SR U20s 2025
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@Bovidae only thing i have seen its played today Beatham Park in Hamilton 1pm Tim Oliff is the referee
@Steven-Harris Cheers. I might go along to watch.
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@Steven-Harris Cheers. I might go along to watch.
@Bovidae that would be awesome look forward to your report
Our game needs a ton of work around engagement even at the lower levels -
Firstly, I heard comments that while both teams have cut some players from their squads neither have finalised their final squad for Taupō. There were no team lists, and I’ll qualify my comments by saying that I am more familiar with the Chiefs players than the Blues players.
The Chiefs U20s looked to have started a stronger team in the 1st half while the Blues brought on the likes of Simpson and Tito-Harris in the 2nd half. Jayden Sa was the Chiefs captain (more on him later). A few surprising selections for the Chiefs as I think it was Pyrenees Boyle-Tiatia starting at 1st 5. Sa was at lock with Tocker as the Chiefs have injury problems in that position. No Aisake Vakasiuola, Dylan Eti or Tama Hodgson (shoulder injury).
The Blues scored first from a series of pick and goes to take the early 7-0 lead. Micah Fale scored for the Chiefs from a 5 m scrum shortly afterwards. The Chiefs had the edge in the scrums in the 1st half but the lineout misfired a few times. Another try from phase play to Boyle-Tiatia soon after made it 14-7 to the Chiefs. Then Sa went off injured with what looked like a shoulder/arm injury after being tackled. Fale scored again after stripping the ball off a Blues player near their goal line. A sideline conversion made it 21-7. Another try out wide made it 26-7 to the Chiefs. Then the Blues hit back from an intercept to make it 26-14. That was the HT score.
Both teams made some changes at HT with the Blues bringing on more fresh players on the field. The Blues closed the gap from a try in the left corner but the conversion was missed (26-19). Then Brayden Neilson scored a long-range try from a messy Blues ruck near halfway. The missed conversion made the score 31-19. Another try out wide to the Chiefs to Apenisa Naevo extended the score to 38-19. The Blues scored the final two tries in the last 5 mins, firstly from a 5 m scrum, and then a cross kick punt from Simpson. That made the final score 38-31 to the Chiefs U20s.
As this was the first real game for either team the coaches should be reasonably happy. Fale was the pick of the Chiefs players at no.8 (they started three no.7s). Simpson showed some nice touches in the 2nd half. Injuries will be the major concern for the Chiefs as there were also a few other players missing. There was a good crowd there for a game that wasn't promoted. A lot of families of the players, of course.
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Comment on Facebook says the Crusadeds won 38 - 24 over the Highlanders.
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Hurricanes U20 played and won vs a mixture of Palmy Prems and wider squad Hurricanes up in Palmerston North today.
U20s looked to play their A side in the first 20min of each half and for the most part looked alot better than the game vs Crusaders. Scrums still took a bashing and will be worrying that coaching staff leading into the tournament next week. Definately better ball retention and handling was improved across the board.
Backs were strong with some nice touches in the midfield by Campbell and Stan out the back. The winger *11 (one of the jacobs) scored a couple tries and looks to be one to watch out for with speed and silky footwork.
I know theres big wraps on the 10 from hawkes bay but i dont see how. Very reluctant to tackle and is not a great ball player. I worry this might be a red flag for this team as well as their set piece.
Bench was good. Oconnor from manawatu should probably start at 10 as he looks for more composed and dangerous. Forwards worked hard against some impressive specimen in the Prems and wider Canes.
Couple niggly injuries looked to hit late.
From the two games ive now seen i do fear this team could get run around by bigger, more mobile teams like the Chiefs and Saders. They just lack that flow and cohesion at the moment.
I think the backs are absolutely the stars of the show with a strong midfield, Stan at fullback and Jacob *11 (maybe denyer?) on the wing. Oconnor, if he starts could be the best thing this team does to overcome some tough games.
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Southland tribune offered more than I fi and anywhere else... on Highlanders v Crusaders
On Saturday they took on a sharp Crusaders outfit in Timaru. The Highlanders lost 38-24 but there were plenty of positive signs to latch onto seven days out from taking on the Blues.
The Crusaders led just 17-12 at halftime but the Highlanders conceded two tries in the second half when they were down to 14 players with a player shown a yellow card.
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https://www.blues.rugby/blues-rugby-news/blues-u20s-coaches-named
Afeaki will be supported by assistant coaches Jeff Ierome, Matt Howling and Ian Robinson.
The U20s Blues final squad will be announced this week. -
Just heard from my nephew who plays for the Chiefs U20s that there has been significant interest from teams across the ditch to obtain young kiwi players with big money ($200,000 year 1 and increases over 3 years by $50k each year) with a plan in mind to keep them for the wallabies. Coaches and management are all aware but cant do anything about it.
Sad state of affairs.
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I'm not sure where they would be getting the money from. RL regularly signs NZ age-group rugby players.
@Left-Right-Out-0 Has the Chiefs squad been finalised yet? I hope some of the locks are fit.
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Just heard from my nephew who plays for the Chiefs U20s that there has been significant interest from teams across the ditch to obtain young kiwi players with big money ($200,000 year 1 and increases over 3 years by $50k each year) with a plan in mind to keep them for the wallabies. Coaches and management are all aware but cant do anything about it.
Sad state of affairs.
@Left-Right-Out-0 said in SR U20s 2025:
Just heard from my nephew who plays for the Chiefs U20s that there has been significant interest from teams across the ditch to obtain young kiwi players with big money ($200,000 year 1 and increases over 3 years by $50k each year) with a plan in mind to keep them for the wallabies. Coaches and management are all aware but cant do anything about it.
Sad state of affairs.
Anyone who chooses money and the Wallabies is better off gone if you ask me.
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I'm not sure where they would be getting the money from. RL regularly signs NZ age-group rugby players.
@Left-Right-Out-0 Has the Chiefs squad been finalised yet? I hope some of the locks are fit.
@Bovidae team is locked in and players are aware. Theyve been told an announcement will come Thurs/Friday.
Didnt ask about the locks but our boy did say there were 3 players on stand by for already injured players.
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Just heard from my nephew who plays for the Chiefs U20s that there has been significant interest from teams across the ditch to obtain young kiwi players with big money ($200,000 year 1 and increases over 3 years by $50k each year) with a plan in mind to keep them for the wallabies. Coaches and management are all aware but cant do anything about it.
Sad state of affairs.
@Left-Right-Out-0 said in SR U20s 2025:
Just heard from my nephew who plays for the Chiefs U20s that there has been significant interest from teams across the ditch to obtain young kiwi players with big money ($200,000 year 1 and increases over 3 years by $50k each year) with a plan in mind to keep them for the wallabies. Coaches and management are all aware but cant do anything about it.
Sad state of affairs.
Hardly surprising. The Aussies will pissed the French are taking their talent. Same with losing players to RL.
Offering that sort of money. They would be only going after the top half dozen players. Which would need to be in positions they see themselves short in.
It is massive money. Especially when lower end Super deals are only worth what 80 - 100k? Plus match payments and then the NPC deal. The players might scrape to 150k. For a money hungry, I want it now 19-year-old taking 200k seems a sound option.
I can see a bit of mobility between the nations with the young players. Otago/Highlanders have Zac Nichol from the 2024 Aussie Schools squad. I think.
Then there was Joe Brial who did a bit of an apprenticeship here before going back to Australia.
Mobility is fine. It just shouldn't be seen as a long-term solution to bolster senior men's sides.
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How are Moana Pasifika chosen?
Do they trial lads across the country?@Left-Right-Out-0 said in SR U20s 2025:
How are Moana Pasifika chosen?
Do they trial lads across the country?I'm not sure what they are doing this year, but last year the Samoa, Tonga and Fiji U20s played each other at Albany and the MP team was mainly selected from the Samoan and Tongan players in those teams. There will be plenty who have been through the Blues and Chiefs systems (U18s etc). I posted that a couple of Counties Manukau players were amongst them.
I assume that MP have played some games. Otherwise they won't be prepared.
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Welcome.
The NZR+ platform might be used to stream the games. We'll have to wait until later in the week to confirm if this happens.
As to the NZ U20s, they did beat France, Wales and Ireland at the WC last year. From the few 6N U20 games I've watched England look to be much stronger than the other teams. It's hard to know until the squad is selected but there is plenty of talent at this level. There will also be a new NZ coaching group.
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If anyone sees any final team lists id be grateful if you could post here. Ill keep an eye out.
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Highlanders U20s named:
Can't work out where Quinten Holland is. Backs look potentially great. Front row ok. Loosies a bit of a problem.
Highlanders under-20
The squad
Props: JJ Fisher, Thomas Jennings, Ta$man Soani Oeti, Couper Killick, Ethan Webber.Hookers: Shaun Kempton, Tom Martin.
Locks: Josh Tengblad (vice-captain), Christian MacEwan, Lachlan Stevens, Finlay Mather.
Loose forwards: Tom Devery, Gregor Rutledge, Matt Brock, Justin Shaw, Louis Lepionka.
Halfbacks: Dylan Pledger (captain), Oliver Thode.
First fives: Mika Muliaina, Wyndham Patuawa.
Midfielders: Tayne Harvey, Riley Lucas, Sam Mustchin.
Outsides: Kyan Rangitutia, Josh Augustine, Liam Barron, Wiremu Brailey.
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Highlanders U20s named:
Can't work out where Quinten Holland is. Backs look potentially great. Front row ok. Loosies a bit of a problem.
Highlanders under-20
The squad
Props: JJ Fisher, Thomas Jennings, Ta$man Soani Oeti, Couper Killick, Ethan Webber.Hookers: Shaun Kempton, Tom Martin.
Locks: Josh Tengblad (vice-captain), Christian MacEwan, Lachlan Stevens, Finlay Mather.
Loose forwards: Tom Devery, Gregor Rutledge, Matt Brock, Justin Shaw, Louis Lepionka.
Halfbacks: Dylan Pledger (captain), Oliver Thode.
First fives: Mika Muliaina, Wyndham Patuawa.
Midfielders: Tayne Harvey, Riley Lucas, Sam Mustchin.
Outsides: Kyan Rangitutia, Josh Augustine, Liam Barron, Wiremu Brailey.
@SouthernMann strong backline. I look forward to the Pledger/Mika combo.
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It looks like the Landers apart from when we produce a quality player within region, have a long-term focus to the players we bring in and the squads we put together.
Which player is likely to be a senior squad member in two or three years. Which spots do we have open.
While the loosies are a bit light in this squad. The senior side is pretty well set.
Over the next few years there are big needs in a range of positions.
The guys likely to make the senior step up could be Kempton, Jennings, Rutledge, Muliaina, Augistine ,Brailey and Rangitutia.
Pledger, Tengblad, Harvey will likely be full squad members in the next couple of years
