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Baby Blacks to compete in new U20 Rugby Championship
By Finn Morton
The Junior Wallabies and Baby Blacks will compete in a new SANZAAR U20 Rugby Championship in 2024 alongside Argentina and South Africa.
SANZAAR made the announcement on Thursday, with the competition set to take place over three weeks on the Gold Coast in April.
South Africa was the pick of these four nations at the recent World Rugby U20 Championships, with the Junior Boks finishing in third place.
Australia, who beat New Zealand in two of three meetings this year, finished in fifth – two spots higher than the Baby Blacks. As for Argentina, they were a couple of spots back in ninth.
This competition will pit the best up-and-coming talent in southern hemisphere rugby against one another, as they look to take the next step in their development and careers.
“It has long been recognised that the missing link in our junior pathways was the existence of a SANZAAR international championship for up-and-coming talent,” SANZAAR and RA Chairman Hamish McLennan said.
“I am really excited that SANZAAR is now committing to this new championship.
“The SANZAAR member unions and I are confident its establishment can only strengthen rugby pathways for young players in the southern hemisphere.
“Exposure to additional international matches can only benefit the players in terms of experience and adapting to the demands of the top level of rugby.”
Throughout the U20 Championships in South Africa, the southern hemisphere nations struggled to match the physicality and skillsets presented by their northern rivals.
France won the title for the third consecutive time, while Ireland can be proud of their efforts as they finished in second.
New Zealand was well off the mark, and Australia couldn’t quite reach the heights that some might have expected of them.
But as SANZAAR CEO Brendan Morris said, this competition – which is similar to the Six Nations U20s Championship – will become “a vital step in the progression of young talent.”
“This is a vital step in the progression of young talent across our member unions as importantly it will provide extra development opportunities each year for players, coaches, team management and match officials, and will allow for better preparation into the World Rugby Championships,” Morris added.
“There is still some detail to put in place and we will announce this as we approach the kick-off of the inaugural tournament.
“The member unions are all committed to ensuring the U20 tournament is a best practice event that develops the young talent they have at their disposal.”
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Latest Comments
Hopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to commentsNot surprised to see Barretts rating. He has always been a solid defender for the ABs but not particularly effective in attack situations.
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