Fisher joins Australia U20s as assistant as 2024 preliminary squad is announced

[The InnFORCEr]

Mon, Nov 13, 2023, 10:59 AM
Nathan Williamson


Former Brumbies and Wallabies assistant Laurie Fisher will join the Australia U20s (formally Junior Wallabies) coaching staff in 2024.

Fisher steps in as assistant coach under Nathan Grey after departing the Brumbies at the end of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.

It comes as Grey names a 45-man preliminary squad to begin preparations for an expanded international campaign in 2024.

The ACT Brumbies dominate the squad after their success in Super Rugby U19s with 18 selections.

This includes Brumbies captain Lachlan Hooper, instrumental in their 20-12 over the Waratahs in the Final. Hooper is joined by fellow Junior Wallaby Toby Macpherson and flyhalf Cullen Gray amongst others.

Prop Jack Barrett is one of three Waratahs players set to return to the Junior Wallabies in 2024 alongside lock Ollie McCrea and centre Jackson Ropata.

Reds centre Frankie Goldsbrough has also been included after recently being named in Les Kiss’ 2024 Super Rugby squad, one of eight Reds included.

Force winger Kauri Tipene-Grace headlines the six inclusions from the WA-based side whilst captain Divad Palu is one of three Rebels included.

The squad is made up of players not involved with Super Rugby Pacific pre-season, with the likes of Waratahs superstar Max Jorgensen, Reds flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and Rebels number eight Leafi Talataina unavailable for selection.

Australia will host the first-ever Under 20 Rugby Championship in May, presenting the team with a valuable opportunity to test themselves before the U20 World Championships.

"We are excited with the talent that has emerged from this year's Super Rugby Men's U19 tournament, and we believe the players we have selected have the potential to make a significant impact on the international stage," Grey said in a statement.

“Our coaching team is dedicated to providing them with the support and guidance they need to flourish and represent Australia with pride."

Australia U20 Preliminary Squad:
Forwards

Jack Barrett – Waratahs

Bryn Edwards – Waratahs

Jackson Stiel – Waratahs

Harvey Cordukes – Brumbies

Toby Macpherson – Brumbies

Dane Sawers - Force

Lachlan Hooper - Brumbies

Pat Sowerby - Reds

Sam Sahyoun- Brumbies

Tevita Alatini – Brumbies

Ollie McCrea - Waratahs

Charlie Brosnan – Reds

Joe Liddy - Reds

Arnie Tancred - Waratahs

Judah Saumaisue - Rebels

Macarius Pereira – Reds

Boston Morete – Brumbies

Drew Brndusic – Brumbies

Pat Gavin – Reds

Caleb Karangaroa – Force

Ben Di Staso – Waratahs

Manaia Tetana – Force

Lington Leli – Brumbies

Lleyten Tautua - Brumbies

Jack Harley – Brumbies

Backs

Dan Nelson – Brumbies

Cullen Gray – Brumbies

Divad Palu - Rebels

Jackson Ropata – Waratahs

Archie Saunders – Waratahs

Will McCulloch – Reds

Doug Philipson – Force

Joey Fowler – Rebels

Jakob Biet – Brumbies

Jullien Caillol – Waratahs

Kauri Tipene-Grace – Force

Angus Staniforth – Brumbies

Billy Dickens – Waratahs

Will Nason – Reds

Jarrah McLeod – Brumbies

Frankie Goldsbrough – Reds

Tiam Toufan – Force

Shane Wilcox – Brumbies

Eli Sagala – Brumbies

Thomas Hayes – Brumbies

Not considered due to injury or Super Rugby Pacific commitments

Oniti Finau

Trevor King

Nick Bloomfield

Ben Daniels

Leafi Talataina

Dom Thygesen

Ryan McGloin

Max Jorgensen

Harry McLaughlin-Phillips

Ronan Leahy

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/laurie...unced-20231112

[Tazzmania]

6 + 2 from the Not Considered group, thats a decent representation for how the season went.

Also suggests Leahy close to a Force contract of some kind