Sydney University Football Club has four representatives in the Australian Under 20 squad to contest the 2014 IRB Junior World Cup, to be played in New Zealand from May 30 to June 21.
Tighthead prop Tom Robertson, halfback Angus Pulver, five-eighth Johnny Vaux and centre Jim Stewart were selected in the 28-man Australian squad after a number of selection trial matches. The four are all Sydney University Colts.
The Australian Under 20s squad also includes seven players with Super Rugby experience in Allan Alaalatoa and Tom Staniforth from the ACT Canberra Brumbies; Lalakai Foketi and Sean McMahon from the Melbourne Rebels; David Horwitz from the NSW Waratahs; Luke Burton from the Western Force and Jonah Placid from the Queensland Reds.
McMahon was named captain of the team, with Foketi and Staniforth named as vice captains.
The squad was named after a 13-day training camp at Bond University on the Gold Coast, which included two matches against the Samoan Under 20s. Australia was successful in both of those clashes, recording strong wins of 36-5 and 60-5.
Australian Under 20s head coach Adrian Thompson said the final selection decision was difficult.
“We had a very strong squad this year that worked really hard to ensure the best outcome for themselves and for the team,” he said. “I am very happy with the squad we have selected and I am confident this side will be a real force in Auckland as we look to win the IRB Junior World Championship.”
Chasing their first Under 20 World Championship, Australia have been handed the honour of playing the first match tournament when they take on Argentina at Pukekohe on Monday, June 2.
They will then play England on June 6 and Italy on June 10 as the four sides battle to top Pool A.
The Australian squad will have a nine-day assembly camp at the Sydney Academy of Sport in Narrabeen from Friday, May 20, before heading for the Shaky Isles.
