Under 20s

[Lee Grant]

Hawkes Bay Academy 61 - Oz U/20 Trialists 7 - or something like that.

It was like the Ones playing the Threes. The Kiwis were too good in just about every position and each player played like an experienced man. Even if some our players were the same age as a Kiwi player, or the same size, the Kiwis were stronger than them and were streets ahead in rugby nous both as individual and as team players.

The Kiwis blew a few tries but our blokes passing skills were awful and they blew a good portion of the few chances they had. Some of the continuity of the Hawkes Bay players was extraordinary and often it was for the length of the field for a try.

It was obvious that none of the Super contracted players or pro academy guys were out there; so I asked a bloke how they picked the Oz team. He said they invited 47 to the camp; some were injured and 29 of the rest got on the park.

There is going to be another camp in middle of April, in Canberra, I think he said, and the team would be picked in mid-May.

Super players would be picked unless their team made the finals and they aren't released.

The Oz team was:
1. Jack Kimmence
2. Hugh Roach
3. Scott Sio
4. Blake Enver
5. Michael Stolberg
6. Boyd Killingworth
7. Charles Freney
8. Ted Postal
9. Ed Bredenhann
10. Rohan Saifoloi
11. Ethan Ford
12. Apo Latunipulu.
13. Joel Faulkner
14. Heremaia Te Aute
15. Simon Morahan

Reserves and the positions played that I can remember.
1. Tim Metcher
2. Tolu Latu
3. Gary Neugebauer
7. Miles McCaffrey
8. Jason Havea
9. Nick Frisby
12. Stephano Hunt
13. Junior Rasolea
14. Mitch Felsman
15. Jason Seage
? Daniel McGhee
? Greg Melton
? JP Pradaud
? Jason Hofmeyr

About the only good news was that he scrums in the first half were good.

It's no use trying to report on who played well or not for Oz because they were putting out fires most of the time, even sometimes when they had the ball, when the Kiwis were like barbarians at the gates trying to get their ball back.

Having said that 6. Killingworth was like a Poidevin (his future is at 7) and 13. Faulkner looked very classy.

PS Bradley - thanks for advising that this game was on. It's not far from where I live and I had time to get there.

 

[spectator]

Is Stephano Hunt still with the Force?

 

[tranquility]

Hawkes Bay Academy 61 - Oz U/20 Trialists 7 - or something like that.

The Oz team was:
1. Jack Kimmence
2. Hugh Roach
3. Scott Sio
4. Blake Enver
5. Michael Stolberg
6. Boyd Killingworth
7. Charles Freney
8. Ted Postal
9. Ed Bredenhann
10. Rohan Saifoloi
11. Ethan Ford
12. Apo Latunipulu.
13. Joel Faulkner
14. Heremaia Te Aute
15. Simon Morahan


.

Its not the best side, but there is still a fair bit of talent in that side - perhaps some of them are a little bit young being only first yer out of school. But it is still concerning that they copped such a pasting, sounds like a very good academy side.

 

[Jets]

Is Stephano Hunt still with the Force?

No he isn't. Just playing club rugby with Sunnybank.

 

[Jets]

? Daniel McGhee
? Greg Melton
? JP Pradaud
? Jason Hofmeyr

McGhee is a lock. Is probably a bit undersize having never been in any real system. Would be great with about 15-20 kgs on him. Played Premier Colts at UNi last year and should move into the grades this year.
Hofmeyr is a fullback who has a monster kick on him. Played Premier Colts and Premier Grade for Sunnybank last year.
I think JP Pradaud played at Brothers. He was a Prop at school but I think he played a bit at 8 last year in Colts.

 

[sportsfan]

JP Pradaud is a prop from the Brumbies Academy

 

[Lee Grant]

Assuming that the selectors will be interested in all 2010 squad members still eligible and anybody with a Super or pro academy – Tier One contract, or whatever a team calls it, this would be my guess of a 22 at the minute (though they will take 26 to the tournament):

1. - Scott Sio – Tahs Amateur
2. - Siliva Siliva – Force Super Contract
3. - PAE – Force Super Contract
4. - Greg Peterson – Tahs Pro Academy
5. - Luke Jones – Rebels Super Contract
6. - Colby Fainga'a – Brumbies Super Contract
7. - Liam Gill – Reds Super Contract
8. - Ed Quirk– Reds Super Contract

9. - Nic Stirzacker – Brumbies Amateur
10. - Kyle Godwin – Force Pro Academy
11. - Kimami Sitauti - Reds Super Contract
12. - Apo Latinupulu – Tahs Amateur
13. - Tom Kingston – Tahs Super Contract
14. - Dom Shipperley - Reds Super Contract
15. - Simon Morahan – Reds Pro Academy

Bench
16. - Hugh Roach – Brumbies Amateur
17. - Jack Kimmence – Qld A reserve
18. - Michael Stolberg – Reds Amateur
19. - Michael Hooper – Brumbies Super Contract
20. - Ed Bredenhann – Tahs Amateur
21. - Rohan Saifoloi – Tahs Amateur
22. - Jake Woodhouse - Tahs Pro Academy

Notes
• 1. Sio - Played THP yesterday but JW scrum was not great when he played there once.
• 2. Siliva – Had a top game for Force A v. Brumbies A at the beginning of Feb.
• 3. PAE – Ditto and also looked tough in a cameo at Nowra.
• 6/7 – I can't see Oz using a lineout 6 with 3 elite 7s available.
• 8. - Quirk would usually be the 6, but see above. Haven't seen Butler since school.
• 9. - Stirzacker is better than Bredenhann IMO, No surprise if Nuci thinks differently.
• 10. - Godwin was tops for Force A against the Runners in Feb.
• 12. - Apo – a smokey but nobody else jumps out – (not S.Hunt). Can Faulkner play 12?
• 13. - Kingston - though Apo and he have not been a stellar combo for the JWs.
• 15. - S.Morahan. Could be Woodhouse who starred for the JWs v. Fiji.
• 16. - Roach – Latu was very good; close call. Roach already playing tough above his years.
• 17. - Kimmence – Part of effective front row yesterday
• 18. - Stolberg – I like the looks of this big unit.
• 19 - Hooper – Put on the bench only because the Brumbies aren't using him.
• 21. - Saifoloi – can play several positions and would be reserve goal kicker.
• 22. - Woodhouse – can play 15, 13 and wing. Had a star game for JW v Fiji at 15, but maybe I over-rate him because it's the only start the JWs gave him.

Possible smokey: 10/15 Seage – quicksilver feet and as tough as nails. Could offer utility as reserve scrummie (his league position).

The backs will not be as dangerous as last year but the forwards will be tougher.

 

[PTB]

Hawkes Bay Academy 61 - Oz U/20 Trialists 7
The Oz team was:
1. Jack Kimmence
2. Hugh Roach
3. Scott Sio
4. Blake Enver
5. Michael Stolberg
6. Boyd Killingworth
7. Charles Freney
8. Ted Postal
9. Ed Bredenhann
10. Rohan Saifoloi
11. Ethan Ford
12. Apo Latunipulu.
13. Joel Faulkner
14. Heremaia Te Aute
15. Simon Morahan

Can report it was 14 - 7 at half time, with the majority of this side being subbed at the half time break

 

[Lee Grant]

Yeah it was a lot closer in the first half wasn't it? The Kiwis had been on tour and beat the Runners; so it's no wonder that an U/20 scratch team would be a bit lost - especially when the whole starting team (but for one) was replaced at some time in the 2nd half.

Then take into account that only 3 of my notional starting team for the tournament played yesterday and it is not all gloom and doom. But the lack of skill including reading the game was a bit of a shock.

 

[Eyes and Ears]

Assuming that the selectors will be interested in all 2010 squad members still eligible and anybody with a Super or pro academy – Tier One contract, or whatever a team calls it, this would be my guess of a 22 at the minute (though they will take 26 to the tournament):

1. - Scott Sio – Tahs Amateur
2. - Siliva Siliva – Force Super Contract
3. - PAE – Force Super Contract
4. - Greg Peterson – Tahs Pro Academy
5. - Luke Jones – Rebels Super Contract
6. - Colby Fainga'a – Brumbies Super Contract
7. - Liam Gill – Reds Super Contract
8. - Ed Quirk– Reds Super Contract

9. - Nic Stirzacker – Brumbies Amateur
10. - Kyle Godwin – Force Pro Academy
11. - Kimami Sitauti - Reds Super Contract
12. - Apo Latinupulu – Tahs Amateur
13. - Tom Kingston – Tahs Super Contract
14. - Dom Shipperley - Reds Super Contract
15. - Simon Morahan – Reds Pro Academy

Bench
16. - Hugh Roach – Brumbies Amateur
17. - Jack Kimmence – Qld A reserve
18. - Michael Stolberg – Reds Amateur
19. - Michael Hooper – Brumbies Super Contract
20. - Ed Bredenhann – Tahs Amateur
21. - Rohan Saifoloi – Tahs Amateur
22. - Jake Woodhouse - Tahs Pro Academy

Thanks for putting together a 22. I would have thought Damon Anderson would make it into that 22. I have not seen JP du Plessis from the Rebels play but I would have thought that he would have to be considered.

 

[Jets]

I have not seen JP du Plessis from the Rebels play but I would have thought that he would have to be considered.

I don't think he qualifies as he hasn't be here long enough. I seem to recall that you have to reside in Australia for over 2 years to make the U20's team.

 

[Bradley]

I got down and saw the second half of this game because of a car accident on the Wakehurst Parkway so I can only comment on what I saw.

Some of the blokes in the backs in the second half team could not pass or catch a football - fair dinkum! Not once did the ball go out in a conventional backline play. Defence was ordinary and the scrum had problems particularly on the loose-head side.

I think this camp was about sorting the wheat from the chaff and full marks to the ARU for giving many fringe players a go. Many of those boys will get another go next year.

I'm told Saifoloi and Apo went well in the first half and the forwards particularly Boyd Killingsworth went well.

I think Damon Anderson must be injured as he hasn't played for the JW's either.

 

[eastman]

Damon Anderson had a shoulder reconstruction in October and is pushing to be back in time

 

[Albert]

Is 2009 Aus Schools halfback Ruka Hanlon still running around up in Qld?

 

[Lee Grant]

1. Some of the blokes in the backs in the second half team could not pass or catch a football - fair dinkum!

2. 2nd H - Defence was ordinary and the scrum had problems particularly on the loose-head side.

3. I'm told Saifoloi and Apo went well in the first half and the forwards particularly Boyd Killingsworth went well.

4. I think Damon Anderson must be injured as he hasn't played for the JW's either.

1. It was shocking wasn't it? Without any exaggeration I would say the average Sydney GPS team would be better.

2. Agree on the 2nd half scrum but the first half scrum with the starting front row was quite good. The 1st half guys were also a bit better realigning on defence and if they didn't do it in time they were at least better scrambling.

3. Apo was quite good without showing too many signs of providing the golden ball for supports very often though to be fair he got ball and Kiwi together a lot, and sometimes two of them. At least he's not shy of operating near the tackle line.

He was still at school last year but could get in the squad regardless as the older Stephano Hunt is no competition these days IMO and there is not a contracted 12 eligible that I'm aware of. I wouldn't be a fan of playing flyhalf Godman there either. Apo is robust on defence.

Saifoloi looks like a Matt To'omua type of flyhalf and can also play other positions - but he threw his share of ropey passes yesterday too.

Boyd was terrific and as I mentioned: looked like a Poideven. Played for the JWs against Tonga A this year too and the same remarks applied to that game. Watch this space on BK - as a 7. He will be available for the U20s next year but has no hope in 2011 with the 3 galacticos in front of him.

4. Yeah I hadn't spied Anderson this year for the JWs or Oz Baas, yet he was in the 2010 squad as a late replacement; so assumed he was injured and left him off the list. Maybe he can get some club games in before the squad is selected in mid-May.

Have just seen eastman's remarks about the shoulder reconstruction. Explains it.

 

[Eyes and Ears]

I don't think he qualifies as he hasn't be here long enough. I seem to recall that you have to reside in Australia for over 2 years to make the U20's team.

Wasn't JP du Plessis at the Roosters for 2 years?

 

[Brumbies Guy]

Wasn't JP du Plessis at the Roosters for 2 years?

Roosters squad for 2010, Rebels squad for 2011

 

[twenty seven]

1. It was shocking wasn't it? Without any exaggeration I would say the average Sydney GPS team would be better.

My understanding is that it is not about a 'team effort', but an opportunity for the coaches/selectors to watch the lads in a game situation.

 

[twenty seven]

From the sounds of it the second half was about giving all the boys a run.

 

[Lee Grant]

My understanding is that it is not about a 'team effort', but an opportunity for the coaches/selectors to watch the lads in a game situation.

My remarks about item no. 1 was about the poor individual skills of the players being inferior and agreeing with Bradley - not about the team effort. I was saying the skills of an average GPS team in handling the ball was better than the U/20 players yesterday who were doing their best. Mind you GPS teams don't have Academy Kiwis running at them.

From the sounds of it the second half was about giving all the boys a run.

As it always is in trial games - and should be: the result did not matter.