Fortescue Western Force Academy players Boston Fakafanua, Ronan Leahy, and Dane Sawers have all secured positions in Australia’s team for the forthcoming World Rugby U20 Championship. These highly skilled players recently participated in Australia’s U20 Rugby Championship on the Sunshine Coast, where Leahy served as the team’s vice-captain.
The official squad for the tournament in South Africa, scheduled from June 29 to July 19, has been finalized. The 30 selected players will convene in Sydney next week to undertake their preparations before heading to Cape Town. Australia’s group opponents include Georgia, Italy, and Ireland, with the team’s inaugural match scheduled against Georgia in Cape Town on June 29.
Leahy, who recently made his Super Rugby Pacific debut as a winger for UWA and Sydney University in Round 14, has established himself as a formidable presence. Fakafanua, currently competing for NSW Shute Shield with Sydney Uni, and Sawers, a back-rower for Kalamunda, also left a lasting impression during their tenure with the Australia U20s.
Head coach Nathan Grey conveyed his elation about the selection, stating, “We have elected an impressive cohort of players who have exhibited outstanding performances for their club sides in recent weeks. The prospect for these young men to represent Australia on the international stage is truly exceptional.”
Despite the formidable challenge awaiting them in Cape Town, Grey mentioned that the team is prepared and poised to confront it. “What awaits us in Cape Town is a formidable challenge, commencing with our three pool opponents in Georgia, Italy, and Ireland. Nonetheless, we are equipped and ready to embrace that challenge,” he remarked.
The comprehensive tournament schedule can be accessed on the official World Rugby website.
The complete Australia U20 Championship Squad includes players from various teams such as the Western Force, ACT Brumbies, Melbourne Rebels, Australian Sevens, Queensland Reds, and NSW Waratahs.
With the talented squad at their disposal, Australia’s U20 team appears poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming World Rugby U20 Championship.