NZ U19s
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Good to see that the Sharks provided a much tougher test than WP. Hammett said these first two games were about giving everyone an opportunity, as the reserves from game 1 started and mass changes to the forward pack were made at HT. NZ dominated the scrums but didn't get any reward from the ref. The lineout functioned well in difficult windy conditions.
At least the NZ defence was tested although they won't be happy with the missed tackles leading to the Sharks tries.
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How do you think we will go against the u19 boks?
My expectation is that we will be a little underpowered when we match up against them. Which has been the case in age grade match ups for a while.
Surprised that have put such big scores on these sides but of course we never know the strength or preparedness of opposition.
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@DaGrubster The WP and Sharks teams were scratch teams with 3-4 days preparation, so you can't read too much into the scores.
Obviously a SA U19 team would be much stronger, particularly in the forwards, so that would be a completely different test. Hammett's comments indicate NZ wanted to play the SA U19s but that didn't happen. This tour is just to provide competitive games and a tour experience for the young players who missed out due to covid. The performance of the NZ U20s at the WC next year will tell us how beneficial this tour was.
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Highlights -
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@SBW1 tomorrow's match is against the Leopards u19s. Understand that they are longer together and a good tight 5 probably most playing for Uni of North West (Pukke) young guns in the Varsity Cup.
One interesting fact is that Ardi Viljoen and Leopards nr 8 Eben Versters dads were Western Province scrumhalves during the last All Blacks tour in 1996. Pretty sure they,ll have a cold one together. -
https://www.allblacks.com/news/new-zealand-under-19-team-named-take-on-the-leopards/
Following their second win on the tour over the Sharks Under 19, New Zealand Under 19 Head Coach Mark Hammett has named his side to face Leopards Under 19 on Thursday 29 September at 3.00pm (3.00am, Friday 30 September, NZT).
1: Gabe Robinson (Waikato)
2: Dylan Irvine ( Ta$man)
3: Siale Lauaki (Wellington)
4: Hunter Morrison (Manawatū)
5: Ale Aho (Auckland)
6: Rory Woods (Northland)
7: Sam Hainsworth-Fa’aofo (Auckland) ©
8: Semisi Ta’eiloa (Otago)
9: Riley Williams (Auckland)
10: Ajay Faleafaga (Otago)
11: Epeli Waqaicece (Manawatū)
12: Leo Gordon (Auckland)
13: Essendon Tuitupou (Auckland)
14: Cody Nordstrom (Waikato)
15: Finn Hurley (Otago)16: Jack Taylor (Southland)
17: Toby Taylor (Bay of Plenty)
18: Keran van Staden (Counties Manukau)
19: Fiti Sa (Canterbury)
20: Andrew Smith (Waikato)
21: Jordi Viljoen (Manawatū)
22: Byron Smith (Auckland)
23: Isaac Hutchinson (Canterbury)
24: Taine Kolose (Bay of Plenty)
25: Will Stodart (Otago)
26: Cooper Flanders (Hawke’s Bay) -
LOL, commentator saying Leopards are winning the psychological battle because they keep the NZU19s from scoring. I think he's forgetting NZ just had two players in the bin and the Leopards didn't manage to score at all and have been under pressure all that time.
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Good performance by the Mielie Boers. Their senior side play CC 1st division but Pukke (University) is one of the top sides in Varsity Cup.
This experience will be exactly what's needed for your u19s.
Last time NZ toured in Potch was when Jonah Lomu played in 1996.
Playing in this country sides is not easy for any team.
