Under-20 Competitions including Oceania & World U20s

[Backintheolddays]

I could be very wrong here as the boys these days are bigger than ever across the park but I'd be surprised if hes 6'2.

Fonua is all Rugby as far as I'm aware. Physically he's Rugby down to the ground as well and a comparison would be a guy like Doyle from the 20s but a bit shorter. Like Toby Brial but able to play Lock.

I'll really rate Fonua's smarts and work rate. Not the absolute impact beast of a Lemota but over 80 minutes will bring a hell of a lot more. A lot of these guys suffer from that "in between" physique and unfortunately at the absolute top, size matters (unlike you're a freak like Ardie).

 

[Major Tom]

I could be very wrong here as the boys these days are bigger than ever across the park but I'd be surprised if hes 6'2.

Fonua is all Rugby as far as I'm aware. Physically he's Rugby down to the ground as well and a comparison would be a guy like Doyle from the 20s but a bit shorter. Like Toby Brial but able to play Lock.

Has him listed at 6'4 and 109kg. I haven't seen him play since the last U18 games. Either a complete error or he's grown or it's just been overestimated. I was trying to find the photo of when he and Brial met the wallabies last year to compare but can't find it.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Wow ok. Happy to be corrected and makes him a great prospect if he's that tall.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Has him listed at 6'4 and 109kg. I haven't seen him play since the last U18 games. Either a complete error or he's grown or it's just been overestimated. I was trying to find the photo of when he and Brial met the wallabies last year to compare but can't find it.

Bells listed as 192cm and to me if they went back to back standing up straight Bell would just shade him. Could assume Heinz has grown since then as well.

 

[Major Tom]

View attachment 23271
Bells listed as 192cm and to me if they went back to back standing up straight Bell would just shade him. Could assume Heinz has grown since then as well.

Looks like he’s slightly taller than belly in that photo but it can be deceiving. Weight looks bang on though. Either way he’s going to France if we don’t change his mind with some extra dollars. Or we need to get him back!

 

[Major Tom]

Anyone know what the go is with Vaitu Latu. He turned out for brothers 1sr grade last weekend.

Highlighting this because I thought it was odd he didn’t get selected for the U20 WC squad even though he showed a lot in the U16 comps.

 

[Red Runner]

Some people asking about where Cooper Watters was - he's just signed a 7s contract

 

[Major Tom]

Code sports headline suggests TJ Taileva choosing rugby over league. Paywall makes it difficult to gauge how real it is.

 

[Crashy]

let archive.md be your friend

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Good player. Valetini style of an aggressive in you face 6. I remember seeing some of Jayden Sua play at Churchie who went to league and he seems like that.

I rate him above Taumoepeau even though he got the start this year with the 18s

2 years in the Aus 18s and his Brother was playing for Hunter in the SS so Rugby has gone well for him.

 

[Major Tom]

Jarvis Orr and Chayse Geros both sighed to the act academy. Both were in the tab academy? Good to get them across to the Brumbies where they’re is less competition for their spots.

 

[Homer]

Good to see Geros stay with Rugby.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Jarvis Orr and Chayse Geros both sighed to the act academy. Both were in the tab academy? Good to get them across to the Brumbies where they’re is less competition for their spots.

Not sure if ever part of the senior academy but out of the U18s system so you technically pass throught it. He's a good player Orr.

Really busy in the Aus 18s games. Understand going to the Brumbs as well with Durbidge with the seniors and LeMaitre looking like a stud a year or so behind that.

 

[WoodysRFC]

Australia seem to be doing a much better job keeping backrowers and outside backs in the game. Just need to ensure McKay stays in the game. Listened to a podcast with the NZ Schools 10 and he singled him out as the best player on the park (along with Treyvon Pritchard).

 

[Major Tom]

Not sure if ever part of the senior academy but out of the U18s system so you technically pass throught it. He's a good player Orr.

Really busy in the Aus 18s games. Understand going to the Brumbs as well with Durbidge with the seniors and LeMaitre looking like a stud a year or so behind that.

Yeah that's what I was thinking. Geros too will get more of a go rather than being stuck behind Wilson and Grover.
Early days but starting to see some pretty good 9's coming through the system. And evenly spread with Martens at the Reds.

 

[Major Tom]

Australia seem to be doing a much better job keeping backrowers and outside backs in the game. Just need to ensure McKay stays in the game. Listened to a podcast with the NZ Schools 10 and he singled him out as the best player on the park (along with Treyvon Pritchard).

McKay and Pritchard are pretty well locked in. Could only be lost to another rugby comp imo.
Risati is the one who would be a real coup for RA. I'd try and get him in that 7's program with the carrot of playing LA 2028.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I feel Risati is unfortunately an 80% chance of going/staying with RL. After the Aus 18s Rugby this year he played Fullback for the NSW U17s League team v Warrington. Bloomfield was also in that side.

Backs can transition from code to code unlike most of the Forwards. A lot of these guys like Risati are only getting Rugby games due to being put into Rugby Schools. If Rugby can keep the kids who are Rugby through and through and then pick up a couple of the other talents I think it could make a huge difference when we only 4 pro sides.

 

[Major Tom]

I feel Risati is unfortunately an 80% chance of going/staying with RL. After the Aus 18s Rugby this year he played Fullback for the NSW U17s League team v Warrington. Bloomfield was also in that side.

Backs can transition from code to code unlike most of the Forwards. A lot of these guys like Risati are only getting Rugby games due to being put into Rugby Schools. If Rugby can keep the kids who are Rugby through and through and then pick up a couple of the other talents I think it could make a huge difference when we only 4 pro sides.

Yeah it’ll be a coup for RA. But I also thought Geros wasn’t a chance. I think we’ll continue to lean into the 7s as a way of showing a pathway to the pros. And it helps that Harvey and Charlie are showing that path forward. Helpful that he’s played with Orr, Pritchard and Geros and they may help sell it. It’s gonna come down to money most likely.