2018 New Zealand U20s

[Stargazer]

Great conversion. 7 - 16 France

At least the donut is gone.

[Stargazer]

Arggghhh, so close to a second try. Knock-on Ricky Jackson.

[Billy Tell]

What a dropped pass

[Stargazer]

Spowart on for Koroi. Tremain on as well.

[Billy Tell]

French forwards > NZ forwards. That’s basically the difference

[Stargazer]

Full time: NZ 7 - 16 France

Congratulations to France. A well-deserved win. We simply weren't good enough.

[Billy Tell]

That dropped pass was critical. 14-16 we could have set for a DG.

[Bovidae]

NZ were totally dominated for 70 mins and our key playmakers (Plummer and Koroi) were very poor in that period.

I thought Thomas and McWhannell were the pick of the forwards but once again the NZ scrum was demolished when the reserve props came on. Same old story. And the French dominated the collisions.

Trask needs to start at 10 and move Plummer to 12 in the 3rd/4th playoff.

I'd like France to win the tourney but with their injuries England will probably be champs.

[ARHS]

@bovidae

Agreed on that synopsis. We needed more direction and accuracy from Plummer and Koroi in the first half. To be honest, we were lucky to only be down 16-0. But, I thought super games from Thomas and McWhannell.

[footy01]

The commentator said that the 10 for France played with Nonu and fekitoa for Toulon. I wonder with so many NZ players over in France, it helps with those top young French players who are amongst them

[Billy Tell]

Not too disappointed. Sometimes you simply face a better side.

[JK]

That was woeful!

Had us -5.5 as last leg of a multi! I thought the england vs SA was the scary leg but this ughhhh!

[Stargazer]

@footy01 I read an article, or heard an interview (I can't remember) recently in which they discussed the huge impact the presence of so many NZ players (particularly former ABs) had on young French players in the Top 14. They said these young players were like sponges. Instead of criticising the big number of AB retirees in the Top 14, they said they should cherish it because there was so much learning opportunity from the best in the game. I remember specifically guys like Carter, Conrad Smith and Vito being mentioned.

[Billy Tell]

Love French rugby and their fans. They respect nz rugby and expect a physical game.

[Stargazer]

@billy-tell said in 2018 New Zealand U20s:

Love French rugby and their fans. They respect nz rugby and expect a physical game.

Aye? I've seen plenty of French fans moaning about these "violent Baby Blacks" on a French forum. And so much resentment as well. I think they're happier about beating a NZ team than about reaching the final.

[Stargazer]

Today's results below:

:::

9th place semis:
Ireland 29 - 45 Scotland
Georgia 24 - 22 Japan

5th place semis:
Wales 15 - 39 Argentina
Italy 15 - 44 Australia

Semi-Final
England 32 - 31 S Africa
New Zealand 7 - 16 France

:::

.

The Finals are on Sunday morning NZ time.

[98blueandgold]

Agree that really the better team won. We had no go forward and therefore backs looked poor, although they were poor in general. Some stars in that French team though. We really missed Telea'a and Fiaanganukus go forward today, backs just shovelled it.

[Stargazer]

[NTA]

[antipodean]

One day a NZ U20 coach will select a front row for its scrummaging prowess first and foremost. And that front row will demand the other five keep their backs straight and push.