2017 New Zealand U20s

[Bovidae]

I think the 2nd half struggles will be a good thing preparing for the final.

NZ need to work on discipline and defending mauls/lineout drives.

[mimic]

I missed the whole first half..
In the little bits I watched he knocked the ball on twice (got called once), and he got held up, and then he slipped when going for a run.. but like I said, every time I tune in to watch he always makes an error.. maybe I shouldn't watch the final

His goal kicking and kicking for touch was great

[Stargazer]

@mimic Sounds like you only saw the errors and didn't see the good stuff. He had a good game with just those few errors. Hardly a reason to say he didn't play well.

[Billy Tell]

Anyone got highlights?

[Stargazer]

@Billy-Tell

Highlights:

[KiwiMurph]

That behind-the-back ball from Falcon was sensational.

[Chris B.]

That hooker, Aumua, looks a real prospect.

Sort of guy who could get Wellington out of the Second Division!

[Rapido]

Sounds like a Twickenham 99 come back from the French!

I watched about the first 25 mins during my breakfast: France were a shambles at that stage.

Glad NZ were put under pressure. Flakiness can provide good learning experiences.

[Billy Tell]

Speaking of Wayne Barnes, that first NZ try was off a fairly clear forward pass.

And what was Carlos Spencer doing playing for the U20s. Haven't seen that sort of cheeky pass in a while.

Some nice French tries in the 2nd 40.

[Mokey]

I was delighted to see the Baby Blacks made the final, after the nonsense after the haka at the start (good on the ref for keeping his cool while they were wasting time staring at each other) Excellent first half, that first try with that flick pass was great. Troubling in the second half though, when you are up 36-0, you should be burying the body.

[Margin_Walker]

Sets up an interesting final, with Eng U20s sneaking past SA in the other semi. England have probably over performed this year given the players unavailable. Also not a vintage year for the tight 5, so would expect NZ to have too much in the final, but you never know.

Number 8 Zach Mercer (son of Kiwi RL player Gary) and FH Max Mailins the pick of the England players likely to be involved.

[ACT Crusader]

That was a fun game to watch other than that YC from the French flanker. Red mist moment.

Our captain has some good pace for a blindside. Chased down that Fench back on the counter attack.

We mixed up the showtime with some really solid footy. France played the last 25-30 minutes with better accuracy at the collision. Better kicking game than ours in the 2nd half.

Watched that England v Baby Boks game and both of those sides play similar to France. Impressed through the tournament by England's loose forwards. If we keep the ball alive and play a good support game, I like our chances.

[Margin_Walker]

England Team for the final. Couple more out with injury following the SA game, but it does mean that Umaga makes his first JWC start at 12

England U20: 15. Tom Parton (London Irish), 14. Darren Atkins (Bath Rugby), 13. Will Butler (Worcester Warriors), 12. Jacob Umaga (Wasps), 11. Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins), 10. Max Malins (Saracens), 9. Harry Randall (Gloucester Rugby), 1. Ralph Adams-Hale (Saracens), 2. Joe Mullis (Gloucester Rugby), 3. Ciaran Knight (Gloucester Rugby), 4. Josh Caulfield (Exeter Chiefs), 5. Jack Nay (Saracens), 6. Dino Lamb (Harlequins), 7. Ben Earl (Saracens), 8. Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby) captain.

Replacements: 16. Henry Walker (Gloucester Rugby), 17. Ollie Dawe (Bristol Rugby), 18. Alex Seville (Gloucester Rugby), 19. Justin Clegg (Worcester Warriors), 20. Josh Bayliss (Bath Rugby), 21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints), 22. James Grayson (Northampton Saints), 23. Paolo Odogwu (Sale Sharks).

[Number 10]

New Zealand team for the Final.

Tiaan Falcon ruled out with concussion suffered in the semi-final, so Stephen Perofeta has been rushed over.

The team is:

1. Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Auckland

2. Asafo Aumua, Wellington

3. Pouri Rakete-Stones, Hawke’s Bay

4. Isaia Walker-Leawere, Wellington

5. Samuel Slade, Auckland

6. Luke Jacobson (C), Waikato

7. Dalton Papali'i, Auckland

8. Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Hawke’s Bay

9. Ereatara Enari (VC), Canterbury

10. Stephen Perofeta, Taranaki

11. Caleb Clarke, Auckland

12. Orbyn Leger, Counties Manukau

13. Braydon Ennor, Canterbury

14. Tima Fainga'anuku, Ta$man

15. Will Jordan, Ta$man

16. JP Sauni, Auckland

17. Harrison Allan, Canterbury

18. Alex Fidow, Wellington

19. Sam Caird, Waikato

20. Tom Christie, Canterbury

21. Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Wellington

22. Tamati Tua, Northland

23. Josh McKay, Canterbury

[Stargazer]

@Number-10 That's a huge disappointment for the young lad.

Edit: bad birthday present for him; if my info is correct, it's his 20th birthday tomorrow.

[Rapido]

I thought they were very thin for 10 cover.

Probably the worse injury for the squad to cope with.

Perofeta will be a bit jet lagged. Wonder when he got called over? Can only be days.

Other than this, the squad have been very fortunate with injuries. Almost unchanged 15s over the 4, now 5, games.

[Stargazer]

@Rapido Perofeta arrived on Friday. They must have brought him over straight away after the semi. I think they lost two other players, including promising prop Tim Farrell. Fortunately for Farrell, he's young enough to be eligible again next year.

[Rapido]

They lost an openside, I think that is Farrell.

Only 1 by my count. Had a remarkably smooth run.

[Stargazer]

@Rapido No, Ryan Coxon has been replaced as well for the final by Alex Mitchell from Taranaki. Also flown in, apparently. Not in the 23 though.

[Stargazer]

http://www.allblacks.com/News/30986/new-zealand-under-20-team-named-for-world-championship-final