Next generation of Super Rugby stars to cut teeth in Super U20s 2

Feb 14 • General News, International • 1167 Views • Comments Off on Next generation of Super Rugby stars to cut teeth in Super U20s 2

Super U20s Rugby will return in 2017 after a successful inaugural year in 2016 which saw Queensland U20s take out the championship, with every match to be streamed LIVE through rugby.com.au this season.

Fans will have the chance to watch the next generation of Australian Rugby talent at various grounds around the country or direct to your device with the rugby.com.au team capturing every moment of action across the competition.

With a big focus on grassroots and recognising where many of the players first experienced rugby, six matches will be played at club Rugby grounds across the country with two matches being played as curtain raisers for Vodafone Super Rugby games.

The five-week tournament kicks off on February 25 with a re-match of last year’s Final Queensland Reds U20s taking on the Melbourne Rebels U20s at the home of Brothers Rugby Club, Crosby Park.

The tournament provides U20s players with the opportunity to represent their Vodafone Super Rugby franchise and gain invaluable game time before potential selection in the BMW Australia U20s squad and exposes them to high-level coaching and facilities.

The Super U20s will be used by BMW Australia U20s Head Coach, Simon Cron to select an initial squad for the Oceania Rugby U20s tournament held at Bond University on the Gold Coast in April. Last year Australia drew the series 1-1 with New Zealand, becoming the first Australian side to defeat their Trans-Tasman rivals at U20s level.

The Australian Rugby Union, General Manager High-Performance Ben Whitaker said: “The Super U20s competition allows our players to gain invaluable exposure to a professional Rugby environment benefiting them for potential professional Rugby careers, Australia U20s selection, Club Rugby and the Buildcorp NRC.

“With more game time and access to top coaching courtesy of the investment being made by the Super Rugby programs, this competition will continue to enhance our young elite players for possible Australia U20s selection while ultimately developing their overall potential as players across all important levels of the game.

The championship also provides further entertainment for fans wanting to see the next generation of Super Rugby and Wallabies stars.”

BMW Australia U20s Head Coach, Simon Cron: “This tournament gives our players real opportunities to test themselves in head to head clashes under game pressure.

“The U20s program is continuing to expand with the Oceania Rugby U20s tournament which we are yet to win at home and the World Rugby U20s Championship to be held in Georgia.

“I’ve spoken to the teams about the expectations we have for the standards of the BMW Australia U20s squad this year and now we get to watch players put their hands up over the next two months.”

2017 Super U20s draw
Round 1-
Queensland Reds U20s v Melbourne Rebels U20s, Saturday 25 February, 12.00pm, Crosby Park, Brisbane
Gen Blue U20s v Western Force U20s, Saturday 25 February, 5.15pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Brumbies U20s- BYE

Round 2-
Western Force U20s v Queensland Reds U20s, Saturday 4 March, 2.00pm Nedlands Rugby Club, Perth
Brumbies U20s v Melbourne Rebels U20s, Sunday 5 March, 3.00pm, Viking Park, Canberra
Gen Blue U20s-BYE

Round 3-
Gen Blue U20s v Brumbies U20s, Saturday 18 March, 5.00pm, Vikings Rugby Club, Wollongong
Melbourne Rebels U20s v Western Force U20s, Sunday 12 March, 2.00pm, Gosch’s Paddock, Melbourne
Queensland Reds U20s-BYE

Round 4-
Queensland Reds U20s v Gen Blue U20s, Saturday 18 March, 1.50pm, Wests Bulldogs, Brisbane
Brumbies U20s v Western Force U20s, Sunday 19 March, 2.00pm, Portsea Oval, Canberra
Melbourne Rebels U20s-BYE

Round 5-
Melbourne Rebels U20s v Gen Blue U20s, Friday 24 March, 4.30 pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Brumbies U20s v Queensland Reds U20s, Sunday 26 March, 3.00pm Portsea Oval, Canberra
Western Force U20s-BYE

FINAL
Tournament final will be held on the weekend of April 1/2 between the top two teams.
*All times are local