2016 Under-20 Rugby World Championships - Manchester UK

[Lee Grant]

Wow that is a kerfuffle. I got the Allianz venue info from the Tahs site and the 5.15 pm time from somebody else - I think the ARU - no, no need to advise.

And they say it's a curtain raiser.

No doubt there will be some logical explanation as to why it happened and why it was unavoidable. But what you want is problem solvers who solve these problems before they happen.

Or at least, they should not say it's going to be a Super Rugby curtain raiser when it isn't going to be.
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[Silverado]

I hear it's a surface issue due to recent and upcoming traffic, but a huge disappointment for the players and hardly an endorsement for the competition. Surely an extra game on a world class field isn't going to affect the pitch? There are people traveling from Queensland and the country on the promise of a curtain raiser at Allianze and they tell us on Tuesday that its been moved to a field that doesn't even boast a grandstand...very poor


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[Lee Grant]

As for the NSW team for the tournament there are not too many surprises in a list of 36 instead of 28 or whatever. You can carry a lot of players in a 5-6 week period compared to one over a few days.

And players had been cut for the trials already and all of these players had played in the last two trials unless they had injuries or I made comments about them below:

Props: Harry Johnson-Holmes, Harry Chapman, Vunipola Fifita, Sean Dillon, Sama Malolo, Jordan Lotoaniu *

Hookers: Ed Craig, Tom Horton**, Declan Moore**.

Locks: Ryan McCauley, Lachlan Swinton, Tom Piroddi, Andrew Vatuvei.

Backrow: Charlie Smith, Jack Hayson, Nick de Crespigny, Max Girdler, Siaosi Halifonua.

Scrumhalves: Ted Pye, Theo Strang,

Flyhalves. Connor O'Shea**,

Centres: Tom Molloy***, Sione Afu, Lachlan Burland, Dan England***, Ned Yeomans, Will McDonnell.

Back Three: Sam Tabuatamata, Sepesa Loga-Tarogi, Latu Latinipulu, James Pelowski, Guy Porter*, Tim Clements, Jack Maddocks.

Sure players can switch around.

Named but may not play: Henry Hutchison, Simon Kennewell (Sevens),

* Have long term injuries but were retained.
** Recently injured
*** centres who will be playing flyhalf.

Scrummie Harrison Goddard missed out on selection. He hadn't done a lot in training to make his mark, but he had a good trial last Friday after coming back from injury. Another schoolie, Theo Strang, got ahead of him; he is top-draw, so no disgrace there.

Lachlan Burland was a surprise - I hadn't noticed him in the trials.

About !4 of the 34 likely to play are 2015 schoolies (yep I said "about") which is not the best, especially the four props (about).
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[Happy to Chat]

I hear it's a surface issue due to recent and upcoming traffic, but a huge disappointment for the players and hardly an endorsement for the competition. Surely an extra game on a world class field isn't going to affect the pitch? There are people traveling from Queensland and the country on the promise of a curtain raiser at Allianze and they tell us on Tuesday that its been moved to a field that doesn't even boast a grandstand.very poor


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I've heard that it is the surface issue however it is a world class stadium and should be able to handle the 2 games.


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[LMU]

Is the venue change official and where is the ground relative to Allianz? walkable?

 

[Happy to Chat]

Is the venue change official and where is the ground relative to Allianz? walkable?

Click this link. https://www.sydneycricketground.com.au/DownloadDocument.ashx?DocumentID=2655. Kippax Lake field at the bottom.


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[TOCC]

Is the venue change official and where is the ground relative to Allianz? walkable?

Yep its official, the match will be held at Klippax Field, the field itself is only 100m away from Sydney Football Stadium so for those wanting to watch both games it's still achievable just not as desirable.

 

[sarcophilus]

As
About !4 of the 34 likely to play are 2015 schoolies (yep I said "about") which is not the best, especially the four props (about).
.

I guess you are saying 14 not !4


a large portion of the 14 that were 2015 (or are u19 this year which catches a couple more) schoolies were 2014 schoolies
of that younger cohort not many were displaced by "2016 schoolies" in the same manner.

what do you mean by not the best?

1. this will be a less experienced side because of the high numbers of 2015 schoolies
or
2. there should be more 2015 schoolies getting experience for 2017

 

[GPS Fantastic]

Yes, disappointing that it's been transferred to a field across the road rather than a field with a grandstand at least but I suppose it allows easy access to the main game afterwards. Good luck to all the boys, looking forward to a great game, I'm predicting a very close score, not sure who's way, any other predictions of how the game will be played out?

 

[kiap]

Is there an issue with playing curtain raisers for super rugby matches?

I sort of recall this being raised a few years ago, something about the condition of the field needed for the Supe and a certain amount of time needed before kickoff?

 

[Lee Grant]

what do you mean by not the best?

It seems like a high proportion of the whole; and, other things being equal, a lad in his U19 year will not be as good a player as he is a year later in his U20 year.

So it's not the best that there are so many players in their U19 year in the squad.

Of course, you could argue that there are some U19 players who are better than their U20 rivals in any U20 team, and so could I, but it's not to the above point.
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[Silverado]

Is there an issue with playing curtain raisers for super rugby matches?

I sort of recall this being raised a few years ago, something about the condition of the field needed for the Supe and a certain amount of time needed before kickoff?

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[Silverado]

Is there an issue with playing curtain raisers for super rugby matches?

I sort of recall this being raised a few years ago, something about the condition of the field needed for the Supe and a certain amount of time needed before kickoff?

It's seems that's the approach they've taken, but if that's the policy then then decision should have been made before the press release. I remember playing in a curtain raiser in the early 80s that was played on the SCG, complete with muddy cricket pitch in the pouring rain, and it wasn't an interstate match...


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[Silverado]

And the NRL play an under 20s game before every 1st grade game but must be too difficult for the Waratahs to organise


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[Hugh Jarse]

The surface of the SFS was cutting up during the Sydney 7's with chunks of turf being displaced after the 3 man scrums. The pack weights of U20 rugby isn't too far removed from Super rugby scrums, and the curators and rugby administrators probably don't want the pitch chopped up too much before the main show.

In the old days, curtain raisers were played on muddy ovals, but the main games were not broadcast around the world. Further the playing surface on the ovals were not covered in "made for TV camera" signage that cost the companies being advertised a kings ransom for the rights to have their "branding" painted on the turf and broadcast around the world.

Disappointing for the young men from NSW and QLD that have been relegated to play in the car park, but I'd prefer that the Tahs and Reds start the game with most of the pitch intact. If the curators haven't done some fairly significant remedial work to the structure of the turf since the 7's, it is going to be a bit of a mess after the Tahs v Reds game.

 

[I like to watch]

And the NRL play an under 20s game before every 1st grade game but must be too difficult for the Waratahs to organise


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I know that the field has to be vacant for either 60 or 90 minutes before kickoff in Super games.
I remember a few years ago getting a phone call from a frustrated parent,who was locked out of the Stadium,as the Schoolboy 'curtain raiser' game kicked off before the gates opened.

 

[Lee Grant]

More drama - from Waratahs Facebook:

5 reasons to attend ‪#‎SuperRugby‬ Rd 1. No. 3 - state rivalry curtain raiser, NSW Gen Blue U20s kick off their Super U20s Championship campaign v Qld U20s, showcasing the best of the upcoming talent - you'll never see these guys play for FREE again! ​

​

Kickoff 4:15pm, Sat 27th Feb at Kippax Oval (located between Kippax Lake & Anzac Pde, Moore Park). Then don't miss ‪#‎WARvRED‬​

​

4:15pm !?!? - maybe they want spectators from this game into Allianz earlier to increase beverage sales.

It is probably a more sensible time but as with the venue kerfuffle it should have been resolved before the U20 competition announcement. Or at least a TBA comment on both matters could have been made at announcement.
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[redblack]

^^^^^^^^^^^
Great concept , unfortunately not great execution. I feel for the lads who have given their all over summer to then play their first home game surrounded by bus lanes. It does get better , according to the ARU site their only other home games is.....
19 Mar 16 1:25PM Gen Blue U20s v Melbourne Rebels U20s Sydney University

Fortunately they will get the opportunity to play curtain raisers at main stadiums in front of other franchises.
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[TOCC]

Apparently the game will be streamed as well, probably via the Reds website much like their trial matches

Queensland Under-20s team for NSW Gen Blue clash:​

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1. Richie Asiata – Easts​

2. Alex Mafi – Bond University​

3. Taniela Tupou – Brothers​

4. Angus Scott-Young – UQ​

5. Harry Hockings – UQ​

6. Maclean Jones – UQ​

7. Liam Wright (vc) – Easts​

8. Tuaina Tualima – Sunnybank​

9. James Tuttle – GPS​

10. Mack Mason – Easts​

11. Joey Fittock – Sunnybank​

12. Fred Dorrough (c) – Sunnybank​

13. Campbell Magnay – GPS​

14. Sam Edwards – UQ​

15. Liam McNamara – Sunnybank​

​

Reserves​

16. Josh Taylor – Bond University​

17. Harry Hoopert – Brothers​

18. Hamish Richardson – UQ​

19. Connor Anderson – Norths​

20. Connor Moroney – UQ​

21. Harry Nucifora – Bond University​

22. Dylan Riley – Bond University​

23. Jayden Ngamanu – Souths​

 

[Happy to Chat]

Looks like a good team with more older experienced lads. It should be a ripper comp for Qld this year. All the best of luck to the Qld u20.