2023 World Rugby U20 Championship
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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 -
Second try for Gleeson and BP already
Ireland 26 - 7 Fiji
34 minsIreland too strong and too quick
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Fiji not going down without a fight
Outside half goes over after a few pick and gos
Ireland 26 - 12 Fiji
Half time -
Great opening try from England in the third match of the day
Australia 0 - 7 England
5 mins -
Penalty to Australia as they try to break the English line
Australia 3 - 7 England
18 mins -
English line speed is impressive / illegal
Hard to tell from camera angle feedGreat patience from Australia
15 phases and Talataiana breaks the tackle for the try
Australia 10 - 7 England
31 mins -
England retake the lead with a fantastic finish from Cleaves despite being a man down
Great conversion too
Australia 10 - 14 England
36 mins -
Fiji in again
Ireland need to shut shop
Ireland 26 - 22 Fiji
50 mins
