The Silver Fern

@Bovidae said in U20 Rugby Championship 2025:

The SA U20s especially, and the Aust U20s have been playing warmup games. In contrast, the NZ U20s only meet up for a camp from tomorrow. I hope they play at least one match before departing for SA as it's not an ideal preparation.

Yeah, looking at those three teams (I haven't really been able to find much on the Argentina U20s), the Junior Boks and Junior Wallabies have been holding multiple development camps and trial matches throughout the year.

Perhaps the NZ U20s have been doing more than they've let on but the level of prep does seem to be lagging behind.

I've finally had a chance to watch the final. It was a game that could have went either way in the end, as the Chiefs did well to fight back when the reserves came on. The Chiefs' lineout was a little compromised with three short loose forwards. Having Sa at 6 would have given another big target. They haven't had much luck with injuries in this tournament in the last 2 years losing starters before and during the tournament.

Now we wait for the first NZ U20 squad. Hopefully the injured players are all available for selection.

@Mauss On Andrew Smith, he is a 6/lock. I am hoping he gets some time in NPC this year.

That was a crazy scoreline.

England win the tournament. A really powerful forward pack. I could see Steve Borthwick fast-forwarding the U20 props into the full national team.

@Crazy-Horse said in NZ U20 v France U20:

@Landers92 said in NZ U20 v France U20:

@SouthernMann said in NZ U20 v France U20:

I am looking forward to Dylan Pledger being our Highlanders and Otago halfback. So much talent. I know he's only in his first year out of school, I just hope he can get some gametime in the blue and gold this year.

Couldn’t agree more mate. What an absolute talent. I know it’s u20s so a bit different but jeez he looks a lot more composed and talented than Arscott and Hastie already.

Don't count your chickens. The Saders will be after another 9 soon, if they aren't already.

Foctunately, they have the no2 halfback in the U20s, Ben O'Donovan. That should be sufficient to back up Hotham. Otago and the Highlanders just need to work hard on telling Pledger the story about his future in the region. Which should be long and very sucessful.

@tubbyj said in NZ U20 v Wales U20:

The Vice captain 2nd five Xavi Taele looks to be some player ready for the step up to Super Rugby next season already.

He looked a cut above out there didn't he?

This is the inaugural SR U20s, so the previous is moot.

Fuck we're shit. Nathan Grey is a shit coach and these guys are the product of a shit system. Georgia smashed us for nearly 60 minutes

Very good skills in diabolical conditions

Winger will rue showboating for his try. Could easily have gone at least 5m closer to the sticks.

Highlanders 73-10

They're into the 5th/6th payoff

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.