SR U20s 2025
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@Left-Right-Out-0 I was not aware of dates, I Just reported what the post said - maybe it is a typo?
"Introducing your Blues u20 training squad for 2025
Look out for the final squad to play in Taupō which will be named in a couple of weeks 🤝" -
Does anyone know if this is an accurate timetable for the tournament?
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@Left-Right-Out-0 Yes. I posted that schedule in this thread, as it had replaced the 2024 schedule which was on the website.
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@Left-Right-Out-0 said in SR U20s 2025:
Just seen a Hurricanes post saying they have the Chiefs this coming weekend, even though they played them last?
It appears they aren't playing each other.
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Some of the comms from the different franchises and club rugby are hard to follow or contradict one another.
Thanks for the update!
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Highlanders side to play Crusaders in Timaru. Absent players are Quinten Holland, and the Australian Zac Nichol (if I am right about him being over in NZ). Backline is looking sharp. Same with the front row. No surprise who the captains are.
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@SouthernMann Did you ever see a score for their game against the Otago XV?
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Yeah. They lost 31 - 19. Read like Scott Eade wanted them playing against some big strong men. His comments were that he wanted them beaten up a bit to prepare for a large Blues side. Mentioned how that game would have been the first time some of the players would have played open grade rugby.
Real mix of experience. From guys like Tengblad and Pledger who could probably equip themselves in Super Rugby. To players who haven't played senior club rugby yet.
This will be Josh Augistine's second run back, and first game starting since breaking his leg last year. Both him and Harvey will get time for Southland this year in the NPC.
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@SouthernMann said in SR U20s 2025:
Backline is looking sharp. Same with the front row.
Agree about the backline, not that sure about the front-row. The Highlanders U20s have had some real success in the scrum in recent years, especially last year with props like Moana Takataka and Liam McIntosh, but I don't think they'll be quite as dominant with Fisher and Jennings.
Looking at that pack as a whole, I do wonder where the dominant ball-carrying is going to come from. Lots of skillful players but maybe lacking in grunt and power somewhat? That Crusaders pack should present a good challenge and give some indications.
No chance of a livestream somewhere?
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@Mauss doesn't look like it will be streamed.
I see the first fives in the Crusaders side you've got the golden boy Harry Inch, Razor's son and Max Hore, son of Charlie. Hore must have decided to have gone to Lincoln to study ag.
Wirh the Landers pack. I wonder if they have been told to try and replicate the style the senior side plays. Be faster than your opposition pack and run them off the ground.
Quinten Holland is potentially the ball carrier we are missing. Not sure where he is at the moment. Tengblad may also be the carrier at this level.
As you've said in your write ups, Kempton is a smaller hooker. Primarily being very athletic. The props are talented. Just on the younger side.
Justin Shaw will still be quite small, having only turned himself into a forward a couple of years ago. He did turn a few heads for SBHS at eight though.
While Kyan Rangitutia didn't light the NPC up. Having already had a year of it under his belt should put him in a good place at this level. Especially playing against kids straight out of school.
Pledger should take a bit of pressure off Mika Muliaina. By managing the play making. Tayne Harvey will offer some experience alongside him as well.
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@Bovidae only thing i have seen its played today Beatham Park in Hamilton 1pm Tim Oliff is the referee
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@Steven-Harris Cheers. I might go along to watch.
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@Bovidae that would be awesome look forward to your report
Our game needs a ton of work around engagement even at the lower levels -
Firstly, I heard comments that while both teams have cut some players from their squads neither have finalised their final squad for Taupō. There were no team lists, and I’ll qualify my comments by saying that I am more familiar with the Chiefs players than the Blues players.
The Chiefs U20s looked to have started a stronger team in the 1st half while the Blues brought on the likes of Simpson and Tito-Harris in the 2nd half. Jayden Sa was the Chiefs captain (more on him later). A few surprising selections for the Chiefs as I think it was Pyrenees Boyle-Tiatia starting at 1st 5. Sa was at lock with Tocker as the Chiefs have injury problems in that position. No Aisake Vakasiuola, Dylan Eti or Tama Hodgson (shoulder injury).
The Blues scored first from a series of pick and goes to take the early 7-0 lead. Micah Fale scored for the Chiefs from a 5 m scrum shortly afterwards. The Chiefs had the edge in the scrums in the 1st half but the lineout misfired a few times. Another try from phase play to Boyle-Tiatia soon after made it 14-7 to the Chiefs. Then Sa went off injured with what looked like a shoulder/arm injury after being tackled. Fale scored again after stripping the ball off a Blues player near their goal line. A sideline conversion made it 21-7. Another try out wide made it 26-7 to the Chiefs. Then the Blues hit back from an intercept to make it 26-14. That was the HT score.
Both teams made some changes at HT with the Blues bringing on more fresh players on the field. The Blues closed the gap from a try in the left corner but the conversion was missed (26-19). Then Brayden Neilson scored a long-range try from a messy Blues ruck near halfway. The missed conversion made the score 31-19. Another try out wide to the Chiefs to Apenisa Naevo extended the score to 38-19. The Blues scored the final two tries in the last 5 mins, firstly from a 5 m scrum, and then a cross kick punt from Simpson. That made the final score 38-31 to the Chiefs U20s.
As this was the first real game for either team the coaches should be reasonably happy. Fale was the pick of the Chiefs players at no.8 (they started three no.7s). Simpson showed some nice touches in the 2nd half. Injuries will be the major concern for the Chiefs as there were also a few other players missing. There was a good crowd there for a game that wasn't promoted. A lot of families of the players, of course.
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Comment on Facebook says the Crusadeds won 38 - 24 over the Highlanders.
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Hurricanes U20 played and won vs a mixture of Palmy Prems and wider squad Hurricanes up in Palmerston North today.
U20s looked to play their A side in the first 20min of each half and for the most part looked alot better than the game vs Crusaders. Scrums still took a bashing and will be worrying that coaching staff leading into the tournament next week. Definately better ball retention and handling was improved across the board.
Backs were strong with some nice touches in the midfield by Campbell and Stan out the back. The winger *11 (one of the jacobs) scored a couple tries and looks to be one to watch out for with speed and silky footwork.
I know theres big wraps on the 10 from hawkes bay but i dont see how. Very reluctant to tackle and is not a great ball player. I worry this might be a red flag for this team as well as their set piece.
Bench was good. Oconnor from manawatu should probably start at 10 as he looks for more composed and dangerous. Forwards worked hard against some impressive specimen in the Prems and wider Canes.
Couple niggly injuries looked to hit late.
From the two games ive now seen i do fear this team could get run around by bigger, more mobile teams like the Chiefs and Saders. They just lack that flow and cohesion at the moment.
I think the backs are absolutely the stars of the show with a strong midfield, Stan at fullback and Jacob *11 (maybe denyer?) on the wing. Oconnor, if he starts could be the best thing this team does to overcome some tough games.
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Southland tribune offered more than I fi and anywhere else... on Highlanders v Crusaders
On Saturday they took on a sharp Crusaders outfit in Timaru. The Highlanders lost 38-24 but there were plenty of positive signs to latch onto seven days out from taking on the Blues.
The Crusaders led just 17-12 at halftime but the Highlanders conceded two tries in the second half when they were down to 14 players with a player shown a yellow card.
Super Rugby U20
