Australia U20s confirm side for opening Rugby Championship U20s game against New Zealand

Wed, Apr 30, 2025, 6:00 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Australia U20s have been named to face the NZ U20s. Photo Supplied
Australia U20s have been named to face the NZ U20s. Photo Supplied

Australia U20 head coach Chris Whitaker has confirmed his side for the opening Rugby Championship U20 game against New Zealand on Thursday.

NSW Waratahs lock Eamon Doyle captains the side in the opening game of the tournament at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth).

Watch Australia U20s take on New Zealand U20s from 10pm Thursday live and on-demand via Stan Sport.

Doyle partners with Sydney Uni and Waratahs teammate Joe Mangelsdorf in the second row.

Finn Baxter, son of Al, starts at loose-head alongside Western Force hooker Ollie Barrett and Kaleb Ah-Colt.

Eli Langi starts in the back row after impressing off the bench during their win over Japan U23s early in the month.

Brumbies teammate Beau Morrison and Waratah Jacob Veiru join him to round out the pack.

Sevens star Sid Harvey gets his first start at U20s level on the wing.

He is joined in the back three by Waratahs emerging star Cooper Watters and Brumbies fullback Shane Wilcox.

Waratahs duo Hwi Sharples and Joey Fowler make up the halves, with Boston Fakafauna and Liam Grover in the midfield.

Trevor King provides experience off the bench, with James Martens headlining the back replacements after his starring effort against Japan.

The team's matches against New Zealand U20, South Africa U20 and Argentina U20 will serve as their final competitive hit-outs ahead of the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy in June and July.

Australia U20 vs. New Zealand U20

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha

10pm AEST Thursday 1 May

1. Finn Baxter (ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles)

2. Ollie Barrett (Western Force, Associates RUFC)

3. Kaleb Ah-Colt (NSW Waratahs, Randwick)

4. Eamon Doyle (c) (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)

5. Joe Mangelsdorf (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)

6. Jacob Veiru (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)

7. Eli Langi (ACT Brumbies, Tuggeranong Vikings)

8. Beau Morrison (ACT Brumbies, Sydney University)

9. Hwi Sharples (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)

10. Joey Fowler (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)

11. Sid Harvey (Australia Sevens)

12. Boston Fakafanua (Western Force, Wests Scarborough)

13. Liam Grover (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)

14. Cooper Watters (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)

15. Shane Wilcox (ACT Brumbies, Tuggeranong Vikings)

Replacements

16. Lipina Ata (ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles)

17. Trevor King (Queensland Reds, Souths)

18. Nick Hill (NSW Waratahs, Warringah)

19. Charlie Brosnan (Queensland Reds, Brothers)

20. Toby Brial (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)

21. James Martens (Queensland Reds, GPS Rugby Club)

22. Joe Dillon (ACT Brumbies, Canberra Royals)

23. Nick Conway (Queensland Reds, Wests Bulldogs)

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