NZ U20 v France U20 (World Rugby U20 Championship)

[canefan]

@Chris-B said in NZ U20 v France U20 (World Rugby U20 Championship):

@canefan That's quite possible, as well.

Our backs always seem to be highly competitive, though - but, this year's crop include Hotham, Springer and Godfrey who I presume are all fulltime pros now - and I recall the same in some other years

It would be interesting to look at world U20 rankings over the last 20 years and see how that translates into performance at senior level once each cohort makes the jump

[Machpants]

The traditional excuse has been other nations prioritise set piece and size and strength, whereas NZ prioritises ball skills. Ball skills are harder to improve when you're a huge lump, whereas size and strength are one of the easiest things to work on. Whether that is true anymore, I have no idea.

[Duluth]

@Machpants said in NZ U20 v France U20 (World Rugby U20 Championship):

The traditional excuse has been other nations prioritise set piece and size and strength, whereas NZ prioritises ball skills. Ball skills are harder to improve when you're a huge lump, whereas size and strength are one of the easiest things to work on. Whether that is true anymore, I have no idea.

It’s also technique and judging what a players ceiling is.

Is it the right decision? We would need to check previous u20 sides and see how successful we’ve been at converting them into quality adult players. I think we’ve done ok at that?

[KiwiMurph]

Looks like conditions might favour the French.

Ireland Aus game is wet and boggy

[Chris]

@KiwiMurph

Yeah I don’t fancy these conditions for us at all, looks like a grind coming up.

[KiwiMurph]

@Chris We struggled against Aus and Aus lost by 20 to Ireland.

We could get pumped here.

[Chris]

@KiwiMurph

Thinking the same thing in these conditions.
Big French pack will love this ,

[Steven Harris]

Could not imagine NZ hosting a World under U20 comp in ground conditions this bad

[Stargazer]

@Steven-Harris South Africa will host it again, next year.

[Stargazer]

Playing in white.

[OomPB]

Rainy weather at Paarl Gim, good crowd, sell out for SA match later

[canefan]

@Stargazer said in NZ U20 v France U20 (World Rugby U20 Championship):

Playing in white.

Ugh. At least it's not silver. That ground is a disgrace

[Steven Harris]

I think i am going to hide behind the couch for the first scrum

[OomPB]

Joggie Viljoen will probably blow a gasket with his grandsons hair cut

[canefan]

World Rugby U20 Championship - Wikipedia

We haven't won the tournament since 2011, and only featured in the final three times since then

[Stargazer]

@canefan said in NZ U20 v France U20 (World Rugby U20 Championship):

We haven't won the tournament since 2011, and only featured in the final three times since then

I think you should have a look at the winners of the 2015 and 2017 tournaments.

[Tim]

Blues fans: the 12 might get a contract next season.

[Stargazer]

First scrum ...

[canefan]

@Stargazer said in NZ U20 v France U20 (World Rugby U20 Championship):

@canefan said in NZ U20 v France U20 (World Rugby U20 Championship):

We haven't won the tournament since 2011, and only featured in the final three times since then

I think you should have a look at the winners of the 2015 and 2017 tournaments.

Aw shit. Showing about as much vision as Jordie in the 83rd minute vs the Brumbies. Good to see we survived the first scrum

[Toddy]

Good first up scrum