Round 2 in Italy brought four wins out of four for the SANZAAR teams. The big match in Round three is Australia v England with a Finals spot up for grabs to the winner. Unbeaten South Africa face Scotland having made the semi-finals, while New Zealand play Ireland, and Argentina play France in must win matches.
Where is it?
Rugby’s future stars will play matches across four cities in the Lombardia and Veneto regions of Italy – Calvisano, Rovigo, Verona and Viadana.
What are the dates?
The tournament runs from 29 June up to the final on 19 July.
[Matchday 1: Sunday, 29 June]
[Matchday 2: Friday, 4 July]
Matchday 3: Wednesday, 9 July
Matchday 4: Monday, 14 July
Matchday 5: Saturday, 19 July
Click HERE for official tournament website and information
Loose forward Thando Biyela will lead the Junior Springboks in their third and final Pool A match at the World Rugby U20 Championship against Scotland at the Stadio San Michele in Calvisano.
Even though the SA U20 side show several rotational changes from the team that beat England in their previous group match in Rovigo, the match-23 to face Scotland is a strong combination filled with experience.
Fullback Gilermo Mentoe, right wing Cheswill Jooste, outside centre Gino Cupido, and flyhalf Vusi Moyo are retained from the starting fifteen that defeated England on Friday evening.
Upfront, Matt Romao (loose forward), Jaco Grobbelaar (lock), Jean Erasmus and Oliver Read (both props), and Jaundre Schoeman (hooker) all provided impact off the bench against Australia and England, and are now in the starting pack.
According to Kevin Foote, the Junior Springbok head coach, they’ve named a team that will play this important pool game with real purpose and pride against a very good Scotland side. A win will solidify the Junior Boks’ top spot in Pool A.
“We are fortunate that the players in our match-23 have experience playing for the Junior Boks against Georgia, in the U20 Rugby Championship, and also in our warm-up matches against Kenya,” said Foote.
“Thando has captained us already earlier this year, Stephanus Linde played for us against Georgia, while Matt Romao was our Man of the Match against Argentina in the Rugby Championship.”
“Jaco Williams, Jaco Grobbelaar, and Oliver Reid have all seen a lot of action in the two previous group matches, while we have more experience that will come off the bench in Herman Lubbe, JJ Theron, Batho Hlekani, and Haashim Pead.”
Foote said they have done their homework on Scotland, know what to expect from them, and have a very healthy respect for the Scottish.
“We have a strong desire to improve and we are determined to keep building on our game model, and to make sure we maintain our synergy and cohesion as a team,” he said.
“Everyone understands the threat that Scotland brings, and we feel they have played some good rugby. They attack well and their set piece has been solid; so, they will pose a very big threat for us, and we will not underestimate them. We are looking forward to meeting an exciting challenge on Wednesday.”
Junior Springbok team to face Scotland in Calvisano:
15. Gilermo Mentoe, 14. Cheswill Jooste, 13. Gino Cupido, 12. Dominic Malgas, 11. Jaco Williams, 10. Vusi Moyo, 9. Ceano Everson, 8. Stephanus Linde, 7. Matt Romao, 6. Thando Biyela (captain), 5. Morne Venter, 4. Jaco Grobbelaar, 3. Jean Erasmus, 2. Jaundre Schoeman1. Oliver Reid
Replacements: 16. Siphosethu Mnebelele, 17. Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka, 18. Herman Lubbe, 19. JJ Theron, 20. Batho Hlekani, 21. Haashim Pead, 22. Ian van der Merwe, 23. Demitre Erasmus.
Australia U20s coach Chris Whitaker has turned to Sevens star Aden Ekanayake as they look to take down England.
Ekanayake has been handed his first start of the year at number eight as part of several changes from the team that defeated Scotland.
The Gordon product will link up with Reds flanker Charlie Brosnan, who started at lock against South Africa, and Tom Robinson in the back-row.
Finn Baxter makes his return to the starting side at loosehead prop, with the second-row combination of skipper Eamon Doyle and Joe Mangelsdorf once again selected.
Joey Fowler starts at flyhalf, partnering with Reds scrum-half James Martens, who had a hand in several tries during last week’s win.
It’s the lone change to the starting backline, with Sid Harvey, Cooper Watters and Nicholas Conway staying as the back-three.
Ollie Barrett and Eli Langi have been added to the bench as Whitaker opts for a 6-2 split.
The Australians need a bonus point win over the defending champions and results to go their way if they are to keep their slim semi-final hopes alive. The top team from each pool and the highest-ranked second place team will advance to the finals, with the rest to play off for position.
Australia U20 team to play England in Verona:
1. Finn Baxter (ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles), 2. Lipina Ata (ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles), 3. Edwin Langi (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs), 4. Joe Mangelsdorf (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University), 5. Eamon Doyle (c) (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University), 6. Charlie Brosnan (Queensland Reds, Brothers), 7. Tom Robinson (Queensland Reds, University of Queensland), 8. Aden Ekanayake (Australia Sevens), 9. James Martens (Queensland Reds, GPS Rugby Club), 10. Joey Fowler (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University), 11. Nicholas Conway (Queensland Reds, Wests Bulldogs), 12. Malakye Enasio (ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles), 13. Liam Grover (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University), 14. Cooper Watters (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs), 15. Sid Harvey (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)
Replacements: 16. Ollie Barrett (Western Force, Associates RUFC), 17. Nathaniel Tiitii (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs), 18. Trevor King (Queensland Reds, Souths), 19. Ollie Aylmer (ACT Brumbies, Gordon), 20. Eli Langi (ACT Brumbies, Tuggeranong Vikings), 21. Toby Brial (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs), 22. Hwi Sharples (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University), 23. Joe Dillon (ACT Brumbies, Canberra Royals)
Argentina Pumitas, coached by Nicolás Fernández Miranda beat Spain by 33-30 in round two and now must beart France, which is the leader of the group after they beat Wales by 35-21.
Carlos Mohapp, assistant coach of the U20, elaborated on the preparation for the last group stage match: “We are preparing well for the match with a focus on defence, we believe that we have to improve some aspects. We are going to have to counter France’s attacks and we will try to make them uncomfortable from the contact side. W know that they are very strong in continuous play, so we will try to dominate at the points of contact.”
“We are also focused on having a lot of the ball because they feed on disorderly play and lost balls. Another aspect that we want to improve is in the first minutes of the game, we have started slowly in past matches.”
In addition, he referred to the possibility of qualifying for the semifinals: “The boys are eager and energetic because we are facing a unique and spectacular opportunity, we are just one step away from qualifying.”
Pumitas team to play France in Verona:
1. LEASH, Diego (CAE), 2. LEDESMA AROCENA, Tadeo (SIC), 3. RAPETTI, Tomás (Alumni), 4. DUCLOS, Tomás (Los Tordos RC), 5. NEIGHBORHOODS, Alejandro (Olivos), 6. BENITEZ, Franco (Tilcara), 7. STOREY, Pampa (CASI), 8. NEYRA, Santiago (Alumni), 9. GRIFFO, Fabricio (Palermo Bajo), 10. FERNÁNDEZ MIRANDA, Ramon (Hindu), 11. LESCANO, Baptist (CAE), 12. LEDESMA, Felipe (captain) (SIC), 13. COLL, Pedro (Tigres RC), 14. SILVA, Timothy (SIC), 15. SENILLOSA, Pascal (Hindu)
Replacements:, 16. OTAÑO, Jerónimo (Los Tordos RC), 17. RINS, Nicanor (Uru Curé), 18. GALVÁN, Gael (Pucará), 19. GARCÍA IANDOLINO, Álvaro (Los Tordos RC), 20. DANDE, Tomás (Huirapuca RC), 21. REGGIARDO, Valentino (French Sport), 22. CORDERO, Matías (Los Tilos), 23. VIEYRA, Aquiles (Alumni).
The New Zealand U20 team to take on Ireland at the World Rugby Under 20 Championship has been named. A win will guarantee progression through to the semi-final stage, as the team looks to beat their third-place finish in 2024.
Captain Manumaua Letiu returns to the starting line-up, joining the Auckland prop duo of Sika Pole and Robson Faleafā in the front row. Pole, hailing from the Manukau Rovers Rugby Football Club, has started every game New Zealand has played this year.
Also starting in every game this year is USA-born, Australian-raised lock Xavier Treacy. He will pair with Jayden Sa in the second row.
On the wing are two New Zealand Sevens players, Frank Vaenuku and Maloni Kunawave. Both players made their debut at the Perth SVNS in January of this year, becoming All Blacks Sevens # 319 and # 320 respectively.
New Zealand Under 20 team v Ireland in Calvisano:
1. Sika Pole, 2. Manumaua Letiu (c), 3. Robson Faleafā, 4. Xavier Treacy, 5. Jayden Sa, 6. Finn McLeod, 7. Caleb Woodley, 8. Mosese Bason (vc), 9. Dylan Pledger (vc), 10. Will Cole, 11. Maloni Kunawave, 12. Jack Wiseman, 13. Cooper Roberts, 14. Frank Vaenuku, 15. Rico Simpson (vc)
Replacements: 16. Shaun Kempton, 17. Israel Time, 18. Dane Johnston, 19. Aisake Vakasiuola, 20. Micah Fale, 21. Jai Tamati, 22. James Cameron, 23. Stan Solomon