First timers Argentina U20s Raring to go

The 2022 Oceania Rugby Under-20 championship is the first international outing for neighbours Australia, Fiji and New Zealand since the World Rugby U20 championship in 2019.

For the first time Argentina is part of the competition. Meanwhile the captains of four participating teams spent Tuesday morning at the Sunshine Coast’s iconic Moolooaba Beach for the traditional captain’s photo ahead of today’s opening round of the 2022 Oceania Rugby Under 20 Championship.

Joining Titi Nofoagatoto’a (Australia), Semi Qica (Fiji), Josh Bartlett (New Zealand) and Mateo Albenese (Argentina) at the popular tourist destination were two members of the four hundred strong patrol group of the Molloolaba Surf Lifesaving Club (MSLS) Max and Rylee Jones and members of the under 9 Nippers programme Flossie Smith and Chloe McIvor.

The MSLS is celebrating 100 years of community service to the Sunshine Coast community at Moolooaba.

The 6th edition of the Oceania Rugby Under 20 Championship gets underway this afternoon at 5pm local time (7pm Fiji time) when New Zealand take on Fiji in the opening match before hosts Australia battle against Argentina.

Josh Bartlett New Zealand Captain said: “The boys are really looking forward to the competition. It is the first competition in over two years, and we have been preparing well in camp on the back of the Bunnings Warehouse Super Rugby Under-20 tournament.

“We had a practice match against Argentina last weekend which was hot day, which was a bit of a shock for the system but a good set up for this weekend.”

Mateo Alabenese, Argentina Captain said: “We are excited for this tournament; it is our first games since our series against south Africa last year.

“We have been in camp for two weeks coming into this event. We had a really good match against New Zealand last week and are looking forward to playing Australia on Friday night (tonight).”

The matches will be live on Stan Sport (Australia), Spark Sport (New Zealand) and ESPN (Argentina AL Latam and South America).

2022 OCEANIA RUGBY U20 CHAMPIONSHIP DRAWS: (SUNSHINE COAST STADIUM)

Match Round 1: Today 1 July 2022 New Zealand v Fiji – kick off 7pm Australia v Argentina – kick off 9pm

Match Round 2: Tuesday 5 July 2022 New Zealand v Argentina – kick off 4pm Australia v Fiji – kick off 6pm

Match Round 3: Sunday 10 July 2022 Fiji v Argentina – kick off 4pm Australia v New Zealand – kick off 6pm (Fiji time) . - Oceania Rugby

Photo: Oceania Rugby. Under -20 captains, Third from left: Josh Bartlett (New Zealand), Semi Qica (Fiji), Titi Nofoagatoto’a (Australia), and Mateo Albenese (Argentina) at Moolooaba Beach, Sunshine Coast, Australia on June 29, 2022. They are joined by two members of the four hundred strong patrol group of the Molloolaba Surf Lifesaving Club (MSLS) Max and Rylee Jones and members of the under 9 Nippers programme Flossie Smith and Chloe McIvor.

Vodafone Fijian Under-20 captain Semi Qica (left) and Argentina captain Mateo Albenese at at Moolooaba Beach, Sunshine Coast, Australia on June 29, 2022. Photo: Oceania Rugby.

Vodafone Flying Fijians players share a light moment during their training session at Albert Park on June 30, 2022. From left: Jiuta Wainiqolo, Josua Tuisova and Albert Tuisue. Photo: Ronald Kumar

Vodafone Flying Fijians utility back Seta Tamanivalu (with ball) trains at Albert Park on June 30, 2022. Photo: Ronald Kumar.

The Manu Samoa team training at Albert Park on June 30, 2022. Photo: Ronald Kumar

Vodafone Flying Fijians hooker Sam Matavesi trains at Albert Park on June 30, 2022. Photo: Ronald Kumar

The Ikale Tahi side rehearse their battle cry at Albert Park on June 30, 2022. Photo: Ronald Kumar