Australia U20s have started their season with a commanding 55-21 win over Fiji 20s in Kempsey.
It was a tidy hit-out for Chris Whitaker’s side, using his extended squad to give a host of players the chance to shine across the 80 minutes.
Catch the Coffs Coast Rugby Festival LIVE on NSW Rugby TV
NSW Waratahs midfielder Leo Jaques was among the standouts, setting the tempo with a brutal hit early in the game.
Jaques, who featured in their title-winning Super Rugby AUS campaign, scored twice as the Aussies ran away with the contest in the second half.
He was supported in kind by forwards Isaac Fonua and Will Ross, while winger Cooper Watters offered plenty in attack.
The Sevens debutant opened the scoring inside the first ten minutes as the Australians eased to a 12-0 lead.
But the Fijians showed the value of playing an extra game earlier in the week as they responded twice to take a 14-12 lead into the break.
This is where the hosts kicked into gear and never looked back.
They scored three tries in the first 12 minutes of the half, with Jaques followed over by scrum half Sam Blank.
The Waratah nabbed his second on the wing as the class of their entire squad proved telling.
Reds replacement Taione Taka was the next to cross as the centre backed up a strong break from Luca Cleverley, putting the game well out of reach.
Two further tries to hooker Tyler Maybury and Watters brought up the half century as they start their season with a big win.
The Aussies will turn their attention to Saturday’s clash with Eddie Jones’ Japan U23s, who defeated the Australian Stockman 43-31.
The Stockman, made up of country players from across Australia, pushed the Japanese all the way, who dug deep in the final quarter to stay unbeaten during their trip to Australia, which includes a match against Shute Shield team Randwick next week.
The matches prove a vital fixtures for Australia U20s before the team travels to South Africa for the U20 Rugby Championship later in the month.
