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Australia Under-20s captain Toby Macpherson remains confident the Junior Wallabies “can win” their first ever world title later this year despite finishing last in the inaugural Under-20 Rugby Championship on the Sunshine Coast .
The Junior Wallabies have finished runners-up in the World Rugby Under-20 Championship twice, including reaching the 2019 play-off final in Argentina. Fraser McCreight, Harry Wilson, Noah Lolessio and Mark Nawakanitawasi were among the members of the star-studded team.
While Australia’s fourth-place finish at the Rugby Championship this month may not make them a team that can shock the world, there is no denying that they have been improving throughout the tournament which ended in an agonizing defeat to New Zealand.
Toby Macpherson excited for the U20 World Championship | U20 Truth and Reconciliation Commission
After a heavy loss to Argentina and a difficult win over South Africa, the Australian team coached by Nathan Gray faced an exciting New Zealand team on Sunday evening. It was a one-point game with 10 minutes to go but the New Zealanders managed to pull away.
“Disappointed” were the first words out of Toby MacPherson’s mouth in an interview after the 36-25 defeat. Every Australian player who walked through the tunnel to greet family and friends had a look of sadness on their face.
They have just watched the Baby Blacks lift the huge trophy of the Rugby Championship. It has hurt them but it could also be a catalyst for future success as the team looks to “improve rapidly” ahead of the Under-20 Championship from the end of next month.
“The (Wallabies) World Cup was tough for us as a country, and as juniors coming through the system, it’s obviously difficult to watch that unfold and the way things have gone,” McPherson said. Rugby Pass At Sunshine Coast Stadium.
“I don’t think it reflects on our age group at all and I think we’ve shown that when we get it right, we can hit some really good shots and I think that’s a really big bonus.
“Going to the World Cup finals last year, we are hungry and the boys really want to get into the top four.
“As a captain, I have all the faith in the world that we can win the title there, and we certainly can.
“The boys have to be better, I have to be better as a leader – we all have to improve and we have to improve quickly. That’s the ultimate goal.
“As an Australian rugby team, I think we need to get those two age groups together and really focus on our development.
“I’m excited about the players we have, we have good talent, and I think they are as well.
“The performance and improvement over the last three games has enabled us to do this tournament, I think there are some exciting lanes of play.
He added: “I am very excited to participate in the World Cup, and I am optimistic that we can perform really well.”
McPherson mentioned the Junior Wallabies’ lack of execution several times during that four-minute interview. There were chances to score points and perhaps even a match, but the Australians fell short as the New Zealanders flourished.
New Zealand made the most of some missed chances, including Stanley Solomon’s second try late in the first half. The winger jumped to intercept the high pass before beating his opponent with great speed and into the goal.
Fullback Angus Staniforth appeared to respond for the Junor Wallabies after just a few minutes but was bundled in contact with the try line practically within reach. Therefore, New Zealand entered the break with the lead.
While Australia later got the goal back thanks to a Will McCulloch double, the Baby Blacks rallied in clutch moments. Rico Simpson’s top five was sent to the sin bin late on but that seemed to galvanize the Kiwis’ 14-man side.
The Junior Wallabies may be left to wonder what could have been.
“Proud of the boys’ effort but disappointed. We created a lot of chances and didn’t get the final pass or didn’t get the last bit of execution to finish it off,” McPherson said.
“We have created enough chances to lift this cup and go to South Africa, which is what our work will be on, is to be able to add those little touches when you break the line.
“Proud of the boys. Obviously (I’m) a little disappointed. Nobody wanted to see them lift the cup.
“I had confidence in the players at all stages of the match and I think they did too, but we failed and did not fully execute our area.
“I think you can see that our progress during this tournament has been tremendous,” he added.
“We were shocked in the first round and we all admitted that, in the second round we showed a really brave effort, and then in this round we created a lot of chances but as I said, we didn’t finish them.
He added: “We are positive and believe in entering the World Cup, but we have a lot to learn and this is part of football and I think all the boys are ready for that.”
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