HSBC SVNS Series rookies Aden Ekanayake and Sid Harvey headline a promising Australia U20 squad for the upcoming World Rugby U20 Championships in Italy, with Queensland Reds midfielder Dre Pakeho also selected in the representative side.
Ekanayake is back for a second season with the Australian side, following an impressive debut season on the international sevens circuit. The 20-year-old was nominated for SVNS Rookie of the Year after a stellar season in the gold jersey.
Harvey is another sevens flyer who has been selected in this U20 squad, having already played for the team at the recent U20 Rugby Championship in South Africa. At that event, Harvey converted a last-gasp try to secure a dramatic draw with New Zealand in round one.
On the SVNS Series, Harvey’s crowning moment was a last-gasp match-winner in the battle for third-place against fan favourites Fiji in Hong Kong China. Harvey dove over for a try with about 10 seconds left, which sent the thousands at Kai Tak Stadium into a frenzy.
Ekanyake and Harvey will be joined by Pakeho, who started nine of 13 appearances for the Reds under coach Les Kiss. Pakeho scored tries against the Western Force and ACT Brumbies, but was generally a reliable option in the midfield for the Queenslanders.
“This group of young men have worked extremely hard to earn the opportunity to represent Australia on the biggest stage in age-grade rugby,” coach Chris Whitaker said.
“They’re all excited to pull on the gold jersey and test themselves against the best in the world.“Every match we play in Italy will present a formidable challenge however we believe our preparation has set us up to meet that challenge.”
Australia get their World Championships campaign underway on June 29 in a familiar clash with South Africa, which the men in gold won at The Rugby Championship 29-24, having fought their way back from a 17-nil deficit.
The Aussies will also take on Scotland and England during pool play. England are the defending champions after beating France at the event last year, while Scotland qualified for the tournament after taking out the World Trophy title in 2024.
Australia U20 squad for World Rugby U20 Championship
Finn Baxter (ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles)
Nathaniel Tiitii (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)
Nick Hill (NSW Waratahs, Warringah)
Edwin Langi (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)
Trevor King (Queensland Reds, Souths)
Lotu Vunipola (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)
Will Guilfoyle (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)
Ollie Barrett (Western Force, Associates RUFC)
Lipina Ata (ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles)
Ollie Aylmer (ACT Brumbies, Gordon)
Charlie Brosnan (Queensland Reds, Brothers)
Joe Mangelsdorf (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)
Eamon Doyle (c) (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)
Tom Robinson (Queensland Reds, University of Queensland)
Eli Langi (ACT Brumbies, Tuggeranong Vikings)
Beau Morrison (ACT Brumbies, Sydney University)
Aden Ekanayake (Australia Sevens)
Toby Brial (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)
Hwi Sharples (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)
James Martens (Queensland Reds, GPS Rugby Club)
Joey Fowler (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)
Joe Dillon (ACT Brumbies, Canberra Royals)
Boston Fakafanua (Western Force, Wests Scarborough)
Dre Pakeho (Queensland Reds, Brothers)
Liam Grover (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University)
Xavier Rubens (Queensland Reds, Souths)
Nicholas Conway (Queensland Reds, Wests Bulldogs)
Cooper Watters (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)
Sid Harvey (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)
Shane Wilcox (ACT Brumbies, Tuggeranong Vikings)
