Junior Aussies school Barbarians
The 65 point affair was the second last preparation match for the Aussie U20s before they depart for the World Rugby U20s Championship in Manchester next month.
With 13 changes to the starting XV that beat New Zealand earlier this month, head coach Adrian Thompson looked to test the depth of his U20s side.
“It was a very scrappy affair and it didn’t get to what we hoped it would, but in saying that the Barbarians turned up and there were some older, tougher heads there so it was a good experience for us," said Thompson.
“The team has to get used to that physicality and there were a few boys who will need to improve on that performance.
“While our progress (in camp) has been good, the next four or five days is really important for us now.
“We are probably ahead of where we have been in the past but if we don’t finish the camp off well then it won’t mean a lot.”
Up by nine points at half-time, the U20s made that margin 23 in the next 20 minutes, with some accurate kicking from flyhalf Billy Gray proving the difference.
The U20s weren’t afraid to assert their physicality early and had the bulk of the territory, hammering the Barbarians’ line.
Rebels youngster Rob Leota converted their pressure into points in the eighth minute, giving the U20s the early lead.
However, that lead was short-lived, with two quick tries to Jeremy Skelton and Andrew Robinson for the Barbarians giving them a three-point lead midway through the first half.
Hooker Jordan Uelese clinched a second U20s try in the 30th minute, dotting down under a pack to give the youngsters back the lead.
Flank Angus Scott-Young had two for the night, scoring the third try of the opening half and the final try of the match to seal the game for the U20s.
The youngsters put pressure on in the set piece, despite their inexperience, giving their side opportunity to score.
It took U20s winger Joey Fittock just two minutes after half-time to stretch the lead to 26-10.
Late Barbarians tries to Matt Hayter and winger Larry Hermens weren’t enough to claw back the deficit.
Scott-Young's second, and a final try after full-time to Liam McNamara sealed the big win for the U20s.
The Australia U20s play their second warm-up match on Saturday against New South Wales Country at Chatswood Oval, before leaving for Manchester on May 31.
