Confident Aussies head for SA
The Australian Under-20 squad on Monday departed for South Africa, ahead of the IRB Junior World Championship being held from June 4 to June 22.
The side will leave with some confidence, having defeated the Samoan Under-20 side 57-12 in a trial match last Friday.
While happy with the match, Australian Under-20 coach Anthony Eddy knows there is still work to be done before the tournament.
"It was a good start," Eddy said.
"We've had good preparation and the squad is looking good.
"It was good to get a hit out before the tournament."
One change has been made to the squad prior to departure, with Malietoa Hingano replaced by Jock Merriman due to injury.
The Australian Under-20 will look to improve on last year's performance at the IRB Junior World Championship, where they finished third following a 7-37 loss to New Zealand in the semifinal, before beating France 30-17 in the third-fourth play-off game.
The IRB Junior World Championship sees Australia's Under-20 as the top seed of Pool C, taking on France, Argentina and Scotland.
Pool A features New Zealand, Fiji, Wales and Samoa – while Pool B contains England, South Africa, Ireland and Italy.
Australia Under-20: Allan Alaalatoa, Curtis Browning, Lindsay Crook, Steven Cummins, Thomas Cusack, James Dargaville, Allan Faalavaau, Con Foley, Nicholas Frisby, Liam Gill, Kyle Godwin, Lewis Holland, Jed Holloway, Oliver Hoskins, Sam Jeffries, Silatolu Latu, Apolosi Latunipulu, Matthew Lucas, Leslie Makin, Sean McMahon, Benn Melrose, Jock Merriman, Maile Ngauamo, Pettowa Paraka, Sam Reiser, Hugh Roach, Christopher Sautia, Ulupano Seuteni.
