The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies U20s will play their first match of the season when they face NSW Waratahs tomorrow at Brumbies HQ (kick-off 1pm AEDT).
The side features 16 players who played in the U19s Grand Final winning team in November last year, including fullback Shane Wilcox who skippered the team to victory that day.
Malayke Enasio, who scored two tries in that final, captains the side this weekend. While Wilcox and flanker Eli Langi both appeared for the Brumbies first-team in Trial matches for Super Rugby Pacific this season.
Head of Elite Pathways & Player Development Dan Hooper emphasised the chance players have to impress Australia U20 selectors tomorrow, ahead of this year's U20 World Championship in Italy.
“This is an important opportunity for our players to put their hands up for Australian U20 selection," Hooper said.
"The Waratahs have a very strong group of players, and will be a good challenge with a number having already played Australian U20s in 2024, but our ACT side will feature a number of boys from last years Super U19s Championship winning side. We expect a high quality game with a large chunk of the best U20 talent in the country featuring in this particular match.”
The team will be co-coached by local John I Dent Premier Club coaches Joe Kolo (Canberra Royals) and Ryan Schultz (Tuggeranong Vikings). The fixture is the first of three for the U20s this month, with the side subsequently taking on Western Force U20s twice on Wednesday 12th March and Saturday 16th March. All three matches will take place in Canberra “Two of our local Premier Grade Head Coaches - Ryan Schultz (Vikings) and Joe Kolo (Royals) will take the co-coaching reins for the three match U20s program," Hooper added.
"It’s great to give Pathway opportunities to our local Club coaches. Joe and Ryan have been working hard balancing their own club commitments to prepare the team for these matches and the involvement and growth of our local coaches is an important element of our High Performance Pathways.”
ACT Brumbies U20s vs NSW Waratahs U20s
Saturday 1st March, Brumbies HQ, 1pm AEDT
- Finn Baxter
- Lipina Ata
- Drew Brndusic
- Billy Hansen
- Alex Kerr
- Eli Langi
- Jono Ryan
- Beau Morrison
- Lachlan Smith
- Joe Dillon
- Samson Tuqiri
- Sam McLachlan
- Malakye Enasio ©
- Silas Pilot
- Shane Wilcox
Reserves:
- Bailey Buesnel
- Logan Pou
- Liuaki Percival
- Uli Latukefu
- Deveraux Tapelu
- Bailey Bouquiaux
- Sam Watson
- Keresoma Tuilagi
- Joey Henry
- Jacob Johnson
