The Ford Australian Under 20s have today named their team to play Samoa in the 5th-8th Place Playoffs at the IRB Junior World Championships in Wales.

The Australians finished second in Pool C behind England after a last-minute charge-down try by Miles Benjamin defeated the Aussies in Newport on Saturday and ended their hopes of winning the inaugural JWC.

Injuries to Will Genia, Ben McCalman and Ben Tapuai have forced coach Brian Melrose to reshuffle his side for the match against Samoa. While the tight five remains the same, captain David Pocock will switch from flanker to number 8, allowing Sam Latinipulu to be elevated from the bench to the starting XV.

Richard Kingi replaces fellow Queenslander Genia at scrumhalf and Ben Tapuai’s absence has opened the door for Rowan Kellam at inside centre. Ratu Nasiganiyavi returns to the starting line-up after coming off the bench against England, while Blair Connor shifts to fullback in place of Dane Haylett-Petty, with the Western Force youngster reverting to the bench.

Brian Melrose said that fortune had not favoured his side on Saturday, but his team now had to respond positively against Samoa. “It was disappointing to be on the losing side of what was a very even match and not progress to the semis,” said Melrose. “We now need to move on and refocus on the job at hand, which is to play well against Samoa and finish the tournament strongly.”

Ford Australian Under 20s v Samoa
Wednesday, 18 June 2008
Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales
Kick-off: 19:00 (04:00 Thursday AEST)

1. Ben Daley
2. James Hanson
3. Daniel Palmer
4. Sam Wykes
5. Rob Simmons
6. Ben Coridas
7. Sam Latinipulu
8. David Pocock (c)
9. Richard Kingi
10. Quade Cooper
11. Ratu Nasiganiyavi
12. Rowan Kellam
13. Rob Horne
14. Junior Sovala
15. Blair Connor

Reserves
16. Nathan Charles
17. Albert Anae
18. Tom Murday
19. Seilala Lam
20. Jeremy Sua
21. Peter Betham
22. Dane Haylett-Petty

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