The Ghost of Raelene
Rod McCall (65)
Know what’s cooler than Georgia though for a 20 year old?
A low to average NRL salary of 200k at that age. That is going to be the draw. All these guys have the means to travel in their down time and they do.
A low to average NRL salary of 200k at that age. That is going to be the draw. All these guys have the means to travel in their down time and they do.
Yeah but league players don’t get to tour overseas in Europe. Money obviously talks though. Would be nice to get more content of the boys on tour.
The Ghost of Raelene
Rod McCall (65)
We exaggerate how much that means these days. Maybe when RL was semi pro it was good as the Wallabies got around further than the UK but it’s not a draw now when they fly themselves business around the world.
A kid in Rugby is more likely to want the idea of living and playing overseas in France or Japan then maybe tour with an Aus side.
A kid in Rugby is more likely to want the idea of living and playing overseas in France or Japan then maybe tour with an Aus side.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
Well, we won the rematch fairly comfrotably against the English. 68-40. Defence was lacking but that wasn't in the game plan from the looks of it anyway. For either team.
So we came 5th. I have to say it was a little disappointing seeing the 3 other SANZAAR nations feature in the semi's and not us considering there was nothing between the teams during the U20s RC.
Italy beat Wales, Georgia got it done over Scotland, Argentina over France, South Africa over NZ and Ireland squeaked it over Spain.
I still think we need our U20s together for more time and games leading in with more emphasis on moving them toward more full time schedules at least for the 12 weeks leading in. South Africa had a series of games between the RC and the JWC and it showed. They had the chesion in place from game one. We didn't really click until the 5th place semi.
Finally, I'll mention Spain once again. What let them down was depth. They lack it at present. Their 1st choice 15 would be competitive with 4 or the 6 traditional 6Ns powerhouses but they lack the squad depth to finish those games. As demonstrated on a couple of occasions this tournament. They went hard in the pool stages and started their best 15 looking to get a win. They were good against Argentina and Wales but faded late in both. That led to them running out a weakened 15 against Georgia opting to rest players for last nights game. Positives are that around 50% of this squad are eligible for next year and their U18s are peobably the best they've produced yet. What they need is more opportunities leading in. They didn't have a single lead in game.
Overall, a pretty competitive tournament.
So we came 5th. I have to say it was a little disappointing seeing the 3 other SANZAAR nations feature in the semi's and not us considering there was nothing between the teams during the U20s RC.
Italy beat Wales, Georgia got it done over Scotland, Argentina over France, South Africa over NZ and Ireland squeaked it over Spain.
I still think we need our U20s together for more time and games leading in with more emphasis on moving them toward more full time schedules at least for the 12 weeks leading in. South Africa had a series of games between the RC and the JWC and it showed. They had the chesion in place from game one. We didn't really click until the 5th place semi.
Finally, I'll mention Spain once again. What let them down was depth. They lack it at present. Their 1st choice 15 would be competitive with 4 or the 6 traditional 6Ns powerhouses but they lack the squad depth to finish those games. As demonstrated on a couple of occasions this tournament. They went hard in the pool stages and started their best 15 looking to get a win. They were good against Argentina and Wales but faded late in both. That led to them running out a weakened 15 against Georgia opting to rest players for last nights game. Positives are that around 50% of this squad are eligible for next year and their U18s are peobably the best they've produced yet. What they need is more opportunities leading in. They didn't have a single lead in game.
Overall, a pretty competitive tournament.
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Bob Peters
Allen Oxlade (6)
Bang on! NZ were very slow starters in the tournament as well, only beat Italy 14-5 in the first game, yet we came up against a very good and match fit SA team first up and got burnt as our boys had 6-8 weeks of playing only a few games back at their clubs. Maybe next year (Georgia in summer will be bloody hot, AND humid, as well) between TRC and WC we play NZ and Fiji in Townsville or in Fiji to be more match ready to hit the ground running in those conditions.
The Ghost of Raelene
Rod McCall (65)
I think we should give our fellas a pat on the back after being pantsed by SA it could have been a disaster but they have rallied and ended up best of the rest and given a 4x4 structure I’m confident they could of made the final.
Great RC then a bounce back RWC.
Well done lads.
Great RC then a bounce back RWC.
Well done lads.
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
Yep, they’ve had a great season and it shows our production line of talent isn’t too bad.
Agreed! I’d love to see some of these boys in the super rugby au comp. Harvey and Watters are ready. Martens could get minutes if Werchon is playing in Italy and Doyle absolutely ready to mix it at the next level.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
Ghost I reckon it could be harder making the final four with four groups than with three. With four groups, most likely all four finalists will make it undefeated whereas with three groups one team will usually have a second chance after going down in one of the group games. It will be very unlikely that a finalist next year will have lost a game along the way, and really difficult for a team ranked 5 or worse to make the semis.
Rudderless
Colin Windon (37)
Cooper Watters is still 18…turning 19 next month
The Ghost of Raelene
Rod McCall (65)
You’re right with the math but I just back this side is better than the SA pool game and could of beaten England in the pools easily.
I'm just choosing to think if given a qf they could get over them.
Better side then some scores show.
The Ghost of Raelene
Rod McCall (65)
That’s nuts tbh. His size and skill at 18 is rare. He gives me Chris Latham vibes. Raw bone athlete with a dusting of the magic.
Pools should be more sensible though. I’m not sure how we ended up in a pool of eng, sa and Scotland. Having SA first was rough.
What happens with most of the 20 year old players now?
I presume the likes of Harvey and Ekanayake continue with their 7's journey? Presume a small number continue / get picked up into their top level Super Rugby teams (Pakeho, Wilcox, presume Doyle). Presume the best others can hope for is to continue in their respective Super Rugby academy and play club football? I am guessing that financially barely gets them buy?
I presume they also now lose the support (ie. S&C, medical, etc) that came from being in the Aus 20 program (assuming their was such a thing??)
I presume the likes of Harvey and Ekanayake continue with their 7's journey? Presume a small number continue / get picked up into their top level Super Rugby teams (Pakeho, Wilcox, presume Doyle). Presume the best others can hope for is to continue in their respective Super Rugby academy and play club football? I am guessing that financially barely gets them buy?
I presume they also now lose the support (ie. S&C, medical, etc) that came from being in the Aus 20 program (assuming their was such a thing??)
The Ghost of Raelene
Rod McCall (65)
You’d find almost all of these guys will go back to Club with the hopes of featuring in Super Rugby Aus at the end of the year.
I’d say all are involved in S&C at one of the Super Rugby teams even if not in the main squad. In a few days every week on top of club footy. This includes medical.
I’d say all are involved in S&C at one of the Super Rugby teams even if not in the main squad. In a few days every week on top of club footy. This includes medical.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
But will there be quarter finals? My understanding was straight to the semis for the top four teams.
I think the focus will be on next years team now. It will be a real shock to a lot of them as they will drop back to club. Financially unless their parents support them they have to get a job. The real hard yards start next year Job/Uni Club Rugby trying to standout in Club rugby.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
Or they could put together packages and have their agents shop them to the likes of MLR. $45-50K USD plus lodging, transport etc. (so probably somewhere in the vincity of $90k AUD all expnses included) for 6 months work training in full time environments would be an attractive option for a number of them. Better than toiling away in club Rugby.
A few could also line up in the under 19 comp. I think Eli Langi would be eligible, same with Watters apparently. Conway only just turned 18.