Australian U20s coach Adrian Thompson believes Australia’s 25-24 victory over New Zealand last week has given his side the confidence they need ahead of next month’s Junior World Championships in Manchester.

“I think it gives them plenty of self belief. I don’t want them to get carried away with it but it definitely gives the side the belief that they can match the best sides and it is a good reward for a lot of hard work,” Thompson told Rugby News.

“I was really happy with how we closed out the game. We lost our way for about 15 minutes in that second half but then got it back together and that was really pleasing.”

Following the two match series on the Gold Coast, Thompson selected his 28-man squad for the tournament earlier this week, with Super 20s champions Queensland dominating selection with 15 representatives.

“There are no real major injury concerns, just a few niggles along with some guys that are still tied up with Super Rugby, so we are looking forward to eventually getting the full squad together,” Thompson said.

The squad will train in Sydney before departing for the UK ahead of must-win pool matches against Scotland, Italy and England.

“The scrum and maul will be very important against England but I think Scotland before that will be a bigger issue. They beat England in the Six Nations and we’ve got them first up so all of our focus is on that match right now, I’m not even thinking about England just yet,” Thompson said.

“We need to get everyone fit and healthy first and then after that we will have a big focus on our set piece, which will need some work because we will be coming up against some very strong opposition up front.”

Australia has traditionally struggled at the Junior World Championships, which has been played annually at an under 20s level since 2008 and haven’t qualified for the semi finals since 2011.

Despite recent form though, Thompson said he is confident that this squad is good enough to break their finals drought.

“I really hope so. It always comes down to one game or a bonus point. The last two years we’ve just missed out on for and against or a bonus point so the focus this year is to win all three games and take that out of it.

“I’d like to think we are good enough to win it, but we just need to get to the semis first and then see what happens.”

Australian U20s squad for Junior World Championships

Forwards

Faalelei Sione, (Brumbies U20s, Canberra Royals)
Tyrel Lomax (Brumbies U20s, Tuggeranong Vikings)
Vunipola Fifita (NSW Gen Blue U20s, Randwick)
Ryan McCauley (NSW Gen Blue U20s, Eastern Suburbs)
Shambeckler Vui (Western Force U20s, University of Western Australia)
Josh Taylor (Queensland Reds U20s, Bond University)
Richie Asiata (Queensland Reds U20s, Easts Tigers)
Lukhan Tui (Queensland U20s, Brothers)
Harry Hocking (Queensland U20s, University of Queensland)
Maclean Jones (Queensland U20s, University of Queensland)
Angus Scott-Young (Queensland Reds U20s, University of Queensland)
Izack Rodda (Queensland Reds U20s, Easts Tigers)
Liam Wright (Queensland U20s, Easts Tigers)
Jordan Uelese (Melbourne Rebels U20s, Melbourne University)
Rob Leota (Melbourne Rebels U20s, Melbourne University)
Harley Fox (Melbourne Rebels U20s, Easts Tigers)

Backs

Nick Jooste (Brumbies U20s, Wests)
Jordan Jackson-Hope (Brumbies U20s, Tuggeranong Vikings
Simon Kennewell (NSW Gen Blue U20s, Randwick)
Jack Maddocks (NSW Gen Blue U20s, Eastern Suburbs)
James Tuttle (Queensland Reds U20s, GPS)
Harry Nucifora (Queensland Reds U20s, Bond University)
Mack Mason (Queensland Reds U20s, Easts Tigers)
Izaia Perese (Queensland Reds U20s, Easts Tigers)
Campbell Magnay (Queensland Reds U20s, GPS)
Liam Jurd (Queensland Reds U20s, University of Queensland)
Joey Fittock (Queensland Reds U20s, Sunnybank)
Sione Tuipulotu (Melbourne Rebels U20s, Southern Districts)