The Silver Fern

@Mamuka said in U20 Rugby Championship 2025:

Hello, will players from the 7s team join the u20 squad?

The four players listed as being unavailable for this tournament were Oli Mathis, Joey Taumateine, Xavier Tito-Harris and Frank Vaenuku. Vaenuku was a starter last year so I expect him to be one of the wingers again. Tito-Harris was also in the 2024 squad. IIRC Taumateine has a shoulder injury so probably won't be fit. Mathis would be my starting no.7. I'm not sure how serious his injury is.

If Logan Wallace and Jayden Sa are also available that would be four additions to the starting forward pack for me.

I've finally had a chance to watch the final. It was a game that could have went either way in the end, as the Chiefs did well to fight back when the reserves came on. The Chiefs' lineout was a little compromised with three short loose forwards. Having Sa at 6 would have given another big target. They haven't had much luck with injuries in this tournament in the last 2 years losing starters before and during the tournament.

Now we wait for the first NZ U20 squad. Hopefully the injured players are all available for selection.

@Mauss On Andrew Smith, he is a 6/lock. I am hoping he gets some time in NPC this year.

That was a crazy scoreline.

England win the tournament. A really powerful forward pack. I could see Steve Borthwick fast-forwarding the U20 props into the full national team.

@Crazy-Horse said in NZ U20 v France U20:

@Landers92 said in NZ U20 v France U20:

@SouthernMann said in NZ U20 v France U20:

I am looking forward to Dylan Pledger being our Highlanders and Otago halfback. So much talent. I know he's only in his first year out of school, I just hope he can get some gametime in the blue and gold this year.

Couldn’t agree more mate. What an absolute talent. I know it’s u20s so a bit different but jeez he looks a lot more composed and talented than Arscott and Hastie already.

Don't count your chickens. The Saders will be after another 9 soon, if they aren't already.

Foctunately, they have the no2 halfback in the U20s, Ben O'Donovan. That should be sufficient to back up Hotham. Otago and the Highlanders just need to work hard on telling Pledger the story about his future in the region. Which should be long and very sucessful.

@tubbyj said in NZ U20 v Wales U20:

The Vice captain 2nd five Xavi Taele looks to be some player ready for the step up to Super Rugby next season already.

He looked a cut above out there didn't he?

This is the inaugural SR U20s, so the previous is moot.

Fuck we're shit. Nathan Grey is a shit coach and these guys are the product of a shit system. Georgia smashed us for nearly 60 minutes

Very good skills in diabolical conditions

Winger will rue showboating for his try. Could easily have gone at least 5m closer to the sticks.

Highlanders 73-10

They're into the 5th/6th payoff

I would think Gibbes will select a squad for the RC and then another for the WC. I'll be interested to see if the three NZ sevens players (Vai, Spencer, Tito-Harris) are involved in the latter.