Under-20 Competitions including Oceania & World U20s

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Back to it then. Throw out some game 1 lineups?

There's no minute managing or giving guys a go at this one with the lucky loser set up. Best side has to go out every game. I put Rubens at 13 even though Grover could get the start given he's been the form player but his versatility along with Fakafunua on the bench could be very useful. I've gone with Fowler as the 10 because he got the start v NZ. I'd be happy to see Dillon there if selected.

Whilst he didn't play in the U20sRC Ekanayake brings an older body back to the comp which is huge. Guys like Brial are only 18 and their time will come.

Aus have the chance to put out one of their biggest packs in recent years.

1. TiiTii
2. Ata
3. King
4. Robinson
5. Mangelsdorf
6. Ekanayake
7. Langi
8. Doyle (c)
9. Sharples
10. Fowler
11. Wilcox
12. Pakeho
13. Rubens
14. Waters
15. Harvey

 

[drewprint]

I think Robinson is a pure backrower, so in that team makeup you’d maybe have him at 7, Langi at 6, Ekanayake at 8, and Doyle at 4.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Ah yes, I've mixed up some names in my mind from various age groups. Thanks for the pickup.

Doyle shift into Lock like the RC.

 

[Homer]

I agree with Drew, although Morrison has been very good, him or Ekanayake could tear up a tiring defence off the bench. Although Pakeho is one of the bigger players in the backs, I would like to see him running in the wider channels at 13 and feeding the speed outside. Also, the defence was a bit softer out wide in SA so he might stiffen it up a bit.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

If Dre played 13 I'd select Fakafunua at 12. Happy to see that pairing. Stiff defence and good punch.

 

[Bob_Jones]

I get Sharples and Fowler have the benefit on a long standing combination, but I haven't seen any instance over the past 2 years where Dillon isn't the better choice starting 10, especially if team wants to play some footy and use those excellent centres.

It wouldn't surprise me if Grover starts on the wing. It does make me a little nervous that all the wing choices aren't specialist wingers, but am sure they are good enough players to adapt.

Be interesting to see how they use Morrison and Ekanayake. Presumably very difficult to have both on the field at the same time.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Dillon is the best pure 10 of the lot. He's a creator and winner so I'd be happy to see him get the start. I selected Fowler only thinking on what some match day selections have been this year and they may show a leaning one way.

I think all the Wingers are good enough athletes and foot players to cover it. Watters played on the Wing through the 19s because of Harvey and the recent RC. Grover is also a Centre but has the pace to play Wing. Iv'e never seen him on the Win through his younger days either.

 

[Dctarget]

When's the comp? Is it in SA again?

 

[Major Tom]

Dillon is the best pure 10 of the lot. He's a creator and winner so I'd be happy to see him get the start. I selected Fowler only thinking on what some match day selections have been this year and they may show a leaning one way.

I think all the Wingers are good enough athletes and foot players to cover it. Watters played on the Wing through the 19s because of Harvey and the recent RC. Grover is also a Centre but has the pace to play Wing. Iv'e never seen him on the Win through his younger days either.

Is Waters available next year? If he can play centre we really need to be developing him there due to his size. Wingers don't seem to be difficult to develop for us.

 

[Major Tom]

Late June - July. Italy

When's the comp? Is it in SA again?

 

[Dctarget]

Hmm we have a pretty tough pool, sharing with champions England and SA. It's in Italy, so no homeground advantage to SA. But they're no easy beats and I thought they capitulated against us last time rather than us being the better side. Assuming we lose to England, we could lose to SA so definitely not through to the semis, even if we beat them you imagine not by much so doubt we'll be highest placed 2nd team out of the three pools. You'd assume that'd be Argentina who'll lose to France then get to wallop Wales and Spain.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Is Waters available next year? If he can play centre we really need to be developing him there due to his size. Wingers don't seem to be difficult to develop for us.

Could be. He has experience at Schools level in the the Centres but in a very stacked Easts Colts group he's become a back 3 weapon.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Not relevant for this year but the new Georgian RU President has stated that they are looking to get their U20s into the RC U20s tournament from next year seeing inclusion in the 6Ns U20s isn't going to happen. I actually don't mind the idea of the Junior Lelos providing an extra game. There's also mention of a 6th participant as well. But they were not detailed.

 

[Dctarget]

Not relevant for this year but the new Georgian RU President has stated that they are looking to get their U20s into the RC U20s tournament from next year seeing inclusion in the 6Ns U20s isn't going to happen. I actually don't mind the idea of the Junior Lelos providing an extra game. There's also mention of a 6th participant as well. But they were not detailed.

It's all played in one country yeah? So not any more logistically challenging for them to play than the original teams.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Love it. More the merrier since it only helps us develop as well.

Nice to rattle the northern hemisphere cage a bit as well. We can make moves as well.

 

[Braveheart81]

With five teams you need five rounds instead of three.

1 vs 2, 3 vs 4
1 vs 3, 2 vs 5
1 vs 5, 2 vs 4
1 vs 4, 3 vs 5
2 vs 3, 4 vs 5

Currently they play 3 matches over 11 days (5 days between each game). I think you'd need to extend that timeframe because one team playing 4 games over 16 days is probably too much.

Another team would be great for the competition but the cost increase won't be insignificant.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Love it. More the merrier since it only helps us develop as well.

Nice to rattle the northern hemisphere cage a bit as well. We can make moves as well.

It's been suggested that the potential 6th team might be either one of Fiji or Japan. But one I wouldn't mind given a go would be Spain. They beat Fiji to stay up in the JWC last year. And while Fiji and Japan will be in this years JWC that's only thanks to it being expanded to 16 teams. Add to that, their U18s competed well at the 6Ns U18s.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

With five teams you need five rounds instead of three.

1 vs 2, 3 vs 4
1 vs 3, 2 vs 5
1 vs 5, 2 vs 4
1 vs 4, 3 vs 5
2 vs 3, 4 vs 5

Currently they play 3 matches over 11 days (5 days between each game). I think you'd need to extend that timeframe because one team playing 4 games over 16 days is probably too much.

Another team would be great for the competition but the cost increase won't be insignificant.

I know they are groups like the 6N and Sanzaar but does WR (World Rugby) have the gumption to see that investing in this sort of thing could pay dividends in the long run and we're talking 15-20 years down the road for the wider Rugby landscape?

A lot of these people won't be around to see it in their current capacity so I worry they don't care at times but it can be a huge leap if sides like Spain can get to where Italy is and if Italy can climb ever so slowly. Can countries like Germany then get to where Spain is now and so on.

 

[Wilson]

It's been suggested that the potential 6th team might be either one of Fiji or Japan. But one I wouldn't mind given a go would be Spain. They beat Fiji to stay up in the JWC last year. And while Fiji and Japan will be in this years JWC that's only thanks to it being expanded to 16 teams. Add to that, their U18s competed well at the 6Ns U18s.

It'd be great to see Spain given more opportunity, but if we're serious about Fiji/Japan coming into the Rugby Championship long term then I think they need to be prioritized at the under 20s level above others, at least in a comp wearing that name.

 

[Bob_Jones]

I know this is self evident, but interesting none the less...30 players picked in the squad. 9 of those are front rowers (6 props and 3 hookers). So effectively 33% of the squad are front rowers.

Should be a good enticement for any high level 14-16 yr old players who have the required possible body shape and are thinking about a potential move to the front row.

No reason why a hard running, tight playing 14-16 year old no 8 shouldn't be considering a move to the front row. They can keep doing their ball running, just need to also pack down in a few scrums.