James Tuttle to lead Aussie U20s into World Championships

May 31 • General News, International, Junior Rugby, World Rugby Junior Championship • 1957 Views • Comments Off on James Tuttle to lead Aussie U20s into World Championships

Photo: Karen Watson Photography.

The BMW Australia U20s captain has been named for the World Rugby U20s Championship with Queensland Reds representative, James Tuttle given the responsibility of leading Australia on the global stage.

Fellow Queenslanders Maclean Jones and Mack Mason round out all the all-Queensland leadership group, among 14 players from the state in the Aussie squad for 2016.

The young Australians will travel to Manchester in preparation for their first match on June 8 against Scotland.

Head Coach Adrian Thompson has also made two changes to the Australian squad with Joey Fittock and Harley Fox suffering injuries. They will be replaced by Liam McNamara and Ikapote Tupai respectively.

BMW Australia U20s Head Coach Adrian Thompson: “We are very lucky to be served by a strong leadership group in 2016 lead by James, Maclean and Mack.

“We have worked hard at our camp in Sydney and with an extra two wins under our belt there are good signs for our side.

“We need to build on that preparation and work even harder now otherwise it’ll all mean nothing. The team is very much looking forward to getting to Manchester and performing in a way that makes their country proud.”

FOX SPORTS will broadcast all of Australia’s pool fixtures LIVE.

BMW Australia U20s fixtures for the 2016 World Rugby U20s Championship:
Australia v Scotland, Pool B, 8 June (KO 2.30am AEST), AJ Bell Stadium, Salford
Australia v Italy, Pool B, 11 June (KO 10.30pm AEST), AJ Bell Stadium, Salford
Australia v England, Pool B, 16 June (KO 4.45am AEST), AJ Bell Stadium, Salford

2016 Australia U20s Squad:
Forwards
Faalelei Sione, Brumbies U20s, Canberra Royals
Tyrel Lomax, Brumbies U20s, Tuggeranong Vikings
Vunipola Fifita, NSW Gen Blue U20s, Randwick
Ryan McCauley, NSW Gen Blue U20s, Eastern Suburbs
Shambeckler Vui, Western Force U20s, University of Western Australia
Josh Taylor, Queensland Reds U20s, Bond University
Richie Asiata, Queensland Reds U20s, Easts Tigers
Lukhan Tui, Queensland U20s, Brothers
Harry Hocking, Queensland U20s, University of Queensland
Maclean Jones, Queensland U20s, University of Queensland
Angus Scott-Young, Queensland Reds U20s, University of Queensland
Izack Rodda, Queensland Reds U20s, Easts Tigers
Liam Wright, Queensland U20s, Easts Tigers
Jordan Uelese, Melbourne Rebels U20s, Melbourne University
Rob Leota, Melbourne Rebels U20s, Melbourne University
Ikapote Tupai, Melbourne Rebels U20s, Melbourne Unicorns
Backs
Nick Jooste, Brumbies U20s, Wests
Jordan Jackson-Hope, Brumbies U20s, Tuggeranong Vikings
Simon Kennewell, NSW Gen Blue U20s, Randwick
Jack Maddocks, NSW Gen Blue U20s, Eastern Suburbs
James Tuttle, Queensland Reds U20s, GPS
Harry Nucifora, Queensland Reds U20s, Bond University
Mack Mason, Queensland Reds U20s, Easts Tigers
Campbell Magnay, Queensland Reds U20s, GPS
Liam Jurd, Queensland Reds U20s, University of Queensland
Sione Tuipulotu, Melbourne Rebels U20s, Southern Districts
Liam McNamara, Queensland U20s, Sunnybank
Ah-Mu Tuimalealiifano, Melbourne Rebels U20s, Harlequins