New Zealand under 20
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="556921" data-time="1454806607">
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<p>TBH, you can't always pick them - Robbie Robinson was fluffed on here as the big star of the future and he didn't kick on.</p>
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<p>Yep, and a lot of those predictions were even after he played in the U20s.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="556889" data-time="1454793213">
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<p> </p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Likely Starting XV:</p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">1. Joe Apikatoa (Hurricanes/Wellington)<br>
2. Leni Apisai - (Hurricanes/Wellington)</p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">3. Alex Fidow - (Hurricanes/Wellington)</p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">4. Isaia Walker-Leawere (Wellington)</p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">5. Sam Ulufonua - (Auckland)<br>
6. Mitchell Jacobson - (Waikato)</p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">7. Charlie Gamble - (Canterbury)</p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">8. Hugh Renton (Hurricanes/Hawkes Bay)</p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">9. Sam Nock (Blues/Northland)</p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">10. TJ Va'a - (Hurricanes/Wellington)</p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">11. Jonah Lowe (Hawkes Bay)</p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">12. Thomas Umaga Jensen (Hurricanes/Highlanders/Otago)</p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">13. Peter Umaga Jensen (Hurricanes/Wellington)</p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">14. Malo Tuitama (Hurricanes/Wellington)</p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">15. Shaun Stevenson (Chiefs/Waikato)</p>
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<p>I like that team, but I think that Moala-Liava'a should be starting in the loose forwards. I'm not sure who he would replace, though. I'm thinking possibly Jacobson.</p>
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<p>Additionally, I think Sio Tomkinson (who is in the Highlanders WTG) is likely to start ahead of Thomas Umaga-Jensen. Though Umaga-Jensen could move to one wing. Also you forget Jordan Trainor, who could play on the other wing.</p>
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<p>Does Apikotoa actually play loosehead, does anyone know? I think I've just seen him play tighthead. If he can play loosehead, Wellington are going to have one great front row in a few years time.</p> -
No real speedster in that team though is there ? <br><br><br>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bobily" data-cid="556947" data-time="1454809598">
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<p>Yea, I'm sure there are a few I haven't mentioned. I largely mention the players I know a bit about, so I don't really know too much about the younger Jacoson or Brown. Thanks for the info, though. So Jacobson should still be eligible for next year's team, too?</p>
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<p>A quick check shows Mitchell turned 20 last month so I assume Luke is 18 or 19. The interesting thing about them is all three brothers have made at least the NZ Schools team from Cambridge HS, which is not one of the traditional rugby schools in the Waikato. I think this is a good thing.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="556916" data-time="1454805804">
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<p>Peter and Thomas Umaga Jensen, <strong>Alex Fidow</strong> and Leni Apisai sure to be All Blacks in the future.</p>
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<p>I've only seen Fidow play a couple of times Premier 1 Schools rugby and remain to be convinced as to his propping ability. </p> -
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bobily" data-cid="556804" data-time="1454750487">
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<p>Agreed, Finn Hoeata was impressive for the NZ Barbarians (from the first half anyway - I never got around to watching the rest). I guess he would also add a bit of height to the backrow, as well as potentially being able to fill in at lock.</p>
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<p>Given some of the other powerful ball carriers in the team, I'm not sure the lack of punch in the backrow will be a problem. I'm sure the likes of Fidow, Apisai, Apikotoa and Ulufonua should be able to get the ball going forward. The Umaga-Jensen twins will also be capable of gaining some decent ground further out. However, another option could be Mikaele-Tu'u.</p>
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<p>The problem that Taumateine might face is that we aren't short of halfback options. Besides Nock and Howley, Levien played last year and may return, and I've heard good things about Milo-Harris. However, he could be there ahead of Enari as a first-five/halfback cover. I don't know too much about the other first-five options, but they should be alright if they are there ahead of Faiane and McKay.</p>
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<p>Finn would be a lock first before a backrower. I'm not sure how big he is now, but he was almost 2m back in school and quite lanky. Last time I saw him was on Grassroots Rugby, but I could barely make him out because it was raining and everyone was covered in mud.</p>
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<p>You're probably right about powerful ball carriers in other positions. This team should have more dynamism in the tight 5 than previous U20 teams.</p>
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<p>Halfback definitely has competition. Didn't they only take 2 halfbacks last year? So if they take 2 again, someone decent misses out.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="557544" data-time="1454986691">
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<p>Finn would be a lock first before a backrower. I'm not sure how big he is now, but he was almost 2m back in school and quite lanky. Last time I saw him was on Grassroots Rugby, but I could barely make him out because it was raining and everyone was covered in mud.</p>
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<p>You're probably right about powerful ball carriers in other positions. This team should have more dynamism in the tight 5 than previous U20 teams.</p>
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<p>Halfback definitely has competition. Didn't they only take 2 halfbacks last year? So if they take 2 again, someone decent misses out.</p>
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<p>I was going off his game for the NZ Barbarians schools team in which he played blindside. Either way, he'd be handy to have in the team due to his versatility. I'm pretty sure only 28 or so players (or maybe even 26?) are allowed in the squad.</p>
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<p>And yea, only two halfbacks last year. That is where guys like Taumateine and Enari may come in, with their ability to cover first-five, too. With Nock, Howley, Levien and Milo-Harris (who I've heard good things about), even if Taumateine were only considered for first-five (even if they aren't best there), there is still so much competiton.</p> -
<p>NZU20s trial camp this weekend</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Selected players:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Forwards </strong><br>
Jonah Aoina - Otago<br>
Ayden Johnstone - Waikato<br>
Mason Kean - Hawke’s Bay<br>
Shaun Stoddart - Otago<br>
Sean Paranihi - Canterbury<br>
Joe Apikotoa - Wellington<br>
Alex Fidow - Wellington<br>
Sosefo Kautai - Waikato<br>
Sekope Lopeti - Waikato<br>
Asafo Aumua - Wellington<br>
Max Fryatt - Hawke's Bay<br>
Romero Tagi - Auckland<br>
Hamish Dalzell - Canterbury<br>
Quinten Strange - Ta$man<br>
Manaaki Selby-Rickit - Manawatu<br>
Sam Caird - Waikato<br>
Isaia Walker-Leawere - Wellington<br>
Paripari Parkinson - Ta$man<br>
Lui Luamanu - Wellington<br>
Finn Hoeata - Taranaki<br>
Charlie Gamble - Canterbury<br>
Mitchell Jacobson - Waikato<br>
Luke Jacobson - Waikato<br>
Dalton Papali’i - Auckland<br>
Nathan Tweedy - Manawatu<br>
Hapakuki Moala-Liava'a - North Harbour<br>
Marino Mikaele Tu'u - Hawke’s Bay<br>
Martin Brink - North Harbour<br><br><strong>Backs</strong><br>
Liam Howley - Southland<br>
Logan Crowley - Canterbury<br>
Jonathan Taumateine - Counties Manukau<br>
Brett Cameron - Canterbury<br>
Matthew Lansdown - Waikato<br>
TJ Va’a - Wellington<br>
Stephen Perofeta - Taranaki<br>
Orbyn Leger - Counties- Manukau<br>
Alex Nankivell - Ta$man<br>
Jordie Barrett - Canterbury<br>
Lester Maulolo - Wellington<br>
Amanaki Savieti - Waikato <br>
Pepe Patafilo - Wellington<br>
Gene Te Amo - Counties Manukau<br>
Jonah Lowe - Hawke’s Bay <br>
Shelford Murray - Waikato<br>
Mason Emerson - Hawke’s Bay<br>
Jordan Trainor - Waikato<br>
Caleb Makene - Canterbury<br>
Peter Umaga-Jensen - Wellington<br>
Josh McKay - Canterbury<br><br><strong>Not considered due to Investec Super Rugby commitments:</strong><br>
Leni Apisai, Wellington<br>
Sio Tomkinson, Otago<br>
Shaun Stevenson, Waikato<br>
Sam Nock, Northland<br><br><strong>Players not considered due to injury: </strong><br>
Hayden Spencer, Waikato<br>
Hugh Renton, Hawke’s Bay<br>
Ere Enari, Canterbury<br>
Sam Ulufonua, Auckland<br>
Harrison Levien, Waikato<br>
Lisati Milo-Harris, Auckland<br>
Malo Tuitama, Wellington<br>
Jahrome Brown, Waikato</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/News/28883/new-zealand-under-20-hopefuls-in-trial-camp'>http://www.allblacks.com/News/28883/new-zealand-under-20-hopefuls-in-trial-camp</a></p> -
<p>For fun, here's a provincial breakdown:</p>
<p>Waikato 10 (4 not available)</p>
<p>Wellington 9 (2 not available)</p>
<p>Canterbury 8 (1 not available)</p>
<p>Hawke's Bay 4 (1 not available)</p>
<p>Counties 3</p>
<p> Ta$man 3</p>
<p>Auckland 2 (2 not available)</p>
<p>Otago 2 (1 not available)</p>
<p>Manawatu 2</p>
<p>North Harbour 2</p>
<p>Taranaki 2</p>
<p>Southland 1</p>
<p>Northland 0 (1 not available)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What happened to Thomas Umaga-Jensen?</p> -
<p>I hear <span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Isaia Walker-Leawere is a big lad.</span></p>
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<p><span>His old man wasn't the biggest but he made up for it in ticker. If the kid has half the heart he will go a long way!</span></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="563871" data-time="1457660743"><p>For fun, here's a provincial breakdown:<br>
Waikato 10 (4 not available)<br>
Wellington 9 (2 not available)<br>
Canterbury 8 (1 not available)<br>
Hawke's Bay 4 (1 not available)<br>
Counties 3<br>
Ta$man 3<br>
Auckland 2 (2 not available)<br>
Otago 2 (1 not available)<br>
Manawatu 2<br>
North Harbour 2<br>
Taranaki 2<br>
Southland 1<br>
Northland 0 (1 not available)<br><br>
What happened to Thomas Umaga-Jensen?</p></blockquote> I was wondering the same thing<br><br><br>
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<p>New Zealand Under 20 squad named for Oceania tournament</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Forwards</strong>:<br>
Ayden Johnstone<br>
Mason Kean<br>
Shaun Stodart<br>
Sean Paranihi<br>
Alex Fidow<br>
Pouri Rakete-Stones<br>
Leni Apisai, captain<br>
Asafo Aumua<br>
Hamish Dalzell<br>
Quinten Strange<br>
Sam Caird<br>
Isaia Walker-Leawere<br>
Fin Hoeata<br>
Mitchell Jacobson<br>
Luke Jacobson<br>
Dalton Papali’i<br>
Hapakuki Moala- Liava'a<br>
Marino Mikaele Tu'u</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Backs</strong>:<br>
Jonathan Taumateine<br>
Sam Nock<br>
TJ Va’a<br>
Stephen Perofeta<br>
Jordie Barrett<br>
Patelesio Tomkinson<br>
Orbyn Leger<br>
Jonah Lowe<br>
Malo Tuitama<br>
Peter Umaga Jensen<br>
Mason Emerson<br>
Jordan Trainor<br>
Caleb Makene</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Note: one player to be added prior to assembly in Auckland</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Not considered due to Super Rugby Commitments:</strong><br>
Shaun Stevenson</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Players not considered due to injury:</strong><br>
Matthew Lansdown<br>
Jahrome Brown<br>
Hugh Renton<br>
Ere Enari<br>
Harrison Levien<br>
Lisati Milo-Harris</p>
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<p>New Zealand Under 20 Head Coach Scott Robertson said that he was pleased with the talent available for the tournament which will see them play two Test matches against Australia early next month.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>“The trial matches that we held last month were incredibly valuable for us as selectors and we got to see the players in that intense game environment, and we got to see how they responded to the pressure of playing and competing for places.</p>
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<p>“While there are only the two countries, we have two tough test matches against a strong Australian team in this Oceania tournament. These will also provide us with a valuable sense of how they cope with playing intense matches in a compact window,†he said.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hurricanes hooker Leni Apisai has been named captain of the side.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>“Leni is just an impressive young man who leads a pack well on the field. He has already shown a maturity beyond his years, in the way he has stepped up to starting for the Hurricanes when veteran hookers Dane Coles and Motu Matu’u were ruled out injured at the start of the season.â€</p>
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<p>The New Zealand Under 20 squad to compete in the World Rugby Under 20 Championship will be named in May after the Oceania squad returns to New Zealand.</p>
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<p>The squad assembles in Auckland on 24 April and will play a match against the Blues Development XV on 28 April, before travelling to the Gold coast for matches against Australia on 3 and 7 May.</p> -
Something really needs to be done about surnames containing both apostrophes and hyphens.
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Blake Barrett is the other brother<br><br><br>
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