Under-20 Competitions including Oceania & World U20s

[Major Tom]

Not sure what is or what isn't "necessary", but a bloke whose been regularly starting (and performing well) at Super Rugby level is obviously going to improve this team. Especially considering 12 is probably the weakest spot in the backline (Boston played really well against Argentina). If you're picking a team and your choice is between Boston Fakafanua and Dre Pakeho, well it's not a difficult choice.

He would undoubtedly strengthen the team on the park but he would be even more valuable at training with his super rugby experience. But, playing the lions can be a once in a career experience. He’d be mad not to pick that. At least it gives others a chance to develop.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

For him and the wider landscape staying for the Lions is a no brainer.

If he's jumped the U20s category he's earnt that even though I'm sure he'd be keen to go to the WC. Situations help players and there would be others in this group that could be playing Super Rugby is coaches picked them and had the right guys around them. I know it's a couple years ago but Fakafanua outplayed Pakeho in the NSW v QLD games in the 18s but again a lot goes down to term performance and no doubt heaps has changed since then physically and skill wise.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

NZ have less than a month to find a new coach:

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Sounds like an uncomfortable one for the HC to fall out with the rest of them and the HC falls on the sword.

Can't help but think there's more to this story.

Shouldn't be that big of a deal for the side. One of the Assistants step up and back fill a role there would be the smoothest. Don't need to install a new guy a month out.

 

[Homer]

When is our final team announced? Will Pakeho parachute in if the Reds go straight out of the Super Rugby finals?

 

[Major Tom]

When is our final team announced? Will Pakeho parachute in if the Reds go straight out of the Super Rugby finals?

He will want to line up against the Lions which falls during the U20 tournament.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

He's a good chance to start v the Lions for the Reds on the 2nd July right when the comp starts... I'd say that takes priority myself.

Hard to see them hold an empty spot for him to then fly over when he wouldn't have trained with them either due to Reds prep.

 

[Major Tom]

He's a good chance to start v the Lions for the Reds on the 2nd July right when the comp starts... I'd say that takes priority myself.

Hard to see them hold an empty spot for him to then fly over when he wouldn't have trained with them either due to Reds prep.

I think it's a blessing in disguise. Gives RA an opportunity to give more game time to Ruebens, or Boston or the other centre options we've been rolling with. Goldsbrough would be good to have there but who knows how long he's out for.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Agree. This isn't a hit for the squad either because they never had him in the first place.

They have played without him and prepped without all year so it's not as big an impact as say Doyle being plucked from the squad. Would be great if he was included but no harm done to the current group.

What was Goldsbroughs injury? Be good to get some Club footy in prior.

 

[Homer]

Agree. This isn't a hit for the squad either because they never had him in the first place.

They have played without him and prepped without all year so it's not as big an impact as say Doyle being plucked from the squad. Would be great if he was included but no harm done to the current group.

What was Goldsbroughs injury? Be good to get some Club footy in prior.

Elbow tendon. He was on some Reds clip still with a brace on recently.

 

[Major Tom]

Elbow tendon. He was on some Reds clip still with a brace on recently.

Raptured ligament in the elbow

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

If he's on the edge I lean towards leaving him to get a full healthy pre season in then. If hes back and gets a couple of rounds in Hospital Cup in then he should be picked but otherwise don't mess with a kid coming back from something like that.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

NZ have less than a month to find a new coach:

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

Like they did with the women in 2022 NZRU the might parachute in Wayne Smith for a short campaign

 

[Rudderless]

Thirty players have been named in the New Zealand Men’s Under 20 squad to contest the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy from 29 June to 19 July.

New Zealand squad named for World Rugby U20 Championship

Thirty players have been named in the New Zealand Men’s Under 20 squad to contest the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy from 29 June to 19 July.

www.allblacks.com

 

[Highlander35]

I thought the squad size cap was 28, did they up the numbers in the last year or two?

 

[House is on Fire]

Anyone know when the final Aussie squad is being named?

 

[Rudderless]

I thought the squad size cap was 28, did they up the numbers in the last year or two?

Last year was 30 players

Six new faces in Nathan Grey's Australia U20 World Championship squad

www.rugby.com.au

and same in 2023

Lynagh headlines Junior Wallabies squad for U20 World Championships

www.rugby.com.au

Cancelled in 2020-2022

 

[ReeceHodgeOfficial]

Anyone know when the final Aussie squad is being named?

Not sure about the official squad but I saw a training session with a few interesting faces on Rugby.com.au socials.

Hadley Tonga and Aden Ekanayake were training alongside Harvey. Possibly Marshall Le Maitre packing down. I think the 7s players will have a very good crack at this level, Ekanayake in his second year will be dangerous on some dry Italian paddocks

 

[Bob_Jones]

Not sure about the official squad but I saw a training session with a few interesting faces on Rugby.com.au socials.

Hadley Tonga and Aden Ekanayake were training alongside Harvey. Possibly Marshall Le Maitre packing down. I think the 7s players will have a very good crack at this level, Ekanayake in his second year will be dangerous on some dry Italian paddocks

In my sample size of 1, selected players were told yesterday. Presume official announcement can’t be far off.

 

[Rudderless]

Match official panel announced

Ten referees from 10 different unions have been selected to officiate at the age-grade tournament, which will be staged across the Lombardia and Veneto regions from 29 June-19 July.

The selected referees are: Tomas Bertazza (Argentina), Ben Breakspear (Wales), Griffin Colby (South Africa), Katsuki Furuse (Japan), Peter Martin (Ireland), Marcus Playle (New Zealand), Jérémy Rozier (France), Filippo Russo (Italy), Lex Weiner (USA) and Morgan White (Hong Kong China).

Seven of the 10 will be making their World Rugby U20 Championship debuts, including Katsuki Furuse, Morgan White, and Lex Weiner, who all impressed at the World Rugby U20 Trophy 2024 in Scotland – underlining the strength of World Rugby’s development pathway for match officials.

This pathway is further highlighted by the presence of six Italian officials who will serve as assistant referees during the tournament, among them Alberto Favaro and Franco Rosella.

Five Television Match Officials complete the panel in Leo Colgan (Ireland), Graham Cooper (Australia), Aled Griffiths (Wales), Quinton Immelman (South Africa) and Dan Jones (RFU) with two of them – Colgan and Immelman – also selected for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in England later this year.


Pool A
England
Australia
South Africa
Scotland

Pool B
France
Argentina
Wales
Spain

Pool C
New Zealand
Ireland
Georgia
Italy

Round 1

Sun 29th June AEST
England v Scotland 11.30pm
Aust v Sth Africa 11.30pm

Mon 30th June AEST
France v Spain 2am
Ireland v Georgia 2am
Argentina v Wales 4.30am
NZ v Italy 4.30am

LIVE ON RUGBYPASS TV