2017 New Zealand U20s
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@Steven-Harris Mind you, do you think WR really read all the 3.2k comments on the FB post with the nominations? Maybe I'm just cynical, but I never trust things like that.
By the way, I haven't read/heard anything about a tournament team being named. Nothing on their social media or website. Maybe they leave that to real rugby experts, instead of their FB followers?
Yes, I saw that awesome try from the Georgian halfback when he scored it. Fast lad & good stepper.
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Knowledgable crowd in Tblisi, Aumua gets a big applause when he is subbed injured. If that was in nz he would have walked off un acknowledged as the crowd was being subjected to "don't go out in the rain" or "buttercup" some other misery by the PA/DJ to distract us.
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@Steven-Harris said in 2017 New Zealand U20s:
@Stargazer that explains it,apparently they will name a tournament team as well.
One player that looks like he could be an absolute super star,is the halfback from Georgia,that try against the Irish was top draw.Sid Going-esque. He created many opportunities with his running and playmaking.
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@Steven-Harris said in 2017 New Zealand U20s:
A lot is being said about our backs,but if you think back to some of the previous tournaments,our set piece lineout and scrum has always had a question mark next to it.
This years team apart from some early issues negating lineout drives in the main I thought were very solid,would love to see some stats in and around scrum and lineout,the first 3 x scrums including a tighthead set the tone in the final.
Agree with this. But, it is quite hard to pick out individuals in the pack, let alone predict future trajectories.
Front rowers are generally only a year out from schoolboy rules restriction etc.
Last year's soft as butter pack has Quentin Strange now looking excellent at SR level. Etc
That's why I commended the forwards coach further up.
Last year's team had a half with an awesome pass (Nock), Jordie in midfield, Stevenson at the back. But it counts to nought with a back-pedalling pack.
This year's team fairly similar, but with a pack with some backbone.
Good lessons, probably a good lesson for Scott Robertson last year.
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@Rapido said in 2017 New Zealand U20s:
Knowledgable crowd in Tblisi, Aumua gets a big applause when he is subbed injured. If that was in nz he would have walked off un acknowledged as the crowd was being subjected to "don't go out in the rain" or "buttercup" some other misery by the PA/DJ to distract us.
I dunno.. Tongan Thor had a cult following..
Still waiting for Aumua to be dubbed with a nickname.. -
@mimic said in 2017 New Zealand U20s:
@Rapido said in 2017 New Zealand U20s:
Knowledgable crowd in Tblisi, Aumua gets a big applause when he is subbed injured. If that was in nz he would have walked off un acknowledged as the crowd was being subjected to "don't go out in the rain" or "buttercup" some other misery by the PA/DJ to distract us.
I dunno.. Tongan Thor had a cult following..
Still waiting for Aumua to be dubbed with a nickname..According to the Wellington Lions' website, Aumua's nickname is TRAPZ. I have no idea what that means.
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@mimic said in 2017 New Zealand U20s:
@Rapido said in 2017 New Zealand U20s:
Knowledgable crowd in Tblisi, Aumua gets a big applause when he is subbed injured. If that was in nz he would have walked off un acknowledged as the crowd was being subjected to "don't go out in the rain" or "buttercup" some other misery by the PA/DJ to distract us.
I dunno.. Tongan Thor had a cult following..
Still waiting for Aumua to be dubbed with a nickname..This was reference to things like Woodcock coming off injured, unacknowledged, except by a few paying attention, in his 100th test while DJ was applying ye olde must.fill.in.injury.break.with.drunken.singalong.
Not propensity for front rowers in nz to get a cult following. Such as Bull Allen or Stormin' Norman.
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@Stargazer said in 2017 New Zealand U20s:
@mimic said in 2017 New Zealand U20s:
@Rapido said in 2017 New Zealand U20s:
Knowledgable crowd in Tblisi, Aumua gets a big applause when he is subbed injured. If that was in nz he would have walked off un acknowledged as the crowd was being subjected to "don't go out in the rain" or "buttercup" some other misery by the PA/DJ to distract us.
I dunno.. Tongan Thor had a cult following..
Still waiting for Aumua to be dubbed with a nickname..According to the Wellington Lions' website, Aumua's nickname is TRAPZ. I have no idea what that means.
Probably a reference to his trapezius. He is a big unit.
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@Stargazer said in 2017 New Zealand U20s:
@Steven-Harris said in 2017 New Zealand U20s:
A lot is being said about our backs,but if you think back to some of the previous tournaments,our set piece lineout and scrum has always had a question mark next to it.
This years team apart from some early issues negating lineout drives in the main I thought were very solid,would love to see some stats in and around scrum and lineout,the first 3 x scrums including a tighthead set the tone in the final.
Still shaking my head how the South African no 8 Juarno Augustus,with the greatest respect having not seen many of the junior boks games won the player of the tournament.
Yep, I'm totally convinced that this 'player of the tournament' election results in the best player being elected. Who on earth lets followers of a FB page decide? Should have asked a group of rugby experts (from various national backgrounds) instead. Now, it is just who comes from a country with the biggest population and only one nominee. Votes between the two English and between the two NZ nominees were always going to be split. And then probably the best player (Aumua) wasn't even nominated! Ah, well, it's that Cup and gold medals that count anyway.
I've never trusted them, especially since 2011 when Kaino didn't win the player of the year award because they favoured Dusatior on one game when his team lost.