New Zealand under 20
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<p>Thinking of the future of NZ U20s, I was wondering whether the team shouldn't get more games than the two against the Aussies before they go to the JWC. The six nations countries have a clear advantage that they play more tests each year. Maybe our U20 team should play more often, too?</p>
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<p>Then I suddenly remembered, that the Aussi Super Rugby teams have U20 sides as well; not sure, but I think this is the first season with a Super U20 comp in Oz. This will be benefit the future Aussi U20 team as well as the SR franchises. Shouldn't NZ have something similar? The development teams of the NZ Super franchises play a random number of games at the beginning of the season (until club rugby starts), and their squads consist of Super Rugby players of any age who haven't made it into the main squad and who need game time. So basically, these development teams are not development teams but reserve teams. It could be good for the development of young talent if the Super franchises had actual development teams for U20 players.</p>
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<p>I do not know the ins and outs of the current age grade squads of SR franchises (like which age grades there are, who are in it etc), but they aren't playing in a real competition, are they? I'm not aware of a few random games they play against each other.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="588919" data-time="1466135831">
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<p>I see your point, but it's kind of nice seeing these guys play for their clubs on the weekends.</p>
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<p>Taking them out only further devalues an already struggling area of New Zealand rugby.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="588920" data-time="1466135977">
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<p>I'm of the opinion that copping a bit of a kicking from the older club guys might occasionally stand the U20 blokes in better stead.</p>
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<p>But it really depends <em>where</em> they play club rugby.</p>
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<p>Yes, good points. I have also no idea how many games the U20 Super sides play in Oz. Do you know more about that NTA?</p>
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<p>Was just wondering whether and how improvements can be made to prepare these young players better for the JWC. I think a few trial camps per year without real games aren't enough but what else can they do? An U20 Rugby Championship with Oz, SA and Arg?</p> -
NZ vs Wales in the playoff game, jeez I hope as a Welshman it's a different result. It'd be nice for one Welsh side to get a victory at some point this summer ! <br>
I wonder if our selectors are regretting leaving out our standout player centre Owen Watkin ? He was left out to concentrate on his fitness for the coming season. Probably means bulking up & getting slower ! I despair at times. -
<p>NZ line-up for the 5th place semi-final against Wales (Tue, 2.15am NZT):</p>
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<div>1. Sean Paranihi 2. Leni Apisai (C) 3. Sosefo Kautai 4. Quinten Strange 5. Hamish Dalzell 6. Luke Jacobson 7. Mitchell Jacobson 8. Hapakuki Moala Liava’a</div>
<div>9. Sam Nock 10. Stephen Perofeta 11. Jonah Lowe 12. Jordie Barrett 13. Patelesio Tomkinson 14. Caleb Makene 15. Shaun Stevenson</div>
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<div>Reserves:16. Asafo Aumua 17. Sean Stodart 18. Alex Fidow 19. Isaia Walker-Leawere 20. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u 21. Jonathan Taumateine 22. TJ Va’a </div>
<div>23. Malo Tuitama</div>
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<div>Strange that they move the best forward (Mikaele-Tu'u) to the bench ..</div>
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<div><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/News/29342/five-changes-for-nzu20-for-wales-rematch'>http://www.allblacks.com/News/29342/five-changes-for-nzu20-for-wales-rematch</a></div> -
<p>That's Scott Robertson for yah! Shit selector!!</p>
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<p>Been very disappointed with Mitchell Jacobson. Considering this is his third year, he should be doing a lot better, but outside of the Georgia game, he's been quite poor. Even in his game time in previous years, he's not really been that convincing IMO.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bobily" data-cid="588573" data-time="1466038048">
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<p>I<strong>'d go easy on Apisai, a little</strong>. I was disappointed with him too, but he was pretty good in last years ITM Cup and in last years U20 tournament, if I remember correctly. There could be a number of factors affecting his performance, including focusing too much on the captaincy rather than his own game.</p>
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<p>Why? He is a full time Super Rugby contracted professional and has been for two seasons. Theoretically he should be head and shoulders above the rest of his team.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="589826" data-time="1466372059">
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<p>NZ line-up for the 5th place semi-final against Wales (Tue, 2.15am NZT):</p>
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<div>1. Sean Paranihi 2. Leni Apisai (C) 3. Sosefo Kautai 4. Quinten Strange 5. Hamish Dalzell 6. Luke Jacobson 7. Mitchell Jacobson 8. Hapakuki Moala Liava’a</div>
<div>9. Sam Nock <strong>10. Stephen Perofeta</strong> 11. Jonah Lowe 12. Jordie Barrett 13. Patelesio Tomkinson 14. Caleb Makene 15. Shaun Stevenson</div>
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<div>Reserves:16. Asafo Aumua 17. Sean Stodart 18. Alex Fidow 19. Isaia Walker-Leawere 20. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u 21. Jonathan Taumateine <strong>22. TJ Va’a </strong></div>
<div>23. Malo Tuitama</div>
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<div>Strange that they move the best forward (Mikaele-Tu'u) to the bench ..</div>
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<div><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/News/29342/five-changes-for-nzu20-for-wales-rematch'>http://www.allblacks.com/News/29342/five-changes-for-nzu20-for-wales-rematch</a></div>
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<p>I'm sorry to have to keep harping on about professional players (TJ Va'a) and why some have super rugby contracts but still are not considered worthy of selection at a lower level ahead of a guy who last season played Heartland Championship (Stephen Perofeta). One of either the NZ selectors or the Hurricanes selectors must be held to account for this.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="589975" data-time="1466405248">
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<p>Why? He is a full time Super Rugby contracted professional and has been for two seasons. Theoretically he should be head and shoulders above the rest of his team.</p>
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<p>Because there may be circumstances that we don't know about. For example, he may be injured, and Robertson is still selecting him anyway. I know this was the case for Joe Edwards when he played for the U20s, and wasn't quite a star, as was predicted before the start of the tournament.</p>
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<p>I think he has still shown that he can play well in the past. I'd wait and see if his performances improve in the Mitre 10 Cup.</p> -
<p>I find most of the comments a bit harsh as far as the ABU20 scrum is concerned. It was very stable on NZ feeds, particularly when Kautai was still on the paddock. I think he is one with a bright future in front of him.</p>
<p>But I was massively disappointed by the Jacobson brothers who were never dominant in the contact phases, and by bit Walker Laeware (sp ?) who was walking on the park most of the time. Hopefully it was just a matter of fitness. Apisai was another one who underperformed. I was one of those who think that Riccitelli did better than him for the Canes, early in the season when Coles and Motuu were injured.</p>
<p>The AB forwards were well beaten by their Irish counterparts but it was a collective defeat as man for man, I think the young NZers were the better players. And for that, the coach is the one to blame.</p>
<p>I was also disappointed by Nock and Perofeta, and by the whole backline actually. Barrett was the only one who showed some attacking flair while Stevenson had too few opportunities to shine (awful weather !).</p> -
<p>Woke up about 30 minutes after kick-off, so missed most of the first half. At that time it was already 28-5 to NZ.</p>
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<p>NZ has clearly come to play, but not sure what the Welsh are doing. I understand that NZ's first try was scored within the first minute (by Jonah Lowe). Other try scorers include Dalzell, Stevenson, Moala-Liava'a (according to Welsh Rugby twitter).</p>
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<p>NZ continues dominating in the second half. As I type this, it's 49-5, the last try scored by Makene. All tries converted by Barrett, who's now subbed off.</p> -
<p>Full time: NZL 71 - 12 Wales. NZ to the 5th place final.</p>
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<p>Glad to see the NZ players continued playing in the second half. Tries by Strange, Stevenson, Makene & Tomkinson.</p>
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<p>Jonah Lowe looked injured and was replaced. I think it happened in the lead-up to Strange's try in approx the 55th minute when he was treated at the side-line. He limped a bit after the game.</p> -
Ireland up by 7-0 on Argentina in the first semifinal. Both sets of forwards a match for each other. Argentina more nimble and mobile overall across the park. <br><br>
Ireland making a lot of one hit ups but tiring themselves if they don't alter their approach. Argies smashing into tackles. -
Argentina finally manage to halt the irish attack and win scrum. They attack down the right and inside the Irish 22. Max Deegan the Irish No 8 picks off a pass and runs 60 metres to score in the left corner. Conversion goes over. <br><br>
14-0. 25 minutes gone. <br><br>
And Ireland immediately give away a penalty in their 22. Argies kick for lineout. They take and drive. Ireland penalised for collapsing the maul. Argies kick for lineout, take and drive. Ireland hold them out even as both Argentine wingers join the push. Ireland win a scrum. <br><br>
And Argentina penalised. Great relieving kick takes it up to halfway. Ireland receive their throw and ball goes out as Ireland attack. Fast handling between the back three with Stockdale bursting down the touch line and over under the posts. <br><br>
21-0 after 30 minutes. -
Ireland scrum now getting on top of the Argies as they win a penalty on the halfway mark. <br><br>
They win the ensuing lineout and the attack goes right and then left. <br><br>
A pass drops and Argentina hack out to clear. They gain a penalty and kick well for touch 10m out from try line. They take and the ball comes out and take Ireland by surprise and the fly half dinks for the centre to touch down under the posts. <br><br>
21-7 on 39'minutes. -
Carolan won't be happy with his team conceding a score just before the break when they were on top for most of the first half. <br><br>
Ireland contesting better at breakdown and their back line has been more lively. <br><br>
Expect an increase in tempo from Argentina after the break. If the lads can weather the initial burst and get another score it could start to put the mental pressure on. <br><br>
France are 12-7 ahead against Japan at halftime
