Bond University Rugby Club's Harry Nucifora will this week take the field for Australia in the World Rugby Under 20s Championships in Italy.
Nucifora forms part of the 28-man squad alongside Melbourne Rebels flier Jonah Placid, Queensland Reds players Lolo Fakaosilea, Michael Gunn and Adam Korcyzk, as well as Andrew Kellaway from the New South Wales Waratahs and Brad Wilkin from the Qantas Australian Sevens squad.
The 18 year old was selected on the back of his stellar performance on the Australian team in the Oceania Rugby Tournament held at Bond last month, where Australia narrowly lost to New Zealand on the final day of play.
The halfback is in his first year of a Bachelor of Property at Bond University, where he is also part of the Bond Elite Sport Program.
It is not the first time the name 'Nucifora' will don the Australian jersey - Harry’s uncle, David Nucifora, is a former Wallaby who was part of the World Cup winning team in 1991.
"As a little kid growing up watching the Wallabies on TV, it was always a dream to play for my country and to keep it in the family tradition is a pretty proud achievement," he said.
Bond's Sport and Programs Manager, Jackie Parra, said Nucifora was emerging as a talented up-and-comer on the Australian rugby scene.
"For a young player like Harry, the chance to play for Australia at this early stage of his career is an extraordinary achievement," she said.
"He was a standout player on the field during the Oceania Rugby Tournament held at Bond last month, which secured him a seat on the plane to Italy for the World Rugby Under 20s Championships.
"We're very proud and excited to follow Harry's progress against some of the best young rugby players from across the globe, and we wish him all the best in the upcoming Championships."
Australia will meet Samoa in their first match of the tournament, with the game to be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1 on Wednesday morning (June 3) at 2.30am.
The Australian team will meet Italy in their second game on Sunday, June 7, followed by South Africa on Thursday, June 11.
World Rugby Under 20s Championship - Australian Playing Schedule
*** Fox Sports will broadcast all Australian games live
Wednesday 3rd June: Australia v Samoa, 2.30am (AEST) FOX SPORTS 1
Sunday 7th June: Australia v Italy, Pool B, 4.30am (AEST) FOX SPORTS 3
Thursday, 11th June: Australia v South Africa, Pool B, 4.30am (AEST) FOX SPORTS 2