SANZAAR has confirmed the inaugural U20s Rugby Championship will be on the Sunshine Coast in May.
The tournament will see the brightest stars from Australia, Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa battle it out before July's World Rugby U20 Championships.
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It will be hosted at Sunshine Coast Stadium, with the tournament kicking off on May 2 with a doubleheader that will see New Zealand face South Africa followed by Australia taking on Argentina.
The Kiwis will face Argentina on May 7 before Australia take on South Africa. The round-robin concludes on May 12 with a junior Bledisloe clash between Australia and New Zealand, with South Africa taking on Argentina to kick off the action.
"The TRC U20 Championship is an exciting investment and development strategy that will allow for a more defined pathway for younger players into senior and international rugby and provide a springboard into the annual World Rugby U20 Championship that is currently missing," SANZAAR CEO Brendan Morris said in a statement.
“This exposure to international matches against top quality opposition can only benefit the players in terms of experience and adapting to the demands of top level rugby.
"The tournament will also provide extra development opportunities for coaches, team management and match officials."
The Australia U20s finished fifth in last year's World Championships, with South Africa the highest-place finisher of the four teams in third, with New Zealand (seventh) and Argentina (ninth) behind the Australians.
"The teams will assemble on The Sunshine Coast for three match rounds in May and for rugby fans we are pleased to announce that entry into the tournament at Sunshine Coast Stadium will be free of charge," Morris confirmed.
"SANZAAR is very much looking forward to what will be a highly competitive tournament and on behalf of SANZAAR I would like to thank the Sunshine Coast Council for its assistance in supporting this wonderful new tournament.”
“We look forward to seeing The Rugby Championship U20 tournament playing out at Sunshine Coast Stadium this year and showcasing the region as an ideal training destination to such high-profile Rugby nations," Sunshine Coast Major Events Board Chair John Williams added.
"The event will be a great spectacle for Australian and international rugby fans, but it’s also a great time to discover the Sunshine Coast and make a holiday of it in one of the world's most loved destinations."
*All times local and at Sunshine Coast Stadium
Round One - Thursday 2nd May
New Zealand v South Africa, 5:00 pm
Australia v Argentina, 7:00 pm
Round Two - Tuesday 7th May
New Zealand v Argentina, 5:00 pm
Australia v South Africa, 7:00 pm
Round Three - Sunday 12th May
South Africa v Argentina, 1:30 pm
Australia v New Zealand, 3:30 pm
