2017 New Zealand U20s
-
Another try, this time from Papalii. Falcon converts and the full time score is 80-23.
Again hard to draw conclusions from this game, considering that the opponent was so weak. Samoa's best was definitely Losi Filipo.
I thought Slade was one of the best for NZ, with the others I mentioned at half time. Falcon seems to be the best 10 in the squad; I think I prefer Leger at 12 where he seemed more effective against Fiji.
-
@Stargazer
The NZ Nr.4 was Walker-Leawere, not Slade. Walker-Leawere is a huge man with a moustache while Slade is a very tall, lanky guy. -
The full game can be viewed on the ARU FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/rugbycomau/videos/?ref=page_internal
-
-
@cgrant said in 2017 New Zealand U20s:
@Stargazer
The NZ Nr.4 was Walker-Leawere, not Slade. Walker-Leawere is a huge man with a moustache while Slade is a very tall, lanky guy.Number 4 is definitely Sam Slade. He has a moustache as well. Commentators mentioned that Slade was a late addition to the team.
-
@Rapido said in 2017 New Zealand U20s:
I saw a bit of Ennor on Grassroots rugby the other week, same club as Kieran Reid who was playing, scored some cracking tries.
I don't normally watch club rugby so don't have an eye for picking a guy out at what is now 4th tier, but he looked good.
I liked Ennor a lot in school. He's a guy who can cover 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15. Has good skill, rugby IQ and plenty of toe.
-
What will be the team against Australia ?
LHP : Harrison Allan as Farrell looks a bit too light.
Hooker : Aumua looks like a man playing among boys. His LO throws were excellent too.
THP : Coxon has played the first two games. I don't know if he is fresh enough for the clash. Can Lindenmuth play on the TH ? He was OK during the few minutes he spent on the field.
Locks : Slade and Caird form a perfect combination. But we haven't seen Walker-Leawere yet.
Blindside flank : Jacobson is the captain but Papali'i looks more physical. Maybe Jacobson at Nr.8 ?
Openside flank : Christie or Choat ? They look very similar.
Nr.8 : Mikaele-Tuu or Jacobson ?
Half-back : Carlos Price impressed during the first half against Samoa. He is a young Aaron Smith : sharp pass, quick decision making. But is he injured ?
1st Five : Falcon.
2nd Five : Leger
Centre : Ennor (Tua not bad either)
Left wing : Caleb Clarke (outstanding prospect, a future All Black for sure)
Right wing : Faingaanuku
Full back : Mackay or Jordan ? Both from Canterbury and both very elusive. -
-
@cgrant It should be a good game against the Aussies; just a pity it's at the same time as the Tahs v Blues game. One live, one replay it is.
Before the tournament, they said that all players would get enough game time, so I'd expect Lindenmuth to start at LH and Rakete-Stones at TH. Agree that Aumua is the best option at hooker. Don't know how many hookers are in the squad.
Wouldn't mind seeing Slade starting again, but he's already had two starts; not sure what the reason is for Walker-Leawere not playing. Injured? He was named on the bench v Fiji, but I don't remember how much game time he got.
Definitely, Mikaele-Tu'u at 8 if he's fit. I guess it depends on how badly he injured his ankle. He's by far the best in that position and hasn't had much game time yet. Assuming the captain will start, Jacobson will play at 6 (or 8 if Mikaele-Tu'u is not 100%). Or can he play at openside as well? I'd like to see Papali'i start, too, but Christie was good against Fiji.
Difficult choice between the three wings; Nareki and Clarke played well against Samoa, but impressed less against Fiji, in which game Faingaanuku was the best of the three.
Price and Falcon at 9 & 10 is a no-brainer, unless Price is injured. Leger should start at 12, indeed.
Centre? Hmm, difficult. Both weren't bad, but didn't really impress me either.
Fullback, both really good.I'm wondering who will miss out if Perofeta, Jordie Barrett and/or Peter Umaga-Jensen are picked for the JWC squad. Is Perofeta a specialist 10 or 12? Can he cover both positions; maybe also 13? I kind of expect Jordie to play fullback if he isn't picked for the ABs, because that's where he has played for the Canes and Canterbury (and there's already enough cover for 10 & 12). I'm not sure for how long Peter U-J has been out, but he hasn't played for a long time, I think, and IMO it wouldn't be a good thing if they leave anyone out for him. They did that last year, and he could only play one game (again due to injury; he breaks easily, which is sad for such a young lad). If I'm correct, he can cover fullback and both wings.
Edited to add that Alex Fidow has joined the squad and will play against Australia, if fit. Not sure whether he's a LH, TH or can play both.
-
NZU20 team to play Australia (Sat 6 May, 9.00pm):
-
Ezekiel Lindenmuth - Auckland
-
Asafo Aumua - Wellington
-
Pouri Rakete-Stones - Hawke’s Bay
-
Isaia Walker-Leawere - Wellington
-
Sam Caird - Waikato
-
Dalton Papalii - Auckland
-
Tom Christie - Canterbury
-
Luke Jacobson (C) - Waikato
-
Ereatara Enari (VC) - Canterbury
-
Tiaan Falcon - Hawke’s Bay
-
Tima Faingaanuku - Ta$man
-
Orbyn Leger - Counties Manukau
-
Tamati Tua - Northland
-
Josh McKay - Canterbury
-
Will Jordan - Ta$man
-
JP Sauni - Auckland
-
Harrison Allan - Canterbury
-
Alex Fidow - Wellington
-
Jacob Pierce - Auckland
-
Marino Mikaele-Tu'u - Hawke’s Bay
-
Kemara Hauiti-Parapara - Wellington
-
Thomas Umaga-Jensen - Wellington
-
Caleb Clarke - Auckland
Four players will get their first start in the tournament. Carlos Price (ankle) and Brayden Ennor (knee) were not considered due to injury.http://www.allblacks.com/News/30739/nz-under-20-team-named-for-oceania-decider
-
-
They've done what they said before the tournament, that is, giving everyone game time and starts; so this is not necessarily the strongest line-up.
I'm not sold on Jacobson, but with him being the captain, I can understand they've made an exception for him and are giving him 3 starts. Just a pity this means that Mikaele-Tu'u is on the bench.
Had forgotten that Enari is in the squad; he wasn't in the line-ups for Fiji and Samoa. As he's already played Mitre 10 Cup (and one SR game), he should be up to it. Will be interesting to see how he compares with Price. Also looking forward to seeing how the halves combo between Enari and Falcon works.
Also, finally a chance to have another look at Walker-Leawere, who's now in the starting line-up.
Didn't expect McKay at the right wing; don't know anything about him, what's his preferred position? Or is he a utility back?
