WR U20 Championship 2025
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@Bovidae said in WR U20 Championship 2025:
if Simpson remains at fullback.
I have such mixed feelings about Simpson at 15. Sometimes I can see the appeal - like when he plucked those Irish cross-kicks out of thin air like it was nothing - but his scramble defence does worry me. And the French transition attack will really test the NZ scramble defence.
My preference would still go to Solomon, I think. I really like the way he combines with Cole, switching roles and kicking duties. It feels very seamless with them. But it does seem more likely that they'll go with Simpson at the back.
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If Mathis is on the bench, a 6/2 split could be considered. What worries me most is the scrum where the loss of Wallace has put a big load on Falatea. I also fear that Pole could not match Megherbi's power. Hopefully, there won't be too many scrums played if the weather is not too hot.
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@cgrant said in WR U20 Championship 2025:
What worries me most is the scrum where the loss of Wallace has put a big load on Falatea. I also fear that Pole could not match Megherbi's power. Hopefully, there won't be too many scrums played if the weather is not too hot.
Megherbi is a big boy (138+ kg) but his scrummaging technique is awful. When binding, his hips are already pushing outwards while his right shoulder pops up, immediately indicating his intention for angling in and targeting the bind between the opposition loosehead and hooker.
You can see how Megherbi’s back isn’t straight but angled in a diagonal fashion
Megherbi’s tendency is to scrum high at an inward angle, turning the contest into a battle of strength rather than techniqueMegherbi starts at an inward angle and, unsurprisingly, the scrum starts moving sideways with the French pack walking across. Unbelievably, the ref awards the French scrum a penalty despite there being nothing legal about their scrum.
While Megherbi has a lot of power, any referee worth his salt will first penalize his faulty technique when the scrums inevitably collapse or start moving sideways. The French, much like the South Africans, have the advantage of reputation and physique: they’re big guys so referees often award them in the scrum, even when their dominance has an illegal basis.
Hopefully, a set-piece capable ref is appointed for the semi-final who can force Megherbi to scrum straight and make it a fair contest.
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Junior Boks name powerful line-up for WRU20 semi-final
Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote has picked another powerful match-23 for Monday evening's World Rugby U20 Championship semi-final against Argentina in Viadana, with Riley Norton returning to captain the side.
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France U20 v New Zealand U20 - World Rugby U20 Championship 2025
France U20 v New Zealand U20 World Rugby U20 Championship 2025 Match 23 Semi-final 1 | Stadio Luigi Zaffanella Viadana Italy | Monday 14 July 2025
1 SJ. Uamaki Pole
2 Manumaua Letiu
3 Robson Faleafa
4 Xavier Treacy
5 Jayden Sa
6 Finn McLeod
7 Caleb Woodley
8 Mosese Bason
9 Dylan Pledger
10 Rico Simpson
11 Maloni Kunawave
12 Jack Wiseman
13 Cooper Roberts
14 Frank Vaenuku
15 Stanley Solomon
Substitutes
16 Eli Oudenryn
17 Israel Time
18 Dane Johnston
19 Aisake Vakasiuola
20 Micah Fale
21 Jai Tamati
23 Tayne Harvey
23 Harlyn Saunoa
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@Mauss Who plays 10 and goal kicks if Rico goes down?
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in WR U20 Championship 2025:
@Mauss Who plays 10 and goal kicks if Rico goes down?
Solomon can play 10, so if Simpson goes down, he would move to first five while Kunawave would go to fullback.
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NZ leading at HT but France look to be the better side. They have been getting scrum dominance and their pack are starting to get on top. Look to be handling the heat a bit better than the NZ team as well. Not winning the final lineout before HT and conceding the try on HT could prove to be costly for NZ. Advantage France imo.
