Under-20 Competitions including Oceania & World U20s

[Major Tom]

1. Baxter
2. Ata
3. King
4. Manglesdorf
5. Doyle
6. Brosnan
7. Langi
8. Morrison
9. Sharples
10. Fowler
11. Wilcox
12. Pakeho - Didn't play but would be a starter
13. Goldsbrough - Didn't play but would be a starter
14. Watters
15. Harvey

16. Langi
17. Hill
18. Ah-Colt
19. Aylmer
20. Veiru
21. Martens
22. Grover
23. Fakafanua

Hard to split some guys on the bench like Veiru and Brial but I'll take the guy a year older right now in the age group stuff. It makes a difference. Didn't put another 10 on the bench but you likely would. I just think Fakafanua and Harvey could foreseably slot in at first reciever if required. You have Wilcox who can shift to 15. Grover covers 11-15 so holds good value. 10 is a hard selection as all 3 could get the gig and I still think Dillon the best pure play maker but Fowler deserves credit for the NZ game.

Ruebens could be a good option off the bench. Looks like he can cover a few spots.

 

[FNC Rugby]

Over time? I'd do it next year. Ideally, you'd have a QLD Country and NSW Country team. But not sure they would have enough numbers to make these teams. Just as long as it's not a REDS A/B or TAHS A/B team setup

100% you could easily add additional teams especially to the u16 Super Rugby tournament, having a Victoria team getting lapped by 100 is pointless. I dont think you could have the Country sides as they'd need to be a NSW & Qld 2ndXV. The talent is there; NSW had a number of kids playing for the Brumbies last year

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

You'd just Have NSW Blue & White and QLD Red & Grey? They did this for the 18s

 

[Major Tom]

Hmm. You could. Does sound a bit lame, but I guess the point is getting a look at more talent and making it a more even comp. I'm happy if it's just a straight split and not an A vs B team.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Wouldn't worry me if it was an A & B. Have been a few instances at the old Nationals when NSW 2nds or Combined States won the whole thing. Your'e really splitting hairs with some selections and brings a bit of spice to it.

You end up also letting the 2nd best 7 for example in NSW or QLD get a start instead of 15 mins and then you back fill the reserves in the 1st XV with the 3rd best and the reserves in the 2nd XV with the 4th best.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Hmm. You could. Does sound a bit lame, but I guess the point is getting a look at more talent and making it a more even comp. I'm happy if it's just a straight split and not an A vs B team.

These competitions are more for development so branding means little. I'd like to see two new teams plus possibly an expanded schedule.

 

[Love2Scrum]

1. Baxter
2. Ata
3. King
4. Manglesdorf
5. Doyle
6. Brosnan
7. Langi
8. Morrison
9. Sharples
10. Fowler
11. Wilcox
12. Pakeho - Didn't play but would be a starter
13. Goldsbrough - Didn't play but would be a starter
14. Watters
15. Harvey

16. Langi
17. Hill
18. Ah-Colt
19. Aylmer
20. Veiru
21. Martens
22. Grover
23. Fakafanua

Hard to split some guys on the bench like Veiru and Brial but I'll take the guy a year older right now in the age group stuff. It makes a difference. Didn't put another 10 on the bench but you likely would. I just think Fakafanua and Harvey could foreseably slot in at first reciever if required. You have Wilcox who can shift to 15. Grover covers 11-15 so holds good value. 10 is a hard selection as all 3 could get the gig and I still think Dillon the best pure play maker but Fowler deserves credit for the NZ game.

Now that the 7’s series is over, it’ll be interesting to see where Aden Ekanayake and Hadley Tonga fit into this lineup

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Hadley is a bit of myth at the moment. Everyone's heard of him, he got a 7s debut but last seen playing 2nd Grade for Eastwood. I don't know if he deserves to push anyone out of the squad tbh. Hadleys contract set up was interesting being split between 7s and NSW. He should be due to go to the Tahs now but with the amount of outside backs in the group and Saunders debuting this year. Grover playing some trials I see him struggling to find a spot. Also signed under different coaches.

Aden could be different. He has experience at the tournament and is a year stronger now. Good forward utility for the squad.

 

[Rudderless]

Hadley has continued to battle hamstring issues this year and last. Lovely kid and was an absolute freak on the field.
Hoping to see him back at his best.

 

[hituplover]

Could see aden pushing manglesdorf to the bench, offers a similar level of physicality with much more athleticism

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Maybe. Might need to get a few Club games in first. Something to be said about a guys like Manglesdorf doing a lot of dirty work in tight to allow others freedom.

 

[Major Tom]

Could see aden pushing manglesdorf to the bench, offers a similar level of physicality with much more athleticism

He's not really a 2nd Rower at 6'3. He could challenge the back row positions though. I can see him being an absolute handful running in the midfield.

 

[Homer]

Got found out last year trying to play hard up front in 15s for the 20s. Very good sevens player, leave him there.

 

[Major Tom]

Got found out last year trying to play hard up front in 15s for the 20s. Very good sevens player, leave him there.

He was playing underage though.

 

[Love2Scrum]

Got found out last year trying to play hard up front in 15s for the 20s. Very good sevens player, leave him there.

Maybe a few games in Grade before he boards the plane to Italy?

 

[Braveheart81]

How well the team played in the Rugby Championship is surely going to decrease the desire to bring in players from outside the current squad.

I'd be very hesitant to bring in any more 7s players. Pakeho would be the main one I would be hoping to add but likewise he seems unlikely given the Reds will be in the finals and he is a fixture in their matchday 23.

 

[Major Tom]

How well the team played in the Rugby Championship is surely going to decrease the desire to bring in players from outside the current squad.

I'd be very hesitant to bring in any more 7s players. Pakeho would be the main one I would be hoping to add but likewise he seems unlikely given the Reds will be in the finals and he is a fixture in their matchday 23.

Goldsbrough if he's back and if the Reds don't need him for Lions.
Agree though, I'd take the players in the current squad. But at THP I would love to see Hoppo Leota picked up to see shore up the scrum.

 

[Raytah]

Ata nailed the Hooker spot in my mind. I know he can cover Prop but he's the best Hooker and it's such a key position in the spine of a side.

King back in his preffered spot and it's a good position to be to have locked in 4 of your tight 5.

Not sure I'd say 100% nailed on. Scrum was often woeful when he was on but granted that's a poblem of the collective. Pick and stick alongside Baxter & Ah Colt perhaps the best chance.

 

[WoodysRFC]

How well the team played in the Rugby Championship is surely going to decrease the desire to bring in players from outside the current squad.

I'd be very hesitant to bring in any more 7s players. Pakeho would be the main one I would be hoping to add but likewise he seems unlikely given the Reds will be in the finals and he is a fixture in their matchday 23.

Don't think Pakeho or Goldsbrough are even necessary, you've got great depth in the midfield this year.

 

[House is on Fire]

Not sure what is or what isn't "necessary", but a bloke whose been regularly starting (and performing well) at Super Rugby level is obviously going to improve this team. Especially considering 12 is probably the weakest spot in the backline (Boston played really well against Argentina). If you're picking a team and your choice is between Boston Fakafanua and Dre Pakeho, well it's not a difficult choice.