2024 Super Rugby U20s

[Bovidae]

Let's see who is selected for the NZ U20s first. In some years the quality is better than others. If you look at the 2021 squad, Josh Lord is the only player, and most recent, who has graduated to the ABs so far. The majority are playing SR though.

I have been looking more at the props and locks, as that has been a weakness at the U20 WC, where we have been outmuscled.

These players were in the NZ U20s last year and are playing in Taupō:

Aki Tuivailala (Chiefs)
Isaac Hutchinson (Crusaders)
Riley Williams (Blues)
Tom Allen (Hurricanes)
Vernon Bason (Hurricanes) - will probably be the NZ U20 captain
Will Martin (Chiefs)
Xavi Taele (Blues)

[Canes4life]

@Bovidae said in 2024 Super Rugby U20s:

I have been looking more at the props and locks

The Hurricanes were missing their two best props in Konrad Newland and Logan Wallace, they might still be included in the NZ Under 20s despite playing in this tournament. Both trained with the Hurricanes in pre season.

[Bovidae]

@Canes4life At least this time the coaches will have the RC U20s to look at players against other international teams before the WC. Wallace looked really good for the NZ Schools last year, and is a huge unit. Some of the other NZS props struggled in the scrums against Aust but are involved with their SR U20 teams. I'd be looking more at props and locks with an extra year of S&C behind them.

[cgrant]

What happened to Mathis ? He was outstanding for the NZ schoolboys last year and now he is warming the bench for the Chiefs U20.

[Bovidae]

@cgrant said in 2024 Super Rugby U20s:

What happened to Mathis ? He was outstanding for the NZ schoolboys last year and now he is warming the bench for the Chiefs U20.

The Chiefs have rotated the 7 and 8s for the 2 games so far. Mathis started game 1. He is one of the co-captains in the team.

[Duluth]

7th/8th playoff is on now

NZB leading the Moana Pasifika 21-0

Conditions aren't great. Will be interesting to see how the pitch holds up with four games in a row

[Duluth]

Not sure what happened in the first game.

Highlanders wining the 5th/6th playoff 33-7 at HT

[Daffy Jaffy]

The Final, to cheer up our Crusaders fans -

For Bronze -

[Bovidae]

I see that Mosese Bason won the Sir John Graham Player of the Tournament award. He played well but I am a little surprised by this. Based on the games I watched I would have chosen Isaac Hutchinson.

[Canes4life]

@Bovidae Mosese Bason was very dynamic but to be fair I didn't see too much of Hutchinson. Bason is a player of the future for sure but might end up at another franchise with the depth we've already got at the Canes at 8.

[Bovidae]

@Canes4life The top player award has tended to be given to a forward, not an outside back.

[Canes4life]

@Bovidae I think Godfrey won it in 2022 didn't he? But yeah I think the guy giving out the award must be a forward.

[Chris]

I hear the NZ U/20 side for the Rugby Championship is named today, it maybe the best prepared team for a while that heads to the WC in South Africa later this year.

[Bovidae]

I would think Gibbes will select a squad for the RC and then another for the WC. I'll be interested to see if the three NZ sevens players (Vai, Spencer, Tito-Harris) are involved in the latter.