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New Zealand side named for opening U20 Championship match
By Online Editors
New Zealand Under 20 coach Craig Philpott has named the team set to face Tonga in the opening match of the 2018 Under 20 Oceania Championship on the Gold Coast.
Philpott said the team has been preparing well this week and are looking forward to getting on the field.
“We are still very much in selection mode if we’re looking at the World Champs. We’ve got 29 players over here and we want all of them to get game time.
Tom Christie, returning from the 2017 campaign, will captain the side, with Harry Plummer vice-captain.
Philpott said while they don’t know too much about their opposition teams at the Oceania Championship, they are expecting tough battles.
“First up we have Tonga and we have come to expect they will have a physical team that looks to play an expansive style of rugby.
“Our challenge will be keeping to our structures and systems, if we can implement our game plans and everyone gets a chance to stretch their legs we’ll be happy,” said Philpott.
The opening match against Tonga kicks off at 7pm Friday night (NZT), and will be followed by the fixture between Fiji and Australia at 9pm.
NEW ZEALAND UNDER 20
1. Rob Cobb, 2. Ricky Jackson, 3. Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, 4. Laghlan McWhannell, 5. John Akau'ola-Laula, 6. Tom Florence, 7. Tom Christie (C), 8. Devan Flanders, 9. Carlos Price, 10. Harry Plummer, 11. Leicester Faingaanuku, 12. Tanielu Tele'a, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Bailyn Sullivan, 15. Kaleb Trask.
Reserves: 16. Flynn Thomas, 17. Sione Asi, 18. Tevita Mafileo, 19. Waimana Riedlinger-Kapea, 20. William Tremain, 21. Hoskins Sotutu, 22. Xavier Roe, 23. Ciarahn Matoe.
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Latest Comments
The first half penalties against NZ were for speculative tackling because England were attacking so flat. If NZ didn't do this then it may have been tries and not penalties conceded earlier. I believe Felix Jones is still helping with the transition online. It was quite clear he wasn't helping in person with Earls in particular shooting up and leaving huge holes. NZ had a few that nearly stuck but the two tries by Telea were defensive errors. Furbank biting on Sititi leaving Genge to mark. Genge wont show Telea the outside again. Poor tacking on Telea for the second. That said he is a hard man to grab hold of.
Isolating Genge was clever for Jordans try. NZ spotted he defended wide too often and they could leave a gap with that switch play. 6 day turnaround for Ireland now.
I imagine NZ will be better, but they will need to be a lot better.
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