TRC U20 - NZ v SA

[Bovidae]

In the forwards, Bason, Allen and Wrampling all have NPC experience. Wrampling is in the Chiefs squad. Both locks are tall but neither can be considered a power lock. Scrums will be interesting.

In the backs, Hutchinson was very good in the SR U20 tournament, Solomon is very elusive (but small), and more a 10/15, and the midfielders both played for the NZ U20s last year. Tuivailala debuted for Waikato last year too, scoring a try against Auckland. Taele isn't the biggest 12. I thought they might use Whaanga as a winger.

The biggest problem last year at the U20 WC was NZ's inability to defend the lineout drive/maul. Hopefully we see a big improvement there.

[Chris]

HB O'Donavan is also worth keeping and eye on and Johnny Lee the no.7 Cooper Grant the First Five from Ta$man has some wraps on him in Crusaders country I have not seen a lot of him though.

[KiwiMurph]

This is on Stan at 5pm Syd/Melb time today for those in Aus.

[antipodean]

@KiwiMurph have to watch a replay as I expect to be stuck on the Bruce Highway carpark.

[Toddy]

It's a fucking swimming pool

[Toddy]

First points to NZ - 3-0.

Ground is like a swimming pool. NZ with a decent tail wind in the first half and aren't making the most of it.

Scrums have been pretty good for NZ - as in they've held their own on most occasions. Lineouts mixed for both teams but probably NZ slightly worse.

No8 for NZ looks like an athlete but looks to win the game with each carry.

[Bovidae]

Was there a knock-on at that 5 m scrum? It looked like a SA player kicked the ball. A big let-off.

Bason's throwing has always been erratic.

[Toddy]

Didn't appear to be a knock on. I think there was an incident early where the 8 was deemed to knock on but the replay suggested he'd chipped ahead.

[Toddy]

Good try to NZ from a scrum about 10m out from the SA try line. 8 - 0

[Bovidae]

Rico Simpson has had a shocker in the last 5 mins.

[Toddy]

NZ have a shocking few minutes. SA get a penalty in front - take the 3. And are now in pretty much under the posts. They'll take the lead soon - 8-10

[Toddy]

NZ try to bash their way out of the 22 and concede another penalty - but SA miss.

[Toddy]

Yellow card for SA for a cynical penalty when NZ were almost in.

[Grooter]

Stanely solomon has been very good

[Toddy]

Solomon absolutely smashed. Was a great hit.

[Toddy]

NZ get an equaliser. 13 all. Conversion missed

[Toddy]

SA with a penalty but decided to take the tap and kick it out. Weird decision to just take the draw.

[Bovidae]

NZ will be disappointed as we had the better try-scoring chances.

[Bovidae]

It's hard to make too many comparisons to 2023 as the ground conditions were so bad. NZ's subs probably didn't have as much impact as SA's but the signs of improvement are there. Andrew Smith was the pick of the forwards for me.

[Chris]

Hutchinson was really good at FB in difficult conditions.