By Jon Geddes

AUSTRALIAN Under 20 coach Nathan Gray has delivered a clear message to the six rising stars from Shute Shield clubs who have one last chance to push their claims for World Cup starting spots in Thursday’s crucial trial against the Barbarians at Daceyville.

“What I say to them is ‘make us pick you, play so well we have to put you in’,” Grey revealed to Rugby News. “That is the challenge.”

The coach has emphasised the significance of this game to all his 30-man squad, which includes those six players from the Sydney based teams: Jack Bowen, Teddy Wilson and Ollie McCrea (all Eastern Suburbs), Henry O’Donnell (Northern Suburbs), Jack Barrett (Randwick) and Jackson Ropata (Southern Districts).

“There are definitely spots still open in that starting XV, guys can certainly force their way in,” Grey said.       

“This is the last hit out we are going to have before we head over to Africa. It’s huge, it’s really important for us to keep developing our game.

“And we want the guys to play in a way that represents who we are.”

WHO’S WHO IN THE CREW

AHEAD of the team flying out to South Africa on Saturday for the big World Rugby Under 20 Championship, Grey provided an insight into each of those Sydney players who are poised to become key figures in the future of Australian rugby.

Jack Barrett (prop, Randwick):  “I want to clone him,” Grey said. “He’s a young prop who is learning his craft.”

Grey said Barrett has spent some time in the Waratahs’ senior program, which has been excellent for him.

“He’s a very good scrummager, he’s good around the park, has some good carry and is a real talent,” Grey said.

Jack Bowen (No.10, Easts): “Jack was in the team last year and is a real leader amongst in the group,” Grey said.

He said Bowen is playing consistently well and is now reaping the benefits of almost a full season in the Shute Shield with Easts last year.

“That really helped him develop his game and find the nuances of playing at 10, and being able to control the game,” Grey said.          

“You need time in the saddle to be able to develop that kind of decision making.”                          

Grey actually made his Waratahs’ debut at No.12 with Bowen’s dad Scott his No.10.

And Grey quipped: “I don’t want to bag Scotty, I’ve got a lot of time for him, but I think Jack is a better defender.”

Ollie McCrea (second rower, Easts): Grey said the young forward has graduated from the Under 18s last year and is a work in progress.

“He’s a big body and is still developing that understanding of the toughness of playing lock at a high level and that takes time,” Grey said. “He is still going to be eligible (for the Under 20s) next year and we are excited about his future. The experience he is going to get on this trip will be huge.”

Henry O’Donnell (Norths, centre):  A switch from Sydney University to Norths has proved a smart move for O’Donnell, who has made the most of his opportunity with a regular starting spot in the Shute Shield.

“He suffered a little bit last year from not playing a lot of footy and has been able to string a bunch of  games together at Norths,” Grey said. “You can see the benefits of that, he’s got a bit more confidence now and is a real prospect.”

Jackson Ropata (centre, Souths): Grey described Ropata as an amazing young man who has worked really hard on his game.

“You meet him and you think he is 10 years older than he actually us,” Grey said. “He is also a work in progress who is learning his craft at 13, which is a difficult position defensively to master.

“But he has some great carry, he hits hard and is an excellent team man – and they are all attributes we want in the squad.”

Teddy Wilson (halfback, Easts): Classy No.9 Wilson, the Aussie captain who has impressed in his cameos with the Waratahs this year, is the player certain to be in the run-on team.

“This is his third year in the 20s program and each year you are seeing him adding some more skill and better decision making to his rugby,” Grey said.

“He’s the captain for a reason, his game is rock solid, the players respect him, he leads by example made he’s one of those guys that you want to have on your team when you run out.”

THE GAME PLAN.

The Aussies kick off their tournament against Fiji on June 25 and that is followed clashed with undefeated Six Nations Under 20 champions Ireland (June 29) and England (July 4).

Grey, renowned as the fiercest of competitors as a tenacious No.12 with the Waratahs and Wallabies, is instilling those same traits into this team.

“We want these guys coming through as winners, coming through as blokes who are successful,” he said.

“And they have a clear understanding of how they want to play, what their skillset is and when you are  on the field it is on.

“I reckon if we can get 30 blokes at their peak heading into the World Cup, that is exciting.

“The best in the world are there – and we want to throw ourselves into the mix.”