Vodafone Fiji U20 Prepares for World Rugby U20 Trophy

Vodafone Fiji U20 coach Bill Gadolo has named a 31 member training squad to prepare for the World Rugby U20 Trophy previously known as the Junior World Trophy in Portugal next month. (Pictures)

Following several fitness tests and trials Gadolo and assistant coach Kele Leawere had a huge task of selecting the best out of 83 trialists.

Vodafone Fiji U20

“It was tough as we had to make some important decisions, but we have selected a good side for this tournament as we aim to qualify for the World Rugby U20 Championship”.

According to the World Rugby website, the World Rugby U20 Trophy will see the future stars of world rugby from Canada, Georgia, Hong Kong, Fiji, Namibia, Tonga and Uruguay join hosts Portugal in Lisbon from 12-24 May for the event.

The eighth edition of this age-grade tournament will see the pool stages held on 12, 16 and 20 May, with the final taking place on Sunday 24 May. Estadio Universitario and CAR Rugby do Jamor in Lisbon will host the matches over the four match days.

The sister competition to the World Rugby U20 Trophy (previously Junior World Rugby Trophy) has gone from strength to strength since its introduction in 2008.

The winner of the U20 Trophy graduates to the U20 Championship for the following year. Likewise, the team that finishes last in the U20 Championship is relegated and takes part in the U20 Trophy the year after.

Fiji and Canada are the top seeds in the tournament and head Pools A and B, respectively. Fiji were relegated after last year’s U20 Championship in New Zealand and will be hoping for a strong showing in this year’s U20 Trophy in Lisbon. They will face Georgia, Portugal and South American hopefuls Uruguay in Pool A.

Canada will take on last year’s hosts Hong Kong as well as Namibia and Tonga in Pool B.

The competition has inspired and engaged crowds in recent years with a total of 35,000 spectators attending the event in Chile in 2013, and Hong Kong providing an electric atmosphere last year, something Portugal will look to replicate in May.

President of the Federação Portuguesa de Rugby Carlos Amado da Silva said: “This is one of the most exciting events that we have organised in Portugal. It is a challenge but we want to put on a great tournament for the future stars of world rugby who will arrive here in early May.

“The Federação Portuguesa de Rugby is extremely proud to host the World Rugby U20 Trophy this year and is looking forward to further developing this great game in Portugal.”

World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset added: “We are delighted to be able to bring the U20 Trophy to Portugal this year. The tournament is going from strength to strength and, along with the U20 Championship in Italy, it is a great pathway for the future stars of the game to showcase their talents.

“Rugby is really on the rise in Portugal, as seen by their men’s sevens performances in recent weeks in Hong Kong and Tokyo. Rugby fans in Lisbon have eight top-quality teams showcasing their skills and are in for a treat at this year’s tournament.”

The team marches into camp this week with Gadolo expected to name the final team to Portugal next week.

The Vodafone Fiji U20 team is in Pool A with Portugal, Uruguay and Georgia.

They face Portugal on May 12 in their first match.