2016 Under-20 Rugby World Championships - Manchester UK

[Forcefield]

Your input in much appreciated HJ. I'd really like to know who is getting a proper run (ie have played over 80 minutes so far). I guess I will just have to trawl through the weekly team lists with the list you gave me.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Regular Starters
James TUTTLE, GPS, QLD. Reds 2016 contracted player. 2015 Qld Country NRC. (Team Captain !!!)
Campbell MAGNAY, GPS, QLD. Reds 2016 contracted player. 2015 Qld Country NRC.

Started a few games
Maclean JONES, University, QLD - 2015 Qld Country NRC. Started 2 games, bench 3 games
Onehunga HAVILI, Palmyra, WA. 2015 Perth Spirit NRC. (Residential Eligibility to be confirmed). Started 2 games

Regular bench
Alex MAFI - Bond University, QLD. Now signed to Reds. 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
Declan MOORE, Sydney University, NSW. 2015 Sydney Stars NRC
Toro REEDY, Joondalup, WA. 2015 Perth Spirit NRC.
Sione TUIPOLOTU, Southern, Vic. 2015 Melbourne Rising NRC
Nicholas JOOSTE, Hale School, WA. 2015 Perth Spirit NRC. Started one game.

Team Rehab
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).
Izaia PERESE. Easts, Qld. Reds EDS. 2015 Qld Country NRC. (Team Rehab for knee issue, but was a regular starting player prior to injury)

Not in a 23 yet
James WILKINSON, Gordon Shute Shield, NSW. Named in 2015 North Harbour Rays NRC but not played yet.
Harry NUCIFORA, Bond University, QLD. 2015 Qld Country NRC but not played yet.
Guy PORTER, Sydney University, NSW. Named in Sydney Stars NRC but not played yet.
Theo STRANG, Scots College, NSW. Named in Sydney Stars NRC but not played yet.

 

[Delphy]

Toro Reedy eligible in both 2016 and 2017.

 

[zer0]

Onehunga HAVILI, Palmyra, WA. 2015 Perth Spirit NRC. (Residential Eligibility to be confirmed). Started 2 games

Wait, wait, wait. You're telling me that there's a guy whose first name is srsly One-freaking-hunga? LOL.

EDIT: Turns out that he's actually from Auckland, but played for Sacred Heart instead of Onehunga High School. I am dissapoint.

 

[Forcefield]

Top Effort HJ. Thanks.

 

[Uncle Joe]

The Brumbies have named their U/20s squad. A few of the guys that played last year and some new grads from the local school sides. Levi Goodwin-Shaw has played for the Eddies firsts for the last couple of years (premiers both years) and wont go to bad with the step up IMO.
http://www.brumbies.com.au/uncategorised/brumbies-u20s-squad-named

 

[Caputo]

Melbourne Rising - Jordan Uelese came off the bench for the final fifteen minutes, with the eighteen year old hooker the 50th player to represent the Melbourne Rising in their short history.

Tuipulotu first start NRC

 

[Seymour Butz]

Not in a 23 yet
James WILKINSON, Gordon Shute Shield, NSW. Named in 2015 North Harbour Rays NRC but not played yet.
Harry NUCIFORA, Bond University, QLD. 2015 Qld Country NRC but not played yet.
Guy PORTER, Sydney University, NSW. Named in Sydney Stars NRC but not played yet.
Theo STRANG, Scots College, NSW. Named in Sydney Stars NRC but not played yet.

Strang has, I believe, a commitment holding him out of footy for the moment (something to do with an exam...). Wilkinson was named originally, but isn't actually in the senior squad and playing instead in the development squad. Porter may be nursing an injury. No idea about Nucifora.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

The youngsters in the NRC have not looked out of place, and a couple have even scored a place in the NRC Team of The Week.

Some of those listed above as "regular bench" have by now started in a game or two.

The NRC is proving a nice little development tool for some potential 2016 under 20's state/national reps.

I would like to have seen a bit more coverage of some of the development squad games that seem to be held before most of the Sydney games.

Are the non-NSW NRC teams having development squad curtain raisers and if so, who (from the 2016 U20 eligible cohort) is taking part in these fixtures?

 

[Highlander35]

Rebels U20s named. 7 returning from last year, 4 new boys from the Rebels Emerging Players Program including last weeks Rising debutant Jordan Uelese. 3 Schoolboys from the Commonwealth Youth games including Aussie Schoolboy Rob Leota.

http://www.melbournerebels.com.au/news/article/2016-rebels-u20s-named

Forwards:

NAME CLUB
Agape Tuigamala Power House
Darryl Tuimaseve Melbourne University
Declan Cox Xavier College
Elimi Uluikadavu Southern Districts
Frank Uini Moorabbin
Ikapote Tupai Endeavour Hills
Jordan Uelese Melbourne University
JP Sauni Endeavour Hills
Lorenzo Fiu Power House
Luteru Leota Power House
Potu Leavasa Endeavour Hills
Rob Leota Melbourne University
Robert Valetini Harlequin
Ta Hosea Harlequin
Tom Blake Harlequin
William Clift TBC
Backs:

NAME CLUB
Ah-Mu Tuimalealiifano Harlequin
Andreas Livadaras Scotch College
Angus Fowler TBC
Antonie Van Zyl Harlequin
Billy Gray Power House
Eli Vole TBC
Graig Semisi Melbourne University
Harry Potter Brighton Grammar
Jade Murray Moorabbin
Jonathan Savea St Kevin's College
Josh Coward St Patrick's College, Ballarat
Josh Kanonagataa TBC
Louis Toney Power House
Oisin Clarken Moorabbin
Sione Tuipulotu Southern Districts

 

[girtbysea]

Rebels U20s named. 7 returning from last year, 4 new boys from the Rebels Emerging Players Program including last weeks Rising debutant Jordan Uelese. 3 Schoolboys from the Commonwealth Youth games including Aussie Schoolboy Rob Leota.

http://www.melbournerebels.com.au/news/article/2016-rebels-u20s-named

Forwards:

NAME CLUB
Agape Tuigamala Power House
Darryl Tuimaseve Melbourne University
Declan Cox Xavier College
Elimi Uluikadavu Southern Districts
Frank Uini Moorabbin
Ikapote Tupai Endeavour Hills
Jordan Uelese Melbourne University
JP Sauni Endeavour Hills
Lorenzo Fiu Power House
Luteru Leota Power House
Potu Leavasa Endeavour Hills
Rob Leota Melbourne University
Robert Valetini Harlequin
Ta Hosea Harlequin
Tom Blake Harlequin
William Clift TBC
Backs:

NAME CLUB
Ah-Mu Tuimalealiifano Harlequin
Andreas Livadaras Scotch College
Angus Fowler TBC
Antonie Van Zyl Harlequin
Billy Gray Power House
Eli Vole TBC
Graig Semisi Melbourne University
Harry Potter Brighton Grammar
Jade Murray Moorabbin
Jonathan Savea St Kevin's College
Josh Coward St Patrick's College, Ballarat
Josh Kanonagataa TBC
Louis Toney Power House
Oisin Clarken Moorabbin
Sione Tuipulotu Southern Districts

Interesting to see Angus Fowler listed in the Rebels U20 squad. Starting no 9 all year for Brothers Prem Grade and starting 9 for Q20's v NSW 20's this year. The kid is smart and can seriously play but is obviously not rated by Gilmour et al. Good luck to him and the Rebels. I reckon you have got yourselves a good one.

 

[Seymour Butz]

Rebels U20s named.
(Snip)
Forwards:
NAME CLUB
Harry Potter Brighton Grammar

This guy is just magic on the field.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Updated to NRC round 8, with some amendments.


Regular Starters
James TUTTLE, GPS, QLD. Reds 2016 contracted player. 2015 Qld Country NRC. (Team Captain !!!) 7 Starts
Maclean JONES, University, QLD - 2015 Qld Country NRC. Started 4 games, bench 3 games
Campbell MAGNAY, GPS, QLD. Reds 2016 contracted player. 2015 Qld Country NRC. 3 Starts
Izaia PERESE. Easts, Qld. Reds EDS. 2015 Qld Country NRC. Started 3 games prior to NRC ending injury in R3.

Started a game or two
Alex MAFI - Bond University, QLD. Now signed to Reds. 2015 Qld Country NRC. Started 2 games, bench 5 games
Taniela TUPOU, Brothers, QLD - 2015 Qld Country NRC (Residential Eligibility to be confirmed). Started 2 games, bench 3 games
Onehunga HAVILI, Palmyra, WA. 2015 Perth Spirit NRC. (Residential Eligibility to be confirmed). Started 2 games (both Away)
Sione TUIPOLOTU, Southern, Vic. 2015 Melbourne Rising NRC. Started 1 game, bench 6 games
Nicholas JOOSTE, Hale School, WA. 2015 Perth Spirit NRC. Started 1 game, Bench 4 games. (Unavailable R6&7 due to Schoolboys commitments)
Guy PORTER, Sydney University, NSW. Named to start in Sydney Stars NRC Round 9. Playing "regular" Stars Development Squad games.

Bench
Moses SOROVI, University, QLD. 2015 Brisbane City NRC. Bench 4 games.
Declan MOORE, Sydney University, NSW. 2015 Sydney Stars NRC. Bench 3 games.
Tyrel LOMAX, Tuggeranong, ACT. 2015 Canberra Vikings NRC. Bench 2 games, Suspended 1 game.
Mack MASON, Club TBA (former Melbourne Storm U20 NRL). 2015 Qld Country NRC. (One of my favourite players from 2012 U16 nationals). Bench 2 games,
Toro REEDY, Joondalup, WA. 2015 Perth Spirit NRC. Bench 1 game.
Harry NUCIFORA, Bond University, QLD. 2015 Qld Country NRC. Bench 1 game.
Jordan UELESE, Melbourne University - VIC. 2015 Melbourne Rising NRC. Bench 1 game.
James WILKINSON, Gordon Shute Shield, NSW. Named on bench for Round 9. Playing "regular" Rays Development Squad games.


Team Rehab
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 (has not appeared in NRC due surgery and Team Rehab).
Izaia PERESE. Easts, Qld. Reds EDS. 2015 Qld Country NRC. (Team Rehab for knee issue, but started 3 games prior to injury)

Not in a 23 yet
Theo STRANG, Scots College, NSW. Named in Sydney Stars NRC but not played yet. AAGPS competition and National Schoolboys commitments.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

In the mix for 2016 (Updated)

Incumbents from 2015 Australian Team
Lukhan LEALAIAULOTO-TUI, Randwick, NSW - now signed to Reds. 2015 Qld Country NRC (may not appear in NRC due surgery and Team Rehab).
Sione TUIPOLOTU, Southern, Vic. 2015 Melbourne Rising NRC
James TUTTLE, GPS, QLD. Reds 2016 contracted player. 2015 Qld Country NRC.
Campbell MAGNAY, GPS, QLD. Reds 2016 contracted player. 2015 Qld Country NRC.
Harry NUCIFORA, Bond University, QLD. 2015 Qld Country NRC.
Tyrel LOMAX, Tuggeranong, ACT. 2015 Canberra Vikings NRC
Henry HUTCHISON, Randwick, NSW. May miss U20's due to Olympic Games 7's representative duties.
Joey FITTOCK, Sunnybank, Qld (Injury replacement used at the Oceania U20 Tournament) - QLD Premier South Colts

There is no guarantee that the "Incumbents" will be reselected, but having found favour with the selectors this year, there is a fairly good chance that the majority of these will similarly find favour in 2016.

Additionally these young men found favour with other nations selectors in 2015, and are believed to be eligible for Australia in 2016:
Ah-mu TUIMALEALIIFANO, Harlequins, Vic, Samoa 2015
Vunipola FIFITA, Randwick, NSW, Tonga 2015
Siuta (Timote) TAI, Royals, ACT, Tonga 2015
Sam TABUATAMATA, Gordon, NSW, Fiji 2015

Others in the "Born in 1996 or earlier" cohort, with experience at National U20 Championships include:
Qld U20 "Incumbents" from 2015
Izack RODDA - Easts, QLD. now signed to Reds. Doesn't appear in one of the 2015 QRU NRC teams due to surgery and Team Rehab conflicting with NRC schedule.
Harley FOX - Easts, QLD. Allegedly training with Rebels EPS.
Izaia PERESE - Easts, QLD - 2015 Qld Country NRC.
Shambeckler VUI - University, QLD
Angus SCOTT-YOUNG - University, QLD - QLD Premier North Colts
Tuaina TUALIMA - Sunnybank, QLD - QLD Premier South Colts
Alex MAFI - Bond University, QLD. (Team Rehab) - now signed to Reds. 2015 Qld Country NRC.

Barbarians U20 "Incumbents" from 2015
Nili FIELEA - Cottesloe, WA
Jamie KOTZ - Gungahlin, ACT
Jordon FULIVAI - Gungahlin, ACT - Not considered for 2015 Canberra Vikings NRC due injury.
Phil BRADFORD - Wanderers, Newcastle, NSW
Jordan JACKSON-HOPE - Tuggeranong, ACT
RJ SA'AGA - Melbourne University, VIC
Ta HOSEA - Harlequin, VIC

NSW U20 "Incumbents" from 2015
Ed CRAIG, Eastwood, NSW
Francis BROWN, Sydney University, NSW

There is no guarantee that these "incumbents" will be re-selected for their state team/Barbarians again, nor that they have the capability to step up to the National level solely because they have attended a previous National Championships, but they represent a good start point for discussions on selections.

Wildcard (checking on eligibility)
Taniela TUPOU, Brothers, QLD - 2015 Qld Country NRC

Additional "Bolters" in 2015 NRC squads:
James WILKINSON, Gordon Shute Shield, NSW. 2015 North Harbour Rays NRC.
Nicholas JOOSTE, Hale School, WA. 2015 Perth Spirit NRC
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.
Onehunga HAVILI, Palmyra, WA. 2015 Perth Spirit NRC
Mack MASON, Club TBA (former Melbourne Storm U20 NRL). 2015 Qld Country NRC.
Toro REEDY, Joondalup, WA. 2015 Perth Spirit NRC.
Jordan UELESE, Melbourne University - VIC. 2015 Melbourne Rising NRC.
Guy PORTER, Sydney University, NSW. 2015 Sydney Stars NRC squad.
Theo STRANG, Scots College, NSW. 2015 Sydney Stars NRC squad. (No games)

Where the above all fit in a team?
Prop:
Taniela TUPOU
Francis BROWN
RJ SA'AGA
Shambeckler VUI
Vunipola FIFITA
Tyrel LOMAX
Toro REEDY
Phil BRADFORD

Hooker
James WILKINSON
Ed CRAIG
Alex MAFI
Siuta (Timote) TAI
Declan MOORE
Jordan UELESE

Lock
Tuaina TUALIMA
Angus SCOTT-YOUNG
Izack RODDA
Lukhan LEALAIAULOTO-TUI

Back Row
Ta HOSEA
Harley FOX
Maclean JONES

Halfbacks
Harry NUCIFORA
James TUTTLE
Moses SOROVI
Theo STRANG

Flyhalf
Nicholas JOOSTE
Jordan JACKSON-HOPE
Mack MASON

Centres
Izaia PERESE
Sam TABUATAMATA
Ah-mu TUIMALEALIIFANO
Henry HUTCHISON
Sione TUIPOLOTU

Back Three
Campbell MAGNAY
Jordon FULIVAI
Jamie KOTZ
Nili FIELEA
Joey FITTOCK
Guy PORTER
Onehunga HAVILI

Additional NRC Players added to the list posted earlier as Squads have been announced, and included in various NRC teams as the season progressed.

Edit. That is 40 players, and does not include any Parachutists from the Class of 2015, and there are always a few, unless they have already been named in a NRC squad (Jooste & Strang).

 

[Beer Baron]

someone has no doubt typed words to similar effect... but will be interesting to see what correlation the existence of the NRC has with U20 results.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

^^^ Assuming that the "Clipboards" ignored other players who failed to be be selected for Canberra (Barbarians, NSW, QLD U20s), Gold Coast (Oceania U20's) or Italy/Spain (World Rugby U20s Cup/Trophy), NRC has "exposed" 12 players from the "Born in 1996 or later" cohort to the "Clipboards".

In saying that, most of the 12 "NRC only" players would already be known to the Clipboards through previous time "on the pathway" from various schoolboy or club representative selections.

In addition to the 12 "NRC Only" players, 9 of the 28 "previously on the U20 Clipboards" are involved in the 2015 NRC as either a player, squad member, or a formal "not considered due to injury" statement. This makes a total of 21 (including L-Tui, Fulivai, Wilkinson, Porter, and Strang who have not pulled on a NRC jumper).

Queensland Country have 9 in their NRC squad, Stars and Spirit have 3, Rising and Vikings have 2, and Rays and Brisbane City have 1. Rams and Eagles have 0.

To the keyboard warriors in Sydney and Brisbane, a couple of the names above as "NRC only" may be "surprises". This has to be evidence of depth developing in Australian Rugby outside the main Rugby concentrations, and those players will keep the current "U20 Incumbents" on their toes in front of the 2016 State and National U20 Selectors. I'm tipping that there may be a few "U20 Incumbents" bypassed by the "NRC only" crew for a gig in the State/Barbarians and National U20 Squads.

One of the reasons so many players graduate to professional rugby ranks are from AAGPS, CAS, and Brisbane GPS schools is that they are exposed to regular hard and physically challenging games and training sessions. The "NRC Only" are doing exactly that in what is to all intents and purposes a professional environment, and the great thing is that many of those are not from the AAGPS, CAS, or Qld GPS system.

 

[Lee Grant]

someone has no doubt typed words to similar effect. but will be interesting to see what correlation the existence of the NRC has with U20 results.

This assumes that out main competitors will stand still, but they won't.

To use the NRC as a tool to help our U20 team the following year we should have an U/19 contest as curtain raisers to all our NRC games.

It may sound pie-in-the-sky because of the travel and accommodation costs but there will be some savings on marginal costs such as having to rent the ground only once.

You never know: the NRC was pie-in-the sky not too long ago.
.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

NZL have recently started (third year this year IIRC) a National Under 19 tournament. I think it is a 10 day or so competition in a central location. They use this as a selection base for the following years U20 World Cup team, along with the Schoolboy scrapbook notes.

Due to NRC and RWC, I haven't been paying special attention to the ITM Cup games, but there seem to be (like always) a few 2016 U20 eligible lads running around the teams there.

TL;DR. We are not Robinson Crusoe in having youngsters gaining exposure to top level semi-pro footy.

 

[kiap]

To use the NRC as a tool to help our U20 team the following year we should have an U/19 contest as curtain raisers to all our NRC games.

Interesting idea there, Lee. As you say, it's possibly a bit pie-in-the-sky right now – but how might it be made to work?

First thing I'd reckon would be to make it under 20 – even if the intention is for 3/6/9 months later that the players be eligible for under 20s at the next year's JWC and lead-in comps. Sort of under-19-and-a-half. Play it under full adult scrummaging laws, not the U-19 variations.

Next, what teams should play? Whilst expecting some disagreement on here, I don't think that setting up a "colts" version of the 9 team NRC is the way to go.

Too many teams dilute the talent and increase the cost. BUT ... you could still ensure that each NRC team played host to this competition in their curtain raisers with a home representative side. It could (just about) be done with 5 teams drawn from the academy programs of the 5 super rugby states – As I understand it, the ARU are already topping up funding for the Rebels and Force in this regard.

And I'd add a 6th team, the Aus Baabaas (more on that soon in another post). Having 6 teams in a single round-robin gives you 15 games – or, for a double round-robin, 30 games. Either way, it'd be better to avoid Thursday nights for these curtain raisers. Put 'em on the weekends. The NRC has 39 games, of which 30 would be weekenders.

Okay, people. Thoughts?

 

[Highlander35]

Simply put, that's the disadvantage of your season set up. In Europe, the U20s for the next JRWC are already the U20s, while over here, they're still U19s.

Is that good or bad? Who knows. Seems to have worked for the English, but the Saffas and Kiwis make it work for them.