2023 World Rugby U20 Championship

[Bovidae]

Having provincial U19/U20s play as curtain-raisers to NPC games would be a step in the right direction. At the moment most age-group provincial teams only play a few games each season and it isn't very structured. It all comes back to the cost.

[Duluth]

@Stargazer said in 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship:

They need to bring the Jock Hobbs Memorial National U19 Tournament back

Yes bring back this tournament

Then extend the SR u20s competition, it's too quick. Teams are just forming combinations and then its all over.

We have 5 SR sides plus the Baabaas.. play 5 round robin matches and a final (plus 3rd v 4th & 5th v 6th). Obviously it couldn't be held in a central location anymore, but I think these games would be great as SR curtain raisers

That gives the players two decent competitions in a year. One at NPC (u19) level then a harder competition at SR (u20) level.

Fixing the domestic structure for this age group will help the national side

[Stargazer]

@Duluth There were also Drua and Moana Pasifika U20 teams in SR U20, this year, so 8 teams.

[Duluth]

@Stargazer that’s right, it was straight in a QF situation. Not long enough

Change that to a multi week competition and the teams and the contests will improve. I think it would rate well on sky as curtain raisers

[Stargazer]

@Duluth As a curtain raiser before the first SRP game it could work, but if there are two SRP games in NZ (4.35pm and 7.05pm k/o), that would mean that the second curtain raiser is at the same time as the first SRP game. Okay for locals who go to the games, but not okay for tv viewers.

I think it would actually be really cool if SR U20 games would be played at provincial venues, because they hardly get senior SRP games. Play them on a Sunday, so they don't compete with club rugby and SRP games. Would have to be marketed properly, obviously.

[Duluth]

@Stargazer the cost for Sky to cover the games is a lot lower if they are curtain raisers. Not sure if it works as a stand alone event

[Stargazer]

@Duluth During covid, somehow everyone knew how to stream games live and most did so reasonably well. Now, after covid, they've suddenly forgotten how to do it. They wouldn't need the same number of cameras as senior games. Did they use TMOs, this year?

[mikey07]

@Stargazer Totally agree how good would it be to have a full U20s comp running next to SRP.

[Stargazer]

This is a big step in the right direction! Nothing on SANZAAR's website yet.

[Duluth]

@Stargazer

On the Aussie website:

The tournament will kick off on the Gold Coast in April, with teams set to play each other once across a three-week period.

The SR u20s finished in late March so that same schedule works

[Stargazer]

Nathan Williamson  /  Jul 19, 2023

SANZAAR launches new Under-20 Rugby Championship

[Stargazer]

This is one example (other than Six Nations) of other countries already playing international matches/tournaments/tours at younger age grades than U20. Something NZ should do as well.

[KiwiMurph]

[Winger]

@KiwiMurph 37-26. Good win

[Machpants]

@Winger said in 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship:

@KiwiMurph 37-26. Good win

[MiketheSnow]

[Daffy Jaffy]

Drop goal from halfway by the Uruguay 10.

[Stargazer]

U20 Trophy news

My orange genes are happy.

worldrugby.org

Netherlands living the dream after qualifying for World Rugby U20 Trophy 2024 | World Rugby

A 26-16 win over Lowlands rivals Belgium in the final of the Rugby Europe U20 Championship will see them play at their highest level next year.

[Machpants]

@Stargazer said in 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship:

U20 Trophy news

My orange genes are happy.

worldrugby.org

Netherlands living the dream after qualifying for World Rugby U20 Trophy 2024 | World Rugby

A 26-16 win over Lowlands rivals Belgium in the final of the Rugby Europe U20 Championship will see them play at their highest level next year.

Well done Ozzie