2021 New Zealand U20s
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Chiefs U20 team named to play the Crusaders U20s.
University of Waikato Chiefs Under 20 Team:
1 Josh Bartlett (Bay of Plenty)
2 Bernie Hati (Bay of Plenty)
3 Havila Molia (Waikato)
4 Hemopo Cunningham (Bay of Plenty)
5 Scott Jury (Taranaki)
6 Nikora Broughten (Bay of Plenty)
7 Veveni Lasaqa (Bay of Plenty)
8 Te Rama Reuben (Waikato)
9 Kane O’Connor (Bay of Plenty)
10 Lucas Cashmore (Bay of Plenty)
11 Tama Te Aute (Bay of Plenty)
12 Larenz Tupaea Thompsen (Counties Manukau)
13 Gideon Wrampling (Waikato) ©
14 Tevita Ofa (Counties Manukau)
15 Te Paea Cook-Savage (Waikato)Reserves:
16 Ioane Moananu (Counties Manukau)
17 Mason Tupaea (Waikato)
18 Hakaraia Richards-Coxhead (Waikato)
19 Jadin Kingi (Counties Manukau)
20 Fotu Melino (Bay of Plenty)
21 Angus Kay (Bay of Plenty)
22 Josh Jacomb (Taranaki)
23 Niwa Barlow (Taranaki) -
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@stargazer said in 2021 New Zealand U20s:
@bovidae I wonder whether Lattrell Smiler-Ah Kiong is injured? Again not in the 23.
No idea. I was surprised he wasn't involved in the first game, and know nothing about Jacomb. Cashmore never really stood out for me when I saw him play for TBC but he looked good for BOP a few weeks back. Cook-Savage was also a 1st 5 at school so they have plenty in the squad (he was the same Barbarian Schools team as Smiler-Ah Kiong).
I would think the rest of the squad will get a game against the Barbarians.
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The Chiefs U20s have made a lot of changes. Josh Lord is playing (he qualifies).
@Stargazer Smile-Ah Kiong must be injured as I think he is one of three players (Sinkinson, Manase) that haven't featured yet.
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Player of the Tournament: Sean Withy, captain of the Highlanders U20 team.
The MVP receives the trophy that is normally awarded to the MVP of the Jock Hobbs U19 Tournament.
Withy just said that they had more time preparing together than the other squads. They also have a pretty awesome coach.
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After watching most of the games it will be interesting to see who Matson and co select in their squad. I assume a larger training squad will selected for a camp before the final squad is reduced in size.
I think these players are the only certainties:
Blues - Vikena, Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Chiefs - Lord, Wrampling
Hurricanes - Howden
Crusaders - Gallagher, Segner, Fihaki
Highlanders - WithyI wouldn't expect many 18 yr olds to be selected but you never know. Let's hope they select on form and not reputation, or what your last name is.
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@arhs I doubt Palmer is even in the frame. He never started for the Chiefs in the big games, and is he a prop or lock? IIRC he was the late replacement for Fotu in the Crusaders game and did play at lock.
Bartlett would be more likely for the BOP props. BTW, I remember watching both playing for TBC and their scrum was always going backwards.
The Blues definitely had the best scrum at the tournament so you would expect their starters to be at the top of the list.
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After watching most of the games and to be totally honest I was actually quite underwhelmed with much of the forward play .
if the best of the forwards we saw came up against English ,French or South African forwards in the same under 20 age group , they would get spat out ..
Crusaders looked the most drilled of the packs .
The player that had something about him to me was Highlanders and Southland number 8 Arese Poliko , this kid has so much genuine power , could light up the Bunnings NPC ..another big tick to Dale Macleod who is unearthing talent in one of the smaller unions in the country when you consider how Ethan De Groot is travelling for the Highlanders and Ray Nu’u pushing for a place in the NZ 7s.
