Under-20 Competitions including Oceania & World U20s

[Muzza]

I'd never have said they dominated, but they did put extreme pressure on us on our own line. A different ref would've given us a yellow sticker for that passage in the second half. We found it hard to defend our line while trying to manage tackle laws and keeping onside. Ireland's handling and ball skills were good enough to retain possession. We'll probably struggle if we come up against that again. Better hope it rains in the finals

its funny how on a good win people still find the negatives about the play. They seem to be turning pressure against them into points. keep it up i say!

 

[Forcefield]

Youre kidding right?

Thats the last thing we want coming up against Northern Hemisphere teams or anyone really.

Get the ball to Isaac Lucas and watch him create overlaps. Very hard to do in the wet.

Nope. We smashed NZ in greasy conditions. Our backrow and pack in general are our biggest strengths. Harrison is a great kicker, our defence is very solid. We are well suited to a slog fest.

 

[Forcefield]

its funny how on a good win people still find the negatives about the play. They seem to be turning pressure against them into points. keep it up i say!

Taken out of context. I wouldn't call them negatives, just areas to grow as a team. Minute you stop trying to grow is the beginning of the decline.

 

[emuarse]

So the Junior Wantabies are now in a semi-final next Tuesday morning our time against the host country, Argentina.

 

[Bobby Sands]

So the Junior Wantabies are now in a semi-final next Tuesday morning our time against the host country, Argentina.

Delicious.

Lets get Will Harris back at 8 where he belongs.

 

[Cancelled Account]

https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/...a/news-story/c1b7e13b603b4ec0b2551691d32e124d

Let’s hope it kicks off on time.

Will Harrison is out due to injury. Donaldson in.

 

[Bobby Sands]

Ben Donaldson has some decent wraps though doesn't he?

Interesting that Wood has come back in. They must rate his trench warfare at the expense of height at the lineout etc.

 

[Cancelled Account]

I like Donaldson. Unfortunately we haven’t seen enough of him in the U20s. Harrison has been playing well in recent games.

I’m liking 3,4,5,6,7 and 8. Go Wood.

 

[Rebels3]

I like Donaldson. Unfortunately we haven’t seen enough of him in the U20s. Harrison has been playing well in recent games.

I’m liking 3,4,5,6,7 and 8. Go Wood.

The LH is a gun as well. Might need to work abit on his scrummaging but the rest of his game is top notch

 

[Shaker]

Jesus H that second yellow was an embarrassingly bad decision.

 

[Braveheart81]

Jesus H that second yellow was an embarrassingly bad decision.

It's the correct decision. It was a high tackle and the Argentinian player didn't manage to put the ball down so the penalty offence prevented a try. As soon as that happens it's a penalty try and the referee has to issue a yellow card as well.

It doesn't matter that it wasn't a high tackle worthy of anything more than a penalty.

 

[The Honey Badger]

Looks like a seriously good team we have here.

Well done boys.

They would have to be favorites for the final, given Argentina beat France on the Pool.

A little ray of sunshine for Aus Rugby. Didn't see a word about it on TV this morning. Hopefully the final might get some mainstream publicity.

 

[Dark Shark]

Interesting to note that this age group was the first to come through the u15 Junior Gold programme. I remember that Fraser McReight played in the Grand Final at Lang Park v the winning Victorian team.

Maybe an indication that pathways set up four and five years ago will bear fruit into the future.

 

[Braveheart81]

I think the pathways have certainly improved but I also think this might just be a bit of a golden generation.

There are guys who are on the bench who would have been standouts in most of our recent teams.

 

[Brumby Runner]

You are probably right BH about the quality of the individuals, but my impression is that the teamwork, especially in attack in the backline, is far more developed than in previous sides. Maybe better coaching is also an element?

 

[Braveheart81]

You are probably right BH about the quality of the individuals, but my impression is that the teamwork, especially in attack in the backline, is far more developed than in previous sides. Maybe better coaching is also an element?

I agree that they look like they are working better together.

I think that element of essentially picking the squads earlier and having more training camps is clearly beneficial.

Previously there was a greater focus on the national championships and the build up to selecting a squad and then there being relatively little time or budget for them to actually train.

Now the focus has shifted a bit more towards getting those players together earlier and having more time to coach them.

People complain that it makes it less of an open selection criteria but there have always been complaints about the selection criteria and always will be.

 

[kiap]

Looks like a seriously good team we have here.

Yep. Watching this one live, even when the second yellow came. I still thought they'd win the game.

Had it been a different opposition from the top 5, that mightn't have been the case, tho.

The argies didn't manage to get any pay for either their extra man or dominant scrum.

They would have to be favorites for the final, given Argentina beat France on the Pool.

France played with 14 men in that one (that's just how this tournament works ) so can't really extrapolate from that. They're a powerful side.

In saying that, playing Argentina then France is a good draw, all considered.

My gut instinct is that the saffers and poms (despite lacking rugby nous at times) would match up well against our lads. Just their style of game.

Looking forward to seeing this final!

 

[Dctarget]

France played with 14 men in that one (that's just how this tournament works ) so can't really extrapolate from that. They're a powerful side.

Two players to watch out for are Matthis Lebel and Jordan Joseph.

Lebel is a winger for Toulouse whose played a few top 14 games with good speed and defence.

Jordan Joseph is a child monster (born in 2000!). Already played a season for Racing at 6/8. Looks like he's 30 and can play with the big kids. Wrecking ball on wheels with a good offload. McReight & Co. will do well to contain him.

France are not to be underestimated obviously, as the reigning champs, very professional set up. They're well drilled and clever. They're good at converting pressure into points. Also their uniforms are very smart.

 

[kiap]

Jordan Joseph is a child monster (born in 2000!). Already played a season for Racing at 6/8. Looks like he's 30 and can play with the big kids. Wrecking ball on wheels with a good offload. McReight & Co. will do well to contain him.

Absolutely. In two years time, he could even have three-peat U20 titles.

(let's hope not)

France are not to be underestimated obviously, as the reigning champs, very professional set up. They're well drilled and clever. They're good at converting pressure into points. Also their uniforms are very smart.

As long as their socks aren't pulled up, or jerseys tucked in!

Otherwise it could be a long night.

 

[Wristman]

This may well be our year.
Some real talent across the park.
In the pack I see at least 4 future wallabies in Bell, Hosea, McReight and Harris.
It's the best back row unit we've probably ever had at U20.
All with size, speed and fitness.
Of the backs Lucas and Nawaqanitawase are my pick.
But there hasn't been a weak link and all of these young men can go on to greater things.
Credit is due to the coaching team as well.
They are much better prepared than teams of the past.