As expected the SA U20 forwards are much bigger than the NZ U20 pack so it will be a good test. The tight five will need to front up.

On SS2 at 7pm

@bovidae you follow the u20’s closer than most, which players are worth keeping an eye on?

In the forwards, Bason, Allen and Wrampling all have NPC experience. Wrampling is in the Chiefs squad. Both locks are tall but neither can be considered a power lock. Scrums will be interesting.

In the backs, Hutchinson was very good in the SR U20 tournament, Solomon is very elusive (but small), and more a 10/15, and the midfielders both played for the NZ U20s last year. Tuivailala debuted for Waikato last year too, scoring a try against Auckland. Taele isn't the biggest 12. I thought they might use Whaanga as a winger.

The biggest problem last year at the U20 WC was NZ's inability to defend the lineout drive/maul. Hopefully we see a big improvement there.

HB O'Donavan is also worth keeping and eye on and Johnny Lee the no.7 Cooper Grant the First Five from Ta$man has some wraps on him in Crusaders country I have not seen a lot of him though.

This is on Stan at 5pm Syd/Melb time today for those in Aus.

@KiwiMurph have to watch a replay as I expect to be stuck on the Bruce Highway carpark.

It's a fucking swimming pool

First points to NZ - 3-0.

Ground is like a swimming pool. NZ with a decent tail wind in the first half and aren't making the most of it.

Scrums have been pretty good for NZ - as in they've held their own on most occasions. Lineouts mixed for both teams but probably NZ slightly worse.

No8 for NZ looks like an athlete but looks to win the game with each carry.

Was there a knock-on at that 5 m scrum? It looked like a SA player kicked the ball. A big let-off.

Bason's throwing has always been erratic.

Didn't appear to be a knock on. I think there was an incident early where the 8 was deemed to knock on but the replay suggested he'd chipped ahead.

Good try to NZ from a scrum about 10m out from the SA try line. 8 - 0

Rico Simpson has had a shocker in the last 5 mins.

NZ have a shocking few minutes. SA get a penalty in front - take the 3. And are now in pretty much under the posts. They'll take the lead soon - 8-10

NZ try to bash their way out of the 22 and concede another penalty - but SA miss.

Yellow card for SA for a cynical penalty when NZ were almost in.

Stanely solomon has been very good

Solomon absolutely smashed. Was a great hit.

NZ get an equaliser. 13 all. Conversion missed

SA with a penalty but decided to take the tap and kick it out. Weird decision to just take the draw.

NZ will be disappointed as we had the better try-scoring chances.

It's hard to make too many comparisons to 2023 as the ground conditions were so bad. NZ's subs probably didn't have as much impact as SA's but the signs of improvement are there. Andrew Smith was the pick of the forwards for me.

Hutchinson was really good at FB in difficult conditions.

Lee also very good at 7,Solomon on the wing looked decent as well.
Simpson was very dissapointing
The hooker Basson dropped a lot of ball and his throwing was average.
The 2nd five Taele also looked good.

Arg will be a different challenge. They outmuscled Aust and have some huge props, so a dominant scrum. A dry day will help.

The Stan broadcast often froze for me.

@Bovidae that happened last time at the same location. It was also miserable weather.

Either the data feed they're using is shit at that location, or their equipment doesn't like rain

Very good skills in diabolical conditions

Winger will rue showboating for his try. Could easily have gone at least 5m closer to the sticks.