Under 20 Championship Day 2 – NSW rampant

NSW looked like the team to beat at the Under 20 National Championship yesterday when they defeated the Australian Barbarians Under 20s 45-9 at Viking Park in Canberra.

After doing the hard work in the first half and leading 16-6 at half-time, they scored 29 points to 3 after the break.

The Barbarians made it hard for themselves when a player who had received a yellow card for a dangerous tackle in the first half got a second for one that was late. This meant that they had to play a fit team, in form, with only 14 men for more than half of the match.

Winger Harry Jones scored five tries benefiting from great lead-up work from his team mates and some good finishing by himself.

The match

Jones scored his first in the corner early, after a quick tap was taken. His second was in same spot, this time after a good tackle bust and offload by 12 Jack Redden.

NSW were up near the Baas goal line on the bell for half-time but they were kept out.

No conversions were successful, but two penalty goals were slotted by each team, and NSW led 16-6 at the break.

According to “Mr Hector”

The game was dominated by a ferocious contest between the two sets of forwards. The NSW players were on top for the first 20 minutes when the 16 points were scored but the Barbarians fought their way back in to the game with a couple of penalty goals and a near miss of a try.

The red card was given just after the break and Jones was put into space for his third. The Australian Barbarians kicked their third penalty goal and defended heroically, but a try in the corner to 7. Jack McCalman, after good lead-up work from the backs, and a fourth to Jones after great work from Sam Croke and an unselfish pass by scrummie Mitch Short made the score blow out to 33-9.

NSW had cleared the benches and after NSW took a scrum option for a penalty, reserve scrum half Rory Davis sniped cheekily in typical style to score between the posts with six minutes remaining. It was against tired under-manned defenders, and Jones found time to score his fifth before the final bell.

Final score: NSW 45 – Barbarians 9

The teams

“Mr Hector”

In the second half the Barbarians contested the ball with passion and ferocity but to the credit of the NSW forward pack they repelled the Barbarians attack at the breakdown and launched their own counter attack. Excellent team work.

“Uncle Joe”

NSW were very good and their combinations were crisp. A pity the game was not XV on XV. If there was an area to work on they need to convert their tries but the fact that five of them were scored wide out didn’t help.

“Rugby roo”

Tahs looked very organised in defence and worked hard against some bigger oponents in a lot of positions. They played well above their weight so to speak.

Sandell and some of his mates were getting hit hard but were cleverly rolling with the blows and still securing a good layback of the ball to ignite the backline.

We all thought that the Tahs might be vulnerable at scrum time especially as the Baas brought on some fresh men but they actually stepped up a gear and demolished the Baas scrum at most sets after that.

A few little errors in the red zone have got to be weeded out but the coaches have to be pretty pleased with that effort as well as all the players – including subs.

“Secret Squirrel”

There aren’t many chinks in the NSW armour. They were a bit scratchy when there were short chips in over their heads if there was a quick turnover, when the back row had come in for the kill and not expecting it. Harry Jones did well to chase and gather and kick clear a few times, but he was on his own and vulnerable if the first opposition tackler had been effective.

The players

“Mr Hector”

Barbarians – Were led strongly by their captain Riley Winter at lock. Their 6 Hayden Anderson and 8 Ta Hosea, when he was playing,  led the brutal contest at the breakdown. LHP Fereti Saaga was powerful off the bench with some great ball running. Flyhalf Pat Toeta had another strong game. Good goal kicking by the 9 Harry Nucifora. Their 12 Jordan Jackson Hope made some nice breaks.

NSW – Clear man of the match Harry Jones had a good all round game with five tries; however the rest of the team was instrumental in their dominant play. The the front row dominated the scrum and the ball carries.

6. Croke was strong at breaking the line, 8. Kamp was terrific in his front on defence and 7. McCalman exhibited great support play and tackled himself to a standstill. Both flyhalves, Deegan and Tulloch, distributed the ball well and had terrific kicking games. The rest of the backline was slick and the execution of their catch pass game was text book rugby.

“Secret Squirrel”

When the reserves came on things were pretty seamless – they are obviously well drilled and very interchangeable.  I think NSW and Baas forwards are probably stronger than the Queensland forwards and NSW has the best backs.

6. Croke, 7. McCalman and big lock reserve Lukhan Lealaiauloto-Tui all did well with a high work rate.

“Rugby roo”

They look a well-balanced side with some form players in key positions.

Croke at 6 was breaking the defensive line regularly setting up further raids and 7. McCalman was cleverly ghosting his team mate in the Baas’ 22 and picked up a classic try for good support.

Featured Image (above) is of Harry Jones

Photos courtesy of SE

Thank you everybody for your contributions

See next page for the selections of “Secret Squirrel” for the Aussie U20 squad.