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Thu, Jul 18, 2024, 5:58 AM
Nathan Williamson
Australia U20s coach Nathan Grey has confirmed his side to face Argentina to battle off for fifth on Saturday morning (AEST) in Cape Town.
Grey's side booked their spot in the playoff with a tough win over Wales, with Argentina knocking off hosts South Africa.
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Grey has kept the faith with the starting side from the seven point win, with captain Toby Macpherson leading the way.
Reds flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips retains his spot at flyhalf after having a hand in a trio of tries during the victory over the Welsh.
There has been a couple of changes with the bench, with Waratahs hooker Oniti Finau making his debut at the tournament.
Angus Staniforth also makes his return, with Grey reverting to the 5-3 bench split.
Staniforth crossed for a double off the bench during their opening match against Georgia.
The two teams faced off at the U20 Rugby Championship earlier in the year, with Argentina taking the 25-6 win.
Los Pumas managed the wet conditions to take the victory, outscoring the Aussies three tries to none.
England will face France in the Final, with Ireland taking on New Zealand in the third-place playoff.
France are looking for back-to-back titles, whilst the English are looking for their first since 2016.
Australia U20 vs. Argentina U20
Athlone Stadium, Cape Town
5pm Friday 19 July (local) / 11pm Friday 18 July (AWST) (Converted)
1. Lington Ieli - ACT Brumbies, Tuggeranong Vikings
2. Ottavio Tuipulotu - Melbourne Rebels, Eastern Suburbs
3. Nick Bloomfield - Queensland Reds, Easts Brisbane
4. Toby Macpherson (c) - ACT Brumbies, Uni-Norths Owls
5. Harvey Cordukes - ACT Brumbies, Uni-Norths Owls
6. Aden Ekanayake - Australia Sevens, Gordon Rugby Club
7. Dane Sawers - Western Force, Kalamunda Districts
8. Jack Harley - ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles
9. Dan Nelson - ACT Brumbies, Canberra Royals
10. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips - Queensland Reds, Souths Brisbane
11. Archie Saunders - NSW Waratahs, Warringah Rugby Club
12. Jarrah McLeod - ACT Brumbies, Canberra Royals
13. Kadin Pritchard - ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles
14. Ronan Leahy - Western Force, Sydney University
15. Shane Wilcox - ACT Brumbies, Tuggeranong Vikings
16. Oniti Finau - NSW Waratahs, Randwick Rugby Club
17. Nathaniel Tiitii - NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs
18. Trevor King - Queensland Reds, Souths Brisbane
19. Eamon Doyle - NSW Waratahs, Sydney University
20. Austin Durbidge - NSW Waratahs, Sydney University
21. Billy Dickens - NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs
22. Boston Fakafanua - Western Force, Sydney University
23. Angus Staniforth - ACT Brumbies, Canberra Royals
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Unfortunate end to the Junior Wallabies campaign, Argentina get up 14-6 for Australia to place 6th.
A tough match in shocking conditions.
I think RA need to dedicate a field somewhere with high water allocation for wet weather replication training as it's clear all of our Rep teams don't have enough wet weather experience.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
When it rains, it pours: Australia U20s go down in fifth place playoff to Argentina in muddy Cape Town
Sat, Jul 20, 2024, 12:47 AM
Nathan Williamson
Australia have finished sixth at the 2024 World U20 Championship after a 14-6 defeat to Argentina in Cape Town.
The conditions turned the game into a dogfight as Athlone Stadium turned into a mud pit after continual rain and games throughout the day.
Australia looked to take advantage of the wind at their back and opened the scoring thanks to a Harry McLaughlin-Phillips penalty.
Both teams would have chances to cross for the opening try, with the Australia U20s conceding a turnover metres away from the line, followed by Argentina held up over the line as their set-piece started to dominate.
The momentum shifted when Australian centre Kadin Pritchard was yellow-carded for a high shot off the ball that could’ve very well been called obstruction against Argentinian centre Tomas Medina.
Winger Timoteo Silva took advantage of the space to score the opening (and what would be the lone) try in the 26th minute.
As the half came to a close, Medina was yellow carded for his own high shot on Pritchard.
With the rain pelting down, the thought of the game being called off due to the conditions became more of a reality as McLaughlin-Phillips missed two penalties to put Australia in front at the break.
Nonetheless, the game restarted and Argentina went back on the attack, held up over the line as ball handling became the number one priority for both sides.
As the Australians defended their line, they were once again reduced to 14 when Jarrah McLeod was sin-binned for head-on-head contact, allowing Argentina to extend the lead to five.
The numbers advantage didn’t last long as Juan Penoucos went to the bin for a dangerous lifting tackle on McLaughlin-Phillips after the whistle, with the playmaker answering straight back with a penalty of his own.
Argentina continued to press and restored their lead via Santino Di Lucca’s boot, with Australia unable to mount a comeback amid a staunch defensive line and the muddy field conditions.
As they searched for a turnover, a costly penalty allowed Di Lucca to nail his third penalty to seal the win.
Argentina U20s 14 (Tries: Silva; Pens: Di Lucca 3) def Australia 6 (Pens: McLaughlin-Phillips 2)
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
I didn't watch all of it because it was late, but Pritchard's yellow was a joke. More frustrating though is that after an RC U20 series that was drenched and 3 other games this comp with similar conditions, we still don't know how to play in the rain. That ball was like a bar of soap- trying to run it was madness. Frustrating we didn't capitalise on the wind advantage in the first half.
Looks like our pool for next year will be England, South Africa and Scotland. That'll be tight.
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
South Africa weren't great last year either... we beat them this year in our comp. I reckon our team last year would've taken them down. Hopefully, next year we can make that elusive top tier again.
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.