2023 NZ Schools

[Bovidae]

Thankfully the rain stayed away until the final whistle of the second game.

Results:

Spoiler

NZ Māori U18s 62 - 0 Northland U19s (HT: 24-0)
NZ Schools 57 - 22 NZ Barbarians U18s (HT: 36-12)

[Bovidae]

For those interested here are the coaches and staff.

NZ Schools

NZ Barbarians U18

[Stargazer]

https://www.nzrugby.co.nz/news-and-events/latest-news/new-zealand-schools-and-u18s-match-wrap/

[Bovidae]

This photo shows the size of Pledger, the starting halfback, compared to the two locks.

[SouthernMann]

Another Otago midget coming through. Good to see

[Bovidae]

Teams for tomorrow's games. Based on what I saw last Sat, I would not be surprised if the Māori U18s beat the NZ Barbarians U18s.

Hopefully the game in Aust is streamed.

[Stargazer]

Thursday 28 September - St Pauls Collegiate, Hamilton - 12.00pm kick-off
New Zealand Māori U18 v New Zealand Barbarian U18

Livestream:

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae said in 2023 NZ Schools:

Hopefully the game in Aust is streamed.

In Australia it will be shown on Stan Sport, so hopefully Sky will either broadcast it on one of their channels or livstream it on Sky Sport Next (YouTube).

[Bovidae]

Some rotation in the Māori and Barbarians. Jai Taimati missing at halfback, replaced by Halen King. Pretty much the same NZ Schools team, although James Cameron was a late withdrawal.

Also, the starting 1st 5 for the Māori is from Te Kuiti HS, so good to see a smaller school represented.

[Stargazer]

NZR have edited their post on FB and it now says that the Australia U18 v NZ Schools game will be live on Sky Sport.

[Dolamite]

If Randall Baker went to a 1A school, he would have made one of the teams. I think he’s the best loose forward in Auckland

[Bovidae]

@Dolamite said in 2023 NZ Schools:

If Randall Baker went to a 1A school, he would have made one of the teams. I think he’s the best loose forward in Auckland

I see he was playing no.8 for the Divisional XV, so not even selected for the Gulls. What school?

[Bovidae]

https://www.allblacks.com/news/new-zealand-schools-named-for-first-australia-u18-match/

[nostrildamus]

@Bovidae said in 2023 NZ Schools:

This photo shows the size of Pledger, the starting halfback, compared to the two locks.

Pledger looks like a good sized lock for the Hurricanes!

[Stargazer]

Posting this here, because the Aussie Rugby thread is too busy discussing the state of Aussie rugby.

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/australian-schools-u18s-side-named-for-nz-clash-2023927

[Bovidae]

So much for my prediction.

Spoiler

The Māori made too many mistakes and got dominated at the breakdown, while the bounce of the ball went the NZ Barbarians way all game. Nathan Salmon got 4 tries.

NZ Barbarians U18s 41 - 5 NZ Māori U18s (HT: 22-0)

[taniwharugby]

@Bovidae Salmon showed good pace, particularly for the 2nd try.

[Bovidae]

@taniwharugby Yes. He got some ball in this game unlike against NZ Schools.

[frugby]

Is this a minute's silence or a stare down?

[Stargazer]

Yep, that's always a red card. He fell on his neck. Commentators say for the rest of the game. They don't do 20-minute reds cards in these games?