2022 Super Rugby U20s

[Bovidae]

@Stargazer Yeah, I saw that. As an example, the Chiefs and Blues played each other last year before Taupō.

After checking the website has been updated with a fixture list.

[Bovidae]

The Chiefs and Blues don't play again. Who makes these draws?

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae Yes, they play three games. They could have changed two teams from last year.

Last year, the Chiefs played the Hurricanes, Crusaders and Barbarians. This year, the Hurricanes, Crusaders & Highlanders, so they only changed one.

I guess there are financial reasons, and work/study reasons as these players are amateurs, but playing all 5 other teams would have made the tournament so much better!

[Stargazer]

It looks like the Hurricanes U20 are playing another warm-up game this weekend; against Crusaders U20 in Blennheim.
Unfortunately it was to hard to post where in Blenheim and at what time.

hurricanesrugby: U20 | Big Friday ticked off for our U20s.

Off to Blenheim thanks to @bluebridgeferry to take on @crusadersrugbyteam U20.

#NextGen

[Bovidae]

Some obvious names missing from Waikato club rugby team lists today, who will be involved in the Chiefs U20s. I did contact Chiefs HQ to see if there was a warm-up game today, but no word back.

[Canes4life]

[Stargazer]

To include the text going with that last post:

hurricanesrugby: U20 | @crusadersrugbyteam take the win 50-45 in Blenheim

Thanks for the hit out and we’ll see you in Taupō next week.

#NextGen #CRU20vHUR20

[Canes4life]

@Stargazer odd that the Crusaders Insta posted nothing about this game, atleast the Hurricanes covered it.

[Bovidae]

The Chiefs and Blues did play today. I don't know the exact score but the Chiefs won and scored 50 odd.

[Tim]

[Canes4life]

[Bovidae]

All squads are here:

allblacks.com/assets/Bunnings-Warehouse-Super-Rugby-20s-tournament-squad-lists.pdf

[Bovidae]

The Barbarians squad looks stronger this year, and includes some players from last year's U20 teams.

[Tim]

@Bovidae A couple (Ahio, Cobb) from the 2021 Auckland NPC squad.

[Stargazer]

@Canes4life Hard to believe that an absolute gun of a power winger like Bethel Malasia isn't in the squad. Our other winger, Josiah Sakaria not named either. Only 4 of the original 7 left. Ezra Malo was initially listed under Whanganui, but has joined the Hawke's Bay Academy.

Anyway, with Larsen still in charge, my expectations aren't very high.

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae I wish they'd also listed the schools these players played 1st XV at.

[Stargazer]

Canterbury's Olly Ryan is Crusaders forwards coach Jason Ryan's son.

[Bovidae]

I will be interested to see the official Chiefs media release because there are a couple of notable omissions, one I thought was a good chance of being the captain. Maybe they are injured.

There are also a few who only left school last year.

@Stargazer Yep. I do note that Dawson Smith has ended up in Canterbury. He went to St Peter's Cambridge but from Rotorua I think.

[Chris B.]

The Highlanders don't look very interested in helping Southland rugby!

[Canes4life]

@Stargazer said in 2022 Super Rugby U20s:

@Canes4life Hard to believe that an absolute gun of a power winger like Bethel Malasia isn't in the squad. Our other winger, Josiah Sakaria not named either. Only 4 of the original 7 left. Ezra Malo was initially listed under Whanganui, but has joined the Hawke's Bay Academy.

Anyway, with Larsen still in charge, my expectations aren't very high.

I can probably pick a pretty strong side from the players selected but I’m having trouble picking wingers and props. Isi Saumaki would be one of them I would say, who are the others?

I’ve got this team as our top side so far but there are a few gaps to fill.

1. Bradley Chrichton (Wellington)
2. Raymond Tuputupu (Manawatu)
3. ?
4. Matt Monaghan (Hawkes Bay)
5. ?
6. Peter Lakai (Wellington)
7. Cooper Flanders (Hawkes Bay)
8. Dominic Ropeti (Wellington)
9. Logan Henry (Manawatu)
10. Harry Godfrey (Hawkes Bay)
11. Isi Saumaki (Wellington)
12. Riley Higgins (Wellington)
13. Kyle Brown (Manawatu)
14. ?
15. Chicago Doyle (Wellington)