Queensland Reds playmaker Harry McLaughlin-Phillips has sent a late message to Junior Wallabies coach Nathan Grey with a starring performance in their 92-17 win over the Australian Barbarians.
The match served as their final preparation before they head to South Africa for the U20 World Championships, opening their campaign on June 25 against Fiji (12:30 am AEST).
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With Mason Gordon (concussion) and Tom Lynagh (rest) on the sidelines, the 19-year-old showed why he is a player to watch for the future.
“He’s a good talent,” Grey told Rugby.com.au on McLaughlin-Phillips.
“It’s great to have that flexibility in the backline and the guys have a good understanding of how we want to play.
“It’s important to have those players when you’re going into the tournament with only 30 guys and five games in a row.”
The Barbarians side, made up of club Rugby players from NSW, ACT and Queensland, showed their flair early on to take it to the Junior Wallabies physically.
In typical Barbarians fashion, the squad came together just hours before the game and the trick quick tap into rolling maul drilled in by coach Michael Magriplis 30 minutes beforehand worked wonders, with flyhalf Paki Touria throwing away the tee and slotting the drop goal conversion.
This is where McLaughlin-Phillips, usually a flyhalf but moved to fullback for this hit-out, came into his own.
He put Teddy Wilson into space for a try in a nice display of skill before Wilson’s replacement Dan Nelson took advantage of his late call-up with a great finish in the corner to give the Junior Wallabies a 33-7 lead at the break.
The fullback picked up where he left off, stepping off the left and blitzing through the Baa-Baas defence for a try of his own.
When McLaughlin-Phillips broke through and put Rebels centre David Vaihu over, the game was well and truly out of reach.
McLaughlin-Phillips was joined in kind by centre Henry O’Donnell, who has emerged as one of the breakout stars of the Junior Wallabies.
The towering centre’s partnership with Reds young gun Taj Annan will be crucial against powerhouses Ireland and England, with the Norths product crossing for a double.
Reds backrower John Bryant was also dominant from the bench whilst Easts duo Darby Lancaster and Jack Bowen showed their class in a convincing performance.
“It’s awesome. The Barbarians have a great history of coming together and playing and they were impressive but the guys played some good footy,” Grey added.
“We created a lot of good opportunities and we were able to score off turnovers. It’s pleasing but the most pleasing thing is I think we got through injury free so that’s crucial."
JUNIOR WALLABIES 92 (Henry O'Donnell 2 tries, Darby Lancaster, Nick Bloomfield, Teddy Wilson, Dan Nelson, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Leaf Talataina, David Vaihu, Harrison Usher, Daniel Maiava, John Bryant, Trevor King, Max Craig tries, Jack Bowen 7 conversions, Harry McLaughlin Phillips 4 conversions) def AUSTRALIAN BARBARIANS 17 (3 tries, 1 conversion)
