2017 New Zealand U20s

[Stargazer]

Another try scored by Christie after some good work from Matoe, who can still convert with these now gale force winds: 63 - 3.

[Stargazer]

Full time: NZ 63-3 Fiji

Good first game from the NZU20s, but hard to say where they're at with such a weak opponent.

It's difficult to pick stand-outs, because generally the whole starting line-up played well, but Coxon, Papalii and Christie would probably be my pick of the forwards, and Falcon and Leger of the backs. Of the reserves, Aumua and Matoe impressed.

[Stargazer]

New Zealand Under 20s to play Samoa (Tuesday 2 May, 5.00pm NZT)

1 Tim Farrell - Hawke’s Bay
2 Asafo Aumua - Wellington
3 Ryan Coxon - Waikato
4 Isaia Walker-Leawere - Wellington
5 Sam Caird - Waikato
6 Luke Jacobson (C) - Waikato
7 Adrian Choat - Auckland
8 Marino Mikaele-Tuu - Hawke’s Bay
9 Carlos Price - Wellington
10 Ciarahn Matoe - Taranaki
11 Caleb Clarke - Auckland
12 Thomas Umaga Jensen - Wellington
13 Braydon Ennor - Canterbury
14 Jona Nareki - Otago
15 Josh McKay - Canterbury

16 JP Sauni - Auckland
17 Ezekiel Lindenmuth - Auckland
18 Pouri Rakete-Stones - Hawke’s Bay
19 Samuel Slade - Auckland
20 Dalton Papalii - Auckland
21 Kemara Hauiti-Parapara - Wellington
22 Orbyn Leger - Counties Manukau
23 Tiaan Falcon - Hawke’s Bay

“We wanted to give as many players as possible the opportunity to state their case for selection against Australia later in the week, and have made 13 changes to the starting XV with a few different combinations we are trying out. 

http://www.allblacks.com/News/30718/nz-under-20-team-named-for-oceania-match-against-samoa

[Tim]

Anyone seen much of Orbyn Leger playing? I understand that he's a 12 who can play 10 as well?

[Stargazer]

@Tim I've only seen him play in the first game (at 12) v Fiji and he played very well. Hadn't seen him play before.

[Bovidae]

@Tim

I saw Leger play at lot at school level as he was the Hamilton BHS 10/12. Even though his father coaches the Sacred Heart College 1st XV he sent him south.

He played a bit for the U20s last year too, mainly off the bench. I think he might have been Counties squad last year too.

[NTA]

NZ v Samoa kicking off now on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/rugbycomau/videos/vb.797871967023499/1100953373382022/?type=2&theater¬if_t=live_video¬if_id=1493701019214951

[Stargazer]

Also live here: http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2017/05/02/01/44/live-stream-nz-sam

[Stargazer]

@NTA I missed the beginning. Did you see who scored the first NZ try?

[Stargazer]

Great team try. NZU20s very patient there and Ennor goes over in the corner.

Matoe converts and it's 14-3.

[Stargazer]

Great run from McKay and great try from Price, but where was the Samoan defence? Matoe's conversion is good: 21-3 NZ.

[Stargazer]

Now a very good try from Caleb Clarke! This is going to be a try fest. Converted: 28-3 NZ

[Stargazer]

Carlos Price already replaced by Kemara Hauiti-Parapara; injury?

[Stargazer]

Now a converted try by Thomas Umaga Jensen: 35-3 NZ

[NTA]

@Stargazer said in 2017 New Zealand U20s:

@NTA I missed the beginning. Did you see who scored the first NZ try?

Sorry mate- missed it too! Watching on one screen while I work from home

[Stargazer]

Again a great try. Awesome pass from Nareki and Slade goes over. Easy conversion for Matoe: 42-3 NZ.

[Stargazer]

Hmm, team list says Isaia Walker-Leawere, commentators say Samuel Slade. I have no idea what they look like, so assume it's Slade and he's playing very well. Big, strong boy.

[Stargazer]

Very good run from Clarke, kick, both he and two Samoan players dive to dot it down, miss and then Ennor scores the try.

Samoan defence can't keep up. Matoe again misses a kick: 47-3.

[Stargazer]

Half time: New Zealand lead 47 to 6

Really impressed with NZ's number 4, Sam Slade; also some very strong carries from Mikaele-Tu'u. From the backs, I quite like Price, Clarke and McKay.

Jacobson a bit mixed. Leads the team well, some good carries but also loses the ball in contact quite often. Matoe definitely not my choice for 10; his decision making not always on point and missed a few kicks at goal, including easy ones.

Samoa is disappointing. Only a few players seem to know what they are doing, including captain Losi Filipo, who also has a huge work rate.

[Stargazer]

The first subs are being made, including Rakete-Stones has come on.

Aumua scores the first try of the second half. Matoe's kick hits the post and goes under. 52-6 NZ