New Zealand under 20

bobily

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Peter Umaga Jensen was the main reason Scots made it to the National Schools final in consecutive years. He is one of the biggest talents to come out of school rugby for some time and he has taken that form into Wellington club rugby scoring tries at will. Therefore there is no doubt about his ability. 
 
I watched the game he played against Australia on the Gold Coast and to be fair the ball didn't really go his way before he got injured. Maybe his non selection was just down to the fact that Robertson was unable to see enough of him. 
 
Umaga Jensen has also been training with the Canes all year as a wider member so if he cracks the squad next year (which he most likely will) then there is a chance he may not even go to next years junior world cup, especially if he cements a spot in the Canes match day 23. 
 
On another note why wasn't Isaac Te Aute considered for selection. He was deadly in that Schools final last year.
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Yep, no doubt that he is very good. I meant it was simply probably whether he was considered significantly better than Tuitama, or significantly better than Makene. Which I think he probably is. But who knows why, really. Scott Robertson doesn't appear to make the most logical decisions, at times.
 
Te Aute has been training with the 7s team, so he wouldn't have been considered for any of the U20 training camps etc. Sadly, he won't be available next year, either.

Canes4life

From watching Scots College live a number of times Peter Umaga Jensen offered alot more than Tuitama when they played together. Don't get me wrong Tuitama is solid and is very quick but Umaga Jensen plays to another level. 
 
If the selection was based on the ability of one player vs the next instead of age then I am dumbfounded as to why he wasn't picked. 
 
Picking Tuitama over Umaga Jensen would be like picking Patrick Osbourne over Ben Smith for the All Blacks. Osbourne is a solid footy player but Smith is a class above.
 
The Under 20's however have plenty of firepower to win the Junior World Cup. With Nock, Va'a, Barrett and Stevenson we should have more than enough talent to once again lift that trophy.

bobily

That's the thing, though. I don't think it is based on ability. I think it is on a combination of age vs ability. So if you are the best hooker and your birth year was 1996, you will get picked. If you are the second best hooker and your birth year is 1997, then you will only get picked if you are considered to be a fair amount better than the next best option with a 1996 birth year.
 
The non-selection of Umaga-Jensen would then indicate that you have to be MUCH better if you are a year younger, or that given Umaga-Jensen's injury meant that they hadn't seen enough of him, and didn't have the chance to show he is a fair bit better than Tuitama/Makene.
 
Either way, I agree that he should be there.

Frye

Who knows, maybe the U-J boys have an attitude problem. 
Both Makene and Lowe looked good in the Georgia match. 
If anyone could feel aggrieved it is probably Emerson, anyway.

Canes4life

If they had an attitude problem I don't think Peter would have been given the NZ Schools captain duties a year back.

Chris B.

Here's the Japanese tries vs the Junior Boks - all by one guy. First try it looks like the Boks think they're playing touch rugby - especially the effort by the number 11. :)
 
Looks like a big boy! Already being likened to Jonah.

rotated

That was the first game I've watched Jordie Barrett and it was against Georgia but jeez that kid seems to have excellent poise and rugby IQ. Very exciting prospect.
 
Hopefully doesn't go the same way as another AB younger brother who I thought would hit 40 tests easy after watching this tournament - Luke Braid.

Canes4life

Here's the Japanese tries vs the Junior Boks - all by one guy. First try it looks like the Boks think they're playing touch rugby - especially the effort by the number 11. :)
 
Looks like a big boy! Already being likened to Jonah.
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Hopefully Japan can keep their hands on him.

Stargazer

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Hopefully Japan can keep their hands on him. 
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Tonga might disagree ...

Immenso Rapido

Was Jacobsen acting like he had just been bitten? When the cameras were on him as the comma gave him motm?

Immenso Rapido

Sam Nock looks the goods, big time. I love the A Smith style halfbacks that have back into fashion.

tubbyj

NZ captain Jacobson looks a little similar to Richie McCaw in appearance.

MiketheSnow

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Hopefully Japan can keep their hands on him. 
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Commited now. Japan doesn't have an 'A' side.

Bones

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NZ captain Jacobson looks a little similar to Richie McCaw in appearance.
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<img src="http://media.allblacks.com/dnaImages/PlayersSecondary/p2223.jpg" alt="p2223.jpg">

RoninWC

Just watching the replay last night, not finished the game but into the 2nd half, and I'm very impressed the Jordie Barrett. He just looks so composed a great pass and vision and looks to have some pace... I think we are looking at a future All Black 1st 5/8. And his kicking, damn those first 2 conversions were just sweet.
 
Sorry Beauden but your youngest Bro looks a more complete package.
 
Could be that we could see in the not too distant future a AB lineup that includes 3 Barrett brothers, Jordie at 1st 5/8, Scott at lock and Beauden still coming off the bench as the 10/15 reserve.
 
Nock also looks the goods, good passing and reasonable decision making and even resembles Aaron of the Smiths.
 
They look a more composed team in this match when compared to their last trial match against the Aussies.

taniwharugby

I went to a Smallblacks coaching clinic being run by Nocks father, and a couple of tidbits emphasized how hard Sam has worked to get to where he is and some of the basic passing drills he did growing up to hone his skills.

SammyC

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I went to a Smallblacks coaching clinic being run by Nocks father, and a couple of tidbits emphasized how hard Sam has worked to get to where he is and some of the basic passing drills he did growing up to hone his skills.
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I know that Canterbury/Crusaders tried really hard to sign Nock last year, but he has too much loyalty to Northland.
 
Gotta respect an attitude like that

taniwharugby

I had heard that his Dad suggested it might be better for his career if he played elsewhere, which I can sadly understand and appreciate (true or not)

RoninWC

So has Nock committed to any of the SR franchises as yet?
 
I think he would be a great asset to a building Blues side :good:

taniwharugby

he is in year 1 of a 3 year contract with the Blues he signed prior to playing ITM Cup....has had time for the Blues dev side this year, might have even been on the bench for the Blues in one game???

The Silver Fern

New Zealand under 20