2019 NZ Schools
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Very windy at the games yesterday. Both NZ goal kickers struggled.
A few comments:
- The New Zealand Barbarian Schools did well in the 1st half playing into the wind but struggled to get any ball or territory for most of the 2nd half with the wind behind them. I didn't like the balance of the loose forwards as they got beaten to the breakdown too often, and were penalised a lot (often wrongly IMO). Aust schools team were bigger across the park.
- @Stargazer Manson's solo effort was great. He played really well and must have been unlucky to miss out on the NZ Schools team.
- Eventually the NZBS got back into the game and should have been rewarded with a try at the end but it was another howler from the ref.
- The NZS team played well in patches but were guilty of becoming too loose. Based on the respective scorelines vs Fiji I expect the game on Friday to be close. Some of the reserves against Fiji like Murray should start.
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On Blair Murray, when he came on the field I was explaining to my mates how quick and elusive he was, describing him as a mixture of Cullen and DMac. Not long afterwards he scored that try. He did the same thing last year for the Chiefs U18s vs the Crusaders U18s, and was NZ's player of the match in the 2018 schools test.
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They handed out match programmes which listed the squads, coaching staff/team management and the previous results of the NZ Schools and NZ Barbarian Schools teams. Also listed was the annual Bronze Boot awards for the "most constructive player in a test series" for NZ and Australia. I thought this might be of interest to some of you as there are a lot of well-known names listed, but also some names that aren't familiar to me at all.
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@Bovidae Thanks for that! Great list to be on for a player. Quite a few made the ABs! I can see Devan Flanders make the ABs at some point, provided he gets the opportunities in Super Rugby that he needs to develop at a higher level. Blair Murray impressed last year, and from I saw, also this year?
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The teams for tomorrow's games have been announced.
NZ Schools
The New Zealand Schools team has an unchanged forward pack, a testament to their efforts in the teams' win against Fiji Schools earlier in the week. In the backline, injuries to Jacob Kneepkens and Wil Gualter have forced a reshuffle which sees Blair Murray and Roderick Solo promoted from the bench. Michael Manson, who was a stand out on the wing for the New Zealand Barbarian Schools on Monday, has been called in and will have an opportunity off the bench.
- Ben Lopas
- Ben Strang
- Tiaan Tauakipulu
- Allan Craig
- Zach Gallagher – captain
- Anton Segner
- Cam Church
- Vaiolini Ekuasi
- Manu Paea
- Aidan Morgan
- Ruben Love
- Gideon Wrampling
- Meihana Grindlay
- Roderick Solo
- Blair Murray
- Matt Dobbyn
- Jack Sexton
- Seb Calder
- Dom Gardiner
- Corey Kellow
- Max Hughes
- Ollie Lewis
- Michael Manson
New Zealand Barbarians Schools
The New Zealand Barbarians Schools have also been forced to make changes ahead of their clash against Fiji. Jermaine Pepe (Rangiora High School), Carlos Karaitiana (Rotorua Boys’ High School) and Jayden Walker (Napier Boys’ High School) have all been brought into the team, replacing Michael Manson (playing in NZ Schools), Taya Brown (illness) and Alfred Nonu (injury).
- Joseph Gavigan
- George Bell
- Hakaraia Richards-Coxhead- capain
- James Brown
- TK Howden
- Julian Goerke
- Leroy Ferguson
- Sosaia Moala
- Dayton Iobu
- Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong
- Jermaine Pepe
- Tepaea Cook-Savage
- Giovanni Leituala
- Etonia Bainivalu
- Brian Leali’ifano
- Treyah Kingi-Taukamo
- Carlos Karaitiana
- Jona Mataiciwa
- Jamie Hannah
- Harry Press
- Jayden Walker
- Leandro Vakatini
- Monu Moli
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HT: NZ Schools Barbarians 26 - 5 Fiji Schools
Great first half for, particularly, Smiler-Ah Kiong, Moala and Goerke. Smiler-Ah Kiong's passing and game management has been superb, Moala and Goerke are strong ball runners. Some good kicks from Cook-Savage, too.
