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LIVE SCORES | ||
|---|---|---|
| International rugby league | ||
| Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong | ||
| Match time: Fulltime | ||
| Junior Kangaroos | vs | France |
| 62 | Score | 4 |
| 12 | Tries | 1 |
| 7 | Conversions | 0 |
| 0 | Penalty goals | 0 |
| 0 | Field goals | 0 |
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A changed format for the Junior Kangaroos will come into force on Friday to kick-off a huge triple-header of international rugby league as they take on France in Wollongong. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 3:10pm (AEDT).
The Junior Kangaroos have traditionally been an under-20s set-up, however, they have shifted to under-23s this year, creating a virtual Australia A team.
Instead of fringe first grade players leading a side of reserve grade and youth competition talent, it’s proven first graders everywhere you look, and as a result, it’s hardly a surprise to learn the Junior Kangaroos are heavy favourites to beat a French side without some of their big names.
The Junior Kangaroos will be led by Kalyn Ponga and Brodie Croft in the halves, while the spine is rounded out by the exciting Ryan Papenhuyzen and Reed Mahoney.
The second row is fearsome, with Angus Crichton and David Fifita both having Origin experience already under their respective belts,and Victor Radley lining up in an exciting middle third with Thomas Flegler and Corey Horsburgh in the front row.
The outside backs also have plenty of talent, with this year’s new big winger Reuben Garrick included, while the bench is a look at some of the brightest up and coming talent, including Melbourne’s Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Canberra’s Emre Guler, while AJ Brimson could bully tired French defenders as the utility at the back end.
The Junior Aussies will be confident, but can’t afford to take the French lightly, despite the fact captain Jason Baiteri has pulled out of the game over a ‘lack of professionalism’ and others, like the rumoured to be NRL bound Tony Gigot, have pulled out.
Still, they are led by Lucas Albert and Hakim Miloudi in the halves, while Gavin Marguerite is an exciting winger who could give Garrick nightmares, and the combination of Vincent Albert and Paul Marcon on the other side of the park will be dangerous as well.
The big problem for France will be having an even share of possession and territory to get the ball out wide and let their wingers have a chance to make things happen.
For that tobe a possibility, Charles Bouzinac must match the game of Reed Mahoney at hooker, and Romain Navarrete has to put in a huge performance in leading an undermanned pack.
Prediction
The Junior Kangaroos have class all over the park, and no matter which way you spin it, they should emerge with a heavy victory here.
Junior Kangaroos by 22.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the Junior Kangaroos and France from 3:10pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Kick-off: 3:10pm (AEDT)
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
TV: N/A
Online: Live, NRL.com
Referee: Grant Atkins
Junior Kangaroos
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. Campbell Graham, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. Zac Lomax, 5. Reuben Garrick, 6. Kalyn Ponga, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Corey Horsburgh, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Thomas Flegler, 11. David Fifita, 12. Angus Crichton, 13. Victor Radley
Interchange: 14. AJ Brimson, 15. Nat Butcher, 16. Emre Guler, 17. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 18. Gehamat Shibasaki
France
1. Thomas Lasvenes, 2. Gavin Marguerite, 3. Arthur Romano, 4. Vincent Albert, 5. Paul Marcon, 6. Hakim Miloudi, 7. Lucas Albert, 8. Maxime Puech, 9. Charles Bouzinac, 10. Lambert Belmas, 11. Paul Seguier, 12. Jordan Dezaria, 13. Romain Navarrete
Interchange: 14. Mathieu Jussaume, 15. Bastien Canet, 16. Arnaud Bartes, 17. Justin Sangare, 18. Joan Guasch, 19. Arthur Mourgues, 20. Louis Jouffret, 21. Matthieu Khedimi
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