2017 New Zealand U20s
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@cgrant It should be a good game against the Aussies; just a pity it's at the same time as the Tahs v Blues game. One live, one replay it is.
Before the tournament, they said that all players would get enough game time, so I'd expect Lindenmuth to start at LH and Rakete-Stones at TH. Agree that Aumua is the best option at hooker. Don't know how many hookers are in the squad.
Wouldn't mind seeing Slade starting again, but he's already had two starts; not sure what the reason is for Walker-Leawere not playing. Injured? He was named on the bench v Fiji, but I don't remember how much game time he got.
Definitely, Mikaele-Tu'u at 8 if he's fit. I guess it depends on how badly he injured his ankle. He's by far the best in that position and hasn't had much game time yet. Assuming the captain will start, Jacobson will play at 6 (or 8 if Mikaele-Tu'u is not 100%). Or can he play at openside as well? I'd like to see Papali'i start, too, but Christie was good against Fiji.
Difficult choice between the three wings; Nareki and Clarke played well against Samoa, but impressed less against Fiji, in which game Faingaanuku was the best of the three.
Price and Falcon at 9 & 10 is a no-brainer, unless Price is injured. Leger should start at 12, indeed.
Centre? Hmm, difficult. Both weren't bad, but didn't really impress me either.
Fullback, both really good.I'm wondering who will miss out if Perofeta, Jordie Barrett and/or Peter Umaga-Jensen are picked for the JWC squad. Is Perofeta a specialist 10 or 12? Can he cover both positions; maybe also 13? I kind of expect Jordie to play fullback if he isn't picked for the ABs, because that's where he has played for the Canes and Canterbury (and there's already enough cover for 10 & 12). I'm not sure for how long Peter U-J has been out, but he hasn't played for a long time, I think, and IMO it wouldn't be a good thing if they leave anyone out for him. They did that last year, and he could only play one game (again due to injury; he breaks easily, which is sad for such a young lad). If I'm correct, he can cover fullback and both wings.
Edited to add that Alex Fidow has joined the squad and will play against Australia, if fit. Not sure whether he's a LH, TH or can play both.
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NZU20 team to play Australia (Sat 6 May, 9.00pm):
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Ezekiel Lindenmuth - Auckland
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Asafo Aumua - Wellington
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Pouri Rakete-Stones - Hawke’s Bay
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Isaia Walker-Leawere - Wellington
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Sam Caird - Waikato
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Dalton Papalii - Auckland
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Tom Christie - Canterbury
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Luke Jacobson (C) - Waikato
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Ereatara Enari (VC) - Canterbury
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Tiaan Falcon - Hawke’s Bay
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Tima Faingaanuku - Ta$man
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Orbyn Leger - Counties Manukau
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Tamati Tua - Northland
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Josh McKay - Canterbury
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Will Jordan - Ta$man
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JP Sauni - Auckland
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Harrison Allan - Canterbury
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Alex Fidow - Wellington
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Jacob Pierce - Auckland
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Marino Mikaele-Tu'u - Hawke’s Bay
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Kemara Hauiti-Parapara - Wellington
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Thomas Umaga-Jensen - Wellington
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Caleb Clarke - Auckland
Four players will get their first start in the tournament. Carlos Price (ankle) and Brayden Ennor (knee) were not considered due to injury.http://www.allblacks.com/News/30739/nz-under-20-team-named-for-oceania-decider
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They've done what they said before the tournament, that is, giving everyone game time and starts; so this is not necessarily the strongest line-up.
I'm not sold on Jacobson, but with him being the captain, I can understand they've made an exception for him and are giving him 3 starts. Just a pity this means that Mikaele-Tu'u is on the bench.
Had forgotten that Enari is in the squad; he wasn't in the line-ups for Fiji and Samoa. As he's already played Mitre 10 Cup (and one SR game), he should be up to it. Will be interesting to see how he compares with Price. Also looking forward to seeing how the halves combo between Enari and Falcon works.
Also, finally a chance to have another look at Walker-Leawere, who's now in the starting line-up.
Didn't expect McKay at the right wing; don't know anything about him, what's his preferred position? Or is he a utility back?
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@Stargazer said in 2017 New Zealand U20s:
Didn't expect McKay at the right wing; don't know anything about him, what's his preferred position? Or is he a utility back?
Fullback/ First five.
Another one off the Christchurch Boys High production line.
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@Bovidae said in 2017 New Zealand U20s:
I haven't seen either NZ game so how has Christie played? Papali'i could be moved to 7 and Jacobson to 6.
Christie played very well during the first game v Fiji. Scored two tries. He didn't play against Samoa.
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@Stargazer I only watched bits of the Fiji game, so wondering how Tua went at 13 as I see he gets another start so hopefully means he did well enough to retain the spot.
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@taniwharugby I honestly can't remember much of his game because Leger stole the limelight at 12 and was outstanding. I'm not sure whether selection for tomorrow's game means that a player "did well enough to retain the spot". In the media release, the coach says
The game is also the last opportunity for players to impress selectors prior to the naming of the squad for the World Rugby Under 20 World Championship in Georgia next week. “After two solid performances against Fiji and Samoa, we have selected a side to play Australia that in some cases is based on form, and in others on giving those returning from injury a final opportunity to press their claim for selection.Of course, injury of other players plays a role in selection as well, and in this case, his main competitor (Ennor) is injured. But obviously, that doesn't mean Tua wouldn't have gotten the start if Ennor had been available, nor does it mean he didn't play well v Fiji.
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Bullshit penalty to Aus. NZ flanker used his foot in the scrum to push the ball back, and the ref said he used his hand
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