2022 New Zealand U20s

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Tim 9 Crusaders to 3 Blues yet the Blues u20 destroyed the Saders in the recent tournament.

[Bovidae]

@Daffy-Jaffy The Chiefs were under-represented last year but won the tournament.

The players selected might just correspond to where the coaches are from.

The New Zealand Under 20s will be headed by former All Black Tom Donnelly, with assistant coaches Cory Jane and Scott Hansen.

[Chris]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in 2022 New Zealand U20s:

@Tim 9 Crusaders to 3 Blues yet the Blues u20 destroyed the Saders in the recent tournament.

11 Crusaders

[SouthernMann]

Sounded like the team was pretty much already picked prior to the tournament.

[bobily2]

I believe 2 of those Crusaders players didn't play in the Crusaders team that lost to the Blues (they were in the Barbarians instead).

Edit: Surprised not to see Kemara there

Edit again: I think just one of the Crusaders was in the Barbarians.

[Tim]

@Bovidae said in 2022 New Zealand U20s:

Tom Donnelly, with assistant coaches Cory Jane

Those are some very shit coaches.

NZ U20 head coach seems to be a job for the worst NPC "Championship" coach.

[Bovidae]

@bobily2 Just Cahill I think, and he wasn't considered good enough. He is the other player first year out of school.

Hannah is a lightweight lock. Beehre and Haig have some bulk to them.

This squad looks weaker than the 2021 U20s.

[Stargazer]

No Cooper Flanders?

[Bovidae]

The only player listed as "Unavailable for selection" is Caleb Tangitau due to the All Blacks Sevens. It would be good to know if others are injured as Kemara might be one of those. I wasn't surprised he wasn't included as they tend to favour the older players. In this case, Cashmore, Godfrey and Millar.

[cgrant]

Kemara is the most surprising omission. The Highlanders first five (Faleafaga ?) is another one who caught the eye but who is not selected. The beefy Chiefs lock looked like a certainty to me but does not figure either.

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae said in 2022 New Zealand U20s:

The only player listed as "Unavailable for selection" is Caleb Tangitau due to the All Blacks Sevens. It would be good to know if others are injured as Kemara might be one of those. I wasn't surprised he wasn't included as they tend to favour the older players. In this case, Cashmore, Godfrey and Millar.

Hmmm, that could be a reason for Flanders missing out, too. I think he's still 18. Still, it shouldn't matter. He was clearly one of the best loosies, and has the versatility to play all three backrow positions.

[Bovidae]

@Stargazer As I said I am more surprised that Lasaqa isn't there as a no.7. He played for BOP last year so already has NPC experience.

I expect that the likes of Kemara, Flanders, Asi and Faleafaga will be in the 2023 team.

[Bovidae]

Do we know if the team is playing a warmup game in NZ before they play Fiji on 1 July? If they are, it would have to be this week.

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae This is what the media release (team naming) says:

The squad will assemble for a week before departing for Australia, they will play a warm up match against Argentina, before taking part in the Oceania Rugby Under 20 Championship.

It doesn't say when and where, but obviously, it will be in Australia. If they assemble only a week before leaving for Oz, there isn't much time for a game in NZ.

[Bovidae]

I thought they may have assembled earlier (or today) and looked to play a game here later this week.

[SBW1]

This post is deleted!

[Bovidae]

@Stargazer The squad is currently in the Hawke's Bay.

https://www.allblacks.com/news/new-zealand-under-20s-preparations-underway-in-hawkes-bay/

[Stargazer]

I haven't been able to find more info, but I saw a post on Facebook saying that the NZU20s beat Argentina U20 40 to 7 in Brisbane today (or yesterday, not sure).

[Stargazer]

[Bovidae]

I note that Cody Nordstrom has his player profile in the 2022 squad, so obviously a late addition. No Essendon Tuitupou listed. IIRC he missed the final Blues game due to injury.