2015 IRB Junior Rugby World Cup - Italy

[Hugh Jarse]

Are any Gaggerlanders going to be at the Southern States U20 Championships in Adelaide?

If so, it would be great if they could post updates, match reports, photos, team lists, scoring details, etc. ... ... ... Anything would be good.

 

[redhead]

Do you happen to know who the starting & reserve front rowers were for the u20s?

Sorry did not pay attention but all have been on the park

 

[rugby roo]

Hi guys
will be in Adelaide on business then clipsal 500 so can get to some of those games in Adelaide. Dont know where they are being played but will find out.
Have heard though that all the sides in the competition are out to ambush NSW Colts.
Havent seen this years lineup but they would still have some guys who are a lot more experienced and developed as a result of last years efforts ie kellaway, croke, orr deegan etc anyway we will see.
I think it is very good concept the Adelaide carnival but I reckon you could field two competitive side from all the participants not just one super side. Would give some fringe players a lot more exposure.Combined States 1 and 2 ???? Just a thought.

 

[Delphy]

Hi guys
will be in Adelaide on business then clipsal 500 so can get to some of those games in Adelaide. Dont know where they are being played but will find out.

Venue and match schedule can be found here:

http://www.sarugby.com.au/news/southern-states-u20-championships/

I would love to be going too but $1,200 Perth to Adelaide return is hard to justify (unless Qantas want to sponsor a photographer).

 

[Hugh Jarse]

What is your take on the WA team @Delphy and their preparation so far?

From what I have seen in recent U16 and U18 Schoolboys championships, there are some very useful players in the listed squad. http://www.rugbywa.com.au/article/wa-under-20-squad-southern-states-championships

 

[Delphy]

What is your take on the WA team @Delphy and their preparation so far?

It's a little hard to say HJ with injuries to key players and lack of trial games clouding the picture.

Grayson Knapp (Lock) was ruled out before trials. Oscar Backhouse (Lock) and Tristan Schneider (Hooker/Prop) have been casualties of the training programme and I am not sure if they will tour.

This is a young team. As I understand it, the majority of the squad is pretty evenly split between U19 and U20 players. There are also 4 U18 boys (including 3 "tight 5" players) which drags down the average age a bit!

However, 7 guys are veterans from last year's successful tour. 3 of those, Backhouse (Lock), Koiatu (10) and Taylor (scrum half) were in the very competitive 2014 CS team. Almost all of the remaining players have come through the Rep programmes, and many feature regularly in Premier Grade.

As you mention, there are some very handy players in this group and I would expect a healthy representation in the Barbarians come the March National Champs.

It should be a great tournament, with games against NSW Country, ACT and Victoria. Wish I was going!

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Damien McKenzie (starting#10 for the Chiefs) is looking the goods in the Chiefs vs Blues game.

For our Jnr RWC sake, he will hopefully be needed by the Chiefs, rather than the NZ U20's when the Jnr RWC is on in Italy.

 

[Lee Grant]

NSW Gen Blues U20s had a good win over ACT U20s in a hit out at TG Millner today.

They were leading 40-0 at half time but when both teams changed their players after the main break ACT "won" the second half 12-7, for a final score of 47-12.

Maybe the ACT should have used a young fellow who played for Brumbies A when they thrashed the Waratahs Gen Blue (Tahs A) team in the next game.

He looked handy playing 12 and scored a nice try. He turned 18 just a few days ago, yet is playing for the Brumbies A team.

He looked familiar; yes, it was Henry Hutchison.
.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

^^^ @ Lee Grant, I thought you were arranging for Chieka to post sentries, barbed wire and guards around his place to keep him in NSW.

Wondered where he had gone to. Wicks, Uni, Norths, and the other usual suspects must be kicking themselves for not managing to recruit him.

Well done to the Vikings (I suppose).

I would think that Geraint John would be fairly keen on what HH is doing as well.

 

[Eyes and Ears]

I suspect the Brumbies got him to Canberra not the Vikings.

 

[Newbie]

Damien McKenzie (starting#10 for the Chiefs) is looking the goods in the Chiefs vs Blues game.

For our Jnr RWC sake, he will hopefully be needed by the Chiefs, rather than the NZ U20's when the Jnr RWC is on in Italy.

If his performance against the blues is indicative of the rest of his Super Rugby season I am prepared to make a very bold prediction and say that he might find his way into the wider training group of the All Blacks RWC squad let alone into a ('been there, done that, bought the tee-shirt' - pardon the pun) u/20's jersey!

Aaron Cruden (like a host of other All Black stars) is admittedly being rested, but such is this lads 'talent, maturity and confidence' for mine he will have to figure somewhere in the Chiefs back-line when Cruden returns.

Admittedly the NZRU are taking the JWC very seriously, however their goal of next year's RWC transcends all; and young Macca might already be on this radar! Dan Carter didn't have the best of nights on Friday and if there is one thing that is certainty with the NZRU they will tend to go for 'form' over 'reputation'.

Either way I think you're right HJ, he probably won't be at the JWC15.

 

[formerflanker]

Dan Carter didn't have the best of nights on Friday

Anyone know how Carter scrubbed up after the game - leg injury?

 

[Newbie]

Anyone know how Carter scrubbed up after the game - leg injury?

I found this article at rugby heaven. It's not overly elaborative though!

Injury concern for Crusaders with medics to assess Dan Carter's 'dead leg'

Last wupdated 05:00 16/02/2015

RICHARD KNOWLER

The extent of Dan Carter's leg injury should be known today.

The Crusaders medical staff are expected to re-examine Carter's lower right leg, which he injured during last Friday night's 20-10 loss to the Rebels at AMI Stadium, and only then will coach Todd Blackadder have an idea of whether the first five-eighth will be fit for next Saturday night's match against the Highlanders in Dunedin.

Following the Super Rugby opener Carter was optimistic the soreness below his knee was not a major issue and explained away the problem as being a "dead leg". He played on in the hope the pain would ease.

Clearly, however, he wasn't right; an attempted grubber was blocked and Rebels halfback Nic Stirzaker raced away to score the match-winning try.

Carter's injury is in the same area as the bone fracture he suffered during last year's Super Rugby final.

"The only way we will really know [if he will be fit to play the Highlanders] is if we can do a proper assessment," Blackadder said. "At the moment he feels the [injury to the] leg isn't overly serious and we will just see how it goes. We have a little bit of time."

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Although Carter's experience should ensure he is a near-certain selection for the All Blacks' World Cup squad later this year, he cannot take it for granted.

Coach Steve Hansen started Beauden Barrett and Aaron Cruden ahead of Carter in the crunch matches against Wales and England on last year's northern tour and Colin Slade is also a competent No 10.

Blackadder knows there would be little point starting Carter in Dunedin if he isn't fully fit. He also has the luxury of shifting Slade to first-five because All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg is expected to return from his extended off-season break. ... ... ... ... ... ...

 

[Hugh Jarse]

^^ I think Daniel Carter may no longer be eligible for the NZ U20's.

From the enemy camp - RBS 6Nations U20 results:
http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/u20/under_20_6_nations_match_centre.php

Round 1
Italy 15 - Ireland 47
Wales 21 - England 15
France 47 - Scotland 6

Round 2
Scotland 36 - Wales 34
Ireland 37 - France 20
England 61 - Italy 0

Games to come:
Round 3 (27/2/15)
Ireland vs England
Scotland vs Italy
France vs Wales

Round 4 (13/3/15)
Italy vs France
England vs Scotland
Wales vs Ireland

Round 5 (20/3/15)
Italy vs Wales
Scotland vs Ireland
England vs France



Ireland and France seem to be the leading sides, with England not too far behind them.

 

[Lee Grant]

^^ I think Daniel Carter may no longer be eligible for the NZ U20's.

One of your best of many HJ.

^^^ @ Lee Grant, I thought you were arranging for Chieka to post sentries, barbed wire and guards around his place to keep him in NSW.

I think I said that about Kellaway.

Agree about HH and, Sevens as I have mentioned before.

People say he is too small for pro rugby, whether that be for Sevens or XVs, but they have never seen him grass big fellows with a brilliant technique beyond his years, and he is a brave rooster into the bargain.

PS - Anybody know where, when and at what time the NSW U20s are playing this weekend? I won't be at training tomorrow to ask and one can't rely on old info.
.

 

[I like to watch]

He is probably pound for pound,the best tackler I have seen.

 

[Charlies son Bob]

PS - Anybody know where, when and at what time the NSW U20s are playing this weekend? I won't be at training tomorrow to ask and one can't rely on old info.

Not sure if Under 20s have a game this week.

Gen Blue vs Australia Tonga - @Foreshaw - last I heard at 1630 hours on Saturday

 

[Monty Python]

I don't think there's a game this weekend. Might have been an internal trial tomorrow (Friday), but I don't believe that's on either. They were going to be allowed to play half a game of club rugby this weekend, but that's changed now. They have training [correction] on Saturday morning and then watching Gen Blue at Forshaw park, is my understanding.

 

[Monty Python]

Maybe the ACT should have used a young fellow who played for Brumbies A when they thrashed the Waratahs Gen Blue (Tahs A) team in the next game. [snip]

He looked familiar; yes, it was Henry Hutchison.

Got wind of some good news from the Blues camp. Apparently Henry was in Canberra looking for a Brumbies contract but nothing has eventuated, so he's going to be heading back north to play with the Waratahs - not sure if it will be with Gen Blue A team or U20s, but either way we may have dodged a bullet there.

 

[Lee Grant]

Woo hoo.

I'm surprised that Bernie didn't want him hanging around.

I doesn't reconcile with the fact that the Brumbies used him in the ACT A senior team and not in the Brumbies U20 team which was the curtain-raiser - and it's not as though he failed that test. Bernie wasn't even there.

The only thing I can think of is his size - big centres are the go lately.

As HJ indicated - Sevens may be a place to keep him warm.
.