Junior Wallabies head coach Nathan Grey has confirmed his side to face Fiji and open Australia's campaign at the World Rugby U20 Championship 2023 in South Africa.
Waratahs players Ollie McCrea, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen and Henry O’Donnell have all been named on the bench for the match at Danie Craven Stadium on Saturday.
"After a long build-up and three good hit-outs prior to arriving in South Africa, it’s exciting for the 23 players named to have the first opportunity to pull on the gold jersey at the tournament," Grey said.
"With five games in the next four weeks, and each game having a five-day turnaround, it's critical that all our players have the opportunity to get accustomed to the conditions and combinations.
"The training week has been excellent with the squad enjoying an opposed session against Georgia, which helped to sharpen the focus for Saturday's challenge.
"While the wet and heavy conditions in Cape Town will have an impact, we are still intent on delivering our style of Rugby against Fiji."
The game will be available live and on demand on Stan Sport.
Junior Wallabies vs. Fiji U20
Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
4.30pm Saturday SAST (12.30am Sunday AEST)
1. Marley Pearce (Western Force, Joondalup Brothers)
2. Liam Bowron (ACT Brumbies, Canberra Royals)
3. Nick Bloomfield (QLD Reds, Easts Tigers)
4. Toby Macpherson (ACT Brumbies, Uni-Norths Owls)
5. Daniel Maiava (Melbourne Rebels, Wests Bulldogs)
6. Lachlan Hooper (ACT Brumbies, Vikings Rugby)
7. Nick Baker (c) (QLD Reds, GPS Rugby Club)
8. Leafi Talataina (Melbourne Rebels, Endeavour Hills)
9. Klayton Thorn (ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles)
10. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (QLD Reds, Souths Magpies)
11. Darby Lancaster (Melbourne Rebels, Eastern Suburbs)
12. David Vaihu (Melbourne Rebels, Wests Bulldogs)
13. Taj Annan (QLD Reds, Souths Magpies)
14. Ronan Leahy (Western Force, Sydney University)
15. Mason Gordon (Melbourne Rebels, Wests Bulldogs)
16. Harrison Usher (QLD Reds, Bond University)
17. Max Craig (QLD Reds, Easts Tigers)
18. Trevor King (QLD Reds, Souths Magpies)
19. Ollie McCrea (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)
20. Ned Slack-Smith (Western Force, Palmyra Rugby Union Club)
21. Teddy Wilson (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)
22. Jack Bowen (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)
23. Henry O'Donnell (NSW Waratahs, Northern Suburbs)
