Queensland U20s team named for final regular season clash against the Brumbies U20s

Mar 24 • General News, International • 1246 Views • Comments Off on Queensland U20s team named for final regular season clash against the Brumbies U20s

Queensland U20s head coach Brad Thorn has named his side for their Round 5 Super U20s Championship clash against the Brumbies U20s this Sunday, 26 March.

Only two changes have been made to the starting side that claimed their third straight win of the tournament last Saturday, with outside backs Ratu Posasa Niumataiwalu and Alex Horan named in the run-on XV.

Souths product Niumataiwalu will make his Super U20s debut, starting on the wing in place of Sam Edwards, while Alex Horan will make his starting debut at fullback in place of Jayden Ngamanu. Both Edwards and Ngamanu have been ruled out through a minor injury.

In the reserves, front-rowers Matt Faessler and Lloyd Gorman return to the squad, while Sunnybank’s Jezzy Ioane is in line for his potential debut.

Assistant coach Paul Carozza said: “We’ve had a few injuries this week but we’re confident in the depth of our squad and the players who will be coming into the side.

“The players who have been called into the 23 for this week have been part of our wider squad throughout the preseason and have also been performing well for their respective clubs.”

The Queensland side has booked their place in the 2017 Super U20s Championship grand final, but still, need to secure a result this weekend to ensure that they can host their second straight home final.

Queensland needs at least a single bonus point to finish on top of the ladder, however, the team’s preparation and approach won’t change, with the side determined to finish their season undefeated.

“We’re treating this game like any other,” said Carozza.

“The team will be hungry to finish Sunday’s match ahead on the scoreboard.”

The Queensland U20s v Brumbies U20s match will be live streamed via www.redsrugby.com.au, kick-off at 2:00 pm AEST.

Queensland U20s team to play Brumbies U20s, Sunday 26 March, Wests Rugby Club – Portsea Oval, Campbell; kick-off 2:00 pm AEST:

1.Harry Hoopert – Brothers, Jondaryan
2.Effie Ma’afu – Wests
3.Gavin Luka – Bond University, Gold Coast
4.Angus Blyth – Bond University, Gold Coast
5.Harry Hockings – University of Queensland, Bowen
6.Angus Scott-Young – University of Queensland
7.Liam Wright (C) – Easts
8.Reece Hewart – Norths
9.Harry Nucifora – Bond University, Gold Coast
10.Hamish Stewart – Bond University, Toowoomba
11.Ratu Poasa Niumataiwalu* – Souths
12.Tony Hunt – University of Queensland
13.Dylan Riley – Bond University, Gold Coast
14.Will Eadie – University of Queensland
15.Alex Horan*** – University of Queensland

Reserves
16.Matt Faessler – Brothers, Darling Downs
17.Lloyd Gorman – Sunnybank
18.James Gall – Easts
19.Seru Masirewa Ganita – Sunnybank
20.Patrick Tafa – Sunnybank
21.Eli Pilz – Easts, Sunshine Coast
22.Isaac Lucas – Sunnybank
23.Jezzy Ioane** – Sunnybank

*Queensland U20s debut
**Potential Queensland U20s debut
***Starting Queensland U20s debut