U20 Rugby Championship 2025
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There will also be some 50/50 selections in other positions. In particular, who will be the other starting lock (Treacy could be used at lock or 6), the openside, and midfield partner to Roberts. Common sense and form says you start Oudenryn at hooker but Letiu is the captain. I am expecting changes for the WC if the injured and sevens players are available. That immediately makes the XV stronger.
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@Mauss i would argue the main reason against is his defence. His boot and somewhat his running game has always got him into good places but when push comes to shove his tackling resembles that of a nervous 1st 5 playing college rugby.
You dont have to go back far to see this with the Canes U20s. Frequently he was targeted and frequently he was run through or he went for a jersey pull and missed.
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@Left-Right-Out-0 said in U20 Rugby Championship 2025:
@Mauss i would argue the main reason against is his defence. His boot and somewhat his running game has always got him into good places but when push comes to shove his tackling resembles that of a nervous 1st 5 playing college rugby.
You dont have to go back far to see this with the Canes U20s. Frequently he was targeted and frequently he was run through or he went for a jersey pull and missed.
I did see him fall off a few tackles in this game but I must admit that I didn't think his defence was all that terrible. He showed physical commitment, especially in the tackle assist, and even contested a few breakdowns when the opportunity arose. It doesn't look to me like he's scared of the physical contact (which is a good start when it comes to first fives on defence).
Now, I'm only basing this on the one game (again, I don't have the SR U20 games available to me) so his defence might very well become exposed in another game. But then again, the NZ U20s barely had to make a tackle against Argentina U20s because Cole's organisation of the possession game was so effective.
If the old adage is true - "the best defence is good offence" - then you could say that Cole's attacking contributions outweigh his limitations in the tackle. Either way, I'm still expecting Simpson to start against the Junior Boks so the point is a bit moot.
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The New Zealand Men’s Under 20 team v South Africa at 4:10 PM SAST on Sunday 11 May (2:10 AM NZT, Monday 12 May).
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Sika Pole
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Manumaua Letiu (c)
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Robson Faleafā
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Xavier Treacy
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Josh Tengblad
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Finn McLeod
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Caleb Woodley
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Mosese Bason (vc)
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Dylan Pledger (vc)
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Will Cole
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David Lewai
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Harlyn Saunoa
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Jack Wiseman
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Maloni Kunawave
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Stanley Solomon (vc)
Reserves:
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Eli Odenryn
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Tamiano Ahloo
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Dane Johnston
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Randall Baker
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Micah Fale
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Charlie Sinton
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Rico Simpson
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Tayne Harvey
Fans in New Zealand can watch the match live on Sky Sport, with highlights available post-match on NZR+ and the All Blacks YouTube channel.
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@Bovidae said in U20 Rugby Championship 2025:
The backline isn't correct.
I thought it was odd that Saunoa was in the midfield. The All Blacks website not to be trusted!
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Some interesting choices in that lineup. Both Letiu and Faleafā are probably lucky to return to the starting side, both Oudenryn and Tofilau performed very well in the previous game. Speaking of Tofilau, is he injured? I'd expect him to be involved in this game otherwise, I thought he was the best performing prop of the first two games.
The breakdown went a lot better in the Argentina game so it makes sense that the back five of the scrum remains the same. I thought Treacy, Tengblad and McLeod went very well together. It's good that Baker is back, though, for more starch in the pack later on. Eti hasn't gotten a lot of game time in this tournament. Hopefully he gets another chance somewhere down the line.
They went earlier with the Pledger/Cole-combination than I thought. Should be a good test for Cole to see whether he can be as effective against a side which is going to be much more physical.
The midfield hasn't really convinced so far, it's been a very mixed bag in my view. Tayne Harvey had some excellent moments against Argentina but some real brain fades as well. Wiseman was industrious against the Junior Wallabies but not always that impactful. Roberts does look to be growing in confidence so it's good that he retains his place. But they could use some reinforcements for the World Cup, like James Cameron and Frank Vaenuku.
I think it's a very hard game to call. The Junior Boks have a very good record against the NZ U20s at this level, both because (1) styles make fights, and (2) the Junior Boks have rarely played against vintage NZ U20 sides. The SA U20s will also be looking to make a statement after their own collapse against the Junior Wallabies. Should be a good game!
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The Junior Bok team has also been announced:
Junior Boks geared for massive New Zealand clash
The Junior Springboks are motivated and determined to finish the U20 Rugby Championship on a positive note when they face New Zealand at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Sunday.
It's a mixture of the first two games but important returnees from the first game are Matt Romao at blindside, Albie Bester at 12, and Gilermo Mentoe at 15, all selections which do improve the team (I like Malgas but either at 10 or 13, not particularly at 12 like he was against the Junior Wallabies).
Moyo is retained at 10 but seems likely to have been instructed to kick less, or at least, to not kick as long as he did against Argentina. Foote refers to "kicking patterns [which] were out of character", so I presume he just means that they need to kick less for territory and attack when the space is available.
The job for the NZ U20s seems relatively straighforward: kick smartly so as to not give that back 3 easy counter-attacking opportunities; set a stable lineout platform; and put the Junior Bok skillset under as much pressure as possible. That means double tackles, both low and around the torso, so as to make the offload and passing options more difficult.
I think the NZ scrum is likely to get smashed but if they can get those other things right, they should be in with a decent chance.
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Game day updates ahead of our final game against South Africa U20s
Out:
Tamiano Ahloo (injured)
Dylan Pledger (illness)In:
Riley Tofilau at 3
Charlie Sinton at 9
Dane Johnston moves to 17
Robson Faleafā moves to 18
Jai Tamati at 21Live at 2am NZST on Sky Sport. 📺
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Jeez looked like the South African ducked a bit into that one. I would call that mitigation.
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I don't know why I bother watching rugby sometimes. NZ down to 13.
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NZ did well to shut that out for two minutes but that half back nearly fucked it at the end!
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That clearance kick.... Holy shit.
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@Crazy-Horse said in U20 Rugby Championship 2025:
NZ did well to shut that out for two minutes but that half back nearly fucked it at the end!
Rush of blood and immaturity...... never seen a player do such a hazardous kick with the touchline right there.
