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!!!

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.