Written by Nathan Williamson, courtesy of rugby.com.au Source article
Australia U20s coach Nathan Grey has locked in his side to face Ireland in a must-win clash on Tuesday.
Grey has made one change to the pack, with Nick Bloomfield elevated to the starting side.
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Bloomfield swaps with Trevor King, with the Souths prop reverting back to the bench.
In the backs, Archie Saunders returns to the back three after missing the defeat to Italy.
Austin Durbidge comes onto the bench as Grey has named a 6-2 bench split, with Waratahs teammate Billy Dickens and Boston Fakafanua set to cover the backs.
Nathaniel Tititi has been cleared to return after he was a late withdrawal from last week’s defeat to Italy
Australia needs to defeat top-ranked Ireland and deny them a bonus point if they wish to ensure their qualification for the semi-finals.
They currently sit in second place in Pool B, with the top sides from each Pool and the best-ranked second-place finisher qualifying for the finals.
Captain Toby Macpherson called for a response after the five point defeat to the Italians with their tournament on the line.
“I don’t think (the game) slipped away, we just missed our opportunities in the A-zone. We created plenty of opportunities, we’ve just got to be better at executing them,” Macpherson told broadcaster RugbyPass TV post-game.
“You can say it rained or it was windy but at the end of the day, we’ve got to get better and that’s what we’re planning on doing this week leading into Ireland.
“…They (Ireland) are a really good team, a class outfit, but they’ve got points that we’ll attack and no doubt they’ve got points on us. The boys have got to get up, swallow the tough pill today, back it up this week at training, get better and get better quick.”
Australia U20 vs. Ireland U20
Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town
2pm local / 10pm AEST Tuesday 9 July
1. Lington Ieli – ACT Brumbies, Tuggeranong Vikings
2. Ottavio Tuipulotu – Melbourne Rebels, Eastern Suburbs
3. Nick Bloomfield – Queensland Reds, Easts Brisbane
4. Toby Macpherson (c) – ACT Brumbies, Uni-Norths Owls
5. Ollie McCrea – NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs
6. Aden Ekanayake – Australia Sevens, Gordon Rugby Club
7. Dane Sawers – Western Force, Kalamunda Districts
8. Jack Harley – ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles
9. Dan Nelson – ACT Brumbies, Canberra Royals
10. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips – Queensland Reds, Souths Brisbane
11. Ronan Leahy – Western Force, Sydney University
12. Jarrah McLeod – ACT Brumbies, Canberra Royals
13. Kadin Pritchard – ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles
14. Archie Saunders – NSW Waratahs, Warringah Rugby Club
15. Shane Wilcox – ACT Brumbies, Tuggeranong Vikings
Reserves
16. Bryn Edwards – NSW Waratahs, Sydney University
17. Nathaniel Tiitii – NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs
18. Trevor King – Queensland Reds, Souths Brisbane
19. Eamon Doyle – NSW Waratahs, Sydney University
20. Austin Durbidge – NSW Waratahs, Sydney University
21. Dominic Thygesen – Queensland Reds, Souths Brisbane
22. Billy Dickens – NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs
23. Boston Fakafanua – Western Force, Sydney University
