Tuesday 10 May, 2016 

Super Rugby experience to boost BMW Australia U20s

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The BMW Australia U20s squad for the World Rugby U20s Championship in Manchester, England has been named.

The 28-man squad includes Queensland Reds trio Campbell Magnay, Lukhan Tui and James Tuttle and Sione Tuipulotu from the Melbourne Rebels. Qantas Australian Sevens squad member Simon Kennewell has also earned a call-up for next month’s tournament.

Fresh from its first-ever victory over New Zealand at U20s level in the Oceania Rugby U20s Championship, the squad will reassemble at the Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen for its final camp Wednesday 18 May before heading to Europe to kick off its latest World Championship campaign.

BMW Australia U20s Head Coach Adrian Thompson said: “To level the series against New Zealand highlighted the determination and ability of these players.  However, the hard work starts here and we will have to step up for our final camp.

“Our Six Nations counterparts have a heavy focus on the set piece and this is an area we will have to counter accordingly. The players and coaches are looking forward to the next stage of our campaign as we prepare for Manchester.”

The World Rugby U20s Championship has proved a successful breeding ground for previous Australian players with David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Quade Cooper, Liam Gill and Sean McMahon all progressing from U20s level to full Test honours with the Qantas Wallabies.

Australia will play hosts England, Italy and Scotland in Pool B with the first match to kick off on Wednesday 8 June (AEST), with broadcast details still to be confirmed.

BMW Australia U20s fixtures for the 2016 World Rugby U20s Championship:
Australia v Scotland, Pool B, 8 June (KO 2.30am AEST), AJ Bell Stadium, Salford
Australia v Italy, Pool B, 11 June (KO 10.30pm AEST), AJ Bell Stadium, Salford
Australia v England, Pool B, 16 June (KO 4.45am AEST), AJ Bell Stadium, Salford

BMW Australia U20s squad for 2016 World Rugby U20s Championship:
Forwards
Faalelei Sione, Brumbies U20s, Canberra Royals
Tyrel Lomax, Brumbies U20s, Tuggeranong Vikings  
Vunipola Fifita, NSW Gen Blue U20s, Randwick
Ryan McCauley, NSW Gen Blue U20s, Eastern Suburbs
Shambeckler Vui, Western Force U20s, University of Western Australia
Josh Taylor, Queensland Reds U20s, Bond University
Richie Asiata, Queensland Reds U20s, Easts Tigers
Lukhan Tui, Queensland U20s, Brothers
Harry Hocking, Queensland U20s, University of Queensland
Maclean Jones, Queensland U20s, University of Queensland
Angus Scott-Young, Queensland Reds U20s, University of Queensland
Izack Rodda, Queensland Reds U20s, Easts Tigers
Liam Wright, Queensland U20s, Easts Tigers
Jordan Uelese, Melbourne Rebels U20s, Melbourne University
Rob Leota, Melbourne Rebels U20s, Melbourne University
Harley Fox, Melbourne Rebels U20s, Easts Tigers
Backs
Nick Jooste, Brumbies U20s, Wests
Jordan Jackson-Hope, Brumbies U20s, Tuggeranong Vikings
Simon Kennewell, NSW Gen Blue U20s, Randwick
Jack Maddocks, NSW Gen Blue U20s, Eastern Suburbs    
James Tuttle, Queensland Reds U20s, GPS
Harry Nucifora, Queensland Reds U20s, Bond University
Mack Mason, Queensland Reds U20s, Easts Tigers
Izaia Perese, Queensland Reds U20s, Easts Tigers 
Campbell Magnay, Queensland Reds U20s, GPS
Liam Jurd, Queensland Reds U20s, University of Queensland
Joey Fittock, Queensland Reds U20s, Sunnybank
Sione Tuipulotu, Melbourne Rebels U20s, Southern Districts

Thursday 14 April, 2016 



BMW Australia U20s named for Oceania Rugby U20s Championship  

Seven Super Rugby contracted players have been named in the BMW Australia U20s side to play New Zealand at the Oceania Rugby U20s Championship at Bond University, Gold Coast this May. 

Harley Fox (Melbourne Rebels), Jordon Jackson-Hope (Brumbies), Lukhan Lealalauloto-Tui (Queensland Reds), Rob Leota (Melbourne Rebels), Tyrel Lomax (Brumbies), Campbell Magnay (Queensland Reds) Sione Tuipolotu (Melbourne Rebels) and James Tuttle (Queensland Reds) will add experience to the squad that will play New Zealand twice as a precursor to the World Rugby U20s Championship in Manchester in June. 

Adding further experience to the young Aussie side will be the fact that there are six players who will be returning from the 2015 Australian campaign at the World Rugby U20s Championship

Australian U20s Head Coach Adrian Thompson: “I extend my congratulations to every player that has been selected in the BMW Australia U20s. 

“Our players learnt throughout the Super U20s of the standard required to compete at National level and we look forward to seeing these players take that next step to compete on the world stage.”  

The players were selected following the inaugural Super U20s Championship, a six week tournament that saw all the best U20s players represent the five Australian Super Rugby franchises across the country. 

BMW Australian U20s squad for the Oceania Rugby U20s Championship:
Forwards
Faalalie Sione (Brumbies U20s)
Tyrel Lomax (Brumbies U20s)
Vunipola Fifita (NSW Gen Blue U20s)
Shambeckler Vui (Western Force U20s)
Josh Taylor (Queensland U20s)
Alex Mafi (Queensland U20s)
Declan Moore (NSW Gen Blue U20s)
Lukhan Lealalauloto-Tui (Queensland U20s)
Ryan McCauley (NSW Gen Blue U20s)
Harry Hockings (Queensland U20s)
Rob leota (Melbourne Rebels U20s)
Liam Wright (Queensland U20s)
Maclean Jones (Queensland U20s)
Angus Scott–Young (Queensland U20s)
Max Girdler (NSW Gen Blue U20s)
Harley Fox (Melbourne Rebels U20s)

Backs
James Tuttle (Queensland U20s)
Moses Sorovi (Queensland U20s)
Mack Mason (Queensland U20s)
Billy Gray (Melbourne Rebels U20s)   
Sione Tuipolotu (Melbourne Rebels U20s)
Campbell Magnay (Queensland U20s)
Jordan Jackson-Hope (Brumbies U20s)
Liam Jurd (Queensland U20s)
Ah-Mu Tuimalealiifano (Melbourne Rebels U20s)  
Joey Fittock (Queensland U20s)
Latu Latinipulu (NSW Gen Blue U20s)
Jack Maddocks  (NSW Gen Blue U20s) 

2016 Oceania Rugby U20s Championship, Bond University, Gold Coast: 
Australia v New Zealand, Tuesday 3 May, 6.30pm AEST
Australia v New Zealand, Saturday 7 May, 4.00pm AEST

 

Sunday 3 April, 2016 

Queensland U20s win inaugural Super U20s Championship



Queensland U20s has won the inaugural Super U20s Championship in Brisbane on Sunday defeating Melbourne Rebels U20s at Ballymore 35-5.

A try from the Melbourne Rebels wasn’t enough to stop the Queensland side who continued their winning form haven’t not lost a match this year.

Throughout the Super U20s Championship there were 189 players exposed to a professional Rugby program across the five Australian Super U20s teams.

Australian Rugby Union General Manager, High Performance Ben Whitaker: “The inaugural Super U20s competition has been very pleasing and competitive, providing the next generation of players’ exposure to Super Rugby linked high performance programs over a five month preparation and competition campaign.

“All five teams have had highlights throughout the competition and should be congratulated on their efforts. Special congratulations must go to Queensland for their victory today and being crowned 2016 Super U20s champions.

“The competition has been developed to expose and prepare players for graduation through the pathway to Super Rugby. These players will now be expected to enter their club Rugby programs, or for those selected, the BMW Australian U20s as improved players with an appreciation of the standards required to achieve high levels of development and performance.”

Preseason training for the Super U20s competition began in October last year with round one kicking off on Saturday 27 February, in line with the start of the Asteron Life Super Rugby season.

Throughout this time the various teams would do four field sessions a week, up to three strength and conditioning sessions, review sessions, and recovery sessions after training and matches to prepare them for life as a professional Rugby player.

Following the conclusion of the domestic U20s season the BMW Australia U20s squad for the Oceania Rugby U20s Championship will be picked in April.

The young Aussie side will take on the New Zealand U20s in two Junior Bledisloe clashes at Bond University, Gold Coast on Tuesday 3 May and Saturday 7 May.

The Australians will then finalise their preparations for the World Rugby U20s Championship in Manchester this June.

The Super U20s Championship is a part of the BMW Pathway to Gold Program which is designed to create the next generation of elite talent in Australian Rugby.

In the BMW Junior Gold Cup the Queensland representative teams defeated their New South Wales counterparts in both the U15s and U17s age groups. In the U15s Queensland were victorious 62-10 and in the U17s Queensland defeated NSW 26-24.

Thursday 17 March, 2016



BMW Australia U20s to play New Zealand in Oceania Rugby U20s Championship  

The BMW Australia U20s will take on New Zealand U20s in a two-Test trans-Tasman battle at the Oceania Rugby U20s Championship (ORUC) at Bond University, Gold Coast in May.

Fans from across the world will have the opportunity to see the next generation of stars with the matches to be live streamed via rugby.com.au and oceaniarugby.com.

The matches will kick off at 6.30pm AEST on Tuesday 3 May and Saturday 7 Mayrespectively.

The junior Trans-Tasman Tests will give both nations crucial preparation ahead of the World Rugby U20 Championship to be hosted in Manchester, England the following month.  

BMW Australia U20s Head Coach, Adrian Thompson said: “The Oceania Rugby U20s Championship will give this side an excellent opportunity to test out our arsenal against last year’s U20s Champions, New Zealand.

“This is an important part of their development as Rugby players to get experience playing International opposition before we head to the World Rugby U20s Championship in June.

“Our players have been playing at a high standard throughout the Super U20s Championship and we look forward to the challenge of playing New Zealand.”

ARU General Manager High Performance, Ben Whitaker said: “Playing against New Zealand is the ultimate challenge in Rugby and it will be a great experience for our next generation of Qantas Wallabies to experience a Bledisloe Cup-style clash.

“The Super U20s Championship has been the ideal preparation for our squad, who have played more Rugby this year compared to any other year in preparation for a Test series.”

At last year’s Oceania Rugby U20s Championship Australia fell to New Zealand in the Final 46-29.  

The Australian U20s team is the final step in the ARU’s BMW Pathway to Gold program. The elite pathways program is designed to create the next generation of elite representative players for Australian Rugby for both men and women across Sevens and XVs.    
 
2016 Oceania Rugby U20s Championship, Bond University, Gold Coast:
Australia v New Zealand, Tuesday 3 May, 6.30pm AEST
Australia v New Zealand, Saturday 7 May, 6.30pm AEST
2015 Champions: New Zealand


 

Waratahs Rugby Media Release

Friday 4th March, 2016

The NSW Gen Blue U20s team has been named for their Super U20s Championship second round match against the Brumbies U20s in Canberra this afternoon.  

The match will be played as the curtain raiser to the Brumbies v NSW Waratahs Round Two Super Rugby match tonight with kick-off at 5:15pm AEDT.

Head Coach Chris Malone has made a few changes to the team that went down to the Queensland U20s by 37-22 last Saturday.

James Perlowski moves onto the right wing, while Saiosi Halifonua will slot in as number eight, replacing Max Girdler who has this week been named at flanker. Nick de Crespigny will play lock with Tom Piroddi moved to the bench.

NSW Gen Blue U20s flanker, Jack Hayson said he was looking forward to a challenging game against the Brumbies up-and-comers.

“I think we played well in parts last week. There were a few penalties around the breakdown, so that’s something we’ve needed to address going into the match against the Brumbies,” Hayson said.

“We’ve done a lot of breakdown work this week. Our scrums weren’t up to scratch, Queensland ran over the top if us a bit in our scrums. Our lineout was pretty good, but we still need to improve.

“It will be a physical game, I know a few of their forwards are quite big. We’re expecting a fast-paced game too as the Brumbies backline is pretty quick.

“It will be tight one, as it always is against the Brumbies, as it is in Super Rugby. We’ll have to be on our toes.

“Jack Maddocks at fullback had a wow of game last week against Queensland and with Ned Yeomans at 12, it should be a good battle between him and (the Brumbies’) Jordan Jackson-Hope.”

The NSW Gen Blue U20s to play the Brumbies U20s at GIO Stadium at 5:15pm AEDTtoday, Friday 4^th March is below.

1    Vunipola Fifita
2    Declan Moore
3    Harry Johnson-Holmes
4    Ryan McCauley
5    Nick Champion de Crespigny
6    Max Girdler
7    Jack Hayson
8    Saiosi Halifonua
9    Theo Strang
10    Tom Molloy
11    Sam Tabuatamata
12    Ned Yeomans
13    Latu Latunipulu
14    James Perlowski
15    Jack Maddocks
Reserves    
16    Ed Craig
17    Harry Chapman  
18    Sean Dillon
19    Tom Piroddi
20    Charlie Smith
21    Harrison Goddard
22    Will McDonnell
23    Tim Clements

Waratahs Rugby Media Release

Wednesday 17th February, 2016

The NSW Gen Blue U20s are set to compete in a new-look regular weekly U20s competition, together with all five Australian Super Rugby teams, in a bid to be crowned Super U20s Championship in 2016.

Announced today, the competition kicks off on Saturday 27 February, and will see NSW play each state side across the country, with the final between the top two ranked teams to decide the inaugural Super U20s champion.  

The NSW Gen Blue U20s are one of the five teams who will participate in the competition, together with the Queensland U20s, Brumbies Colts (U20s), Melbourne Rebels U20s and the Western Force U20s.

The competition will bridge a vital gap in the elite development pathway, creating more depth for NSW rugby and showcasing the next generation of Waratahs stars coming through the ranks.

Waratahs Rugby General Manager of Pathway Services, Tim Rapp said “This competition is the perfect opportunity for our Under 20s players in NSW’s Gen Blue Academy to test themselves against the rest of Australia’s elite rugby players at this age.

“It will be a good chance for them to learn what is required in preparation for potentially becoming a Waratah one day.”

The NSW Gen Blue U20s will kick off their campaign on Saturday 27^th February against the Queensland U20s. The game will act as the curtain raiser to the NSW Waratahs’ round one Super Rugby clash against the Queensland Reds. Tickets are available atwww.ticketek.com.au/waratahs.