Future Wallabies bound for Belfast
Staff
March 29, 2007
Australia's next generation of Super 14 and Wallaby stars wrapped up the final stages of preparations this morning for the 2007 iRB U19 World Championship, before flying out to Belfast tomorrow for the tournament. Benefiting from world-class training facilities and expertise at the Australian Institute of Sport over the past nine days, the 24-man Ford Australian Under 19s squad is eager to begin their world championship defence against home-town favourites, Ireland on April 5. Coach Phil Mooney has named a squad brimming with international experience with four players - Ben Daley, Brett Gillespie, James Hanson and Sam Wykes - from the 2006 world champion team retained. Prop Ben Daley, an integral member of the 2006 championship squad said having experienced the physicality and intensity of the tournament has helped him and his team mates in their preparations. "Having been in Dubai last year, I've had a taste of the hard, physical conditions and I'm confident the other blokes will be able to make the big step up from schoolboy rugby to this level," Daley said. "Our coach, Phil Mooney, has also been involved in this tournament many times and the training regime has focused on preparing us for the physical nature of our opposition and set pieces which are crucial at this level." Lock Sam Wykes of Sydney's Lalor Park, said the morale within the camp was at the same high level as last year and that the 2007 team was eager to get to Ireland. "The camaraderie and team spirit in the camp is very similar to last year and everyone feels we've really gelled as a team," Wykes said. "We're all hoping to enjoy the experience in Ireland and know that we have a job to do and that's to win the tournament." The Australian Under 19s depart Sydney for Belfast on Friday afternoon. Australian Under 19s squad for IRB World Championship in Belfast:
Albert Anae
Andrew Barrett*
Peter Betham*
Adam Campbell
Blair Connor
Ben Daley^
Tetera Faulkner*
Brett Gillespie^
James Hanson^
Chris Harkins*
Mitchell Inman
Rowan Kellam*
Rodney Ma'a*
Alfi Mafi*
Patrick McCabe
Ben McCalman*
Daniel Palmer*
Daniel Penca
Jason Ryan
Robert Simmons*
Jeremy Sua*
Michael Uoka*
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Sam Wykes^
^ From last year's Australian Under 19s S14 - Contracted or on a Rookie Contract in the Super 14 Coaching staff Head Coach - Phil Mooney Assistant Coach - Mark Bell Manager - Bill Swain Program Coordinator - Ben Whitaker Medical Coordinator/Doctor - Corey Cunningham Physiotherapist Coordinator - Cameron Watson Physiotherapist - Andrew Cooke S&C Coordinator - Brynley Abad |
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