WR U20 Championship 2025

[Mamuka]

I don't understand why New Zealand teams in Super Rugby U20 were so weak in defense. I have only seen highlights, because in Georgia we didn’t have access to full broadcasts, but it's still very noticeable that they don't focus on defense. That's why European teams are better. It's very sad. I think New Zealand rugby should revise their priorities in the style of playing. I also think defense will be the first problem for New Zealand at the World Cup.

[taniwharugby]

@Mamuka which is ridiculous as we need fresh ideas on varying plays to bring to our game, for a period it was all but a requirement for AB coaches....

[Bovidae]

@Mamuka said in WR U20 Championship 2025:

I also think defense will be the first problem for New Zealand at the World Cup.

All the RC teams conceded a lot of points in their games. Maybe the attack was also better?

After watching a few of the 6N U20 games I'm not sure their defence was any better. Maybe England and France at times, but those teams missed plenty of tackles and leaked points too. Ground conditions will play a big part in how the games are played in Italy.

[WoodysRFC]

@Mamuka said in WR U20 Championship 2025:

I don't understand why New Zealand teams in Super Rugby U20 were so weak in defense. I have only seen highlights, because in Georgia we didn’t have access to full broadcasts, but it's still very noticeable that they don't focus on defense. That's why European teams are better. It's very sad. I think New Zealand rugby should revise their priorities in the style of playing. I also think defense will be the first problem for New Zealand at the World Cup.

Which European teams, France?

[Landers92]

I have no idea where to post this one but since Mathis is named in the NZ20s I’ll post it in here.

Mathis is playing right wing in club rugby in Chch this weekend. Could be a sign of where they see him playing come WC time? For what it’s worth, he played 7 a couple weeks ago.

[Bovidae]

Here is the Australian U20 squad.

[Bovidae]

Has anyone got info on whether a new head coach has been confirmed? The squad must be leaving for Italy within the next week but it's been very quiet from HQ.

[cgrant]

It's gonna be very hot in Italy, with temperatures above 30°C for the games played in the afternoon. Big and heavy forwards will suffer from the heat.

[Bovidae]

A change in the Aust squad due to injury.

Meanwhile, the Australia U20s squad was dealt a blow after Reds star Dre Pakeho was ruled out with a calf injury. Pakeho will be replaced by Brumbies midfielder Malakye Enasio, who started in the win over South Africa.

Pakeho would have been a guaranteed starter.

[hikastags]

Pakuranga Rugby Club announced on their facebook page that Randall Baker (injury reserve) will be going on tour.

Wonder who he's going in place of.

[Bovidae]

@hikastags said in WR U20 Championship 2025:

Pakuranga Rugby Club announced on their facebook page that Randall Baker (injury reserve) will be going on tour.

Wonder who he's going in place of.

Radio silence about the U20s. It could be a big loss if it's one of the locks.

[Bovidae]

Who is missing in this photo? I can't see Josh Tengblad.

[Mauss]

@Bovidae Looks like Tengblad's missing, yeah. I also don't see Micah Fale and Tamiano Ahloo either. Losing both Tengblad and Fale would be unfortunate, as they're two of the squad's best players.

I suspect the player squatting down on the far right is the replacement prop. It should probably be Palmer but I don't immediately recognize him. Baker's also there and it looks like Mika Muliaina on the left hand side.

[Nepia]

@Bovidae said in WR U20 Championship 2025:

A change in the Aust squad due to injury.

Meanwhile, the Australia U20s squad was dealt a blow after Reds star Dre Pakeho was ruled out with a calf injury. Pakeho will be replaced by Brumbies midfielder Malakye Enasio, who started in the win over South Africa.

Pakeho would have been a guaranteed starter.

I read that as Dre Pakeha and was hoping he'd be a fair skinned Maori and that he was studying medicine.

[hikastags]

Did they end up naming who replaced Milton Haig?

Getting info on our U20s is like getting blood out of a stone.

[Number 10]

Updated squad list:

Hookers
Shaun Kempton, Highlanders/Southland
Manumaua Letiu, Crusaders/Canterbury
Eli Oudenryn, Crusaders/ Ta$man

Props
Robson Faleafā, Blues/Auckland
Dane Johnston, Chiefs/Taranaki
Sika Pole, Blues/Auckland
Israel Time, Hurricanes/Wellington (replacing Tamiano Ahloo)
Logan Wallace, Hurricanes/Manawatu

Locks
Jayden Sa, Chiefs/Taranaki
Josh Tengblad, Highlanders/Otago
Aisake Vakasiuola, Chiefs/Bay of Plenty

Loose Forwards
Mosese Bason, Hurricanes/Manawatū
Micah Fale, Chiefs/Waikato
Oli Mathis, Chiefs/Waikato
Xavier Treacy, Crusaders/Canterbury
Caleb Woodley, Blues/Auckland
Finn McLeod, Crusaders/Canterbury

Halfbacks
Ollie Burra, Crusaders, Canterbury (replacing Charlie Sinton)
Dylan Pledger, Highlanders/Otago
Jai Tamati, Hurricanes/Manawatū

First five-eighth
Will Cole, Hurricanes/Hawke’s Bay
Rico Simpson, Blues/Auckland

Midfield
James Cameron, Crusaders/Canterbury
Tayne Harvey, Highlanders/Southland
Cooper Roberts, Crusaders/ Ta$man
Jack Wiseman, Chiefs/Taranaki

Outside Backs
Maloni Kunawave, Crusaders/ Ta$man
Harlyn Saunoa, Blues/Auckland
Stanley Solomon, Hurricanes/Wellington
Frank Vaenuku, Chiefs/Bay of Plenty

Co Head-Coaches
Jarrad Hoeata and Alex Robertson

Scrum Coach:
Craig Dunlea

Defence Coach:
Dave Dillon

New Zealand Under 20s match schedule:

Monday 30 June, 6:30am NZT
New Zealand v Italy – Stadio San Michele, Calvisano

Saturday 5 July, 4:00am NZT
New Zealand v Georgia – Stadia Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana

Thursday 10 July, 4:00am NZT
New Zealand v Ireland – Stadio San Michele, Calvisano

TBC
Playoff matches

[Bovidae]

No Randall Baker as reported?

[hikastags]

That's a shame about Sinton. He was good.

[Bovidae]

Sinton must have got injured in Italy. He is in the photo I posted. Palmer might have picked up an unfortunate injury as he is missing from club rugby in the last 2 weeks.

[Bovidae]