The Junior Wallabies are set to face a tough draw when they head over to South Africa for the 2024 U20s World Championships.
Drawn in Group B for the upcoming tournament set to take place in July, Nathan Grey’s side will face up against Ireland, Italy and Georgia.
Playing all their fixtures out of Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, the Junior Wallabies will have a lot of work to do to replicate their 2019 Grand Final finish, following a disappointing inaugural U20s Rugby Championship last month that saw them finish at the bottom of the table behind Argentina, the Baby Boks and the Junior All Blacks.
Ireland will be favourites for Pool B, winning the 2022 and 2023 U20s Six Nations Championships and going unbeaten in the 2024 iteration – drawing with eventual champions England and finishing runners up due to England an additional bonus point victory.
The Irish also finished as Runner Up in the 2023 World Championships, beating the Junior Wallabies 10-30 at the corresponding fixture last year.
Italy will also be a tough team to put away, with the U20s becoming of the most exciting up-and-comers in the U20s Six Nations Championships.
Lastly, Georgia will be coming off their best U20s tournament in 2023, picking up wins over Argentina and Italy only to narrowly miss out on the semi-finals.
Outside of Pool B, hosts South Africa will face Argentina, England and Fiji in Pool C, while current champions France headline Pool A alongside Spain and Wales, and inaugural U20s Rugby Championship winners, New Zealand.
The winners of each respective pool will go into the semi-finals, with the fourth team being the highest-ranked second-place side across all pools.
The upcoming event in July will also serve as the first major rugby event to feature three new law amendments implemented by World Rugby – with the focus on quicker play whilst ensuring player welfare.
“The World Rugby U20 Championship is the pinnacle of age-grade rugby, and it continues to be a key part of World Rugby’s investment in increasing the competitiveness of global rugby by providing a meaningful pathway to the elite level for talented young players,” World Rugby CEO Bill Beaumont said in a statement.
“The South African Rugby Union were incredible hosts in 2023 and we are confident that they will deliver an outstanding experience for players and fans alike.
“We are also very excited to see the new law amendments which will improve the on-field spectacle for anyone watching, promoting an exciting attacking brand of rugby.”
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – JUNE 03: Teddy Wilson of Australia passes the ball during the International match between New Zealand U20 and the Junior Australia Wallabies at Sky Stadium on June 03, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Masanori Udagawa/Getty Images)
JUNIOR WALLABIES SCHEDULE
Australia v Georgia – June 30, Athlone Sports Stadium – Kick-Off: 12:30am AEST
Australia v Italy – July 5, Athlone Sports Stadium – Kick-Off: 3:00 am AEST
Ireland v Australia – July 9, Athlone Sports Stadium – Kick-Off: 10:00 pm AEST
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