Lonergan upbeat ahead of Oceania crown tilt
THE only way is up for Junior Wallabies skipper Ryan Lonergan, as far as Oceania Rugby Under-20 Championships go.
At last year’s edition at Bond University, Lonergan was badly concussed for the second time in 2017, which ruled him out of the subsequent World Cup.
But the scrumhalf has picked himself back up spec- tacularly, impressing new coach Jason Gilmore enough to be handed the captaincy.
“That (concussion) was a bit of a blow but I got over that and just worked on my rehab stuff and put that in the past and here we are, so hopefully I can make the most of it this year,” Lonergan said.
Australia are still chasing their maiden Oceania Championship crown but Lonergan, 20, believes they are better placed now than ever before.
It follows the scrapping of a national under-20 competition in favour of four specific training camps, three of which were held on the Gold Coast.
“I feel like this format is more beneficial to everyone,” said the product of Williamsdale, just outside of Canberra.
“I feel like the Super 20s didn’t allow a whole lot of preparation time for this tournament so the four camps have been really good for all the boys and all the knowledge that we need to get locked away.”
Gold Coast giant Angus Blyth has been named in the second-row for Australia’s match against Fiji at Bond from 7pm today.
They will take on Tonga and New Zealand in matches next week on Tuesday and Saturday respectively.
The tournament leads into the 2018 under-20 World Cup, which will begin on May 30 in France.