Three changes have been made to the Australia U20s side to face England in their must-win final pool match of the World Rugby U20s Championships.
Head coach Adrian Thompson has named Lukhan Tui to start at lock pushing Izack Rodda to the bench, Ikapote Tupai at openside flanker for his first match of the tournament and Liam Jurd at outside centre, pushing Rebels back Sione Tuipulotu to inside centre.
“Off the back of his performance against Italy, Lukhan Tui has earned himself a spot in the starting line-up. Izack (Rodda) has played a lot of minutes for us so this is also a good opportunity to allow him to come off the bench,” Thompson said.
“Liam Wright has been excellent for us over the ball but Ikapote (Tupai) will bring a real physical presence to the forward pack. We’ll look to use them both at different stages of the match with the six-two split on the bench.
“Sione (Tuipulotu) will provide us with a solid ball-carrier at 12 and Liam Jurd has provided us with cover in a few positions so far this year, he’ll relish the opportunity to start.”
England have been one of the in-form teams of the tournament defeating Italy (48-10) and Scotland (44-0), but the Australians are ready for the challenge.
“The clash against England has been one that we’ve had marked as an important game since the draw was announced, Thompson said.
“It’s a big occasion but it’s also a big match for England. As the host nation at home in front of big crowd, if there is any pressure heading into the game it will be on England.”
“England have made the last three finals and have won two of them. To get a win over England would be a good scalp for us to claim at the tournament.”
Australia will face England in their final pool game of the tournament on Wednesday, kicking off at 4:45am AEST LIVE on FOX SPORTS 2.
Australia U20s side to play England:
- Vunipola Fifita – NSW Gen Blue U20s, Randwick
- Jordan Uelese – Melbourne Rebels U20s, Melbourne University
- Tyrel Lomax – Brumbies Colts U20s, Tuggeranong Vikings
- Ryan McCauley – NSW Gen Blue U20s, Eastern Suburbs
- Lukhan Tui – Queensland U20s, Brothers
- Angus Scott-Young – Queensland U20s, University of Queensland
- Ikapote Tupai – Melbourne U20s, Melbourne Unicorns
- Maclean Jones – Queensland U20s, University of Queensland
- James Tuttle – Queensland U20s, GPS
- Mack Mason – Queensland U20s, Easts Tigers
- Liam McNamara – Queensland U20s, Sunnybank
- Sione Tuipulotu - Melbourne Rebels, Southern Districts Pirates
- Liam Jurd – Queensland U20s, University of Queensland
- Simon Kennewell – NSW Gen Blue U20s, Randwick
- Jack Maddocks – NSW Gen Blue U20s, Eastern Suburbs
Reserves
- Josh Taylor – Queensland U20s, Bond University
- Richie Asiata – Queensland U20s, Easts Tigers
- Shambeckler Vui – Western Force U20s, University of Western Australia
- Izack Rodda – Queensland U20s, Easts
- Rob Leota – Melbourne Rebels U20s, Melbourne University
- Harry Nucifora – Queensland U20s, Bond University
- Liam Wright – Queensland U20s, Easts
- Jordan Jackson-Hope – Brumbies Colts U20s, Tuggeranong Vikings