2018 New Zealand U20s

Bovidae

Not too many of the NZ schools players are in that player list to attend the U20 camp.

Stargazer

@bovidae Yeah, I wonder whether - except for the absolute best players from NZ Schools of the previous year - they are first expected to play the U19 tournament and then will be considered a year later.

Nogusta

@stargazer said in 2018 New Zealand U20s:

@bovidae Yeah, I wonder whether - except for the absolute best players from NZ Schools of the previous year - they are first expected to play the U19 tournament and then will be considered a year later.

Yep that's right. Very rare for a NZ Schools player from the previous year make the NZ U20s the next year. Recent exceptions I can think of - 2017 Caleb Clarke, 2016 Dalton Papali'i, Peter Umaga Jensen, Asafo Aumua, Alex Fidow - I'm sure there have been a few others?
Toala went to the Dec camp and was a bit off the pace fitness wise so that maybe might've counted against him? McLutchie will have to bide his time with both Harry Plummer and Ciarahn Matoe in there. Same with Fakatava as there is good depth at halfback - Carlos Price, Xavier Roe, Jay Renton. I'd say Flanders and Mua (Jeriah) would have been brought in for the selectors to have a look with the likes of Mua (AJ), Sotutu and Sione Talitui (Havili) all injured?

chchfanatic

Cullen grace has been killing it at the crusaders. Played for the knights last week. Could be a Bolter for mitre 10 Cup

Tim

http://www.aucklandrugby.co.nz/newsarticle/60597

Tim

Under 20 squad named for Oceania Rugby Championship

Forwards: <

John Akau'ola-Laula - Auckland
Suetena Asomua - Counties Manukau
Tom Christie (Captain) - Canterbury
Rob Cobb - Auckland
Devan Flanders - Hawke's Bay
Tom Florence - Taranaki
Ricky Jackson - Otago
Tevita Mafileo - Bay of Plenty
Laghlan McWhannell - Waikato
Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa - Auckland
Bradley Slater - Taranaki
Hoskins Sotutu - Auckland
Flynn Thomas - Southland
Will Tucker - Canterbury
Kaliopasi Uluilakepa - Wellington

Backs:
Leicester Faingaanuku - Ta$man
Will Jordan - Ta$man
Vilimoni Koroi - Otago
Ciarahn Matoe - Taranaki
Harry Plummer - Auckland
Carlos Price - Wellington
Billy Proctor - Wellington
Ngane Punivai - Canterbury
Jay Renton - Southland
Xavier Roe - Waikato
Bailyn Sullivan - Waikato
Tanielu Tele'a - Auckland
Kaleb Trask - Bay of Plenty

2- 3 players to be named

Players not considered due to Super Rugby commitments

Caleb Clarke - Blues

Players not considered due to injury

Tim Farrell - Hawke's Bay
Brayden Iose - Manawatu
Ajay Mua - Bay of Plenty
Xavier Numia - Wellington
Cameron Suafoa - Auckland
Sheldon Tovio - Waikato

Tevita Mafileo is Sione Mafileo's younger brother, as Billy Proctor is Mike Proctor's.

Stargazer

@tim It's a pity that Jeriah Mua didn't make it, but I assume that his situation is similar to that of a lot of last year's Hastings Boys players who are missing from the squad and that he'll also be eligible next year. Only one of them made it, Devan Flanders.

Of the 3 Hawke's Bay players that missed out, I feel most sorry for Tim Farrell, who's one of the most talented NZ props in this age group. Got injured during last year's JWC, and now again a serious injury. Jacob Devery and Will Tremain also injured, although not mentioned.

KiwiMurph

Interesting to see Koroi there.

Fitness permitting he will play

Comm Games 7s (mid April)
Oceania U20s (late April early May)
World U20s (late May)
World Cup 7s in San Francisco (July)

Plus who knows if he fits any World 7s Series round into the above calendar.

Stargazer

@kiwimurph Switching back and forth from XVs and 7s. Will be interesting to see how he'll deal with that. I'm a bit sceptical.

Bovidae

Where's Koroi likely to play? Fullback?

Nogusta

@bovidae I'd say wing with Will Jordan in there?

Bovidae

There are 3 players who can play 1st 5 (Plummer, Matoe and Trask) and some of them could also play at 2nd 5 or FB - so some versatility in the squad. I assume Faingaanuku will be on one wing.

Tim

@bovidae Yeah, Plummer has played a bit at 12 too.

Bones

Rayasi too old or not good enough?

Tim

@bones

DOB: September 25, 1996

Bones · DOB: September 25, 1996

@tim Just missed the cut eh

98blueandgold

Pretty predictable team. Most surprising to not be named who was not listed as injured would be Sione Asi (although fitness at this level would be an issue). in terms of last years schools players apart from maybe Etenai and Vaa'i (Who was in last cut but just turning 18) There is a massive gap and I could not see any of them getting close to those selected.
top team would be maybe
Cobb
Thomas
Mafileo
McWhannell
Tucker
Sotutu
Christie
Flanders
Price
Matoe/Plummer
Faingaanuku
Telea
Protctor
Sullivan
Jordan