Fortescue Western Force Academy trio Boston Fakafanua, Ronan Leahy and Dane Sawers have earned selection for Australia at the upcoming World Rugby U20 Championships.
The trio were all part of Australia’s recent campaign in the U20 Rugby Championship on the Sunshine Coast, where Leahy was the side’s vice-captain.
Selection has now been finalized for the upcoming tournament in South Africa which runs from June 29 to July 19. The 30 players will assemble in Sydney next week to finalise preparations before departing for Cape Town.
Australia is grouped with Georgia, Italy and Ireland, with the side’s opening game against Georgia in Cape Town on June 29.
The call-up comes after UWA and Sydney University winger Leahy made his Super Rugby Pacific debut in Round 14, having been named in the U20 Rugby Championship Team of the Tournament last month.
Fakafanua, who has returned to play NSW Shute Shield with Sydney Uni, and Kalamunda back-rower Sawers also impressed in their recent spell with the Australia U20s.
Australia U20 head coach Nathan Grey said: "We've selected an exciting group of players who have been delivering impressive performances for their club sides over the last few weeks.
"The opportunity for these young men to now come together and represent Australia on the world stage is truly special.
"What awaits us in Cape Town is a formidable challenge, starting with our three pool opponents in Georgia, Italy and Ireland. However we're prepared and ready to embrace that challenge."
The full draw for the tournament is available here.
Western Force
Boston Fakafanua - Sydney University
Ronan Leahy - Sydney University
Dane Sawers – Kalamunda Districts Rugby Union Club
ACT Brumbies
Tevita Alatini - Gungahlin Eagles
Harvey Cordukes - Uni-Norths Owls
Toby Macpherson – Uni-Norths Owls
Jarrah McLeod – Canberra Royals
Dan Nelson – Canberra Royals
Angus Staniforth – Canberra Royals
Shane Wilcox - Tuggeranong Vikings
Jack Harley - Gungahlin Eagles
Lington Ieli - Tuggeranong Vikings
Kadin Pritchard - Gungahlin Eagles
Melbourne Rebels
Ottavio Tuipulotu - Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club
Australian Sevens
Aden Ekanayake – Gordon Rugby Club
Queensland Reds
Nick Bloomfield – Easts Rugby Club
Frankie Goldsbrough - Easts Brisbane
Trevor King – Souths Rugby Club Brisbane
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips – Souths Rugby Club Brisbane
Dominic Thygesen - University of Queensland
William McCulloch - Norths Brisbane
NSW Waratahs
Jack Barrett – Randwick Rugby Club
Ben Di Staso – Eastern Suburbs
Bryn Edwards - Sydney University
Ollie McCrea – Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club
Archie Saunders – Warringah Rugby Club
Eamon Doyle - Sydney University
Hwi Sharples - Sydney University
Joe Dillon - Manly Marlins
Oniti Finau - Randwick Rugby Club
