2016 Under-20 Rugby World Championships - Manchester UK

[RugbyReg]

Interesting news. There are only 5 Super Rugby clubs in Oz. By inference it is not the Reds. If it was Ponies, Rebels or Force, it is be assumed that he would be in the Canberra Vikings, Melbourne Rising or Perth Spirit NRC teams. So far those squads have been announced and there is no H Fox in them.

Are you suggesting that he will be crossing the Tweed and playing for the Tahs?
The NSW Country Eagles, North Harbour Rays, Greater Sydney Rams NRC squads have been announced (each seem to have a couple of TBA's left to fill) with no Fox.
The wild card could be the Sydney Stars who have been very quiet to date regarding their squad, however it probably won't look too dissimilar to that which The Corporation are fielding in the Shute Shield Finals.

Sydney Stars have announced that they will have a schoolboy prodigy in their team. A former Oz captain could be described as so.

Tahs needs some bustling backrow depth too.

 

[girtbysea]

Interesting battle for the Qld No. 9 spot for next year. Sorovi (Uni), Nucifora (Bond), Tuttle (GPS) and Fowler (Brothers). All played full seasons of Open Prem Grade this year in largely successful teams. The first 3 are in NRC squads. But Fowler was the preferred starting half for the interstate champs last year. (? when Tuttle injured). Tuttle may end up being the starting 10.

 

[kiap]

Ponies, Rebels or Force can't *officially* fit all their players into the NRC.

So, it could be so. TT is a good recruiter.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Would there be any likely candidates from this years schoolboy team that are 18 yrs or older in 2016 that may get a look into the wider squad? (u20's)

Did you have any potential Class of 2015 Bolters, that you think have the goods to make Aust U20's, in mind?

There is always a couple. It helps with continuity if nothing else. That being said, the "born in or before 1996" seems to be a rather strong cohort judging by the numbers game of how many are in 2015 NRC squads, on Super Rugby Contracts or WTG/EPS contracts, or returning from 2015 State or National U20 duries.

Probably best to wait until after the 2015 Schoolboy Tests before commenting on the suitability of any of the 2015 Schoolboys for 2016 State or National U20's. Playing against The Darkness Schools always gives a good indication whether a lad can tread water in ponds bigger and deeper than local 1st XV or Schoolboy rep ones.

 

[Getwithme]

Dylan Riley @TSS (13,11,14,15)
Reece Hewat and Gavin Luka @NC (4,5,6,8) and (1/3)
Jayden Ngamnu?? @BBC (10,11,14,15)

 

[Hugh Jarse]

^^^ Good luck to them. A couple of them looked quite good at Schoolboy Nationals this year.

They will be up against some well credentialed players who will be a year older and will have had a year of "academy" S&C and a tough week by week Colts and Grade fixtures behind them. Not only do those players need to impress the National U20 Selectors, but they first need to get a gig in the Queensland U20 squad. Tough but not impossible.

See post #69 on the previous page of this thread to see who they are up against, and that only lists players who were 2015 U20 State or National reps, 2016 Super Rugby Contracted players (incl EPS and WTG), and 2015 NRC squad members. There are probably a good number of smokies running around in QPR, Sydney, and ACT Colts who are backing themselves for an U20 gig that are not on the list at post #69.

Will Dylan Riley and Jayden Ngamanu be drafted into the Rugby 7's pathway?

 

[Getwithme]

You would hope they have both available options, like Brad Wilkin this year. Queensland's selection both this year for the u20's and in the North/South colts game show that big names will often make it, even if unproven or a year younger.

 

[Happy to Chat]

^^^

Will Dylan Riley and Jayden Ngamanu be drafted into the Rugby 7's pathway?

IMO Ngamanu's style of rugby is more suited to Sevens Rugby.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Delphy]

Interesting developments on the 2016 U20 program. This from the RugbyWA website:

"STATE UNDER 20S

The Academy program encompasses the State 20s squad that will play in the Super U20s Tournament in February and March 2016. This tournament will run in conjunction with Super Rugby and involves 5 matches against all the Super Rugby franchises across Australia.
It provides a competitive environment for selection in to the Australian U20s squad In April.
RugbyWA are asking for nominations from players to trial for the 2016 State 20s squad.
All age eligible players (born in 1996 or later) are asked to nominate through the following link and be prepared to play two trials (Monday 19th October and Monday 26th October).
Registrations close Friday, 16 October 2015."

http://www.rugbywa.com.au/rugbywa-academy

 

[Hugh Jarse]

^^^^
<Pedantic alert>
There are 5 Australian Super Franchises, therefore each "state 20's" squad will only play 4 matches if they play in a tournament against all the Super Rugby Franchises U20's.
<End Pedantic alert>

So effectively there will be no separate "Southern States tournament", and the QLD Country and NSW Country players will have to try out for a space in their state team rather than the Barbarians U20's.

This could be a Qld conspiracy to make sure that they make the final against NSW. The combined might of Vic, WA and ACT U20's (AKA Barbarians U20's) has been too good for QLD in the past. Divide and conquer.

But seriously, this idea will get all players more games in front of the Australian selectors instead of just 3 squads (NSW, QLD and Barbarians) worth of players.

 

[Delphy]

<Pedantic alert>
There are 5 Australian Super Franchises, therefore each "state 20's" squad will only play 4 matches if they play in a tournament against all the Super Rugby Franchises U20's.
<End Pedantic alert>

HJ you weren't really expecting Australian Rugby administrators to count accurately were you? The financial state of rugby in this country would suggest numeracy is not a strong point.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Any reports from the North vs South Premier Colts match last night at Ballymore?
That has to be the trial to fill the spots in the 2016 Qld U20's train on squad after all the Professional and NRC players have been selected, plus some of the Class of 2015 Schoolboy Rockstars.

 

[Lee Grant]

Would there be any likely candidates from this years schoolboy team that are 18 yrs or older in 2016 that may get a look into the wider squad? (u20's)

There's a few that would come into consideration.

I can speak only about the NSW lads who I have seen a lot of in the last couple of years.

There are two outstanding scrumhalves in Harrison Goddard (Oakhill) and Theo Strang (Scots); I can't remember a year when NSW had two better schoolboy 9s, as I think both have a future in pro rugby: they play old.

Flyhalf Jack McGregor (Riverview) is another who has the mark of an older player and always did. He is a game manager who also likes to receive the ball flat and take on the defensive line. He will be U/19 next year but will play like an U/20.

Although NSW had the best stable of schools' props I can recall, I am reluctant to nominate any because I haven't seen them scrummage but under the Schools' laws, which are benign.

If I had to nominate a NSW tight five forward who will be able to play U/20s as an U/19 player next year, it would be lock Ryan McCauley (Scots), the best tall timber Schools' lock I have seen since Rob Simmons, and a harder player than Rob at that age.

He is reminiscent of a young John Eales, with a similar build and athletic attributes—and better than the great man as a schools' player.

And yes, he can kick goals too.
.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Whispers that the 2016 NSW U20 selection process has started have been confirmed by this facebook post congratulating Jack CONEN, Frank CALUGAY and William LATU on their selection into the initial NSW U20 squad.

The initial squad will probably include most of the following:
Vunipola FIFITA, Randwick, NSW, Tonga U20 2015.
Sam TABUATAMATA, Gordon, NSW, Fiji U20 2015.
Phil BRADFORD - Wanderers, Newcastle, NSW, Barbarians U20 2015.
Ed CRAIG, Eastwood, NSW U20 2015.
Francis BROWN, Sydney University, NSW U20 2015.
James WILKINSON, Gordon Shute Shield. 2015 North Harbour Rays NRC.
Latu LATINIPULU, Randwick Shute Shield.
Jack MADDOCKS, Eastern Suburbs Shute Shield.
Connor O'SHEA, Sydney University Shute Shield.
Declan MOORE, Sydney University Shute Shield.
Andrew VATUVEI, Parramatta 2nd Grade.
David SMERDON, Gordon 2nd Grade.
Hugh SUMMERHAYES — 2014 Aust Schoolboys - Sydney University
Harrison GODDARD — 2014/15 Aust Schoolboys
Nicholas DUFFY — 2014 Aust Schoolboys - Sydney University
Ned YEOMANS —2014 Aust Schoolboys - Eastern Suburbs (Team Rehab)
Sepesa L0GA-TAROGI — 2014/15 Aust Schoolboys
Evan PRITCHARD — 2014 Aust Schoolboys - Northern Suburbs
Jack McGREGOR — 2014/15 Aust Schoolboys.

I reckon that there would be also be a fair swag of players from the Sydney Colts Under 19 game against NSW Country from earlier in the year in the initial squad as well as a decent representation from this years Uni, Wicks, Shoremen, Gordon, and Beasts Colts 1 teams (if not already named above).

Henry HUTCHISON will probably be unavailable for selection due to his Rugby 7's commitments, although he may be parachuted in for the National Team like Brad WILKIN was this year.

 

[Lee Grant]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

If folks want to know about the NSW U20s selection procedure for 2016—first up there will be dozens of players in the first intake.

It won't include many players still U/20 eligible in 2016 who they have already looked at for the 2015 U/20s.

There will be few, if any, current schoolboys, and no NRC players - they have to have an off-season.

Instead NSW will look at widening their base and looking at brand new players recommended by their clubs or who are already on the clipboards of the scouts.

As HJ suggested: many of the NSW U/19 Colts will be chosen; it was the same last year.

They will be trained and flogged - and at the start of November the survivors will be joined by returnees from last year who are still eligible; also NRC players, and schoolies when they are able to join in.

After these comings and goings there will be about 50~60 remaining. There may be a rare 2016 Year 12 player invited for a few weeks, to woo him for the future as there was a year before.

Their training will duplicate what the Waratahs players will be doing at the same time, taking into account the fewer hours they will be involved. The cream will be invited to join the Tahs seniors for opposed training now and then.

There will be some rugged hit-outs, some refereed, which will be virtual selection trials - and there will be a big culling at the start of January.

Those remaining will keep training and play in several trial matches. The final cut will be made about the start of March.
.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Brumbies plans for the ACT Under 20's.
http://www.brumbies.com.au/News/Art...umbies-searching-for-stars-of-the-future.aspx

A Brumbies U20 Trial is planned for September 20. They are expecting up to 50 players to trial, targeting the best junior players from Canberra and interstate with an intention to brign them under a Brumbies umbrella.

This seems to suggest that there will not be a Super U20's tournament in Feb or March involving all 5 Aust franchises as the per the Rugby WA statement above. It looks like a rinse and repeat of this years method - A combined states tournament involving ACT, Vic, WA and others, with a team from that tournament to go up against NSW and QLD in a later tournament.

The ACT is also aided by a reformatting of the ARU's Australian under-20s selection process. It gives players outside of NSW and Queensland a greater chance of getting noticed.
The ACT, Victoria and Western Australia will play in a combined states tournament early next year.
Selectors will then pick a combined team to play against NSW and Queensland in an Australian under-20s trial.
The Brumbies hope the chance to shine for the combined states team will attract the best talent to the capital and any players picked in Canberra's side will have to commit to playing in the John I Dent Cup next year.

 

[Forcefield]

Anyone have any ideas on which NRC players that are getting game time are U20 eligible in 2016? AFAIK only Jooste and Havili Onehunga (might not meet residency requirements) are from the Spirit. Can anyone speak for the other teams?

 

[kiap]

Anyone have any ideas on which NRC players that are getting game time are U20 eligible in 2016?

I think Qld Country has a few:

2016
Maclean Jones LF
Campbell Magnay CE
Lukhan Tui LK
Taniela Tupou PR (eligibility ?)
James Tuttle SH/FH

2016 & 2017
Izaia Perese CE/WG (9 months rehab ?)
Harry Nucifora SH

 

[Delphy]

Anyone have any ideas on which NRC players that are getting game time are U20 eligible in 2016? AFAIK only Jooste and Havili Onehunga (might not meet residency requirements) are from the Spirit. Can anyone speak for the other teams?

Toro Reedy from Perth Spirit has had at least 1 game already and is in this weeks lineup.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Anyone have any ideas on which NRC players that are getting game time are U20 eligible in 2016? AFAIK only Jooste and Havili Onehunga (might not meet residency requirements) are from the Spirit. Can anyone speak for the other teams?

See post #69 on page 4 of this thread to see a list of players who were 2015 U20 State or National reps, 2016 Super Rugby Contracted players (incl EPS and WTG), and 2015 NRC squad members.

It looks like I have to add Onehunga, and Reedy to that list putting Onehunga in the Taniela Tupou "pending residency eligibility confirmation" category.

There's quite a few. Any others?

2016 U20 eligible.
Alex MAFI - Bond University, QLD. Now signed to Reds. 2015 Qld Country NRC.
Jordon FULIVAI - Gungahlin, ACT - Not considered for 2015 Canberra Vikings NRC due injury.
Lukhan LEALAIAULOTO-TUI, Randwick, NSW - now signed to Reds. 2015 Qld Country NRC (may not appear in NRC due surgery and Team Rehab).
James TUTTLE, GPS, QLD. Reds 2016 contracted player. 2015 Qld Country NRC.
Campbell MAGNAY, GPS, QLD. Reds 2016 contracted player. 2015 Qld Country NRC.
Tyrel LOMAX, Tuggeranong, ACT. 2015 Canberra Vikings NRC
Taniela TUPOU, Brothers, QLD - 2015 Qld Country NRC (Residential Eligibility to be confirmed)
Moses SOROVI, University, QLD - 2015 Brisbane City NRC
Maclean JONES, University, QLD - 2015 Qld Country NRC
Declan MOORE, Sydney University, NSW. 2015 Sydney Stars NRC
James WILKINSON, Gordon Shute Shield, NSW. Named in 2015 North Harbour Rays NRC but not played yet.

Onehunga HAVILI, Palmyra, WA. 2015 Perth Spirit NRC. (Residential Eligibility to be confirmed)

2016 & 2017 U20 eligible.
Toro REEDY, Joondalup, WA. 2015 Perth Spirit NRC.
Sione TUIPOLOTU, Southern, Vic. 2015 Melbourne Rising NRC
Izaia PERESE. Easts, Qld. Reds EDS. 2015 Qld Country NRC. (Team Rehab for knee issue)
Harry NUCIFORA, Bond University, QLD. 2015 Qld Country NRC.
Guy PORTER, Sydney University, NSW. Named in Sydney Stars NRC but not played yet
Nicholas JOOSTE, Hale School, WA. 2015 Perth Spirit NRC
Theo STRANG, Scots College, NSW. Named in Sydney Stars NRC but not played yet