2019 under 20's
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Finally managed to watch the game. My 2 cents:
- Starting frontrow was good. Captain Kereru-Symes showed great communication and leadership skills. Noticed him talking to his pack after Fiji dominated a few scrums in the first 10 minutes and it had immediate effect. The scrum improved a lot. Don't know what they changed, but it worked.
- Line-outs were good, too (there weren't as many in the 2nd half, so hard judge the reserve hooker's throws; he scored a nice try, though).
- Second row improved when Ah Kuoi was replaced and Grace came on. Vaa'i was good, but should have received a yellow card for that dangerous challenge in the air. There's no way he had a reasonable chance of catching that ball, and the Fijian fullback landed on his back. Fortunately, he was okay and got back up.
- Loosies, apart from Flanders, no stand-outs. Mua deserves some leniency here; he only recently returned from a bad injury that kept him from playing for close to a year. Didn't really notice the bench players either.
- Halfbacks: Carter - his decision making was good, some good breaks, that kick for Tupaea's first try was brilliant, but I still prefer Funaki. Carter's passing is too sloppy. Wish Fakatava was eligible (yes, I know, broken record).
- First five-eighths: Burke and Reihana are both good kickers, but their game management is well below par. I knew this would happen as soon as I saw the team selection. Stupid not to pick McClutchie, who has proven to have those game management skills during NPC.
- Midfielders: Tupaea - can be held responsible for allowing the Fijians to score their only try (bad defence), but scored two nice tries. A keeper. McLeod was seriously disappointing.
- Outside backs: Gilbert - nice try, but hasn't convinced me yet. Lalomilo - awesome tackle in the 2nd half, but also showing defensive weaknesses; very promising on attack. Toala standing out; pure class.
It's hard to judge the reserves (apart from Grace), because that - well-deserved - red card probably affected the game (we don't know how Fiji would have fared in the 2nd half with 15 men on the paddock).
Best NZ forward: Flanders
Best NZ back: Toala
Weakest link in the forwards: Ah Kuoi until he left the field; after that probably Finau.
Weakest link in the backline: McLeodWorst parts of our game: sloppy ball handling and lack of game management.
The game against Japan probably won't tell us much, but at least all will get a run. Hopefully, Gregory, and - if released - Nanai-Seturo, Clarke and Proctor can provide some much-needed spark to our backline.
I think a backline of Funaki - Reihana (lacking a better option) - Clarke - Gregory - Proctor - Nanai-Seturo - Toala can be deadly.@Stargazer good analysis, agree that McLeod was VERY disappointing after watching him play for Crusader Knights. Also Faingaanuku in that backline and we are all go!
Agree we need to try McClustie now or risk disappointment. -
Pretty disappointing performance by this NZ U20s : no continuity, sloppy passing, lack of penetration up front. The positive : the set phases which are an improvement compared to last season. The negatives : the backline where only Toala lived up to his reputation. The others were meh, even Tupaea who had a very good Mitre 10 Cup. But isn't he a second five eight ?
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The NZU20 squad to play Japan has been named (Tuesday 30 April v Japan, 5.00pm NZT):
1 George Dyer (Waikato)
2 Shilo Klein (Canterbury)
3 Fletch Newell (Canterbury)
4 Cullen Grace (Canterbury)
5 Taine Plumtree (Wellington)
6 Kaylum Boshier – captain (Taranaki)
7 Kohan Herbert (Bay of Plenty)
8 Simon Parker (Waikato)
9 Taufa Funaki (Auckland)
10 Rivez Reihana (Waikato)
11 Scott Gregory (Northland)
12 Dallas McLeod (Canterbury)
13 Lalomilo Lalomilo (Bay of Plenty)
14 Chay Fihaki (Canterbury)
15 Cole Forbes (Bay of Plenty)Reserves:
16 Kianu Kereru Symes (Hawke’s Bay)
17 Kaliopasi Uluilakepa (Wellington)
18 Tamaiti Williams (Canterbury)
19 Ollie Norris (Waikato)
20 Samipeni Finau (Waikato)
21 Tupou Vaa’i (Taranaki)
22 James Thompson (Waikato)
23 Jeriah Mua (Bay of Plenty)
24 Leroy Carter (Bay of Plenty)
25 Sam Gilbert (Canterbury)
26 Quinn Tupaea (Waikato)
27 Isaiah Punivai (Canterbury)In an effort to see all members of the travelling squad gain valuable game time, Dallas McLeod and Lalomilo Lalomilo are the only players backing up in the starting XV from the 53-7 win over Fiji on Friday.Taranaki’s Kaylum Boshier takes the captain’s armband for the match, while All Blacks Sevens player Scott Gregory is set to start on the wing, returning for a second Oceania Rugby Under 20 Championship campaign. Taufa Funaki and Rivez Reihana combine at halfback and first five eighths, the pair familiar with each other after playing two years in the New Zealand Schools team together. Waikato’s James Thompson has been called into the squad and will start off the bench, he replaces Naitoa Ah Kuoi who was injured in the opening match. The New Zealand Under 20 team play Japan Under 20s, who lost their first match 62-14 against Australia.http://www.allblacks.com/News/34048/new-zealand-under-20s-named-to-face-japan
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I guess that Flanders and Toala, the two stand-outs against Fiji, have done enough to earn their spot in the squad for the game against Australia, considering they've not been named in today's match day squad.
The weakest back from the previous game (McLeod) seems to be getting a second chance by starting again.
Clarke, Nanai-Setura and Proctor have clearly not been released by their SR franchise.
I wonder who covers 10 in case Reihana goes down?
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I guess that Flanders and Toala, the two stand-outs against Fiji, have done enough to earn their spot in the squad for the game against Australia, considering they've not been named in today's match day squad.
The weakest back from the previous game (McLeod) seems to be getting a second chance by starting again.
Clarke, Nanai-Setura and Proctor have clearly not been released by their SR franchise.
I wonder who covers 10 in case Reihana goes down?
@Stargazer there is clear footage of what Clarke, Nanai-Setura and Proctor can do so I assume in terms of releasing them they mean for the actual World Cup, not this tournament as they already know what they are getting.
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NZU20 v Japan U20
https://www.facebook.com/oceaniarugbyunion/videos/2445826762103944/
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@Stargazer said in 2019 under 20's:
Our scrum is sh&t.
Wasn't this the U20s where they picked fatties to do core roles?
Having said that, one thing I've noticed watching Japanese kids training at school; they're very drill focused honing skills to do them well.
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@Stargazer said in 2019 under 20's:
Our scrum is sh&t.
Wasn't this the U20s where they picked fatties to do core roles?
Having said that, one thing I've noticed watching Japanese kids training at school; they're very drill focused honing skills to do them well.
@antipodean Yep, the scrum was one of the things they focused on during the preparations for this tournament. Our scrum went well against Fiji, but not today.
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That's an awesome try.
@antipodean Yeah, looked awesome. But frustrating from a NZ pov.
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Good hard running from the NZ centre and off load to the inside running openside in support.
It's going to be that size and strength that makes this contest predictable.
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Brilliant individual try from the second five-eighth. Chip and chase.
