New Zealand under 20

Immenso Rapido

Sam Nock looks the goods, big time. I love the A Smith style halfbacks that have back into fashion.

tubbyj

NZ captain Jacobson looks a little similar to Richie McCaw in appearance.

MiketheSnow

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="585606" data-time="1465353076">
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Hopefully Japan can keep their hands on him. 
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Commited now. Japan doesn't have an 'A' side.

Bones

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="tubbyj" data-cid="585685" data-time="1465382738">
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NZ captain Jacobson looks a little similar to Richie McCaw in appearance.
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<img src="http://media.allblacks.com/dnaImages/PlayersSecondary/p2223.jpg" alt="p2223.jpg">

RoninWC

Just watching the replay last night, not finished the game but into the 2nd half, and I'm very impressed the Jordie Barrett. He just looks so composed a great pass and vision and looks to have some pace... I think we are looking at a future All Black 1st 5/8. And his kicking, damn those first 2 conversions were just sweet.
 
Sorry Beauden but your youngest Bro looks a more complete package.
 
Could be that we could see in the not too distant future a AB lineup that includes 3 Barrett brothers, Jordie at 1st 5/8, Scott at lock and Beauden still coming off the bench as the 10/15 reserve.
 
Nock also looks the goods, good passing and reasonable decision making and even resembles Aaron of the Smiths.
 
They look a more composed team in this match when compared to their last trial match against the Aussies.

taniwharugby

I went to a Smallblacks coaching clinic being run by Nocks father, and a couple of tidbits emphasized how hard Sam has worked to get to where he is and some of the basic passing drills he did growing up to hone his skills.

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="586042" data-time="1465517128">
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I went to a Smallblacks coaching clinic being run by Nocks father, and a couple of tidbits emphasized how hard Sam has worked to get to where he is and some of the basic passing drills he did growing up to hone his skills.
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I know that Canterbury/Crusaders tried really hard to sign Nock last year, but he has too much loyalty to Northland.
 
Gotta respect an attitude like that

taniwharugby

I had heard that his Dad suggested it might be better for his career if he played elsewhere, which I can sadly understand and appreciate (true or not)

RoninWC

So has Nock committed to any of the SR franchises as yet?
 
I think he would be a great asset to a building Blues side :good:

taniwharugby

he is in year 1 of a 3 year contract with the Blues he signed prior to playing ITM Cup....has had time for the Blues dev side this year, might have even been on the bench for the Blues in one game???

RoninWC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="586056" data-time="1465518605">
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he is in year 1 of a 3 year contract with the Blues he signed prior to playing ITM Cup....has had time for the Blues dev side this year, might have even been on the bench for the Blues in one game???
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Ah that is great news. And now that you mention it, I do have a hazy recollection of him on the bench for one of the Blues matches.
 
Looks quite the talent and that he is very committed to putting in the hard work, hope he keeps that up.
 
Now to find a good a 5/8.

Stargazer

<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/80921130/georgian-player-on-biting-charge-from-loss-to-new-zealand-at-world-under20-rugby-championship'>Georgian player banned for nine weeks after biting New Zealand star at world under-20 rugby championship</a>

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="586056" data-time="1465518605">
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he is in year 1 of a 3 year contract with the Blues he signed prior to playing ITM Cup....has had time for the Blues dev side this year, might have even been on the bench for the Blues in one game???
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Yup played the last 5 mins against the Hurricanes.
 
Hope to see more of him for the Blues before the seasons out now that Bryn Hall is leaving.

Dice

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="RoninWC" data-cid="586055" data-time="1465518538">
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So has Nock committed to any of the SR franchises as yet?
 
I think he would be a great asset to a building Blues side :good:
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Nock will be with the Blues until 2019. Other youngsters like Akira Ioane, Rieko Ioane, Jordan Trainor, TJ Faiane and Blake Gibson are also locked in with the Blues until 2019.
 
Signing this lot for that long is massive for the Blues.

mimic

Still not sold on Faiane.. I feel hes still too small, and he doesnt have the punch that Sammy Tuitupou had.. but he still has time to develop size.. i can see he is a smart player..

Daffy Jaffy

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mimic" data-cid="586170" data-time="1465559794">
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Still not sold on Faiane.. I feel hes still too small, and he doesnt have the punch that Sammy Tuitupou had.. but he still has time to develop size.. i can see he is a smart player.. 
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Faiane is listed at 92kgs and 1.84m which is heavier and taller than Ryan Crotty. At only 20 and having spent all this year in the gym he will no doubt be heavier and stronger again next season. I wonder if he will be fit in time to see any npc time for Auckland? If he stayed fit this year he may have seen time at 12 for the Blues after Rangers injury. I rate his game reading and ball playing skills highly and see him as the long term 2nd pivot for the Blues from 12.

Bovidae

3 changes in the backline for the Irish game.
 
1. Ayden Johnstone 2. Leni Apisai (C) 3. Sosefo Kautai 4. Quinten Strange 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere 6. Luke Jacobson 7. Mitchell Jacobson 8. Marino Mikaele-Tuâ€™u 9. Sam Nock 10. Stephen Perofeta 11. Malo Tuitama 12. Jordie Barrett 13. Patelesio Tomkinson 14. Shaun Stevenson 15. Jordan Trainor Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua 17. Sean Paranihi 18. Alex Fidow 19. Hamish Dalzell 20. Dalton Papaliâ€™I 21. Jonathan Taumateine 22. TJ Vaâ€™a 23. Jonah Lowe

mimic

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Daffy Jaffy" data-cid="586175" data-time="1465563925">
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Faiane is listed at 92kgs and 1.84m which is heavier and taller than Ryan Crotty. At only 20 and having spent all this year in the gym he will no doubt be heavier and stronger again next season. I wonder if he will be fit in time to see any npc time for Auckland? If he stayed fit this year he may have seen time at 12 for the Blues after Rangers injury. I rate his game reading and ball playing skills highly and see him as the long term 2nd pivot for the Blues from 12.
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I'm 1.8m and I'm definitely taller than him.. I take those stats with a grain of salt..
Maybe it was a typo and it was meant to be 1.74m.. but yes, like i said.. smart player.. just need to wait for him to develop some size and strength
 
 
edit: unless he's grown 10cm.. so i may be wrong D:

Stargazer

Wow, great try from Jordie Barrett! He converts his own try: 7-3 to NZ after 7 minutes

Stargazer

NZ giving away too many penalties. Fortunately, Ireland not each time opting to take the points, otherwise NZ would be behind. It's 7-6 after 16 minutes.

The Silver Fern

New Zealand under 20