New Zealand under 20

Stargazer

I normally don't mind them listing the semi and final as possible/probable games for NZ - but after the last effort jeez.

Hopefully we get better coaching/selection this time out.

It was me (not they, whoever that is) who listed the days all the semis, play-off matches and finals will be played.There are semis for 5th to 8th and 9th to 12th place, too, just like the play-offs are for 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th place. I didn't say anywhere which of these games may be played by NZ.

Stargazer

Here's the full 2017 JWC schedule (in local time):

http://www.worldrugby.org/tournament/1594/fixtures

rotated

@Stargazer said in New Zealand under 20:

@rotated said in New Zealand under 20:

I normally don't mind them listing the semi and final as possible/probable games for NZ - but after the last effort jeez.

Hopefully we get better coaching/selection this time out.

It was me (not they, whoever that is) who listed the days all the semis, play-off matches and finals will be played.There are semis for 5th to 8th and 9th to 12th place, too, just like the play-offs are for 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th place. I didn't say anywhere which of these games may be played by NZ.

Sorry! Stuff/NZ Herald of listing tournaments like this. Even the Black Caps get that treatment which is a bit ambitious!

Without a serious overhaul we will be playing for whatever comes after bronze again.

cgrant

Surely we will see young guys like Landsdown (Waikato 1st Five), Sam Caird (Waikato lock), one of the Jacobsons, Manu (Auckland 2nd five) and the big Counties Nr.8.

Billy Tell

This is an interesting read

http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/09/23/form-xv-new-zealands-national-u19-championships/

cgrant

From what I have seen in the highlights, there are a lot of promising players. The NZ U20 should field a very strong team next year.

Wurzel

@Billy-Tell said in New Zealand under 20:

This is an interesting read

http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/09/23/form-xv-new-zealands-national-u19-championships/

That article lists Auckland lock Jacob Pierce as son of Murray but I've read elsewhere he's son of Scott. Think he came via North Harbour which would suggest he's son of Scott.

Bovidae

@cgrant Lansdown trialled for the U20s this year so should be in the mix again. BUT any team that lists Fidow as a starting TH prop isn't going to dominate in the scrum. I really rate Taukei’aho. I saw him play a little bit for St Pauls, where he alternated between hooker and no.8, and he had a cameo off the bench in the first Waikato RS defence vs Thames Valley earlier this year.

mimic

@Bovidae said in New Zealand under 20:

@cgrant Lansdown trialled for the U20s this year so should be in the mix again. BUT any team that lists Fidow as a starting TH prop isn't going to dominate in the scrum. I really rate Taukei’aho. I saw him play a little bit for St Pauls, where he alternated between hooker and no.8, and he had a cameo off the bench in the first Waikato RS defence vs Thames Valley earlier this year.

Yeah I was going to say. Fidow is like Ofa T. Great around the field, but might get owned in the scrum against good teams.

cgrant

Both are still young so they have plenty of time to improve this issue. Ofa T scrummed well against Wales when he came on. He just needs consistency (and a better technique to avoid from being owned) to become a reliable prop.

The Silver Fern

New Zealand under 20