New Zealand under 20

? Offline

The Oceania U20 Tournament this year is just two matches against Australia.
 
Last year it was a four-way round robin also with Japan and Samoa

bobily

Oh well. It is still better than the no matches we used to have. I think a proper 5/6 game tournament would probably be ideal, though (it would help to match what the NH teams get, and mean the starting lineup can begin to gel while players can also be rotated in and out).

mimic

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Number 10" data-cid="574608" data-time="1461532698">
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The Oceania U20 Tournament this year is just two matches against Australia.
 
Last year it was a four-way round robin also with Japan and Samoa 
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</blockquote>
 
 
how is that a tournament? lol

Higgins

If anyone discovers a link to somewhere showing coverage (live or delayed) could they post it on here as I have had an enquiry from the grandmother of one of the players involved wanting to watch her grandson play.

Canes4life

How does this side compare with previous 20s side??? Forwards look a little weak.
It will be hard to top the 2011 squad who had 12 players graduate to the All Blacks.
 
 
There is a lot of talent in this team with Fidow, Kean, Apisai, Walker-Leawere, Mikaele Tuu, Aumua, Umaga Jensen, Nock, Va'a, Lowe, Tuitama, Trainor likely to pursue Super Rugby careers.
 
Our best starting team from the Oceania Squad would probably be: (Help me fill in the gaps)
1. Mason Kean
2. Leni Apisai
3. Alex Fidow
4. Isaia Walker-Leawere
5. ??
6. Luke Jacobson ??
7. Mitchell Jacobson (However im not too familiar with the other loosies)
8. Marino Makaele Tuu
9. Sam Nock
10. TJ Va'a
11. Jonah Lowe
12. Patelesio Tomkinson
13. Peter Umaga Jensen
14. Malo Tuitama
15. Jordan Trainor
Reserves: 
16. Asafo Aumua
17. Ayden Johnstone
18. Shaun Stodart
19. ??
20. ??
21. Jonothan Taumateine 
22. Jordie Barrett
23. Mason Emerson

bobily

I'd say that Dalzell will likely start at lock, and I'd personally pick Moala-Liava'a at blindside. He did very well carrying the ball for North Harbour in the ITM Cup. Hoeata probably isn't a bad lock/blindside option off the bench, and Papali'i or Jacobson can then cover openside.
 
That backline is probably pretty accurate. I'd go for Emerson over Lowe. I think Perofeta sounds like he is pretty good, so it'd be nice to fit him in somewhere, but it isn't looking easy.

bobily

In comparison to other sides, I think there is a lot of talent there (probably more than than 2012-13 sides). However, a lot of them are a year younger (our team for next year should dominate, in my opinion) so there might still be a way to go, particularly in the forwards.
 
It is hard to tell how we are going to do without having some gauge to go off of. If our forwards can get good ball then I think we can be reasonably confident that the backline (with Stevenson to come in) can run rings around most defenses. However, getting good ball is never guaranteed. Given the extra emphasis that has been put on making sure players are big and strong, I'd say that we should be able to hold our own against most packs, but that is really guessing.

? Offline

I also would go Stephen Perofeta to start at 10 (instead of Va'a) and Mason Emerson on the wing (instead of Lowe) 
 
For Mitchell Jacobson it will be his third year in the Under 20's - he was under 20 on January 1, turned 20 on January 13.
 
Also in the Under 20's last year were Leni Apisai and Hamish Dalzell.
 
12 of the squad played first-class provincial rugby last year:
Mason Kean (Hawke's Bay)
Leni Apisai (Wellington)
Isaia Walker-Leawere (Poverty Bay)
Mitchell Jacobson (Waikato)
Sam Nock (Northland)
Hapakuki Moala-Liava'a (North Harbour)
Stephen Perofeta (Wanganui)
Palelesio Tomkinson (Otago)
Jonah Lowe (Hawke's Bay)
Malo Tuitama (Wellington)
Mason Emerson (Hawke's Bay)
Jordan Trainor (Waikato)

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Number 10" data-cid="574724" data-time="1461574390">
<div>
I also would go Stephen Perofeta to start at 10 (instead of Va'a) and Mason Emerson on the wing (instead of Lowe) 
 
For Mitchell Jacobson it will be his third year in the Under 20's - he was under 20 on January 1, turned 20 on January 13.
 
Also in the Under 20's last year were Leni Apisai and Hamish Dalzell.
 
12 of the squad played first-class provincial rugby last year:
Mason Kean (Hawke's Bay)
Leni Apisai (Wellington)
Isaia Walker-Leawere (Poverty Bay)
Mitchell Jacobson (Waikato)
Sam Nock (Northland)
Hapakuki Moala-Liava'a (North Harbour)
Stephen Perofeta (Wanganui)
Palelesio Tomkinson (Otago)
Jonah Lowe (Hawke's Bay)
Malo Tuitama (Wellington)
Mason Emerson (Hawke's Bay)
Jordan Trainor (Waikato)
</div>
</blockquote>
 
TJ Va'a is a Super Rugby squad member, that's why I have him in there. Haven't seen much of Steven Perofeta.

bobily

He played for the Heartland XV, as well as Wanganui and received a lot of praise from his coaches. They talked about how much time he had, in particular. I'd still be starting Va'a but I'd love to see him get game time at some point. He should be playing for Taranaki at some point later this year.

Canes4life

Isaia Walker-Leawere and TJ Va'a were absent from the teams meet up in Auckland. I know Va'a was injured playing for Wanui so maybe he has been ruled for a lengthy period. As for Walker-Leawere it looks like Lui Luamanu has come in for him.

Canes4life

20s Team named:
 
1 Ayden Johnstone 2 Leni Apisai, captain 3 Pouri Rakete-Stones 4 Quinten Strange 5 Sam Caird 6 Luke Jacobson 7 Mitch Jacobson 8 Marino Mikaele-Tuâ€™u 9 Sam Nock 10 Stephen Perofeta 11 Mason Emerson 12 Jordie Barrett 13 Patelesio Tomkinson 14 Jonah Lowe 15 Peter Umaga-Jensen Reserves 16 Asafo Aumua 17 Shaun Stodart 18 Alex Fidow 19 Lui Luamanu 20 Dalton Papaliâ€™i 21 Ereatara Enari 22 Orbyn Leger 23 Josh Mckay

Tim

Named for what?

leytonandamanda

To play Australia 
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leytonandamanda

Good side 
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Stargazer

Australia Under 20 v NZ Under 20
 
Tuesday, 3 May - Bond University, Gold Coast - Kick-off 8.30pm NZT (6.30pm AEST)
 
Livestream:
 
[media]

Higgins

Screening live now on <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.oceaniarugby.com/'>http://www.oceaniarugby.com/</a>

leytonandamanda

Poor quality from both sides so far 
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Canes4life

Average game. Plenty of work to do for NZ before they head over to England!!

bobily

I didn't get to watch, unfortunately. Any players stand out?

The Silver Fern

New Zealand under 20