The Junior Wallabies have made some significant changes to their starting side ahead of their must-win pool clash against England U20s on Tuesday.
Following their tough 30-10 loss to Ireland, Australia’s hopes of progressing through to the semi-finals of the World Rugby U20 Championship now hangs in the balance.
With one win and a loss to their name, the Junior Wallabies are currently third in Pool B behind Ireland U20 and England U20 – both are on eight competition points after two games, while the Aussies are on five.
But there’s hope. Australia can still progress to the knockout rounds, even if they place second.
From the three pools, the top-ranked second-place side will move on. At the moment that would be Ireland, but other contenders include Wales (seven points) and South Africa (five).
The Junior Wallabies need to win their final pool game if they’re any chance of moving on, and they likely need a bonus point as well. But even then, other results would need to fall their way.
Prop Massimo de Lutiis and lock Jhy Legg have been ruled out of the tournament with injuries, and have been replaced ahead of the final pool match.
Darby Lancaster and Ned Slack-Smith will also miss the match due to concussion protocols, while Marley Pearce is unavailable due to suspension. Pearce will serve the second of his two-game ban this week.
Reds prop Nick Bloomfield comes into the starting side for de Lutiis, while Brumbies lock Toby Macpherson is set to start in the No. 4 jersey.
Backrowers Nick Baker and Leafi Heka Talataina, Reds midfielder Taj Annan, and electric winger Ronan Leahy are also set to return to the run-on XV.
Junior Wallabies to take on England U20
- Jack Barrett
- Max Craig
- Nick Bloomfield*
- Toby Macpherson*
- Daniel Maiava-Tapusoa
- Lachlan Hooper
- Nick Baker*
- Leafi Heka Talataina*
- Teddy Wilson (c)
- Jack Bowen
- Ronan Leahy*
- Taj Annan*
- Henry O’Donnell
- Tim Ryan
- Mason Gordon
Replacements:
- Liam Bowron
- Harrison Usher
- Trevor King
- Ollie McCrea
- John Bryant
- Klayton Thorn
- Harry McLaughlin-Philips
- David Vaihu
