2021 New Zealand U20s
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Revitalised Under 20 programme kicks off with Super Rugby flavour
The next big names in Super Rugby will go head-to-head across an action-packed week of rugby at the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa Under 20 tournament this April.
- Super Rugby Aotearoa Under 20 tournament next month
- Tabai Matson to coach New Zealand Under 20s
The newly formed tournament will see Under 20 sides from the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders, Highlanders along with a New Zealand Barbarians Club Under 20 team take part in three match days at Taupō’s Owen Delany Park. All matches will be broadcast live on Sky on 11 April, 14 April and 17 April.
Former Blues and Stormers Coach Paul Feeney will head the New Zealand Barbarian Club Under 20 coaching team, with players set to be selected from across the 26 Provincial Unions.
The New Zealand Under 20 programme also gets a boost with the announcement of Tabai Matson as Head Coach. The former Crusaders and Chiefs Assistant Coach will be joined by Tom Donnelly and Cory Jane in the coaching team.A playing programme for the New Zealand Under 20 will be confirmed in coming months, with the hope that a Trans- Ta$man bubble will enable an Oceania Tournament later this year.
The Jock Hobbs Memorial National Under 19 tournament will not take place in 2021, with provincial unions instead delivering regional Under 19 programmes.
Super Rugby Aotearoa Under 20 DrawSunday 11 April
11.30am Hurricanes v Chiefs
1.30pm Barbarians v Highlanders
3.30pm Crusaders v BluesWednesday 14 April
11.30am Barbarians v Blues
1.30pm Hurricanes v Highlanders
3.30pm Crusaders v ChiefsSaturday 17 April
11am Crusaders v Highlanders
1pm Barbarians v Chiefs
3pm Hurricanes v Blues -
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@bovidae Yes, that would have made more sense with 6 teams. They could also have left out the Barbarians team (the Hurricanes and Crusaders don't get the advantage of playing them, while they can be expected to be the weakest team) and let all 5 franchises play each other (without a pool system and without a final; just four games). It would have meant 1 more game, but why not?
I guess this is less about having a normal tournament/competition and more about trial matches for NZ U20s.
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@bovidae from what I have heard it gives you a good leg up at least.
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@taniwharugby Philpott had Delany and Hill in his group, and now we have Donnelly and Jane. At least Donnelly has head coaching experience.
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@stargazer said in 2021 New Zealand U20s:
Super Rugby Aotearoa Under 20 Draw
Sunday 11 April
11.30am Hurricanes v Chiefs
1.30pm Barbarians v Highlanders
3.30pm Crusaders v Blues
Wednesday 14 April
11.30am Barbarians v Blues
1.30pm Hurricanes v Highlanders
3.30pm Crusaders v Chiefs
Saturday 17 April
11am Crusaders v Highlanders
1pm Barbarians v Chiefs
3pm Hurricanes v BluesRugby Pass says that all three of these matchdays in Taupo will be broadcast live by Sky.
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@daffy-jaffy The media release from NZR said so, too.
Glad we'll be able to watch these games!
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@maxwell I suspect Steven Bates will coach the Blues U20s, as he's recently been appointed the Blues Development Coach, but it could be someone else, of course.
The Hurricanes U20s coach is usually Darren Larsen, so I can only assume he'll be the coach again.
The Chiefs U20 head coach is Waikato’s Paul Hodder, assisted by Greg Smith (Waikato?), Jarrad Hoeata (Taranaki), Chad Shepherd (Counties) and James Porter (BOP).
Source: https://sunlive.co.nz/news/264013-11-bop-players-chiefs-u20-squad.html
I haven't found more info, unfortunately. -
The wider Chiefs squad I posted above lists their full coaching and management team.
@Steven-Harris should be able to help you with the Blues U20 coach as he saw them play.
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Highlanders U20 Training Squad:
Props: Rohan Wingham, Geordie Bean, Tevita Pole, Naryan Strickland, Oscar Cowley-Andrea, Marika Parker
Hookers: Harry Press, Harry Hansen, Jame Moodie (Invercargill Marist)
Locks: Levi Uluakaihoia, Harrison Morton, Fabian Holland, Aleki Saili (Invercargill Marist)
Loose Forwards: Oliver Haig, Sean Withy (C), Harry Taylor, Ned Pene, Leroy Ferguson, Arese Poliko (Stags/Invercargill Blues)
Halfbacks: Nathan Hastie, Noah Hotham, Tonga Nau
First Five: Max Webb, Cam Miller
Midfielders: Jake Te Hiwi, Emmanuel Ventura, Giovanni Leituala, Bradley McPate, Thomas McKenzie
Back Three: Michael Manson, Jermaine Pepe, Peceli Malanicagi, Jackson Toms
(posted 24 March 2021)
Moodie, Saili and Poliko named in Highlanders SRA U20 Squad
The next big names in Super Rugby will go head-to-head across an action-packed week of rugby at the 2021 Super Rugby...
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I understand that there was a game between the Crusaders U20 and Highlanders U20 in Temuka, yesterday.
I've no idea of the result and scorers, also haven't seen the Highlanders U20 line-up, but according to Facebook (it may have been the Legend of Marty Banks' page, where I saw it) this was the Crusaders U20 team that played:
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24-22 crusaders
