NZ U19s

[OomPB]

The Viljoens

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0s4GTGYzGUumA5E4nVtZjqmjQ6nXfsG6BXcST56uXshkoKutV9rQ6MJkMux1PLC8cl&id=100030320898810

[OomPB]

@Stargazer starts in 15 mins

[Stargazer]

Lions Juniors Invitational that will be on duty against the New Zealand U19 Team at Emirates Airline Park.

14:30

Free

Emirates Airline Park

📺 https://bit.ly/3M38W4e

[Stargazer]

Livestream has started (1.15am). The game hasn't kicked off, yet.

[Stargazer]

It looks very hot in Jo'burg. @OomPB, any idea what the temperature is?

[Stargazer]

Great first try to Essendon Tuitupou.

[Stargazer]

Bad passing has cost us a few opportunities. First Viljoen throwing that intercepted pass, and now whoever tried to pass to Flanders.

[Stargazer]

And now a bad pass creating an opportunity for the Junior Lions.

[Stargazer]

Our no. 8, Semisi Ta’eiloa is a bit prone to giving away penalties. I noticed it in a previous game, too. NZ under a warning now.

[Stargazer]

Good try scored by the Lions' no. 7; even better grubber kick from their 10. No cover from NZ at the back.

[Stargazer]

Arrggh. Another bad pass. So sloppy. Fast is good, but only if you can actually throw the ball to a team mate.

[Stargazer]

Essendon Tuitupou scores his second. Defence absent.

[Stargazer]

Haha, the commentator saying that the video of the game will help the South Africans prepare for the U20 RWC next year. Not sure who our U20 coach is (is that Hammett, too?), but this team is far from the finished product; also, there are some big names missing from the NZ team.

[Stargazer]

Very good try to Ajay Faleafaga.

HT: Junior Lions 5 - 19 NZ U19

[OomPB]

@Stargazer 33 degrees at altitude. It's hot

[Stargazer]

@OomPB Wow, why aren't they playing this game later in the afternoon?

[Stargazer]

I agree with the commentators. This ref is too whistle-happy.

[Stargazer]

The many interruptions having a big effect on this second half. I hope the injured Junior Lion is okay.

[Stargazer]

Another good win from our U19s, although the score should have been much higher. Ball handling - particularly in the first half - let the NZ team down.

All in all, a good tour, but only one game where the opposition really was strong enough to make them work hard. The team assembled on 11 September, so have been together for 3 weeks and 3 days. With more time together, the preparatory U20s camps, I hope we'll have a good U20 team, next year, with hopefully some of the current absentees also in the squad (although some will again be absent due to Super Rugby). Despite this tour, still no idea how strong this team really is (internationally).

Some good off-field lessons for the players, too, with plenty of new experiences. I hope this becomes an annual event, with - hopefully - a few games against stronger opposition, maybe U21 teams? It doesn't matter if they get beaten; they'll learn more from it than from easy games.

The team will fly back to NZ, tomorrow.

[OomPB]

@Stargazer they must schedule it a month earlier and play in the same anual international tournament with France and England.

France and England do this to prepare for u20 six nations.