2018 New Zealand Schools

[Stargazer]

Try to the Aussie centre. NZ defence lacks a bit of organisation out wide. 36 - 24 NZ

[Stargazer]

Try Jacob Kneepkens after good little kick from Murray.

Zarn Sullivan struggles with the kicks. Apparently there's a bit of wind in Brisbane.

41 - 24 NZ

[Stargazer]

Reihana on for Sullivan. Also a change of LH prop.

[Stargazer]

Tauakipulu on for Thompson.

[Stargazer]

Hmm, changes to our frontrow and we start losing the scrum. I hope it was just this one scrum.

[Stargazer]

Try Louie Chapman after a little break and great pass from Reihana. Easy first conversion from Reihana.

48 - 24 NZ

[Stargazer]

Great break from Jones, but he should have offloaded when he still could. The NZ 12 was unmarked.

The reserve hooker scores after Sam Darry ripped the ball from one of the Aussies and a break from Wrampling.

Reihana converts.

55 - 24 NZ

A lot of players have been subbed.

[Stargazer]

Funaki (for Champan), Segner (for Prain) and another NZ player coming on.

[Stargazer]

Forward pass from Maraku; if it had been good, I've no doubt Wrampling would have scored again. Impressive player.

[Stargazer]

Another dominant scrum from NZ.

[Stargazer]

And now we're penalised for pushing early in the scrum.

[Stargazer]

Apparently, the Aussie Barbarians have never scored as many points against NZ as in this game.

[Stargazer]

Several NZ players have been down with cramp. Now Murray.

Sullivan back on, Murray off.

[Stargazer]

Funaki > Chapman

[Stargazer]

Try to the Aussie right winger.

Full time: 55 - 31 NZ

[98blueandgold]

How big is the NZ tight 5!!!!!! predicted that they could be best for a while, dominating lines outs and scrum. Probably tried to hard in this game, needed to play % at times.
Wrampling and Murray awesome along with Darry
top team after two games.

F/R
Tamaiti Williams, Soane Vikene, Saula Mau

Locks
Lord, Darry

Loose
Segner, Parker, Jones

9-10
Funaki, Reihana

12,13
Maraku, Punivai

14,11,15
Wrampling, Murray, Webster-Nonu

[Stargazer]

Despite the win, I'm not really impressed. This was a very weak Aussie team.

Based on the two games I've seen, I'd pick today's starting frontrow for the game against Australian Schools, especially Thompson and Thacker (not so sure about the LH); probably Darry and Lord at lock; also Segner and Apinera in the backrow, Funaki and Reihana at 9 and 10; Wrampling at 14, Murray at fullback. Also starting will be Punivai at centre, because he's the captain. Not sure about left wing and 12.

They'll probably start Jones at no.8 again, although he's wasn't standing out today. He is strong and fast, and no doubt talented, but he's a ball hog and doesn't always know when to pass to a team mate. A big work-on.

It's great that it's livestreamed. One problem though is that they're using one camera, so you can't always see clearly what's happening at the far sides of the field, making it harder to tell who's making a great pass, makes or misses a tackle, or a makes mistake etc.

[98blueandgold]

@stargazer agree about jones but best of who has been picked. Not convinced on Thompson, was poor today, missed lineouts, dropped a number of balls, not accurate enough in first two games. Same with Sullivan, too inaccurate for a 10. But they are just kids!

[Stargazer]

Match report of the NZ Barbarians Schools v Fiji Schools game: https://www.collegesportmedia.co.nz/rugby-union/fiji-stun-bumble-arians

Highlights video:

[Bovidae]

@tim said in 2018 New Zealand Schools:

Is Reihana any relation of Bruce?

I was wondering the same thing. He is originally from Northland. I spoke to him after the Chiefs-Crusaders U18 game to see why he was playing for the Chiefs. His family gave him a post-match Haka ala TTT in Nelson.

I didn't see any of this game unfortunately.