2023 New Zealand U20s
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WR U20 Championship dates and locations:
Cape Town and the Western Cape (South Africa) from 24 June-14 July 2023.Draw NZ U20s (dates & k/o times are NZT):
- Monday 26 June 2023, 2.00am (Paarl): v Wales
- Thursday 29 June 2023, 11.30pm (Paarl): v France
- Thursday 6 July 2023, 2.00am (Paarl): v Japan
NZ will need to finish in the top 4 to be able to progress to the final. That's going to be tough with France in our pool. That game will also kick-off at 1.30pm. What's the weather like that time of the year?
Full draw: https://www.world.rugby/tournaments/u20
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This is from World Rugby's media release about the WR U20 Championship and Trophy.
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World Rugby U20 tournaments return for the first time since 2019
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Pools and match schedules have been unveiled for both tournaments
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African continent to host two influential men’s age-grade competitions
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The U20 Championship, featuring the best 12 U20 nations in the world, will take place in Cape Town and the Western Cape (South Africa) from 24 June-14 July
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South Africa will host the U20 Championship two years in a row (2023 and 2024)
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The U20 Trophy will be contested by eight teams in Nairobi (Kenya) from 15-30 July
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World Rugby continues its U20 investment to increase rugby’s competitiveness globally
South Africa will host the World Rugby U20 Championship for the next two years (2023 and 2024). The 2023 edition will be the second time that South Africa welcomes the future stars of the game after 2012 when the Junior Springboks won on home soil. The age-grade tournament will be held from 24 June-14 July. Played over five match days in the Western Cape Wineland regions of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Wellington, the world’s best 12 nations have been placed into three pools and will all hope to clinch the coveted title and succeed two-time defending champions France. The team finishing last will be relegated to the World Rugby U20 Trophy next year.
The World Rugby U20 Championship 2023 participating teams are: Argentina, Australia, England, Fiji, France, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and Wales.
No explanation in the media release as to why the tournament is held in South Africa, both in 2023 and 2024. I find it strange, to say the least.
Following the U20 Championship’s conclusion, Kenya will host the World Rugby U20 Trophy 2023 for the second time from 15-30 July, having previous staged the tournament in 2009. It will be the third time the tournament has been played in Africa with Zimbabwe having acted as hosts in 2016. Eight teams will battle over four match days at the Nyayo National Stadium with the eventual winner being promoted the U20 Championship in 2024.
The World Rugby U20 Trophy 2023 participating teams are: Scotland (relegated from the U20 Championship in 2019), Kenya (hosts), Hong Kong (Asia), Samoa (Oceania), Spain (Europe), Uruguay (South America) and two teams still to qualify through regional competition from North America and Africa.
World Rugby U20 tournaments return to Africa in 2023 | World Rugby
The World Rugby U20 Championship and U20 Trophy return for the first time since the pandemic with the tournaments hosted in South Africa (24 June-14 July) and Kenya (15-30 July) respectively.
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Really? Surely there are plenty of other coaches who are better options.
Laidlaw to lead New Zealand Under 20s
All Black Sevens Head Coach Clark Laidlaw is set to make his return to the fifteen aside format after being confirmed as the New Zealand Under 20 Head Coach to lead them through to the 2023 World Rugby Under 20 Championship in South Africa later this year.
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 July -
It's disappointing that there won't be a full Oceania U20 Championship, this year, with games not just against Australia, but also Argentina and Fiji. I really liked the tournament last year. Now, there's only one opponent in the preparation for the JWC. I wonder why, particularly, Fiji has been left out. They also need the preparation.
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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 -
New Zealand Under 20 Squad:
New Zealand Under 20 wider squad announced
The 2023 New Zealand Under 20 wider squad of 38 players has been selected by Head Coach Clark Laidlaw and Assistants Marty Bourke and Wesley Clarke after a comprehensive player identification process including the Bunnings Warehouse Super Rugby U20 tournament held in Taupō.
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.
Laidlaw to lead New Zealand Under 20s
All Black Sevens Head Coach Clark Laidlaw is set to make his return to the fifteen aside format after being confirmed as the New Zealand Under 20 Head Coach to lead them through to the 2023 World Rugby Under 20 Championship in South Africa later this year.
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.
