Australian U/20s 2012

[rugbywatch]

With another junior world cup this year, any news thoughts on who is or should be in this years team?
I assume Liam Gill will captain this years team unless features reguarly in the Reds 22

 

[Godfrey]

Liam Gill will most likely be playing for the Reds I would think, though it would be good for Shippers to play.

 

[qwerty51]

ARU need to step in and make sure all players are available.

 

[TOCC]

Super Rugby pays the wages...
Fans, sponsors and broadcasters pay money to have the best players on the pitch.. if Gill fits that category come U20 time then he should stay with the Reds..

Just the reality of the situation....

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Deans philosophy (not a foxy moron) is that the s15 players should be allowed to play through their age rep teams to get everything the game has to offer.
I think he right on this one.

 

[EVERYFWDTHINKTHEYREA6OR7]

Deans philosophy (not a foxy moron) is that the s15 players should be allowed to play through their age rep teams to get everything the game has to offer.
I think he right on this one.

Agree, provided that all countries do the same thing. Having two exceptional players extra on each team brings the whole game up a level.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

It's about the players having the experience of playing irrespective of how it impact s15

 

[Godfrey]

I think that's well and good for fringe players, but there's every chance Gill could force his way passed Robinson this year. Either way he'll be a vital match-day 22 member. Of course if the Reds are running in the bottom half of the table I wouldn't be against it. It's kind of like saying a boy genius doing a medical degree at uni should have to go back and sit his high-school exams.

 

[qwerty51]

I have no doubt Gill will pass Robinson but he should be at the u20s tournament. It's great for his leadership development, every other country sends their best players, even those that are starting for the top clubs. I want Australia to make a good account of themselves. Do it ARU. Everyone should be able to do without their 20 years for a few weeks or else they have huge depth problems.

 

[p.Tah]

what does Gill (et al.) want to do? It should be up to the players to decide without pressure from their franchise or the ARU.

 

[TOCC]

I have no doubt Gill will pass Robinson but he should be at the u20s tournament. It's great for his leadership development, every other country sends their best players, even those that are starting for the top clubs. I want Australia to make a good account of themselves. Do it ARU. Everyone should be able to do without their 20 years for a few weeks or else they have huge depth problems.

NSW and QLD both asked for exemptions in 2011.... And that was with larger squads and dedicated academies... How do you think it's going to be in 2012?

 

[qwerty51]

NSW and QLD both asked for exemptions in 2011.... And that was with larger squads and dedicated academies... How do you think it's going to be in 2012?

Who did NSW ask to be exempted? Kingston and Peterson went.

 

[Lee Grant]

Liam Gill will most likely be playing for the Reds I would think, though it would be good for Shippers to play.

It's Shipperley's birthday today - happy birthday to you Ships - but he's blowing out 21 candles; so he's too old.


Many of the 2012 U/20 team will be formed from players who were in the 2011 Oz U/19 team. Obviously others would have stepped up in Colts or even grade after the last lot was picked and some will step this year before the 2012 team is selected. [At least ... I hope so.]

The 2011 Oz U/19 team, which was beaten by the England U/18 team was:
1. Gary Neugebauer
2. Hugh Roach *
3 . Oliver Hoskins
4. Jed Holloway
5 . Steve Cummins
6. Luke Beauchamp
7 . Boyd Killingworth
8 . Jason Havea
9 . Matt Lucas *
10 . Dion Taumata
11. Blake Murray
12. Con Foley
13. Malie Hingano
14. Lindsay Crook
15. Peter Schuster

Reserves (and the positions I think they played when they came on)
16. (2) Tim Read
17. (3) Michael Bermingham
18. (4) Sam Reiser
19. (7) Tom Connor
20. (9) Tim Donlan
21. (10) Stuart Dunbar
22. (1) Les Makin
23. (11) Mitch Felsman

Eligible players who were not available included: Liam Gill*, Kyle Godwin, Apo Latunipulu*

* These players were selected for the 2011 Oz U/20 team though Gill was recalled by the Reds before he played a game.


As I wrote in the Oz U/19 thread yonks ago: the U/18 Pommie lads were like men against boys who were on average about 1 year older than they were. I hope that the selectors of the Oz U/20 team this year pay attention to the physicality of players and not just natural skill.

 

[TOCC]

Who did NSW ask to be exempted? Kingston and Peterson went.

they asked but were denied because of other alternatives available

 

[Slim 293]

To be fair, Gill wouldn't have made the starting XV ahead of Hooper so he wasn't really needed...

 

[tranquility]

No-one except you truly believes that, but the point is moot and Hooper had a fantastic tournament. I generally don't bite at this sort of stuff, but you have mentioned it many many times in many different threads. Hooper is a fantastic prospect, I'm glad we can agree on that.

 

[qwerty51]

they asked but were denied because of other alternatives available

Did not know that, can't see why they asked, how do you know this btw?

Slim that's rubbish Gill would've started, he started the year before even. Backrow of Gill, Hooper and Fainga'a would've still been good.

 

[Slim 293]

Hooper was injured in 2010...

And I don't see how Gill could've possibly beat our U20 player of the year's performance...

 

[qwerty51]

So? You honestly think Gill would not have played despite playing the year before? I rate Hooper but there's really no clear winner between Gill and him.

 

[Slim 293]

He would've made an excellent contribution to the bench, but would not have altered the performance of the Australian team...