Australia squad named for upcoming U20s TRC

Western Force prop Jasper Asi has been named in the Australia U20’s 31-man squad for their U20 Rugby Championship campaign in South Africa.

The squad will come together in Sydney on Friday before flying out to South Africa for three games in 13 days.

The tournament takes place in Gqeberha with all games as part of The Rugby Championship taking place inside Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Force Academy head coach Jeremy Thrush and physiotherapist Chris Russell will take up roles within the group as support staff.

The Australia U20s will start the tournament against New Zealand on the Monday after ANZAC Day before taking on South Africa and concluding their campaign against Argentina.

The side is coming off a successful training camp where they claimed wins against both the Fiji U20s and Japan U23s as part of the Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby.

U20s head coach Chris Whitaker said: "We are looking forward to taking the momentum from our week-long camp in Coffs Harbour and building upon it with three tough games in South Africa.

"The Rugby Championship U20 provides us with another opportunity to continue developing as a team against top opposition in unique circumstances.

"Our group is ready to embrace the challenge and are excited to get the chance to represent Australia on the international stage."

Australia U20 Squad:

ACT Brumbies

Ewald Kruger - Hooker

Tavita Loughland - Lock

Cooper Eagle - Backrow

Eli Langi - Backrow

Chayse Geros - Scrumhalf/Wing

Riley Whitfeld - Centre/Wing

Western Force           

Jasper Asi - Prop

Queensland Reds                         

Jacob Job - Prop

Jonah Rangiwai - Prop

Charlie Hollyman - Hooker

Kenneth Harris - Lock

Will Ross - Lock

Tom Robinson - Backrow

Finn Mackay - Flyhalf

Frankie Goldsbrough - Centre

Taione Taka - Centre/Wing

NSW Waratahs                                 

Edwin Langi - Prop

Harper Strachan - Prop

Nick Hill - Prop

Tyler Maybery - Hooker

Isaac Fonua - Lock/Backrow

Luca Cleverley - Backrow

Marshall Le Maitre - Backrow

Toby Brial - Backrow

Angus Grover - Scrumhalf

Sam Blank - Scrumhalf

Jonty Fowler - Flyhalf

Zach Fittler - Centre

Cooper Watters - Centre/Wing

Leo Jaques - Centre/Wing

Louis Fenwicke - Centre/Fullback

Unavailable for selection           

Dylan Bretton - (Brumbies, injury)

Oscar Cleary - (Brumbies, injury)

Felix Cooper - (Force, injury)

Manaia Te Tana (Force, injury)

Bennett Armistead (Reds, injury)

John Grenfell - (Reds, injury)

Kingsley Uys - (Reds, injury)

Nicholas Conway - (Reds, injury)

Treyvon Pritchard - (Reds, SRP commitments)

Dylan Simmons (Waratahs, injury)

Ed Kasprowicz (Waratahs, injury)

Tom Farr-Jones (Waratahs, injury)

Wallace Charlie (AU Sevens)

Australia U20 Rugby Championship Schedule:

All 3 matches played at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha

•              Matchday 1: Australia U20 v New Zealand U20 on Monday 27 April at 14:00 (local time).

•              Matchday 2: Australia U20 v South Africa U20 on Sunday 3 May at 16:10 (local time).

•              Matchday 3: Australia U20 v Argentina U20 on Saturday 9 May at 14:00 (local time)