Super U20s Preview: Round Five

Fri, Mar 24, 2017, 12:51 AM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
Esera Chee Kam was a shining light for NSW Gen Blue in their loss to Queensland U20s. Photo: QRU Media
Esera Chee Kam was a shining light for NSW Gen Blue in their loss to Queensland U20s. Photo: QRU Media

All eyes will be on AAMI Park this afternoon as the Melbourne Rebels U20s and NSW Gen Blue vie for a Super U20s final berth.

Both teams boast a 2-1 record heading into tonight's clash - the curtain raiser to the Melbourne Rebels-NSW Waratahs derby - meaning the victor will head north to face the Queensland Reds U20s in a Sunday afternoon final at Ballymore.

Gen Blue were comprehensively beaten by the Queensland U20s at Wests last week but the ladder leaders handled Melbourne with similar ease in round one.Can the Rebels U20s progress to the final? Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyThat form indicates this will be a tight tussle and the same fixture last year saw Melbourne progress to the final before they fell 35-5 against Queensland in the final.

Gen Blue coach Pat McCutcheon has made two changes to his starting XV for the must win clash, while Melbourne U20s coach Craig McGrath has shuffled his 23-man squad, making two changes to the starting XV and one to the bench.

NSW Gen Blue take on the Rebels U20s this afternoon, kicking off at 5:30pm AEDT, broadcast LIVE on RUGBY.com.au.

TEAM

NSW Gen Blue team to take on the Melbourne Rebels U20s

1. Cody Walker

2. Jack Nettleton

3. Harry Johnson-Holmes

4. Ryan McCauley

5. Tom Piroddi

6. Lachlan Swinton

7. Lachlan Simpson

8. Max Girdler

9. Theo Strang

10. Bayley Kuenzle

11. James Ramm

12. Kepu Lokotui

13. Esera Chee Kam

14. Edward King

15. Tim Clements

Reserves

16. Phillip Bradford

17. Harrison Chapman

18. Dan Matthews

19. Harry McLennan

20. Dom McGrath

21. Banjo Travers

22. Daniel Boardman

23. Jackson Mohi

Melbourne Rebels U20s team to take on NSW Gen Blue

1. Mahe Vailanu

2. Jordan Uelese

3. Vaauli Faamausili

4. Esei Haangana

5. Emmanuel Latu-Meafou

6. Ben Collins

7. Jack Farrell

8. Jowell Samatua

9. Harrison Goddard

10. Jack McGregor

11. Angelo Leaupepe

12. Sione Tuipulotu

13. Hunter Paisami

14. Hayden Sargeant

15. Oisin Clarken

Reserves

16. Callum Kent

17. Declan Cox

18. Afi Taivai

19. Richard Clift

20. Sunia Finefeuiaki

21. Tim Sippel

22. Andreas Livadaras

23. Sione Tui

Queensland's U20s kept their perfect record in tact against NSW Gen Blue. Photo: QRU MediaOnly an unforeseen disaster could stop Queensland from hosting next Sunday's final, as they have an 84 point differential gap on NSW Gen Blue and are taking on the one-win Brumbies U20s.

That one win came last week against the cellar-dwelling Force U20s and coach Russell Ingram has made just one change to the starting XV from that clash, vice-captain Angus Allen in for Nick Saunders, who drops back to the bench.

The ACT Brumbies U20s take on the Queensland Reds U20s on Sunday afternoon, kicking off at 4:00pm AEDT, broadcast LIVE on RUGBY.com.au.

Brumbies U20s team to take on Queensland U20s

1. Charlie Hancock

2. Sam Thomas

3. Angus Wagner (Tuggeranong)

4. Darcy Swain 5. Will Sankey

6. Justin Sikimeti

7. Angus Allen

8. Brodie Leber

9. Ryan Lonergan

10. Liam Moseley

11. Jackson Duffey

12. Trai Henderson

13. Lenny Ikitau

14. Kuti Tahau 

15. Jamie Kotz

Reserves (one to be omitted)

16. Tevita Unga-Wolske

17. Fred Kahea

18. Ben Gordon

19. Dave Verryne

20. Nick Saunders

21. Jacob Abel

22. Alec Sheldon

23. Josh Wells

24. Jack Gilmore

Queensland U20s team TBC

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