2023 New Zealand U20s
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New Zealand rep escapes drink-driving conviction
A New Zealand under-19 player has side-stepped a drink-driving conviction despite a judge’s concerns it may send the wrong message to the rugby...
Another rep player skips through the court
A New Zealand under-19 player has side-stepped a drink-driving conviction despite a judge’s concerns it may send the wrong message to the rugby community. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa (19) appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday, just days after he had returned from the national under-20 Super Rugby tournament in Taupo where the Highlanders took third place. The back rower, though, began making headlines three years ago while representing Otago Boys’ High School. A 50m try, during which he swatted away 10 would-be tacklers, went viral on national and international websites. Tupou Ta’eiloa went on to represent age-grade teams for Otago, the Highlanders and toured with the NZ under-19 team in South Africa. At 8.44am on July 31 last year, however, he stopped at a police checkpoint in Castle St while driving his father’s car. There were four passengers inside. Tupou Ta’eiloa recorded a breath-alcohol reading of 580mcg — more than twice the adult limit. For under-20s the limit is zero. The defendant told police "he was the most sober out of his friends and he felt he should drive". He said he had been up all night drinking whisky. Judge David Robinson said the court would treat Tupou Ta’eiloa and his application for a discharge without conviction just as it would any other. "It’s often suggested there’s almost a two-tiered justice system. One for people that come from sporting backgrounds or who wish to pursue professional sport, the suggestion effectively that they receive some sort of preferential treatment around drink-driving. "My approach is to consider a sporting career the same as employment. It’s a job you aspire to in the same way someone wants to be a nurse, a doctor or a teacher." Tupou Ta’eiloa received references from his Highlanders under-20s coach Ryan Bambry, another from a New Zealand Rugby development manager and one from his former high-school rector Richard Hall. The judge said it was clear the player had "considerable ability" and was known as someone of high character. A criminal record would mean impediments to international travel and could result in Tupou Ta’eiloa being overlooked by professional teams, counsel Libby Hadlow said. "Clubs are now under a bit more scrutiny than in the past for players’ conduct off the field." Judge Robinson acknowledged there was a drinking culture that went with the sport. "I worry if I do discharge you, I send the wrong message, that rugby players do get a second chance." Tupou Ta’eiloa told the court he would use his recent experience on the Right Track programme (a course targeted at changing driving behaviour) to educate his team-mates about the dangers of drink-driving. The judge asked what he had learned. "Having a plan ... not just for alcohol but for life," Tupou Ta’eiloa said. Judge Robinson granted the discharge but imposed a six-month driving ban. "When you see others drinking and knowing there’s the potential for them to drive, you be the voice of reason, you stand up and give them the benefit of your experience." rob.kidd@odt.co.nz -
https://www.allblacks.com/news/new-zealand-under-20-wider-squad-announced/
New Zealand Under 20 Squad:
Ajay Faleafaga (Otago)
Ben Ake (Auckland)
Bradley Crichton (Wellington)
Caleb Tangitau (Auckland)
Che Clark (Auckland)
Codemeru Vai (Bay of Plenty)
Cody Nordstrom (Waikato)
Cooper Flanders (Hawke’s Bay)
Essendon Tuitupou (Auckland)
Fiti Sa (Taranaki)
Gabe Robinson (Waikato)
Harry Godfrey (Hawke’s Bay)
Hunter Morrison (Hawke’s Bay)
Isaac Hutchinson (Canterbury)
Jack Taylor (Southland)
Jordi Viljoen (Manawatū)
Leo Gordon (Auckland)
Macca Springer ( Ta$man)
Malachi Wrampling-Alec (Waikato)
Malakai Ngatai (Manawatū)
Maliu Niuafe (Auckland)
Nic Shearer (Canterbury)
Noah Hotham ( Ta$man)
Payton Spencer (Auckland)
Peter Lakai (Wellington)
Raymond Tuputupu (Manawatū)
Sam Hainsworth-Fa’aofo (Auckland)
Sean Ralph (Waikato)
Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa (Otago)
Siale Lauaki (Wellington)
Taha Kemara (Waikato)
Tahlor Cahill (Canterbury)
Toby Bell (Canterbury)
Tom Allen (Hawke’s Bay)
Vernon Bason (Manawatū)
Will Martin (Waikato)
Will Stodart (Otago)
Xavi Taele (Auckland)The final squad of 30 for the U20 World Rugby Championship in South Africa will be announced on Monday 5 June
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@Kiwidom said in 2023 New Zealand U20s:
Finn Hurley who was in last year's nz under 20 team hasn't made the cut this year
There are better (and bigger) options at fullback like Tangitau and Springer. Spencer is another with some size.
Also quite a few players chosen who will be eligible again in 2024, so maybe not all make the final squad this year.
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@Bovidae said in 2023 New Zealand U20s:
Really? Surely there are plenty of other coaches who are better options.
https://www.allblacks.com/news/laidlaw-to-lead-new-zealand-under-20s/
The New Zealand Under 20 squad will be named in April.
New Zealand Under 20 Schedule:
Vs. Australia Under 20, Monday 29 May, Wellington
Vs. Australia Under 20, Saturday 3 June, Wellington2023 World Rugby Under 20 Championship
Pool matches:
Vs. Wales Under 20, 24 June, Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl, South Africa
Vs. France Under 20, 29 June, Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl, South Africa
Vs. Japan Under 20, 4 July, Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl, South AfricaKnock-out matches:
Match day 4: Sunday 9 July
Match day 5 (final): Friday 14 JulyYeah. Odd. Saw that today.
Are Super coaches committed until too late?
McMillan? Coventry?Assume NPC coaches in the midst of prepping.
See his ex AB7s manager is managing. Thought I'd kinda got the impression that didn't end well. But maybe not. Perhaps they're a good fit?
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@booboo There is an overlap with SR, so none of them can be involved. The same will apply to NPC coaches and pre-season preparations. NZR does like to recycle coaches.
Edit: Marty Bourke is the Canterbury coach, so it obviously depends for NPC commitments.
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@Tim Maybe not important for professional success, but I know from several players that they value wearing that black jersey. For some, it will be the only black jersey they'll ever wear (or the most senior black jersey, if they've played for NZ Schools).
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Article about Cooper Flanders.
'I got sick of passing the ball': Former halfback's journey to New Zealand U20s as a No 8
The industrious loose forward, selected for the New Zealand Under 20s, prefers to deal in actions rather than words.
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MATCH ONE: NZ U20 v Junior Wallabies - Monday 29 May, 2.00PM (NZST), NZCIS, WELLINGTON
MATCH TWO: NZ U20 v Junior Wallabies – Saturday 3 June, 4.30PM (NZST), Sky Stadium, WELLINGTON-
The second match will be played as a curtain raiser to the Hurricanes v Crusaders and kicks off Saturday 3 June at 4.30PM (NZST), at SKY Stadium. This match will be broadcast live and exclusive on Sky Sport.
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The final New Zealand Under 20 squad of 30 for the World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa will be announced following their second match in Wellington, on Monday 5 June.
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Looks like all the Super Rugby players were at the leadership camp over the last week - Lakai, Springer, Hotham, Godfrey etc so obviously no longer available for their respective Super sides going forward.
Seems like a talented side, hopefully they can do the business.
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@Canes4life said in 2023 New Zealand U20s:
Looks like all the Super Rugby players were at the leadership camp over the last week - Lakai, Springer, Hotham, Godfrey etc so obviously no longer available for their respective Super sides going forward.
Seems like a talented side, hopefully they can do the business.
Isn't Laidlaw still the men's sevens coach? I thought he was at the Toulouse event.
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@kiwi_expat true, maybe this was earlier in the year so in that case ignore the above.
