Junior Wallabies coach Jason Gilmore says character will be the critical element for his team in this year's World Rugby U20s championship as they prepare for their opener against Italy.
The Junior Wallabies showed their potential with an Oceania U20s championship win last month, that ended with a
Australia's youngsters showed their grit in a warm-up game against an Australian Barbarians game as well and the mental strength that the team is showing is something Gilmore is especially pleased with.
The World Championship structure leaves little room for error and past Junior Wallabies' outfits have been left to rue small margins that cost them a chance to progress to the semi-finals.
This year's side has focused on building their bonds, kicking off with a climb up Mt Kosciuszko and Gilmore said their focus on that element of the team was paying off.
"I think you can get carried away with these guys, everyone talks about skills and how good they are," he said.
"That's just a non-negotiable, they're playing for their country so they have to be skillful but we've spent a bit more time on what's important to us behaviourally and building that into our culture as well and the boys have really taken that and run with it."
12 teams.
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) June 2, 2019
One prize.
The World Rugby U20 Championship kicks off on Tuesday in Argentina! #WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/WIbFinbT0h
Australia has been in Argentina for the better part of a week, arriving in South America off a pre-tournament camp in Sydney.
Forwards Nick Frost and Rhys van Nek are the only new faces in the matchday squad, with the pair in line for their debuts against Italy.
Reds rising star Isaac Lucas will start at fullback, after being released to the Junior Wallabies for the entirety of their international campaign.
Gilmore said he was expecting a tough battle up forward from the Italians, but the European side also possess some dangerous attacking players in their arsenal.
"They've got a very big forward pack, they're pretty similar to last year, so they'll be pretty physical, good at the scrum, good at lineout maul," he said.
"They've got a really good back three, two wingers and a fullback that are pretty electric on their feet and a good kicking five-eighth.
"So, they'll play that traditional Italian style of football with lots of energy through the forward pack and quite quick on the edges."
Junior Wallabies captain Fraser McReight echoed Gilmore's thoughts on the Italians and said it was vital Australia got off to a good start.
“From an outsider's perspective you could say it's the easiest game we have in our pool but if we start really well it sends a message,” McReight said.
"We play Ireland (next) and if they've won against England their confidence will be up and if they know we've put Italy to the sword, then that's huge for us.
"If we start really well, it's just more confidence for us that our systems are working really well and we haven't taken a backwards step since New Zealand.”
And McReight said it was important the Junior Wallabies put their Oceania Championship win against New Zealand in the background now.
"It was very good to do at this stage but it's completely different now,” he said.
"It was very good to win and keep them scoreless but we've forgotten about it now because we can't get complacent, we've got a big job to do.
"Of course we celebrated the win but I don't think Gilly needed to state the obvious that we had a bigger job to do.
"Everyone knows what the job was and that was to come over here and win.
"We've got Ireland, who won the grand slam this year and England, who are always very good at U20s.
"So we know it's going to be tough, we've just got to focus on what we can do and our game plan and structures and play each game on its merits because otherwise we won't put in the performance needed against Italy.
The Junior Wallabies to face Italy on Tuesday June 4, kicking off at 11:30pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 507.
TEAM
Junior Wallabies to face Italy
1. Angus Bell, Sydney University
2. Lachlan Lonergan, Tuggeranong Vikings
3. Josh Nasser, University of Queensland
4. Michael Wood, Brothers
5. Trevor Hosea, Harlequins Rugby Club
6. Harry Wilson, Brothers
7. Fraser McReight ©, Brothers
8. Will Harris, Eastern Suburbs
9. Michael McDonald, Palmyra
10. Will Harrison, Randwick
11. Mark Nawaqanitawase, Eastwood
12. Noah Lolesio, Tuggeranong Vikings
13. Semisi Tupou, Box Hill
14. Triston Reilly, AU7s/Randwick
15. Isaac Lucas, Sunnybank
Reserves
16. Joe Cotton, Wests Bulldogs
17. Bo Abra, Eastern Suburbs
18. Darcy Breen, Sydney University
19. Rhys Van Nek*, Easts
20. Esei Ha’angana, Melbourne Unicorns
21. Pat Tafa, Northern Suburbs
22. Nick Frost*, Queanbeyan Whites
23. Carlo Tizzano, University of Western Australia
24. Henry Robertson, Sydney University
25. Ben Donaldson, Randwick
26. Sione Tui, Melbourne Unicorns
27. Kye Oates, University of Queensland
28. Joey Walton, Gordon
*Denotes uncapped player
FIXTURES
Tuesday June 4
11:30pm - Australia vs Italy, Club de Rugby Ateneo Inmaculada, Santa Fe
Saturday June 8
11:30pm - Australia vs Ireland, Club de Rugby Ateneo Inmaculada, Santa Fe
Thursday June 13
Australia vs England, 4.30am AEST, Club de Rugby Ateneo Inmaculada, Santa Fe
