The 2019 Oceania U20s Championship fixtures have been confirmed, with Australia’s next generation set to do battle with Junior Japan, Fiji U20s and New Zealand U20s between Saturday 26 April and Saturday 4 May, at Bond University on the Gold Coast.
The Junior Wallabies will first need to take on Japan, who return to the tournament for the first time since 2015 before meeting Fiji in round two with their final match on May 4 when they will take on defending Oceania champions, New Zealand.
Junior Wallabies Head Coach, Jason Gilmore said: “We’re excited to be involved in the Oceania tournament again this year. It’s great to get into game mode, and we will need to be ready for the matches.
“We have just come off a productive week-long training camp at the AIS, and the playing group is progressing well.
“The squad will now go back to their clubs and academies, gaining valuable game time before we reconvene on the Gold Coast in April," Gilmore said.
Oceania Rugby’s Competitions Manager Wayne Schuster said: “The Oceania Rugby U20s Championship serves to provide our premier U20s teams in the region the best preparation possible ahead of the World Rugby U20s Championship each year.
“It essentially allows our teams an opportunity to fine tune their preparations and combinations in a robust and high-level competition environment, similar to what they will encounter in pool play at the World U20s Championship in Argentina.
“We welcome Japan back to the Gold Coast and look forward to the passion and pace they will bring to the Championship,” Schuster added.
The Oceania Rugby U20s Championship will act as precursor to the World Rugby U20s Championship to be played in Argentina in June.
Australia has been placed in Pool B and will meet Italy, Ireland and 2018 runners up, England at the top tier U20s tournament.
Oceania U20s Championship: Bond University, Gold Coast*
Round 1 – Friday, April 26
New Zealand v Fiji, 5.00pm
Australia v Japan, 7.00pm
Round 2 – Tuesday, April 30
New Zealand v Japan, 3.00pm
Australia v Fiji, 5.00pm
Round 3 – Saturday, May 4
Japan v Fiji, 5.00pm
Australia v New Zealand, 7.00pm
*All times AEST
