James O'Connor in Australia's under-20 rugby World Cup squad

[BaldCunus]

Wallabies back James O'Connor is one of nine players with Super 14 experience named in Australia's squad for next month's under-20 World Cup in Japan.

O'Connor will join Force teammates Ben Whittaker and Dane Haylett-Petty in the squad, along with Waratahs trio Kurtley Beale, Rob Horne and Damian Fitzpatrick, Reds winger Rod Davies and Brumbies pair Matt Toomua and Afusipa Taumoepeau.

Australia coach David Nucifora said his team needs to improve on their fifth-placed finish in last year's inaugural under-20 World Cup, won by New Zealand.

"Certainly last year's finishing position was a little disappointing," Nucifora said.

"While that team didn't have a lot of luck during its loss to England, we'll be aiming to push our way further up the tournament rankings."

Australia will begin their tournament against Canada on June 5 in Fukuoka, with further pool matches against Tonga and Wales.

The 26-man squad will assemble in Canberra on May 21.

AAP

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html

Congrats to JOC, DHP and Ben

---------- Post added at 09:40 ---------- Previous post was at 09:37 ----------

Australia under-20 World Cup squad

Albert Anae (QLD), Kurtley Beale (NSW), Corey Brown (NSW), Nathan Charles (ACT), Rod Davies (QLD), Kane Douglas (NSW), Damian Fitzpatrick (NSW), Talalelei Gray (ACT), Dane Haylett-Petty (WA), Rob Horne (NSW), Richard Kingi (QLD), Kesomi Lolotonga (ACT), Sam Latunipulu (NSW), David McDuling (NSW), Tom Murday (QLD), James O'Connor (WA), Jake Shatz (QLD), Andrew Shaw (QLD), Rob Simmons (QLD), James Slipper (QLD), Mark Swanepoel (WA), Afusipa Taumoepeau (ACT), Ben Tapuai (QLD), Matt Toomua (ACT), Nicholas White (ACT), Ben Whittaker (WA).

Anyone know anything about Mark Swanepoel from WA who has made the squad??

[mudskipper]

I hope these matches will be televised.... See a few new faces get a run...

[goony]

Mark Swanepoel is otherwise known as swanny - he plays halfback for cott and got brought over from QLD when justin turner got injured. A solid player and a great bloke off the field!!

[jargan83]

I hope these matches will be televised.... See a few new faces get a run...

Didn't they show some of them on Foxsports last year, they weren't live but replays will be acceptable

[James]

You can get radio coverage to some games through irb.com and they also televise the highlights.

Incidentally has Tom Murday gone back to QLD?

[benny]

Great side and congrats to the West Ozzies of being picked I like the coaching choice also of David Nuccy.

[mudskipper]

Didn't they show some of them on Foxsports last year, they weren't live but replays will be acceptable

Some edited matches very late... hopefully better this time around...

[laura]

Incidentally has Tom Murday gone back to QLD?

Beat me to it, he was part of the Force's UK touring squad last year. RugbyWA site (http://www.rugbywa.com.au/emirates_w...emy,43513.html) says he is still in this year's academy as a level 1 player but then it also says Brent Murphy is in the academy but he recently went to the Waringah club in Sydney.

Great news for the boys!! A few articles say JO'C will lead the team but nothing official naming him as captain.

[jargan83]

Some edited matches very late... hopefully better this time around...

you would rather nothing at all?

I love Foxtel IQ

[blueandblack]

DHP needs to get a run! He got precious little during the 7s.

[Endurance]

1. Kesomi Lolotonga
2. Damian Fitzpatrick (vc)
3. James Slipper
4. Rob Simmons
5. David McDuling
6. Tom Murday
7. Andrew Shaw
8. Talalelei Gray

9. Richard Kingi
10. Kurtley Beale
11. Rod Davies
12. James O'Connor (c)
13. Robert Horne
14. Afusipa Taumoepeau
15. Matt Toomua

16. Nathan Charles
17. Albert Anae
18. Sam Latunipulu
19. Jake Shatz
20. Mark Swanepoel
21. Ben Tapuai
22. Dane Haylett-Petty

Something like this?

[TommyM]

Wow, that's a pretty phenomenal 10-12-13 combination. I would think Dane might get in at 15 ahead of Toomua. If I'm not mistaken, he played at 15 in the last one.

[Endurance]

Wow, that's a pretty phenomenal 10-12-13 combination. I would think Dane might get in at 15 ahead of Toomua. If I'm not mistaken, he played at 15 in the last one.

Yeah your right Dane was playing 15 last year but we know it really didnt end on a good note. I cant see them leaving a starting super 14 player on the bench for Dane who hasn't made much of an impact in 2009. But you may be right, definitly agree with you on the 10-12-13 combo

[gotheforce]

Is Quade Cooper alr past the age?

[Endurance]

Is Quade Cooper alr past the age?

Just turned 21