will come after them, and I think it will be a really good competition.”
Foote highlighted his objectives for the team apart from winning the tournament for a second consecutive year.
“There are a lot of things we want to achieve. We want to make sure that we produce future Springboks.
“We already started having guys in there, which is great because it shows Rassie [Erasmus] and his team trust our programme.
“We want to connect the country, that’s an aim for us to make the people of South Africa proud.
“We also want to create future leaders. It’s not always about winning, it’s what these guys go on to represent when they leave our programme.”
Captain for the campaign opener against Uruguay, Rambo Kubheka, opened up what being skipper means to him.
“First and foremost, it’s [the captaincy] a blessing.
“If you asked me a year ago if I would captain this team, I would’ve said you’re joking.
“For us going into this game, we’re going in with a clean slate and not living off the past achievements.
“Everyone in this group has put their hand up to do the job and is quite keen to do so, myself included.”
The tournament action will kick off with Argentina facing the USA and conclude with the Junior Boks against their South American opponents.
*See the teams and predictions below!
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Argentina v USA
(Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi – Kick-off: 13.00 GET; 06.00 ART; 05.00 EDT; 09.00 GMT)
Prediction:
Rugby365: Argentina by 25 points or more
Teams:
Argentina U20: 15 Simon Pfister, 14 Bautista Lescano, 13 Ramon Fernandez, 12 Pedro Coll, 11 Benjamin Ledesma Arocena 10 Federico Serpa Laporte, 9 Valentino Reggiardo, 8 Basilio Canas, 7 Jeronimo Sorondo, 6 Tomas Dande (captain), 5 Bautista Benavides, 4 Joaquin Pascual Viale, 3 Bautista Salinas Mallea, 2 Manuel Cueno Camargo, 1 Fabrizio Cebron
Replacements: 16 Nicolas Cambiasso, 17 Benjamin Farias Cerioni, 18 Federico Narvaez, 19 Jeremy Annand, 20 Franco Marizza Mizawak, 21 Juan Preumayer, 22 Manuel Giannantonio, 23 Benjamin Ordiz Yujnovsky
USA U20: 15 Gavin Holder, 14 Marco Lapierre, 13 Dane Mitchell, 12 Leo Keesler-Venables, 11 Sialeafuhia Ofa, 10 Declan Cadden, 9 Spencer Huntley (captain), 8 Papaseea Matelau, 7 Yiannis Efthymiopoulos, 6 Jayden Williams, 5 Lyndon Bailey, 4 Pierce Kelly, 3 Tyler Trower, 2 Sawyer Troupe, 1 Oliver Kirk
Replacements: 16 Aidan Stewart, 17 Colin Donnelly, 18 Alfie Booth, 19 Tanielu Talaepa, 20 Franck Finicle, 21 Liam Hill, 22 Joseph Sarkees, 23 William Darbishire
Referee: Saba Makharadze (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Shota Tevzadze (Georgia), Mariam Goguadze (Georgia)
TMO: Matt Rodden (Hong Kong China)
Italy v Scotland
(AIA Arena, Kutaisi – Kick-off: 13.00 GET; 11.00 CEST; 10.00 BST; 09.00 GMT)
Prediction:
Rugby365: Scotland by five points
Teams:
Italy U20: 15 Alessando Ragusi, 14 Luca Rossi, 13 Luca De Novellis, 12 Riccardo Casarin (captain), 11 David Luisato, 10 Francesco Braga, 9 Nikolaj Varotto, 8 Davide Sette, 7 Jaheim Noel Wilson, 6 Antony Italo Miranda, 5 Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi, 4 Simone Fardin, 3 Erik Meroi, 2 Valerio Pelli, 1 Christian Brasini
Replacements: 16 Ettore Dinarte, 17 Emiliano Mastropasqua, 18 Luca Trevisan, 19 Marco Spreafichi, 20 Carlo Antonio Bianchi, 21 Mattia Andretti, 22 Roberto Fasti, 23 Giacomo Falchetto
Scotland U20: 15 Rory McHaffie, 14 Dan Kelly, 13 Henry Kesterton, 12 Ross Wolfenden (co-captain), 11 Nairn Moncrieff, 10 Jake Dalziel, 9 Matthew Fick, 8 Harry Jackaman, 7 Jack Utterson, 6 Christian Lindsay, 5 Dan Halkon, 4 Alfie Blackett, 3 Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 2 Joe Roberts (co-captain), 1 Jamie Stewart
Replacements: 16 Jamie McAughtrie, 17 Will Pearce, 18 Jackson Rennie, 19 Sam Byrd, 20 Harvey Preston, 21 Oliver Finlayson-Russell, 22 Asa Stewart-Harris, 23 Alex Bryden
Referee: Robbie Jenkinson (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Gonzalo de Achaval (Argentina), Saba Abulashvili (Georgia)
TMO: Paulo Duarte (Portugal)
England v Ireland
(Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi – Kick-off: 15.30 GET; 12.30 BST & IST; 11.30 GMT)
Prediction
Rugby365: England by 15 points
Teams:
England U20: 15 James Pater, 14 Zac Finch, 13 Nick Lilley, 12 Will Knight, 11 Sam Winters, 10 Hugh Shields, 9 Lucas Friday, 8 Connor Treacey (captain), 7 Seb Kelly, 6 Tate Williams, 5 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave, 4 Elliot Williams, 3 Ollie Streeter, 2 Jimmy Staples, 1 Alan Poku
Replacements: 16 Jerold Gorleku, 17 Oliver Spencer, 18 Sonny Tonga’uiha, 19 Patrick Hogg, 20 Jack Lewis, 21 George Newman, 22 Finn Keylock, 23 George Pearson
Ireland U20: 15 Noah Byrne, 14 Charlie Molony, 13 Rob Carney, 12 James O’Leary, 11 Daniel Ryan, 10 Charlie O’Shea, 9 Christopher Barrett, 8 Diarmaid O’Connell, 7 Ben Blaney, 6 Josh Neill, 5 Dylan McNeice, 4 Donnacha McGuire, 3 Sami Bishti (captain), 2 Rian Handley, 1 Max Doyle
Replacements: 16 Duinn Maguire, 17 Adam Cooper, 18 Jamie Conway, 19 Paddy Woods, 20 Alex Lautsou, 21 James O’Dwyer, 22 Tom Wood, 23 Jack Deegan
Referee: Ben Connor (Wales)
Assistant referees: Reuben Keane (Australia), Shota Tevzadze (Georgia)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (Wales)
New Zealand v Japan
(AIA Arena, Kutaisi – Kick-off: 15.30 GET; 23.30 NZST; 20.30 JST; 11.30 GMT)
Prediction:
Rugby365: New Zealand by 30 points or more
Teams:
New Zealand U20: 15 Logan Williams, 14 Kele Lasaqa, 13 Siale Pahulu, 12 Haki Wiseman (captain), 11 David Lewai, 10 Mika Muliaina, 9 Charlie Sinton (vice-captain), 8 Micah Fale, 7 Caleb Woodley (vice-captain), 6 Bradley Tocker, 5 Jake Frost, 4 Max Fale, 3 Dane Johnston, 2 Josh Findlay, 1 Henry Stuart
Replacements: 16 Alani Fakava, 17 Ethan Webber, 18 Alex Hewitt, 19 Johnny Falloon, 20 Kobe Brownlee, 21 Jackson Hughan, 22 Cohen Norrie, 23 Ollie Guerin,
Japan U20: 15 Ryuto Koga, 14 Shinnosuke Uchida, 13 Rio Iwakura, 12 Tsunehidemichi Fukuda (captain), 11 Isa Fukada, 10 Takeru Niwa, 9 Soshi Kataoka, 8 Masato Yanase, 7 Kise Sin, 6 Riku Fujikubo, 5 Masoto Hyakutake, 4 Kotaro Kumagae, 3 Haruto Sasaki, 2 Sota Miura, 1 Song Ha Ri
Replacements: 16 Seia Kawanai, 17 Keigo Aruga, 18 Kanta Kawagoe, 19 Taiga Yamazaki, 20 Chikara Fukunda, 21 Keigo Sato, 22 Yuki Kobayashi, 23 Gentaro Sakata
Referee: Luke Rogan (USA)
Assistant referees: Gonzalo de Achaval (Argentina), Saba Abulashvili (Georgia)
TMO: Francisco Gonzalez (Uruguay)
Wales v Georgia
(Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi – Kick-off: 18.00 GET; 15.00 BST; 14.00 GMT)
Prediction:
Rugby365: Wales by seven points
Teams:
Wales U20: 15 Rhys Cummings, 14 Dylan Scott, 13 Bailey Cutts, 12 Steff Emanuel co-captain), 11 Tom Bowen, 10 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, 9 Sion Davies, 8 Evan Minto, 7 Caio James, 6 Deian Gwynne (co-captain), 5 Osian Williams, 4 Luke Evans, 3 Jac Pritchard, 2 Tom Howe, 1 Dylan James
Replacements: 16 James Talamai, 17 George Tuckley, 18 Yestyn Cook, 19 Oscar Rees, 20 Alex Ridgway, 21 Luca Woodyatt, 22 Lloyd Lucas, 23 Luc Anfield,
Georgia U20: 15 Nikoloz Khalvashi, 14 Luka Tabatadze, 13 Leonid Saldadze, 12 Davit Barbakadze, 11 Avtandil Zviadadze, 10 Mate Makharadze, 9 Temur Dzodzuashvili, 8 Mikheil Shioshvili, 7 Luka Narsia (captain), 6 Giorgi Zazadze, 5 Nikoloz Chkhortolia, 4 Davit Baramia, 3 Gabriel Razmadze, 2 Giorgi Agniashvili, 1 Giorgi Turashvili
Replacements: 16 David Archvadze, 17 Nikoloz Balanchivadze, 18 Levan Ezieshvili, 19 Andria Bilanishvili, 20 Giorgi Ardzenadze, 21 Irakli Kolbaia, 22 Dachi Tsiklauri, 23 Data Akhvlediani
Referee: George Selwood (England)
Assistant referees: Reuben Keane (Australia), David Vosalevu (France)
TMO: Matt Rodden (Hong Kong China)
France v Fiji
(AIA Arena, Kutaisi – Kick-off: 18.00 GET; 16.00 CEST; 14.00 GMT; Friday, June 26 02.00 FJT)
Prediction:
Rugby365: France by 20 points or more
Teams:
France U20: 15 Axel Guillaud, 14 Dylan Noudofinin Cazemajou, 13 Timeo Frier, 12 Bastien Rasal, 11 Hugo Avogadro, 10 Diego Jurd, 9 Baptiste Tilloles, 8 Elyjah Ibsaiene, 7 Lucas Andjisseramatchi (captain), 6 Raphael Audebert, 5 Romeo Bonnard Martin, 4 Baptiste Veschambre, 3 Mael Turpin, 2 Gabin Garault, 1 Matheo Frisach
Replacements: 16 Yanis Basse, 17 Edouard Jabea Njocke, 18 Alexandre Langlois, 19 Alban Portat, 20 Bobby Bissu, 21 Nathan Llaveria, 22 Luka Keletaona, 23 Diego Mascarenc
Fiji U20: 15 Tevita Vuniwaqa Ledua, 14 Apete Gauna Rokosuka, 13 Maleli Nauvasi (co-captain), 12 Faimalaga Tuvalu, 11 Sevuloni Rakoto Sauleirogo Satala, 10 Isikeli Bari Ratu, 9 Epeli Rokosemani Vocea, 8 Isoa Koroinawai (co-captain), 7 Mosese Tamaniceva Tuvasu Tabuakoto, 6 Setareki Turagacoke, 5 Marley Chandra, 4 Ratu Apenisa Naevo, 3 Raymond Navunikaba, 2 Isaac Jacob Rauluni, 1 Sylvestre Vakauliafa
Replacements: 16 Ratu Osea Dasalusalu, 17 Marika Koroi, 18 Jehoshua Paul Serupepeli Ratulomai, 19 Savenaca Qabale, 20 Ravuama Jabez Samo, 21 Ratu Epeli Roseruvakula, 22 Netani Immanuel Shane Lesimaikimatuku, 23 Sailosi Vodonaivalu Taka
Referee: Morgan White (Hong Kong China)
Assistant referees: Christopher Allison (South Africa), Sulkhan Chikhladze (Georgia)
TMO: Paulo Duarte (Portugal)
Australia v Spain
(AIA Arena, Kutaisi – Kick-off: 20.30 GET; 18.30 CEST; 16.30 GMT Friday, June 26 02.30 AEST)
Prediction:
Rugby365: Australia by 25 points or more
Teams:
Australia U20: 15 Chayse Geros, 14 Tom Farr-Jones, 13 Taione Taka, 12 Treyvon Pritchard, 11 Cooper Watters, 10 Finn Mackay, 9 Angus Grover, 8 Eli Langi, 7 Tom Robinson (captain), 6 Luca Cleverley, 5 Kenneth Harris, 4 William Ross, 3 Edwin Langi, 2 Ewald Kruger, 1 Jacob Job
Replacements: 16 Charles Hollyman, 17 Kingbenjamin Swerling-Finaipepe, 18 Lehopoame Leota, 19 Isaac Fonua, 20 TJ Talaileva, 21 Sam Blank, 22 Charlie Bird, 23 Wallace Charlie
Spain U20: 15 Telmo Fisher, 14 Jorge Garreta, 13 Marcos López, 12 Carlos de la Fuente, 11 Pelayo Serrano, 10 Alfonso Enciso, 9 Bernat Fernández, 8 Marçal Carreras (captain), 7 Unax Salvador, 6 Miguel Narvarte, 5 Marco Radizza, 4 Manex Pujana, 3 Daniel Navarro, 2 Iván Farace, 1 Daniel Chico
Replacements: 16 Lucas Official, 17 Mauro Del Campo, 18 Solomon Ibeoba, 19 Unax Carballo, 20 Max Artigas, 21 Manuel Vazquez, 22 Mateo Antem, 23 Oriol Marsinyac
Referee: Kevin Bralley (France)
Assistant referees: Christopher Allison (South Africa), Sulkhan Chikhladze (Georgia)
TMO: Francisco Gonzalez (Uruguay)
South Africa v Uruguay
(Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi – Kick-off: 20.30 GET; 18.30 SAST; 13.30 UYT; 16.30 GMT)
Prediction:
Rugby365: South Africa by 30 points or more
Teams:
South Africa U20: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, 13 Markus Muller, 12 Ethan Adams, 11 Jordan Steenkamp, 10 Alzeadon Felix, 9 Hendré Schoeman, 8 Vuyo Gwiji, 7 Gert Kemp, 6 Risima Khosa, 5 JD Hattingh, 4 Jaythen Orange, 3 Luan van der Berg, 2 Liam van Wyk, 1 Rambo Kubheka (captain)
Replacements: 16 Siphosetho Mnebelele, 17 Jordan Jooste, 18 Danie Kruger, 19 Thomas Beling, 20 Wasi Vyambwera, 21 Jayden Brits, 22 Akahluwa Boqwana, 23 Cheswill Jooste
Uruguay U20: 15 Nicolas Pittaluga, 14 Bruno Baccino, 13 Mateo Acosta, 12 Vicente Alvarez, 11Bruno Primavesi, 10 Justo Ferrario, 9 Mateo Ibarburu, 8 Manuel Ponte, 7 Alex Sonneveld, 6 Pedro Suarez, 5 Piero Veglio, 4 Nicolas Mattsson, 3 Juan Francisco Bessio, 2 Sebastian Perez, 1 German Gonzalez
Replacements: 16 Jose Candia Sciarra, 17 Dario Rodriguez, 18 Sebastian Dalmao Rivero, 19 Guillermo Curuchet, 20 Ignacio Merli, 21 Pierre Cotarmanac’h, 22 Juan Francisco Pereira, 23 Joaquin Fresnedo
Referee: Ruairidh Campbell (Scotland)
Assistant referees: David Vosalevu (France), Soso Japaridze (Georgia)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (Wales)
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