2015 IRB Junior Rugby World Cup - Italy

[Sideline Eye]

Any trial games happening for Nsw this weekend. I believe Qld are having a hit out against Sunshine Coast

I believe the NSW 20s squad is having this weekend off - tapering for next week's games. They had good hit outs on Thursday, Sat and Tuesday to mimic (roughly) the 3 games in 5 days in Canberra, so now just some fine tuning and strategy.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

@Sideline Eye, Any news on the lads recorded as being in Team Rehab on @Lee Grant's post #376 back on page 19.

 

[Lee Grant]

I haven't seen anybody but the ACT, NSW Country and NSW Under 20s this year, and got a glimpse of some Qlders and others in the NRC.

Front Row

LHP - Cameron Orr. He and Fereti Sa'aga will be contending for the position. I watched Sa'aga closely for Samoa last year and he is not the scrummager that Orr is. He didn't make the Aussie team in 2014 because Orr was rated higher and chosen as the back-up for Rory O'Connor—and played in every game.

You can see that Sa'aga is a converted backrower though, and is better than Cam around the park; but we will have heaps of players who can get around the park. We need scrummagers and dominators.

I haven't seen Pleash since his school days a couple of years ago. He was a skilful LHP who didn't look like he was going to be big enough to be a prop when he was older but he would have built himself up since those times.

His all-round skills and that of any other prop won't matter; it's scrummaging and tight-five play that they will be looking at.

Hooker - Folau Fainga'a. If anybody gets picked ahead of him and Connal McInerney (ACT) that will be good news for Australia because these are two young hard-heads.

This is Alex Mafi's first season out of school; he was injured a bit last year and seems to be now. Pity, he's future professional if he's healthy.

Phil Bradford could cover for third hooker and LHP but he is still in his U19 year.

The throwing to the lineout in 2014 was ordinary apart from Scoble; the accuracy of the throws in the nationals will be looked at more closely this year.

THP - Matt Sandell - This position is usually a conundrum for Aussie U20s except in 2014 when Allan Ala'alatoa excelled as we expected he would.

Tryel Lomax (ACT) - son of league player John - is a bruising player who knows how to score a try, and plays union as though he has played a lot of league, which he has. He looks too tall to be a young THP, as Ollie Hoskins found out in his first year of U20s.

Francis Brown of NSW can also impose himself, and has been pursued by the Chiefs. He played for Aus A schools as a 16-year-old in 2013 and turned 18 just last November. His mobility has improved out of sight but he may need another year still, to get into top shape.

Both are formidable and weigh 130 kgs, but there is more to scrummaging than size.

NSW Country skipper Blake Walsh is a goer and it will be good for the selectors to assess him in Canberra where he will be playing in a competitive side

My first choice THP would be Matt Sandell, who has started for Sydney University in the position in First Grade (not a bad gig for a fellow who was in his U19 year at the time). He is in good form now after being out for a while with a back problem.

(Disclaimer - I can only talk about the players I know and have seen recently; so feel free to mention the merits of players from WA, Vic and Qld, in particular.)
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[Sideline Eye]

@Sideline Eye, Any news on the lads recorded as being in Team Rehab on @Lee Grant's post #376 back on page 19.

Injured for today but in squad

LHP - Matt Gibbon * (shoulder)
Lock - Ned Hanigan (ankle)
Back 3 - Tyson Davis (back)

* Matt Gibbon was injured in the hit-out last week. If he doesn't recover in time he will be replaced by Vuni Fifita.

Hugh, here's the mail. Gibbo is out, Ned and Tyson had a week off but are fine now.

 

[muddy]

^^^^
It is always dangerous to assume that a previous incumbent will return but don't forget these folk:
Props
Cameron ORR - 2014 Australian U20
Fereti SA'AGA - 2014 Samoa U20

Loose Forward
Sam CROKE - 2014 Australian U20

I reckon that these young men will feature in a Gold Jumper:
2. Folau FAINGA'A
9. Mitch SHORT
Bench. Harry JONES (some defensive lapses in NRC & Shute Shield [He was only 18/19 and hopefully he's addressed these since] but fast and can kick from hand & off the Tee a long way, off both feet)

Orr i rate highly as well as Fainga'a.. i know what you mean about harry jones, hope hes addressed some of his def lapses as you stated , but hes get some gas as well a boot

 

[muddy]

^^^^^^^^ Post # 423

I haven't seen anybody but the ACT and NSW Under 20s this year, and got a glimpse of some Qlders and others in the NRC.

Front Row

etc etc etc

.

thats a solid front row, have to be in italy esp against the boks and england... sandell and orr i would start backed by sa'aga , Fainga'a is quiet a player, hope he gets looked after , seems to come leaps and bounds from out of nowhere, looks like a solid 2 , was hoping along side Mafi, but i see hes injured, i like the look of backline esp the back 3 , just maybe a bit short in the centres
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[Sideline Eye]

^^^^^^^^ Post # 423
thats a solid front row, have to be in italy esp against the boks and england. sandell and orr i would start backed by sa'aga , Fainga'a is quiet a player, hope he gets looked after , seems to come leaps and bounds from out of nowhere, looks like a solid 2 , was hoping along side Mafi, but i see hes injured, [snip].

Sounds like the props have a number of good options. But the hooker spot sounds like there are injuries and, apart from Folau Fainga'a, no obvious understudy who is fit.

Given there are three Aussie sides in The Canberra trials, and presumably 2 hookers a side, and 3 hookers to go to Italy, who are the 6 contenders for those 3 spots?

From posts above, looks like:

QLD
Zac Shanks
Josh Webb

NSW
Folau Fainga'a
Ed Craig

Barbarians
??
??

 

[FrontRowFan]

Sounds like the props have a number of good options. But the hooker spot sounds like there are injuries and, apart from Folau Fainga'a, no obvious understudy who is fit.

Given there are three Aussie sides in The Canberra trials, and presumably 2 hookers a side, and 3 hookers to go to Italy, who are the 6 contenders for those 3 spots?

From posts above, looks like:

QLD
Zac Shanks
Josh Webb

NSW
Folau Fainga'a
Ed Craig

Barbarians
??
?? .

Barbarians
Phil Bradford
Connal McInerney
(I think.)

 

[Lee Grant]

Ideally we should pick a squad of forwards, each of whom are of the type to counter the brute strength of the South Africans. If we could do that they would serve against the likes of England also, should we meet them.

And if they are of that type they will prosper against any other side as well.

But we don't have enough of those players.

Second row

Almost as soon as the 2014 IRB U20 tournament finished, those of us who had been tracking schools rugby thought this was going to be an area of potential weakness in 2015 compared to 2014, which was decent once Staniforth got out of his moon boot, and Jack Payne revealed himself.

Ned Hanigan (correct spelling) is really a blindside flanker who can play in the second row and is a Rocky Elsom type of player for NSW U20. He is the lineout organiser and a boss in the pack.

Hanigan was the only NSW U20 forward chosen to play for the Tahs 2nd XV (Gen Blue) against the Pampas XV—and he held his own against a side that had about 15 Puma test players in their matchday squad.

We'd all like to have 2 metre-tall locks who weight 120 kgs in our U20 team but we don't have them; so our left lock will be some tall skinny lineout guy or someone like Hanigan.

If anyone else gets precedence for the left lock position he will be very good.

Right lock is another situation. Callum Smith (ACT) is definitely a goer but looks short. Izack Rhodda has the right size but he's not in the Qld U20 starting XV.

I don't know a lot about the other locks, which is a concern in itself, if you know what I mean.

A complete smokey is U/19-age player Lukhan Lealaiauloto-Tui who I have mentioned so many times in blogs and posts that I don't have to look up how to spell his name. He was lumbering around at training in November and December, but hit his straps playing against the Norths and Southern Districts first grade side recently.

At 198 cms and 120 kgs he is the ideal size and I think his training should be continued with the Aussie Under 20s after the nationals as a project, before the final cut is made.

LLT about to score against Norths senior 1st XV:

 

[Lee Grant]

Backrow

Everybody will be crowing about the backrowers in the three Aussie teams but it is always the case for Under 20s playing against domestic players of the same age.

All our competitors in Italy will be crowing also but the advantage that the 6N 20 teams have is that they would have had five international games to sort out who their top guys are.

This is the same for every position but the backrow needs particular attention: not only must the individuals be chosen well but also the fit of the three as a unit in important games has to be balanced.

Openside - Michael Gunn (Qld) missed the team last year but was a shadow player. He impressed me for Brisbane City v the NH Rays in the NRC at Brookvale: a bit like Liam Gill around the rucks, but better in the open.

He should have favouritism for the starting spot but Jack McCalman of NSW has porked up since last year and is therefore able to play a harder game. He has a big engine and is a spark-plug for the other forwards plus being a natural captain.

It should be between those two but Dean Paragalli of the ACT may have something to say about the matter.

Blindside - Sam Croke got two games from the bench last year which was not a blinding endorsement for 2015 but he has been playing well for NSW U20s and his ball in hand play has improved—and his performance as an alternate lineout jumper has been good.

Apart from NSW and ACT players I haven't seen the others play since school and other forum members can read tea leaves better than I can; but I would appreciate the opinions of people who have actually seen U20 candidates play at the ground in 2015.

No 8: Lolo Fakaosilea was in the Aus team last year as Croke was, but got one game only, on the bench; he scarcely had the opportunity to shine, and didn't. Unlike with Gunn at 7, I wasn't impressed when I saw him in the NRC, and I thought I should have been, because he put on some beef in the last 18 months and should have been running over people.

I think that 6 and 8 are up for grabs. Ollie Kamp is playing well at 8 for NSW and is a decent lineout option who plays his heart out, but I hope there is a smokey no. 8 like Ross Haylett-Petty from out west last year or a Victorian, who can run over people and stop them doing the same.

South Africa and England will have two of their backrowers on any day able to shift people on attack on defence; in fact the SAffers may have three. We need two of ours to be able to have more than big engines and "all the skills".
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[redhead]

Lee forgot reserve No 6 for Brisbane City Adam Korczyk. He is the likely choice for the starting position but could also play second row if required. Brad Wilkin may be released from 7s and he should be a strong contestant for 7 or 8.

 

[Lee Grant]

The halves

Scrumhalf - Mitch Short - I know the NSW players best because I have seen them train and play so often in the last three months.

Short is a good benchmark who has a no-delay pass but could probably snipe a bit more. Rory Davis, on the other hand backs himself a tad too much but he has surprised opponents a lot.

I don't why the name James Tuttle is not on the Qld team sheet in an earlier post, but he would be a candidate if he is in Canberra.

I don't think the number 9s will be as potent as they are likely to be for the next three years.

Flyhalf - Andrew Deegan will likely be the first pick because he was one of the last six cut last year. He has just come good after a long lay-off after being smashed by Hugh Roach in First Grade (playing First Grade is not as common an occurrence for school leavers as it is in Brisbane) playing for Randwick in 2014.

He has a good all round game and has always had an old head on his young shoulders.

Aussie U20 coach Adrian Thompson told me that he was impressed by Pat Loeta Toeta [Edit](Victoria) in the Adelaide tournament, but I can't recall seeing him play since he played for Aus A Schools in 2013.

Corey Tulloch played well for the NSW U20s before Deegan came back (they were both injured at one stage).

I can't say that the ACT 9s and 10s impressed me when they played in Sydney. but Jackson-Hope had some good moments at flyhalf—but that was just on one showing and their forwards weren't up to much.


Comments on halves outside of NSW are needed here and the reasons why they should be considered.
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[Lee Grant]

Lee forgot reserve No 6 for Brisbane City Adam Korczyk. He is the likely choice for the starting position but could also play second row if required. Brad Wilkin may be released from 7s and he should be a strong contestant for 7 or 8.

Thanks redhead.

I actually had Korczyk mentioned but I took him out: I don't think he compares with Hanigan as a loosehead lock; should have mentioned him as an alternate though.

After posting the news that Thompson said that Wilkin would be available, I forgot to put him in.

That's another big-engined, skilful guy, but where are the bruisers?
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[redhead]

Well, Lee list is becoming clearly NSW centric but this would be acceptable if he kept at least to some facts. Korczyk played with Brisbane City the whole comp, scored against NH Rays (along with Gunn) and recently against GPS in trial game. He is in form number 5/6 so Hanigan or Croke (did not see them in NRC) will need to show their goods next week. James Dalgleish and Duncan Pauia'a would be a strong contenders for flyhalf position. James Tuttle recovers from broken jaw (happened not on the field) and may not be ready to compete.

 

[Ash]

I also don't recall Lolo playing for Qld Country in the NRC; I thought he spent all of it injured. I thought Ben Adams started all games.

Yeah, Korczyk got a lot of time off the bench in the NRC and went all right. He's not far off a lock in height, but he's not quite built like one.

I was impressed with Wilkin with his limited time in the NRC, but we didn't see much of him.

 

[Dctarget]

Aussie U20 coach Adrian Thompson told me that he was impressed by Pat Loeta (Victoria) in the Adelaide tournament, but I can't recall seeing him play since he played for Aus A Schools in 2013.

I'm assuming you're talking about a guy called Pat Toeta. He actually happens to be in my display picture over on the left there. Very very talented young player.

I think your confusion comes from another Victorian Samoan player called Pati Leota who probably could play fly-half he's that talented, but instead he's a lock who regularly features in the Vic U18's (he's a few years younger that Toeta). Pati has also been recently selected for the Australian Youth Sevens which might be why his name is fresh in your mind.

Oh, also Pati Leota also goes by Robert, just to confuse you a bit more.

 

[Lee Grant]

I'm assuming you're talking about a guy called Pat Toeta. He actually happens to be in my display picture over on the left there. Very very talented young player.

Yeah - it was Toeta that Thompson mentioned.
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[Lee Grant]

I also don't recall Lolo playing for Qld Country in the NRC

My bad - thought I saw him play.

Good to see folks are reading though and to get some feedback on the Queenslanders.

Yeah my posts are NSW-centric but I did give disclaimers about why that was.

And the remarks for the remaining positions will be too; so please keep contributing; so we can all get a better perspective.
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[Lee Grant]

Centres

There is so much talent in the back three group that Andrew Kellaway could be considered as an outside centre, which is his preferred position anyway.

It may seem crazy to change his position when he scored a record number of tries for the U20s on the wing in 2014, but at this point, before the nationals start, I think it is an option.

This is because the midfield seems a more modest offering compared to other segments of the likely team.

The NSW pairing of Jack Redden and Alex Newsome are decent and have performed well against senior players recently, with Redden being a big improver and Newsome a good goal-kicker.

There are some promising schoolboys from 2014: 12. Sione Tuipulotu (Victoria) and 13 Izaia Perese (Qld) but their chance may come next year. They weren't standouts for Aus Schools in NZ last year; not that many were.

Likewise Henry Hutchison, who turned 18 just a month ago. He was a winger for the Aus schoolboys 1st XV when he was 16 but played 13 for his school. He will be on the wing for NSW and will probably be the fastest player in Canberra next week, but he is more than just a speedster.

So help me out here guys. In particular are there any beefy guys who can dominate tackles front-on?
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[Lee Grant]

Back 3

This will be the strength of the team though we would probably be better off with having strong units closer to the action.

Fullback

Jonah Placid would be the favourite of many and he will be in the squad, but whilst he is brilliant, he is also brittle. And just quietly: his gaffe against England last year was not well regarded and is remembered. He had better make some better decisions in Canberra however big his scrapbook is.

Andrew Kellaway has been living up to the hype at fullback for NSW U20s but has already been mentioned.

I noticed that Jordan Fulivai (ACT) was not named in the Aus Barbarians side; so the fullbacks that were chosen for that team are probably pretty good.

Wing

Should Kellaway be chosen on the wing and Placid play fullback, there will be a bit of a queue for the other wing spot and Campbell Magnay of the Reds will be in it. He may not be released for the nationals but be in the squad for Italy nevertheless.

Another in the queue will be Harry Jones who plays rugby like d'Artagnan and can kick the ball a mile with both feet to exit his team from tight spots. He will be handy on long-range penalty attempts also. We hear criticism of his positioning on defence but not much of it from people who have seen him in trials in 2015.

Conrad Quick (great name for a winger) was a reserve against Italy and Samoa in 2014. Then there is one of my favourite schoolboy players, Joey Fittock; but it's his first year out of school, so he may be behind the more experienced players mentioned above, and have to wait another year.

And likewise for Henry Hutchison, mentioned earlier.

A smokey could be Christian Yassmin - but who are other candidates that I have forgotten - and why?
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