2023 World Rugby U20 Championship
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But the under-20s had stumbled well before Covid. The last world championship won: 2017. They won the first four world titles from 2008-2011 before South Africa dethroned them in the final in 2012. Since then – fourth in 2013; third in 2014; won in 2015; fifth in 2016; won in 2017; fourth in 2018; seventh in 2019, their worst placing since the tournament began.
While under-20s dominance does not automatically translate onto the senior world stage, it’s a pretty good indicator. Sir Steve Hansen said this last year, aiming a rocket at NZ Rugby: “Our high-performance department at the moment has to be squirming at our record at under-20 level. Are we getting that business right? I don’t think so. If we’re not winning under-20 World Cups, we’re not producing world-class players at a younger level to bring into this team [the All Blacks].”
Paul Lewis: The grim under-20 results that indicate where NZ rugby is heading
The men are struggling at all levels - NZ rugby may have more of a female future.
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@SBW1 said in 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship:
Last there was no Under 20 World Cup, did we have a stronger group last year that is no longer available this year?
Not always easy to compare year to year but I would say yes.
Here's the 23 that beat Aus last year 69-12.
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Josh Bartlett
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George Bell – captain
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Seb Calder
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Tahlor Cahill
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Fabian Holland
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Oliver Haig
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Wallace Sititi
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Peter Lakai
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Noah Hotham
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Lucas Cashmore
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Macca Springer
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Jone Rova
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Riley Higgins
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Jake Te Hiwi
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Harry Godfrey
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Ray Tuputupu
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Monu Moli
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Siale Lauaki
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Josh Beehre
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Hayden Michaels
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Adam Lennox
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Cam Millar
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Finn Hurley
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Heading into the last round of games Pool C is the most interesting as all four teams are still in with a chance of winning the group and advancing to the SFs. France to be the No.1 seed and Ireland the no.2 seed. NZ could theoretically get the no.4 seed but need Australia to beat England, Wales to lose to France as well as beating Japan by LOTS to improve their PD. That doesn't even take into account the weather and field conditions.
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Two Irish players got cited from the Australia game
Shame at least one of them didn't see a card during the game. Poor officiating from everyone concerned.
Junior Wallabies forced into changes as Irish duo suspended for red-card worthy tackles
Junior Wallabies coach Nathan Grey has called NSW Waratahs forwards Clem Halaholo and Tevita Alatin into their U20 World Championship squad following a physical defeat to Ireland.
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The ranga from Ireland's hit was clumsy as fuck
Nothing malicious in that
The Jap on the other hand, dirty cun*
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About the Japanese U20 team, from the article that @Tim posted in the Crusaders thread (interview with Penney):
“We have got boys that are in their second year of varsity that have basically been locked down for three years so this is their first experience,” he explained about the calibre of the young players he is coaching. “We managed to get a wee tour to Samoa and we took the U20s there to play in an U23s Pacific Island challenge tournament, which was fantastic because it was their first opportunity to get outside the country and experience playing foreigners.
“The Japanese boys are still probably three years away from what would be a professional contract of any sort and we are up against Super Rugby players, guys in the Premiership, guys in the Top 14. It’s significantly different and the World Rugby regulation around changing your eligibility from three years to five years has significantly impacted.
“Normally the Japan U20s would have a half-dozen or so Pacific Island boys just to make up a level of physicality that have migrated to Japan, have had three, four years high school, started uni there, but we have got none of them available to us due to the fact that three to five years has impacted in their ability to join us.
“Not only has the covid lockdown been horrendously powerful for this particular group, they have hardly had any access to football for three years. The other aspect is the professionalism and development of these boys, they are one of a hundred at university training whereas you have got academies, you have got professional development happening in the Western cultures that really nurture the young boys’ development.
“There is an overarching cultural aspect to it too where young men in Japan aren’t encouraged to express themselves and aren’t encouraged to step forward as leaders until well into probably their fourth year at uni, so we are well down the pecking order in that regard. There was a lot of anxiety and trepidation heading into this tournament.”
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@MiketheSnow said in 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship:
The Jap on the other hand, dirty cun*
Any video of the incident?
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@NTA said in 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship:
@MiketheSnow said in 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship:
The Jap on the other hand, dirty cun*
Any video of the incident?
3:20
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@NTA said in 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship:
No point to that stuff. Clearly wasn't going to get near the ball.
hence the correct upgrade to red
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Profile piece on Will Stodart
Getting to know: Baby Blacks U20s forward Will Stodart
It has so far not been a vintage Junior World Championship for New Zealand, as they only scrapped by Wales – the bottom team in the 2023 age-grade Six Nations – before enduring a 21-point hammering from the more physical France in a 35-14 rain-affected loss.
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Some teams have made mass changes for their third games, but not necessarily due to injury/suspension or because they are playing a weaker team.
Les Bleuets coach Sébastien Calvet has made 11 changes to the team that beat New Zealand on Thursday with Nicolas Depoortère taking on the captaincy.
Wales interim coach Jones has made five changes to his starting line-up as they chase a memorable win, and first against Les Bleuets since 2020.
Junior Springboks coach Bafana Nhleko has made eight changes to his starting line-up as South Africa attempt to rebound from defeat to Italy and book their place in the semi-finals for the 12th time in 13 tournaments.
Australia coach Nathan Grey has made six changes to the side that lost to Ireland, as the 2019 finalists attempt to force their way into title reckoning.
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Real arm wrestle in the first match of the day
Dumb YC for the Italian at the death
Another big win for the Georgians who now top the table
Italy 17 - 30 Georgia
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Ireland v Fiji just kicked off
Already 7-0 to Ireland after 7 mins
Going to be a long day for Fiji
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Ireland 12 - 0 Fiji
12 mins -
Despite resolute defence from the Irish the Fijians drive the ball over finally
Ireland 12 - 7 Fiji
16 minsGood response from Fiji
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Patience from Ireland as successive drives at the line finally yield reward
Ireland 19 - 7 Fiji
21 mins
