2024 NZ Schools Rugby
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These past days I’ve taken another few looks at the games. Some more random thoughts:
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The return of the catch and pass: it was noticeable how clean both NZ Schools and Barbarians U18s were in their execution on attack. One reason for this, I feel, was their catch and pass: the backs were aligned well and the pass was quick out of the hands. Recent Kiwi age grade teams have regularly stuffed up drawing their man, thinking that attacking and manipulating the defensive line means waiting to pass at the last moment. Defences, in recent years, have used this hesitation to shift their focus on the recipient, meaning that the receiver of the pass gets both ball and defender at the same time. The hesitation with the ball then turns from what was previously an attacking advantage to a serious benefit for the defence. It was good to see NZ Schools and Barbarian U18s move away from this tendency. Both teams did really well in creating clarity: either the ball is decisively carried or the ball is shifted quickly.
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Searching for scrum dominance rather than scrum technique: both the NZ Schools and the Aussie U18s front-rows are made up of power-athletes atypical of the position. Liam Van Der Heyden (TH), Charlie Wallis (LH) (NZ Schools), Kingsley Uys (LH), and Nicholas Hill (LH) (Australia U18) are all very tall and relatively lean props, who carry strongly and who have deceptively quick feet. Their build clearly impacts their scrummaging techniques as well though: Van Der Heyden, in his first scrum against Samoa U18, was still nearly standing up when binding to his opponent, and Nicholas Hill’s back was so arched it’s hard to imagine a lot of power being able to come through it (he seemingly relied on his own upper-body strength and quickly started walking around). Rassie Erasmus recently made an interesting distinction between dominant and technical scrums. Refs, not always as clued in on what goes on in the scrum as Springbok head coaches, can award scrums who look to be dominant, even if scrummaging technically incorrect. Seeing how both NZ Schools and Australia U18s front-rows are lacking in scrum technique, the battle on Sunday will probably be decided by the scrum that is most aggressive and ‘appearing dominant’.
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Plenty of backline talent coming through: Like I said before, it’s hard to take too much away from the game against Samoa U18. That being said, when a team is so utterly dominant, it can lead to some silly decision-making, as players try to be too clever. This wasn’t the case for the NZ Schools backline, however, which remained very focused and precise throughout the game. Harry Inch kept the game direct and simple, using the power and speed of the players around him to probe and eventually break the Samoan defensive line. The backline players also stayed connected well, Pahulu, Vaega, Stanley and Guerin constantly running off shoulders and looking to manipulate space rather than attacking the line individually. They all look like great athletes but it was pleasing to see them using their sense of the game rather than just their individual ability. In the Barbarians game, Pyrenees Boyle-Tiatia was impressive in his ability to find and create gaps, connecting well with both his midfield partner, Saunderson-Rurawhe, as well as his outside backs. The Barbarian backline was consistently able to get round the Australian defensive line which shot up (albeit a little passively at times) through quick hands and smart running lines.
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Australia U18 for Sunday's game against NZ Schools has been named:
The side in question:
They've gone for a 6/2 split with another number 8, TJ Talaileva, added to the bench.
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@Bovidae Yes, that penalty against Johnston was fair, he misjudged his height and brought on the collapse. I'd argue that he gained ascendancy in the subsequent scrums, though, mostly because of the aforementioned walking around by the Aussie reserve loosehead.
But technical infringements were mostly let go by the refs in both games, hence the need for aggression and perceived dominance.
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@Bovidae Some interesting decisions. I think Sinton as starting 9 and captain are good choices, but I'm not sure about their seeming intent of keeping the halfback combinations together if it means that Inch doesn't start. I guess we'll see how it goes. Verster, from what I've seen, does seem to be the (marginally) better kicker, though, so maybe that also played a part in their thinking.
The loose forward trio, I'm not sure. Tocker doesn't offer a whole lot apart from his attacking prowess and pace on the wing, and, despite his height, isn't particularly dominant in the lineout either. So I understand that he's on the bench. But, to me, 6. Hutchings, 7. Keith, 8. Saumaki appears more balanced. I suspect Tito wants as many players on the field who can get over the ball, and Keith, Saumaki and Spratley are all very able poachers. It does make sense, as Australia wants to play a possession-based game, using its powerful carriers to move up the field.
The decision that I don't really get is Van Der Heyden on the bench. The Aussie U18 maul defence was a weakness against the Barbarians and in Van Der Heyden you have someone who is incredibly difficult to stop when he's pushing in the middle of the attacking maul. Perhaps they want a shorter tighthead to put pressure on the Aussie loosehead's scrummaging technique.
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The NZ Māori Under 18 Ngā Whatukura Boys and NZ Heartland U20 teams:
The Māori Under 18 Ngā Whatukura lineup looks pretty good. Lots of talented players, both in the forward pack and the backline, so it'll be interesting to see how they gel as a team. I'm looking forward to seeing more of Cruiz Simpson, the little that I saw he looked promising.
I don't know anything about the Heartland U20 team, apart from the fact that Benazzi Ward's parents must be really into their rugby.
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@Mauss Tito seems to favour the 8-9-10 combo from the same school. NC in the Samoa game and now the TBC trio. At least there will be some firepower to bring off the bench.
BTW, I re-watched the NZ-Samoa game and agree that Falloon had a better game than I originally thought watching live.
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@Bovidae I hadn't noticed the 8-9-10 combo thing, good point. It should be interesting to see how Spratley and Saumaki work together, they both strike me as natural number 8s.
Are you going to the games again today? I thought the crowd was already pretty good for a game on Wednesday, but I'd expect a bigger attendance for these games.
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@Mauss said in 2024 NZ Schools Rugby:
Are you going to the games again today? I thought the crowd was already pretty good for a game on Wednesday, but I'd expect a bigger attendance for these games.
Yes, 3 games to watch. The weather forecast is now improving so hopefully a bigger crowd. It's free entry. I'll be further from the field.
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The Australian Team - especially in the forwards - looked stronger & better skilled. Their 16yr old loosehead monstered our tighthead at scrum time towards the end of the 1st half. Skill wise - & again I'm looking at the forwards - we were a long way behind Australia. It would be easy to point the finger at Paul Tito (Coach) but i think it's a wake up call for those involved in First XV Programs around the country. Give the NZ U18s Team a better coached player.
NZs Best - Saumaki Saumaki, Cohen Norrie, Siale Pahulu.
Australia - Kingsley Uys, Heinz Lemoto, Angus Grover, Eli Langi. -
@KiwiMurph said in 2024 NZ Schools Rugby:
Aus U18s beat NZ Schools by the sounds.
Yep, 38-31 to Australia but NZ Schools scored a late try. As @Magic65 said, NZ got outplayed up front as the Aust forwards were more physical and their ball-carriers constantly made ground. The likes of Saumaki were much quieter in this game. I also think that Inch was better than Verster in game management.
Compared to last year, this is a weaker NZ Schools team and lacked the x-factor players like Mathis and Simpson who had such a big influence in the two wins in Aust. The NZ Barbarians U18s would be capable of beating them.
The other results were:
Māori U18s 53 - 24 NZ Heartland U20s (HT: 17-17)
A close 1st half as the scoreline suggests but the Māori ran over them in the 2nd half with plenty of long-range tries. The lack of fitness of some of the Heartland U20 players was noticeable. Probably to be expected given where they play and their limited preparation.NZ Barbarians U18 102 - 10 Samoa U18 (HT: 43 - 7)
The scoreline says it all. Samoa never stopped trying but their limited player pool means they will always struggle. You would find a stronger team from 1A and 1B schools in South Auckland. -
@Magic65 said in 2024 NZ Schools Rugby:
Eli Langi
This is the kind of player I feel who is often missing in these NZ age grade teams: tall and athletic, but equally with a big engine and physically abrasive. He would make a world of difference to this NZ Schools side.
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I think a lot of credit also has to go to this Australia U18 side. Their accuracy and organization was impressive, making the NZ Schools execution errors stand out a lot more.
RA seem to have invested considerable resources to a more centralized rugby academy system - development camps, U16 and U19 comps, player of national interest program - so it's good that it's bearing fruit. The Australia U18 side looked like a cohesive and well-drilled team.
At the moment, NZ Rugby are trying to have their cake and eating it too, retaining NZ Schools as the primary side while using the Barbarian U18 team as a pseudo-high development team. It has its merits. But then you're left with two decently strong teams, who are both beaten by the side which has put all of its eggs into the single high-performance basket.
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@Mauss said in 2024 NZ Schools Rugby:
RA seem to have invested considerable resources to a more centralized rugby academy system - development camps, U16 and U19 comps, player of national interest program - so it's good that it's bearing fruit. The Australia U18 side looked like a cohesive and well-drilled team.
Just in time for league to take them back 😬
Australia U18s lock in side to face New Zealand Schools
