Super Rugby talent in Aus U20 squad
The squad will come together at Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast this April (4-7) as part of their continued buildup under new head coach Simon Cron.
Cron has selected a preliminary squad of 48 players, who have impressed in the opening rounds of the Super U20s Championship, while it also contains four members of the Australian Men's Sevens squad.
Cron said: "This camp will be the first opportunity we have to get content across to our players, as well as skill evaluation and execution. It will be a high intensity camp and we need to tick the box on a lot of critical stuff.
"We will be putting guys into different scenarios and seeing how they play as well as start to develop our culture and Identity as a group.
"The door is still open for players in the Super U20s Championship as we are always watching and looking for players who will suit the way we want to play the game."
The players returning from the Australia 2016 squad include; Sham Vui (Western Force U20s), Jordan Uelese (Melbourne Rebels U20s), Harry Hockings (Queensland U20s), Ryan McCauley (Waratahs), Angus Scott-Young (Queensland Reds), Rob Leota (Melbourne Rebels U20s), Liam Wright (Queensland U20s), Harry Nucifora (Queensland U20s), Liam McNamara, (Aussie Sevens), Nick Jooste (Brumbies U20s), Sione Tuipulotu (Melbourne Rebels U20s), Izaia Perese (Queensland Reds), Simon Kennewell (Aussie Sevens) and Jack Maddocks (Melbourne Rebels).
Aussie Sevens speedster Henry Hutchison is set for his first opportunity in the Australia U20s, after missing the 2016 season due to commitments with Sevens program.
Australia will host the Oceania Rugby U20s Championship on the Gold Coast against Fiji, Samoa and New Zealand, kicking off on April 28.
Australia Under-20 Extended Squad:
Forwards: Harry Hoopert, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Cody Walker, Sham Vui, Harry Chapman, Gavin Luka, Vaauli Faamausili, Angus Wagner, Jordan Uelese, Phil Bradford, Efi Maafu, Tom Horton, Harry Hockings, Angus Blyth, Ryan McCauley, Esei Haangana, Darcy Swain, Angus Scott-Young, Max Girdler, Lachlan Swinton, Reece Hewat, Rob Leota, Rob Valetini, Liam Wright, Angus Allen, Brodie Leber.
Backs: Harrison Goddard, Harry Nucifora, Ryan Lonergan, Theo Strang, Tate McDermott, Liam McNamara, Hamish Stewart, Nick Jooste, Tony Hunt, Sione Tuipulotu, Izaia Perese, Dylan Riley, Esere Chee Kam, Len Ikitau, Henry Hutchison, Simon Kennewell, Jayden Ngamanu, Angelo Leaupepe, Will Eadie, Jack Maddocks, Clay Uyen, Semisi Tupou.
