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France re-match drawn for New Zealand U20s in tough pool group
By Ben Smith
The New Zealand U20s will get the opportunity to avenge last year's defeat to France U20 when the World Championships kick off in July after being grouped in the same pool.
The Baby Blacks were met with a ferocious French pack last year featuring Poloso Tuilagi, son of Samoan international Henry, who scored two tries in a powerful showing.
France U20s won 35-14 with their power game proving to much to handle, and went on to claim their third consecutive World U20 title with a 50-14 victory.
New Zealand will face Wales, France and Spain with the first match scheduled for June 30. They play France on July 5 and finish with Spain on July 10 before the finals series start on July 15.
Fresh from a title win in the inaugural Rugby Championship U20, New Zealand will head with form after drawing with South Africa 13-all in torrential conditions, a 43-20 win over Argentina and a title-winning 36-25 win over Australia.
Left winger Stanley Solomon starred throughout the Rugby Championship campaign, centre Xavi Taele was named player of the tournament, and No 8 Malachai Wrampling-Alec led a stellar pack.
The forwards for the New Zealand U20 possessed some real size and height with loosies Andrew Smith and Johnny Lee rounding out a tall back row.
Playmaker Rico Simpson impressed from first five with his passing game igniting the back line.
The tournament will use amended laws with six new variations trialled. A new red card sanction process will be implemented, with automatic bans for red cards involving foul play set at two weeks. Aggravated foul play will result in an automatic four-week ban.
Only serious infringements will face a judicial process and further review.
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Latest Comments
I agree it needs looked it. Most clubs and nations are now identifying talent long before they are capped and directly influencing what country they represent. Not all teams obviously but it's certainly a trend.
It used to be that an electric 22 years old winger would announce himself for the ABs by scoring on debut in the July tests. Announce themselves on the big stage playing for their country. Nowadays if they’re scouted at 14 or 15 and developed elsewhere, you've no idea where they may end up.
Most young talent I see nowadays I have to Google them to get an idea of what international Jersey they might even wear.
The only thing that keeps the discussion on Ice is probably the boks. They don't go overseas for talent and their RWC record speaks for itself. On the flipside most of their talent plays club rugby outside of SA which is another can of worms.
Go to commentsAgreed. Just to add to that the hitherto leaky Crisaders defence was resolute and enabled them to establish an amazing 31 to zip lead at the 60 minute mark. A couple of late lapses allowed the dangerous Drua attack to reduce the final margin somewhat but the game was virtually won by then. Only criticism would be the number of handling mistakes made but the steamy playing conditions probably contributed to that. Not many teams come away from Suva with such a comfortable margin. Pity they were unable to show the same fortitude against Moana.
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