@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.
We always go for the physically imposing players if there is a 50/50 call to make. It can pay off if you get it right but the defence of some of our big boys and especially outside backs leaves alot to be desired.
My personal feelings are this team could be great. They have 90% of the right selections in the squad. The coaching group have come through the system. Fundamentals is whats letting this group down. Tackling, lineouts and scrums in particular. This showed in the warmup game as well to a certain degree.
Give me a rugby player who can play both ways over the speciman or flashy footwork. Im sick of the selections for the razzle player rather than those that can do their roles.
That game was hard to watch. Set piece looks to be a complete lollie scramble. Look under done, as to be expected with ONE warm up game before this.
What our winger was doing shooting up every time, i will never know. If it is under instruction then why does everyone else on the field look confused as well.
@Canes4life must of watched slightly different games as i thought the lineouts were poor. Regardless, good luck to the boys over in SA. Team will be up against it but we might thrive on not being considered favourites.
@Bovidae was a mixed bag from what i could tell. Mosese, Odenryn etc came off the bench. Backline looked at full strength however.
Watched the game and was impressed with both teams.
NZ U20s:
Hurricanes
Overall a pretty fair game with Canes winning by 1 point i believe.
@Mauss there is no way you arent involved in the U20 setup or some other team with the amount of analysis you do. Id put my leg on it😆
@SouthernMann from the outside looking in i would say Inch isnt in the frame this year. Mika had a better U20 campaign. Then again, i thought other players had better campaigns then some that made NZ U20 so what would i know 😆
@Bovidae unless they see Tiatia as a midfielder i doubt theyd take him and Mika.
@Bovidae thats interesting re Mika. Good player but clearly that shows theres something missing in Tiatia's game (defence perhaps?).
Would have loved to have seen a Probables vs Possibles, like a warm up game. This could iron out any kinks or test these locks vs bigger locks to prepare them for bigger teams. Would also be a good insight for 2026
Strong halfbacks. Agree 100% with these 3 selections. Midfield as well looks fairly spot on for me.
I think we are weak at 10. Simpson is good but not great and we all know my feelings on Cole. Tiatia could have been a better option.
Outside backs a little perplexed. Maisiri and Saunoa werent even the best outside backs for their teams letalone making this squad. Rangitutua, Denyer, Norrie, Salmon would have been ahead of these two in my books.
NZ U20 named
Be hard for those just out of school to make it i would think. Theres too many who are playing NPC or Premier level already and doing so very well.
What positions in the 20s are up for grabs?
Forwards werent too flash last year so i would expect some change there. Bason will likely captain and played very well for the Hurricanes. Front row looks solid with good depth. Second row could be a push with some solid starters but i worry about who is in behind them. Loose trio will be fine.
For me the backs look likely to change a little.
At halfback, Pledger and maybe Tamati would be my two must haves. 1st 5 will be Simpson buylt after him is a toss up. I dont like the defensive qualities of any 10s i watched in Taupo. Very average to say the least.
Midfield will be stacked, especially with Tito Harris back. One of those Canterbury lads or Oconnor perhaps to partner him?
Solomon will play fullback. Hes got a great allround game. Wings is a toss up between a number of quality players, including the fijian boys from canterbury, chiefs have solid wings, denyer from hurricanes and the otago young guy who has already played NPC.
Be good to get an indication from people with no affiliation to a team who they feel stood out for each U20 Super team and could be in line for an NZ U20 invite.
I will rule myself out for the Chiefs but some players that really impressed me from other franchises were:
Blues - Finau, Tatafu, Tuitupou, Woodley, Simpson, Norrie
Hurricanes - Falloon, Irving, Berg-Mclean, Bason, Tamati, Oconnor, Denyer, Solomon
Crusaders - Oudenryn, Mafi, Powell, Mcleod, Kalouda, Cameron, Roberts, Kunawave
Highlanders - Tengblad, Rutledge, Pledger, Muliaina, Harvey, Rangituia
Playoff for 3rd and 4th was entertaining. Credit to all the teams playing 3 games over a week and looking better and better.
Blues
Front row and loosies were powerful. Not only the starters, but the bench forwards were immense. The hookers should pat each other on the back as they were awesome.
Simpson was solid in the backs and led his team really well. Norrie looked fantastic with ball in hand. Made the midfield for the Canes look silly at times in broken play.
Hurricanes
Lets be fair, frontrow is not their strength. They really struggled against a physical Blues front row. Falloon in the second row was working hard but by far the best forward on the field was Berg-mclean playing 7. The smallest forward on the pitch and yet he must have had 5 or 6 pilfers and made a huge amount of tackles. Support play was superb as well.
Tamati and Thompson were excellent in the halves. Really quick ball and used their outsides well. Midfield struggled on D.
Solomon and Denyer, outstanding again for the Canes. These two have had a great tournament. Kennedy try was superb as well. Reserve halfback brought some energy off the bench.
Clutch by the Crusaders last night. When they needed to they kept it close and tight. Both team defences were a mess, much like the first semi final.
The final most wanted will happen Saturday. Chiefs too strong for the Canes. Forward pack were immense and tiatia was all over his opposite. Chiefs gave no room to the canes dangerous outside backs. Some silly play (yellow card jacob kennedy) and poor handling (tight 5 and halfback) let the game get away.
Chiefs vs Crusaders will be epic. Odenryn has been huge for the Saders and Inch will need to play his best vs Tiatia. Big forward packs on both teams.
Difficult to make rankings accurate with teams only playing once p/year.
Perhaps they change it evey year so the NZ Super teams play a different non NZ Super team. They determine rankings via points for and against?
Its not great but neither is current setup.
Anyway, caught up with our nephew and sounds like Chiefs are fighting fit with only minor niggles for Tues game. He said the Canes might have a few players out in the midfield and loose trio.
Not trying to look too far but my head and heart are saying Chiefs for the win and i expect a different Crusaders team to turn up vs the Blues. I think theyll settle down early and run some of those big Blues forwards ragged.
I thought Otago were the better team. Some silly errors in crucial times and defence really let them down.
So how do the semi's work out? Whose playing who?
Crusaders looked oddly average. Credit to MP who had some physical ball runners.