World Rugby U20 championships: surprise club dominating Australian squad, Georgia, Italy, Ireland tests

There’s gains to be made in the elite ranks but there’s now proof positive the future can be very bright for the NSW Waratahs. Here’s why.

Will McCulloch celebrates with Australian teammates after scoring a try during The Rugby Championship U20 titles which form part of the Junior Wallabies selection Pic: Albert Perez/Getty Images)

They took a big hit in Super Rugby after a dismal Super Rugby season but the NSW Waratahs program has now produced the majority of players heading to the World U20 rugby championships - including a trio of late call-ups.

The Waratahs have nine young guns in their system named in the Australian U20 team heading to South Africa, along with Sevens recruit Aden Ekanayake and numerous players who came through their ranks but are now stationed with rival Super Rugby franchises.

In a major show of force after a season to forget in Super Rugby, the next generation of players are showing their potential to be part of a renaissance at the club and been rewarded with a ticket to the U20 world events.

The Waratahs presence in the U20 squad was bolstered by the call-up of hooker Oniti Finau, fly half Joe Dillon and speedster Archie Saunders last week.

Other players who came through the NSW Waratahs system before being picked up by rival to clubs include the likes of Western Force’s Boston Fakafanua and Rohan Levy and Tevita Alatini, Dan Nelson and Angus Staniforth, now with the Brumbies.

Angus Staniforth playing for Australia at the The Rugby Championship U20s. Picture: Getty Images)

This means around half the squad heading to Cape Town is being, or has been, developed by the Waratahs.

Australian under 20 coach and former Wallaby Nathan Grey said the squad has around a third of players with the experience of last year’s World Cup under their belt with the likes of Jack Barrett, Ollie McCrae, Trevor King and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips are returning players.

But the majority are first timers who have impressed Grey and his coaching staff at the recent The Rugby Championships on the Sunshine Coast or “have played good consistent club football and been rewarded for it”.

Grey said work has been done to improve the physicality of his young side and to extend their intensity for longer periods at the upcoming events.

Aden Ekanayake has come in from the Sevens program

“It’s a different team with a different personality but we will play a similar style to last year,” Grey said.

“Training has been different. We have been putting ourselves under more pressure.”

Grey said he was interested to see how winger Saunders thrives in his new environment.

Saunders, who has progressed through the Waratahs system, is one of the fastest players in rugby and on the comeback from injury.

“He is an exciting prospect,” Grey said.

Grey said he is keen to see Saunders’ NSW teammate Jack Barrett be a leader in the team playing Georgia, Italy and Ireland in their first matches at the South African tournament.

The squad will train in Sydney this week before flying out for the tournament.

Harry McLaughlin-Phillips playing against New Zealand at the The Rugby Championship U20 event

JUNIOR WALLABIES WORLD RUGBY U20 SQUAD

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.

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.

Western Force: Boston Fakafanua - Sydney University, Ronan Leahy - Sydney University, Dane Sawers – Kalamunda Districts Rugby Union Club.

Melbourne Rebels: Ottavio Tuipulotu - Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club

Australia 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 - Souths Rugby Club Brisbane, William McCulloch - Norths Brisbane