SR U20s 2025
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Another interesting name is Zain Newman. The only rugby player with that name matching the age, is out of South Africa. Seems the highlanders are taking a real international approach to recruitment.
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Brailey is a talent. Out of Rotorua BHS, he played for the Māori U18s last year. I assume Tom Martin is the Hamilton BHS hooker from last year.
@Bovidae said in SR U20s 2025:
Brailey is a talent. Out of Rotorua BHS, he played for the Māori U18s last year. I assume Tom Martin is the Hamilton BHS hooker from last year.
There are a few talented outside backs coming through. All the Landers really do is get four to seven players a year of likely Super quality.
Lock, midfield, first five, and outside backs are porbably where there will be spots over the next 2 - 4 seasons.
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Highlanders U20s to play an Otago selection
@SouthernMann is Quinten Holland injured or was he born in 04?
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That otago team has players from every part of the country.
Dont no alot of those Wellington forwards. I worry they may not be up to the challenge of the highly touted AKL or Waikato packs. Certainly have it in the backs though the Jai at 9 and some elusive outsides. I expect them to do some damage.
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@SouthernMann is Quinten Holland injured or was he born in 04?
@Grooter said in SR U20s 2025:
@SouthernMann is Quinten Holland injured or was he born in 04?
He must be injured. Was at school in 23. So.should still be eligible.
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Was in Wellington to pickup a desk so i went along to the Hurricanes vs Crusaders game in upper hutt.
As predicted, Crusaders forwards were pretty exceptional. Front row in particular were stand outs. The hooker was all over the field and in general a hard man to bring down. Loosies were working hard all game and found plenty of room close to the ruck.
Wellington forwards tried hard but they are not physical enough and definately dont have the skillset of the Crusaders forwards. The 10 and fijian winger also really impressive.
Hurricanes game was very predictable and for some odd reason very forwards orientated. Jai at 9 was ok but the 10 from HB was very average. Good kicking game but poor running and passing.
Stanley at 15 was quiet. They shut him down well. His defense was sound. Wingers for Canes were very good. Two Jacobs on the team sheet. The 11 in particular looks very sharp and scored the try of the day.
Bench was good for Canes, especially the inside backs. Crusaders were cruising by this point and will be a tough match up in Taupo.
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@Bovidae It seems there's a bit of a gap in quality between the first and second half U20 sides for the Chiefs. The 'B' side, who played in the first, lost the half to the Bay Wasps by 41 points to 0. The 'A' side, who played the second, won their half 24-10. So it ended 51-24.
I thought Charlie Sinton, Jayden Sa, Pyrenees Boyle-Tiatia and Brooke Mitchell played well for the Chiefs U20s in that second half. Not a lot of standout performers in the first half, understandably.
Taine Craig Ranga, Sione Tupou and Kase Meyer were good for BOP.
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@Bovidae It seems there's a bit of a gap in quality between the first and second half U20 sides for the Chiefs. The 'B' side, who played in the first, lost the half to the Bay Wasps by 41 points to 0. The 'A' side, who played the second, won their half 24-10. So it ended 51-24.
I thought Charlie Sinton, Jayden Sa, Pyrenees Boyle-Tiatia and Brooke Mitchell played well for the Chiefs U20s in that second half. Not a lot of standout performers in the first half, understandably.
Taine Craig Ranga, Sione Tupou and Kase Meyer were good for BOP.
@Mauss Yeah, I watched the game live on YT. The Chiefs U20s look poorly coached. Clearly, the BOP coaches of the Wasps team were better than the BOP coaches of the Chiefs. I'm not sure what their tactics were, as the 1st half team tried to go wide at all costs and kicked poorly. The 2nd half team was more direct and got rewards. The scrum was an issue at times too.
Having no jersey numbers made it hard to identify players too. Taumateine didn't look to have played. Palmer might not have either unless he has had a haircut.
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A report in the SST today from Paul Cully that there have been discussions about having a SR U23 competition from 2026, to replace the U20 tournament.
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@Mauss Yeah, I watched the game live on YT. The Chiefs U20s look poorly coached. Clearly, the BOP coaches of the Wasps team were better than the BOP coaches of the Chiefs. I'm not sure what their tactics were, as the 1st half team tried to go wide at all costs and kicked poorly. The 2nd half team was more direct and got rewards. The scrum was an issue at times too.
Having no jersey numbers made it hard to identify players too. Taumateine didn't look to have played. Palmer might not have either unless he has had a haircut.
@Bovidae said in SR U20s 2025:
as the 1st half team tried to go wide at all costs and kicked poorly. The 2nd half team was more direct and got rewards.
I think it's more of a first five issue than a coaching issue per se. I like Rios Tasmania, he's a fun player to watch, but there's not a wide pass-option he won't go for. He'll need to learn to go for the more straightforward options as well.
As for Taumateine and Palmer, I didn't see them appear on the field either. Eti only played for 10 or so minutes in the second half, he appeared to have gone off with an injury. Hopefully nothing too serious.
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@Bovidae said in SR U20s 2025:
as the 1st half team tried to go wide at all costs and kicked poorly. The 2nd half team was more direct and got rewards.
I think it's more of a first five issue than a coaching issue per se. I like Rios Tasmania, he's a fun player to watch, but there's not a wide pass-option he won't go for. He'll need to learn to go for the more straightforward options as well.
As for Taumateine and Palmer, I didn't see them appear on the field either. Eti only played for 10 or so minutes in the second half, he appeared to have gone off with an injury. Hopefully nothing too serious.
@Mauss said in SR U20s 2025:
I think it's more of a first five issue than a coaching issue per se. I like Rios Tasmania, he's a fun player to watch, but there's not a wide pass-option he won't go for. He'll need to learn to go for the more straightforward options as well.
The starting 9-10 combo should be Farrant and Ticklepenny. Sinton to come off the bench at halfback.
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@Bovidae I like the idea of an U23 competition. Having the U20 tournament is better than nothing of course, but it's more oriented towards NZ U20 selection (and even then, that's limited) than have any real benefit for player development.
@Mauss said in SR U20s 2025:
@Bovidae I like the idea of an U23 competition. Having the U20 tournament is better than nothing of course, but it's more oriented towards NZ U20 selection (and even then, that's limited) than have any real benefit for player development.
