RugbyRebels

This kicks off tonight with:
Eng v Samoa
NZ v Scotland
Ireland v Italy
SA v France

NZ team for Scotland is:
1: Ezekiel Lindenmuth (Auckland)
2: Asafo Aumua (Wellington)
3: Ryan Coxon (Waikato)
4: Isaia Walker-Leawere (Wellington)
5: Samuel Slade (Auckland)
6: Dalton Papalii (Auckland)
7: Tom Christie (Canterbury)
8: Luke Jacobson – Captain (Waikato)
9: Ereatara Enari – Vice Captain (Canterbury)
10:Tiaan Falcon (Hawke's Bay)
11: Tima Faingaanuku (Tasman)
12: Orbyn Leger (Counties Manukau)
13: Braydon Ennor (Canterbury)
14: Josh McKay (Canterbury)
15: Will Jordan (Tasman)

16: John (JP) Sauni (Auckland)
17: Tim Farrell (Hawke's Bay)
18: Alex Fidow (Wellington)
19: Sam Caird (Waikato)
20: Marino Mikaele -Tuu (Hawke's Bay)
21: Kemara Hauiti-Parapara (Wellington)
22: Thomas Umaga Jensen (Wellington)
23: Caleb Clarke (Auckland)

None of those names is familiar. What's this year's crop like?

Dalton Papalii is supposed to hit like a missile. Apart from that, no idea. They smashed Australia in the Oceania tournament, but that probably doesn't mean all that much.

EDIT: Though, I believe, Stephen Perofeta, Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane would all be eligible for the squad. Would've made for a killer U20's backline.

zer0 wrote:Dalton Papalii is supposed to hit like a missile. Apart from that, no idea. They smashed Australia in the Oceania tournament, but that probably doesn't mean all that much.

EDIT: Though, I believe, Stephen Perofeta, Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane would all be eligible for the squad. Would've made for a killer U20's backline.

Interesting that they've not sent those Super players there. I wonder if they'll be involved with the ABs or if it's been decided that youngsters are better off with their franchises. It might also be a special decision because the Lions are visiting.

Beat Scotland, though conceded too easily and shipped 20 points.
England obviously trounced Samoa
South Africa drew with France with a converted try with he clock in the red

And.....

Italy beat Ireland 22 v 21!!!

Our boys won it by kicking the shit out of England in the final. 64-17, 10 tries and 7 conversions to 3 tries, 1 conversion. Yay.

Looking at the tournament, last years runners-up Ireland had a proper shit tournament, losing all 3 of their pool games with 2 close losses to Italy and Scotland before getting duffed up by the Baby Blacks. They then went into the 9~12th place knockouts, where they at least leave with their heads held high, beating hosts Georgia and Samoa on their way to 9th place.

Scotland matched the exploits of the senior side by beating Australia to secure a 5th place finish, having dispatched the Welsh narrowly in the previous game.

England, it seems, squeaked past a Baby Boks team in the semifinals, and were met with a rampant Baby Blacks side, while the MiniBoks took 3rd place at the expense of the French.

Watched the final, NZ looked ok, but left a few points out there from handling errors or being too greedy. Blew a few overlaps. Game never really got flowing which seems a strange thing to say given the scoreline.

Bunch of great prospects in the NZ side, the hooker is a rampaging beast, Clarke looks the goods too. Was especially impressed with the fullback Jordan, great awareness, following up, selfless passing and a good turn of speed.

Look like a team who are individually incredibly talented but poorly coached. I'm not sure Ive ever seen a NZ team look less cohesive.

I was beginning to be a little relieved that NZ had no proper replacement for Dane Coles - there are some decent replacements but no one with his particular brand of muscular dynamism. Then I saw Aumua. He could be the AB 2 by the RWC.

Bear in mind that five of the England U20's were with the full England squad in Argentina.