2023 Super Rugby U20s

[SouthernMann]

@Bovidae said in 2023 Super Rugby U20s:

Where is Ale Aho, who was one of the NZ U19 locks from Auckland?

The good thing is that 3 of 4 the locks in the 2022 NZ Schools team were tall and had some size at that age. Liam Jack was a beanpole, like Hannah.

Found Ale Aho. He is a member of the Otago Academy. https://www.orfu.co.nz/HIGH-PERFORMANCE/otago-academy

[Bovidae]

Today's games:

11.05 AM: Fijian Drua v Crusaders
12.55 PM: Moana Pasifika v Chiefs
2.45 PM: Blues v NZ Barbarians
4.35 PM: Hurricanes v Highlanders

[Stargazer]

[Stargazer]

[chimoaus]

Quickly watched the highlights and the Hurricanes 8 was very impressive, kind of reminded me of David Pocock with his build. Also, the Blues 15 was electric, so much gas and always putting others into space.

[Stargazer]

Last and third games:

Saturday 25 March 2023

11.05am: Fijian Drua v Moana Pasifika
12.55pm: Crusaders v Chiefs
2.45pm: NZ Barbarians v Highlanders
4.35pm: Blues v Hurricanes

Sh*t scheduling from NZR, at exactly the same time as the Super Rugby Aupiki finals and the Highlanders v Drua SRP game. Why couldn't these U20 games not be played on Sunday?

[Bovidae]

No Xavier Tito-Harris for the Blues in the final as he has been called up to the AB Sevens for Hong Kong.

Jack Taylor won't be playing for the Highlanders U20s either. He is on the bench for Highlanders match against the Drua.

[Canes4life]

@chimoaus said in 2023 Super Rugby U20s:

Quickly watched the highlights and the Hurricanes 8 was very impressive, kind of reminded me of David Pocock with his build. Also, the Blues 15 was electric, so much gas and always putting others into space.

Funny aye, it's probably the position we least need players coming through with potential.

Toby Crosby can play openside aswell so is quite versatile.

[Stargazer]

I still have to watch Saturday's games, but saw on Facebook that Harry Godfrey was named the MVP of the Super Rugby Pacific U20 Tournament. Here's Godfrey with the Sir John Graham Trophy.

[Canes4life]

@Stargazer said in 2023 Super Rugby U20s:

I still have to watch Saturday's games, but saw on Facebook that Harry Godfrey was named the MVP of the Super Rugby Pacific U20 Tournament. Here's Godfrey with the Sir John Graham Trophy.

If I was the Canes I would seriously try and sign him to a long term contract, similar to the one Proctor got at 19.

[Higgins]

@Stargazer No doubt you noted the origin of the Team Shirt sponsorship.

[Bovidae]

So the final placings were:

1st Blues
2nd Hurricanes
3rd Highlanders
4th NZ Barbarians
5th Chiefs
6th Crusaders
7th Fijian Drua
8th Moana Pasifika

[Kiwidom]

@Stargazer So who will be the props and locks for the NZ u20s . Anyone stand out ?

From the little I saw I think we will be ok in most positions,but might struggle in the tight five against Wales and France in our pool

[Bovidae]

Look to last year's NZ U19s for that answer.

I would expect the props to include Toby Taylor (who didn't play in Taupō), Siale Lauaki, Gabe Robinson, and perhaps the Blues LH, if there is a newbie. Hookers to be Jack Taylor and Raymond Tuputupu.

The top locks could be Tahlor Cahill and Hunter Morrison. Fiti Sa gives you a 2 m+ lock.

Andrew Smith and Rory Woods aren't that tall to play as genuine locks.

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae Yeah, I think that's about right. There's talent among the younger players (first year out of school), like Gus Brown, but they'll probably have to wait until next year (or play for NZ U19 if they get a tour again, this year).

[Bovidae]

@Stargazer What was the deal with Matt Monaghan? He didn't play a lot from what I saw. Injured?

The big question will be if eligible players involved in SR squads will be released for the NZ U20s. There shouldn't be too much of an overlap.

If NZ can't beat Wales (5th in the 6N) we don't deserve to go any further. Aust have Ireland and England in their pool. Good luck with that!

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae I don't know about Monaghan, but Morrison has a NDC (training with the senior Canes) and Allen is probably seen as a bigger talent.

Yeah, will be interesting to see if SRP players will be released. A few years ago, Jordie wasn't. Caleb Clarke may have been in the same boat, but I'm not sure about that.

I assume there will first be an Oceania U20 Championship?

[cgrant]

@Bovidae
Ruben Palmer is not very tall but he is beefy. He could be useful against the very big French forwards. The latter have a very strong axis on the right side of the scrum with Allane (THP, 135 kg) and Tuilagi (lock, 145 kg).

[NateHill74]

@Bovidae Keeping it going from that, Dylan is year 13 this year, He's a Half Back and First Five. Mainly 10 for King's HS if that helps

[Bovidae]

@NateHill74 Thanks for the info. Quite unusual that both NZ Schools halfbacks were Y12, and no Y13 was considered good enough.