Aussie squad boosted with S14 players
Heading for Dubai
Australia have announced their squad of 26 players for the World Under-19 tournament to be played in Dubai in April. Two of the players have made their Super 14 debuts.
Brumbies hooker Saia Faingaa, and Reds wing Caleb Brown have played Super 14 rugby and another three players have Super 14 contracts – Anthony Faingaa, Josh Holmes and Brett Stapleton.
There are twelve of the players who went on the Australian Schoolboys tour to the UK and Ireland at the end of last year.
The team, coached by Queensland Reds Academy Coach Phil Mooney, with former Wallaby Mark Bell as his Assistant, gathers in Sydney on 6 March for a training session.
Mooney said: "I guess there are two clear goals for the blokes in this squad.
"As a team we want to improve and perform well, and we are confident we can do that."
"As individuals, the blokes know that with hard work and commitment they will not only perform well in Dubai, but also position themselves for a possible Super 14 contract or birth down the track.
"We've already got some players who have been involved in these programs and that experience will be crucial, while the focus is on improving from last year's third place behind South Africa and New Zealand despite being undefeated."
In 2005 Australia drew with New Zealand in the semi-final but lost on a penalty shoot-out before beating England for third place.
This year, Australia will again play New Zealand in the round matches, as well as Scotland and Romania.
The squad will continue preparations for the April tournament with a five day camp in Coffs Harbour from March 21 followed by a further camp in Sydney, before flying out for Dubai on 29 March.
The squad: Caleb Brown, Benjamin Daley, Anthony Faingaa, Saia Faingaa, William Genia, AJ Gilbert, Brett Gillespie, James Hanson, Josh Holmes, Taniela Hoponoa, Jack Kennedy, Jack Lam, Christian Lealiifano, Daniel Linde, Poutasi Luafutu, Ben Lucas, Phil Mat hers, Patrick McCutcheon, Luke McLean, Jackson Mullane, David Pocock, Johnathan Salvi, Brett Stapleton, Lachlan Turner, Brando Vaaulu, Sam Wykes.
Those who toured with the Australian Schoolboys – Caleb Brown, Brett Gillespie, James Hanson, Jack Lam, Christian Lealiifano, Daniel Linde, Ben Lucas, Phil Mathers, Patrick McCutcheon, David Pocock, Johnathan Salvi, Lachlan Turner, Brando Vaaulu, Sam Wykes
Those who were at the 2005 Under-19 World Championship – Anthony Faingaa, Saia Faingaa and Jack Kennedy.
