SF: NZ U20 v France U20
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Good guys in again. 48-31
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@Victor-Meldrew said in SF: NZ U20 v France U20:
Good guys in again. 48-31
Frogs in yet again: 55-21
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There was a huge gap between these two teams, tactically and physically. The fact that the French axis (2-8-9-10) is composed of players who are playing week in and week out in the Top 14 or in the Pro D2 is probably a major factor. None of these NZ players has ever played a Super Rugby game before.
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@cgrant While I'm sure it played a role, I don't think this French side had that much professional experience, apart from the spine as you say. I'm rewatching the game and it just seems the NZ players were surprised by the intensity of the French at the start of the match. It was very disappointing to see the main problem of last year - under-resourcing the breakdown - return. The game management and (lack of) kicking by Simpson certainly didn't help either. Pledger is amazing, though.
I usually don't like to comment but I found this result to be very frustrating and I don't think it really has anything to do with professional experience. Playing for territory and creating an intense defensive line is a mark of knock-out rugby, at all levels of the game.
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@Bovidae said in SF: NZ U20 v France U20:
The match report said that Johnny Lee was NZ's top tackler with seven. I reckon he missed as many as that, which highlights the poor defence.
Not great viewing...
Five misses for Lee, apparently...
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@ACT-Crusader Cheers. After watching a lot of NZ age grade rugby over the years and investing way too much time and energy into it, during yesterday's game the thought "I think I need to sign up to the Fern" crossed my mind quite a few times.
