Maclean Jones to captain Aus at Oceania showdown
Australia will play defending champions New Zealand in a two match series to be held at Bond University, Gold Coast with the first match to kick off on Tuesday.
The teams will use the two-match Championship as the perfect warm-up for their World Rugby Junior Championship campaigns that takes place from June 7-25 in Manchester, England.
Maclean Jones will captain Australia and Rebels centre, Sione Tuipolotu, joins the national team on the bench having been released from the club for International duties after the Rebels match in Auckland.
“The squad has been working hard together since their arrival on Tuesday and I know the team is looking forward to the opportunity to play New Zealand at home," said head coach Adrian Thompson.
“I have been pleased with the talent on display and the attitude of the players to continue improving throughout the week.
“Maclean was a natural choice for Captain due to his leadership and ability on and off the field, having proven himself for Queensland Country in the 2015 NRC (National Rugby Championship) and with Queensland’s Super U20s side this year.”
There have been five changes made to the original squad with Campbell Magnay and Lukhan Tui joining fellow Australia U20 representative, James Tuttle with the Queensland Reds.
Declan Moore and Latu Latinipulu have left the squad due to injury.
The players will be replaced by Simon Kennewell, Richie Asiata, Sione Tuipolotu and Ta Hosea.
Australia U20s: 15 Jack Maddocks, 14 Ah-Mu Tuimalealifano, 13 Liam Jurd, 12 Jordan Jackson-Hope, 11 Joey Fittock, 10 Mack Mason, 9 Moses Sorovi, 8 Harley Fox, 7 Maclean Jones (captain), 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Ryan McCauley, 4 Harry Hockings, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Joshua Taylor, 1 Faalelie Sione.
Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Vunipola Fifita, 18 Sham Vui, 19 Rob Leota, 20 Ikapote Tupai, 21 Angus Fowler, 22 Billy Gray, 23 Sione Tuipolotu.
