'He's our pilot': Sons of Wallaby legends to start in crucial clash with Six Nations champs

The Junior Wallabies under-20s world championship hopes go on the line on Thursday night, as Nathan Grey’s men take on the Six Nations champions Ireland in Paarl.

The team is taking several learnings from their 46 – 37 win over Fiji on Saturday morning where the contest was tighter than expected.

In wet conditions, the Fijians found weak shoulders in the Aussies’ defensive line and won the kicking battle.

Grey knows Ireland will be a better drilled side and says being direct will be key initially.

“Once Ireland jump into that A-zone they’re very direct, very clear, they’re very patient with they’re pick-and-go’s and their short running,” Grey said.

“It presents a great physical challenge for us… it’s important for us defensively that we make sure we get our first up tackles bang on, which is something we are focused on improving from our first game.”

Junior Wallabies coach Nathan Grey says he’s expecting Ireland to be disciplined and well-drilled. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Ireland who are ranked eighth drew their opening match against fifth ranked England at 34-a-piece. The Irish scored three of their six tries from short, direct running and the other three were from slick handling and a deft kick out to the wing.

The Six Nations champs possess a similar skillset to the Junior Wallabies but have a reputation for dominating at set piece time.

“It’s [set-piece] a huge part of their game, Ireland have a strong lineout and a strong maul they’ll use that as a platform and so will we,” Grey said.

Grey made a big point of keeping one eye on the threats which Ireland poses and the other on rectifying the things his team got wrong against Fiji.

For the Junior Wallabies, they’ll want to improve their kicking game, which on two occasions saw them concede points only a few phases after kicks when out on the full.

Waratahs halves duo of captain Teddy Wilson and Jack Bowen return to the starting line-up after being on the bench on Saturday.

When the pair came on midway through the second half, Australia got on the front foot with smart kicking and quick ball from the base of the ruck.

“I know he’s [Jack Bowen] got a strong kicking game… he’s our 10, he’s our pilot and he leads us around the field. If he wants the ball in his hands, I’ll listen to him,” Wilson said.

“We know we had to exit well towards the end and play footy down their end, so it was sticking to our simple footy and finding a 15(metre-line) and letting Bowy kick long.”

Jack Bowen had a huge impact off the bench in the Junior Wallabies’ come-from-behind win over Fiji. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/World Rugby)

A strong kicking game seems to be the order from Grey with selection changes also being made to the centre combination despite a rock-solid performance in game one.

Man of the match against Fiji, David Vaihu retains his spot at No.12 while NSW up-and-comer Henry O’Donnell gets a start in the No.13 jersey ahead of Reds utility back Taj Annan, who was bruising in defence and elusive in attack in Stellenbosch.

Grey says the change in the centres is to accommodate the style they want to play against Ireland.

“It’s about matching the skillset of the guys to how we want to play, Dave and Henry have played together a little bit… and they’re a strong combination,” Grey said.

The former World Cup-winning centre turned coach, who was Michael Cheika’s assistant at the 2015 and 2019 tournaments, said versatility and adaptability were important characteristics in a tournament style competition because any number of things can change on game day.

“We want to make sure we got guys who can play different positions on the field, Taj can play 12 as well, Henry can play 12 as well, Dave can play on the wing,” he said.

It shows Eddie Jones’ comments over the weekend about the importance of versatility in a tournament setting is permeating throughout the ranks in Australia.

“While we probably not going down the line of a backrower who can play on the wing, we want centres to who can play on the wing,” Grey quipped.

But Grey has his own ways of shaking things up on tour with the young men.

“We got the forwards to teach some of the backs some front row play for five minutes and pack down a scrum and Teddy won a penalty at hooker,” he said.

Mesake Vocevoce managed to run through some soft shoulders during their under-20s world championship opener at Danie Craven Stadium on June 24, 2023 in Stellenbosch. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images for World Rugby)

Whilst they seem relaxed now, Grey will be deadly serious come Thursday as he knows the Northern Hemisphere teams are the standard when it comes to set piece and attritional rugby.

The Junior Wallabies will be without Western Force prop Marley Pearce due to suspension.

The young wrecking ball has received a three-game suspension, which could rule him out for the rest of the tournament. His yellow carded was upgraded to a red for a high-tackle on Fijian lock Mesake Vocevoce in the second half. The Aussies will miss Pearce’s talent around the pitch and his destructive running against a staunch side like Ireland.

Australia has a tested pairing in the halves and are a well drilled side, who have more than enough fire power out-wide with Sevens star Darby Lancaster on the wing.

Australia v Ireland is at 7pm (AEST) on Thursday on Stan Sports.