That was a crazy scoreline.

😂😂😂

Final score Samoa 34-30. Good game in an absolute mud pit. Conditions probably suited Spain more but Samoa showed some good resolve when going behind to grind out the win.

Squidge take. My take the boks are looking ominous as fuck

@darylmitchell Ah, yeah, he wasn't available for selection for the first test as he was injured. I haven't heard anything more on that.

Very little territory, and when the MAB did they coughed up the ball. Forbes had a shocker.

The conditions must have been difficult as Sullivan was subbed due to heatstroke.

@Crazy-Horse said in NZ U20 v France U20:

@Landers92 said in NZ U20 v France U20:

@SouthernMann said in NZ U20 v France U20:

I am looking forward to Dylan Pledger being our Highlanders and Otago halfback. So much talent. I know he's only in his first year out of school, I just hope he can get some gametime in the blue and gold this year.

Couldn’t agree more mate. What an absolute talent. I know it’s u20s so a bit different but jeez he looks a lot more composed and talented than Arscott and Hastie already.

Don't count your chickens. The Saders will be after another 9 soon, if they aren't already.

Foctunately, they have the no2 halfback in the U20s, Ben O'Donovan. That should be sufficient to back up Hotham. Otago and the Highlanders just need to work hard on telling Pledger the story about his future in the region. Which should be long and very sucessful.

@DaGrubster There's a lot of guys in that side that do play for Moana Pasifika and others that played a bit at NPC level, but they weren't even regulars down at NPC level and a fair few of those Moana players aren't regulars for them either. So there are a fair few familiar faces to NZ viewers, but yeah, a lot if them ain't test level. It's a fairly weak Samoan line up, so this result is huge, and as for the heat factor, Italy were the ones camped on the Samoan try line for a lot of the 2nd half, and a lot of these Samoan players play in NZ anyway, unlike the Drua who are a proper Fiji based side made out of locals mostly.

I must say, Samoa's results against 6 nations opposition in the last 9 months or so has shown massive improvement. They could easily have won against Ireland and England and competed well against Argentina at the world cup as well to go with a big upset against Italy today.

It shows the benefits of having Moana Pasifika playing in a professional comp.

Weird thread. Mainly positivity about Japan and they got dicked 36-10!

Maori simply had much better ball skills

@tubbyj said in NZ U20 v Wales U20:

The Vice captain 2nd five Xavi Taele looks to be some player ready for the step up to Super Rugby next season already.

He looked a cut above out there didn't he?

@Bones said in Springboks v Wales (Twickenam):

@MiketheSnow said in Springboks v Wales (Twickenam):

@Bones said in Springboks v Wales (Twickenam):

@MiketheSnow said in Springboks v Wales (Twickenam):

PSDT hand on the floor at nearly every scrum

Haven't watched the video so maybe missing something, but not sure I follow what the issue is unless he's moved to prop?

Perhaps I don’t know the laws

Hands on floor allowed during set up

From engagement, no?

I'd always assumed binding on the opposition is only the front row, never considered flankers weren't allowed their free arm to be on the floor.

Same. Would be odd to penalise that. No advantage achieved if a flanker has his hand on the ground.

Fergus Burke looked good

@Duluth said in SF - Hurricanes vs Chiefs:

@Canes4life

Not doing a MOTM poll for the Semi Final?

I completely forgot after the disappointment. I think it’s a little late now haha

I think the NZ sides were far better with the travel factor - though they did have years of practice. The current SA URC sides aren't great but Leinster etc struggle to play in SA.

@pakman said in Blues v Chiefs:

Not sure what all the fuss about. Despite loss of bonus point the rematch will be at Eden Park. Bring some locks next time, boys!

That was much ado about nothing, Chiefs. But at least you've kept the good guys hungry...