2018 New Zealand U20s
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I have the same views on it. Plummer's kicking from hand was average to poor, and this helped the Aussies to maintain the pressure on the boys in black.
Fa'ingaanuku is a big loss since he was the main attacking threat of the team. Clarke was good but miles away from last year's performances. -
When is semi?
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@toddy thanks much
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France U20 looked vulnerable to SA’s brute strength but I reckon they can beat our U20s. Should be a cracking game.
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Team named on World Rugby website:
LineupsNumia Thomas Mafile'o McWhannell Tucker Riedlinger-Kapa (C) Christie Flanders Roe Plummer Clarke Gregory Proctor Sullivan KoroiSubstitutes
Jackson Asi Uluilakepa Tremain Sotutu Renton Trask SpowartThis gives NZ an extremely potent bench. Bit surprised with the starting choices for front row, 6, 10 and 12 though.
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More info:
Rob Cobb (ankle) has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament and has been replaced by Waikato’s Ollie Norris. Ngane Punivai and Quinn Tupaea have also joined the team as injury replacements.
Coach Craig Philpott has named a relatively unchanged line up with Xavier Numia replacing the injured Rob Cobb, while Will Tucker and Xavier Roe are promoted from the bench.
“Will Tucker comes in at lock and gives us a bit of extra height, we’ve been impressed with his performances in the first two games and he came off the bench against Australia and added good impact.
“There was a real headache at nine, because we have two players who are both in really good form. But for this game against France, with the style of rugby we want to play, we think Xavier (Roe) is our best suited halfback,” said Philpott.
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So, we can assume they will play a 'territory' game, with clever high-kicking to put the french under pressure, and sniping bursts besides the breakdown. Seems sensible when our midfield has not been all that incisive. Looking forward to it!
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@arhs said in 2018 New Zealand U20s:
So, we can assume they will play a 'territory' game, with clever high-kicking to put the french under pressure, and sniping bursts besides the breakdown. Seems sensible when our midfield has not been all that incisive. Looking forward to it!
Yep. Renton has the better pass but Roe's box kicking was very good in the Welsh game.
What do you know about Ollie Norris? I assume he is a LH (Kaho being a TH) as he wasn't in the list (above) of players at the development camp.
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day NZ date NZT Local match where stage watch/results Wed 13 June 12.00am 2.00pm* Wales v Argentina Narbonne 5th place SF Duke Wed 13 June 2.00am 4.00pm* Ireland v Scotland Perpignan 9th place SF Wed 13 June 2.30am 4.30pm* Italy v Australia Narbonne 5th place SF Duke Wed 13 June 4.30am 6.30pm* Georgia v Japan Perpignan 9th place SF Wed 13 June 5.00am 7.00pm* England v S Africa Narbonne SF Duke Wed 13 June 7.00am 9.00pm* NZ v France Perpignan SF Duke Duke: on tv and online at https://www.tvnz.co.nz/livetv/tvnz-duke or World Rugby YouTube (geo-blocked in NZ).
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England win the first semi final 32-31. Huge 2nd half from SA but it wasn't enough. England were pretty cynical on defence and the ref was reluctant to card them until the 74th minute.
Was a good game to watch. One noticeably thing that both teams were doing was the halfback having their hands on the ball for a long period before passing from the ruck. It's fucken frustrating to watch and I can't say it's something I enjoy about the game nowadays.
Halfbacks were/are generally the biggest fluffy bunnies and it was always fun trying to smash them as soon as their hands were on the ball.
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Early we looked a little outgunned, very physical running from French. We looked rushed in backs.
