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Rupert Guinness | May 29, 2009
ONE OF the first things coach David Nucifora did with his squad for next week's under-20s World Cup was to remind the "veterans" of last year of the opportunity they wasted.
When the squad was picked for the 2008 tournament in Wales, the then new Wallabies coach Robbie Deans made it very clear he would be watching - and expecting success.
Australia won four of their five pool games but fell below the benchmark Deans had set by finishing fifth. It was a huge blow for a squad that included 10 players with Super 14 experience.
So, when eight of them were selected again this year, Nucifora, who replaced Brian Melrose as coach, reinforced the message that bigger things were expected in Japan. The team will depart tomorrow after tonight's match against Uruguay under-20s at Sydney University Oval No.1.
"This group seems keen on making sure they do take [their opportunity this time]. They only get one shot at it," Nucifora said.
His charges may be teenagers but they will not be treated as such. Besides winning the World Cup, the aim of the under-20s campaign is also to develop in the players the mindset and the sense of professionalism expected at the Wallabies.
It is a program Nucifora, also the Australian Rugby Union high performance manager, and Deans have devised to best prepare the depth of playing stocks for senior World Cup pressure.
Nine of the under-20s squad that was 26-strong until 18-year-old James O'Connor was elevated to the Wallabies, have played Super 14 football.
They are forwards Damien Fitzpatrick, Rob Simmons, Ben Whitaker; and backs Kurtley Beale, Rodney Davies, Dane Haylett-Petty, Rob Horne, Afusipa Taumoepeau and Matt Toomua. But all are in the early days of their careers.
"We treat them exactly the same way [as senior professionals]," Nucifora said. "Some of them have had more experience than others with professional football. Some of them are new to it.
"It's an important part of their development that they understand how a team works at this level. It's important they understand what the expectations are of them."
http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...456683854.html
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Originally Posted by TOCC
