@Victor-Meldrew said in NZ U20 v France U20:

@cgrant said in NZ U20 v France U20:

A game of two halves. NZ discipline was poor during the first half. Huge second half by the forwards.

I thought the backs were good too - outstanding scramble defence and attacked from everywhere - but sensibly

Haven't seen game yet Victor, but had been impressed with backs in first game, and had thought Pledger looked the goods at 9, and had been impressed with the balance of Rico Simpson. Will sit down and watch this one after.

Massive win, Solomon had a few nice touches in this one, probably got NZ moving with that chip and chase which lead to our first try. Great second half by the forwards aswell.

Even though Simpson nailed that penalty he had a very average game for the most part. Pledger was class again.

NZ just didn't have any possession or territory in the 1st half playing with the wind, and when they did have the ball lost it through handling errors. The roles were reversed in the 2nd half as France spent most of the time in their half. Yes, you can say discipline was a problem but some of those penalties were harsh, e.g., Smith in the lineout.

This NZ team is showing more grit and determination than those from previous years, so that is promising.

@Victor-Meldrew said in NZ U20 v France U20:

Joel Stransky is a bloody good commentator.

Typical back though as he talked up the French scrum when NZ had only 7 forwards.

Brosnihan had some interesting takes on the PI names.

Andrew Smith's discipline was a worry but what a player ! He will be an All Black, that's for sure.

Impressed by Pledger. Less impressed with the blind AR who tried to deny the winning penalty kick.

Just watched this. Weird game but a great watch. Really enjoyed the commentary and the way the ref held his nerve through the match.
Pledger looks very promising. Andrew Smith and Liam Jack are great works in progress. Midfielders look strong. I am not as convinced by the all round play of Simpson, Solomon or Bason though.
Well done to the reserve forwards who added the impact to win that one.

Just watched the highlights on you tube without knowing the result , you hear so much hype over the French junior program was not overly optimistic when I clicked on it

Don’t know much about our players but was impressed with their resilience .

Awesome stuff .

It is actually so very good too see our forwards dominate set pieces, even if only for one half, as it's been where the baby blacks have been smashed in recent years

@ARHS Rico Simpson is the youngest player in the squad (according to the commentators) so will be the 1st 5 again next year. My biggest criticism of him in this game was his attempted one-hand offloads in the tackle which resulted in a few turnovers. He doesn't have to try to be SBW. Vern Bason had the dropsies.

Andrew Smith is a good chance of being in the Waikato NPC squad this year. He played in the pre-season games last year but was then injured. Apart from around the field, he is a very good lineout option, and wins opposition ball too.

I expect plenty of changes to the 23 for the Spain game.

given all the talk is about the impressive French pack, was good to see our lads stand up.

How TF did the AR miss that penalty, he was standing right behind it.

I am looking forward to Dylan Pledger being our Highlanders and Otago halfback. So much talent. I know he's only in his first year out of school, I just hope he can get some gametime in the blue and gold this year.

@SouthernMann said in NZ U20 v France U20:

I am looking forward to Dylan Pledger being our Highlanders and Otago halfback. So much talent. I know he's only in his first year out of school, I just hope he can get some gametime in the blue and gold this year.

Was a handy basketballer as an Otago junior rep player.

@Daffy-Jaffy I rate Simpson and named-dropped him when watching him play live as a Y12 to be a future NZ-age group player. He'll get better with time. What I like about Rico is that he is a totally different profile from the 1st 5s that have come through the NZ system over the past 10-15 years (tall rather than short).

And the celebration after the winning penalty.

Liam Jack and Andrew Smith made a mess of the French line out. Tuivailala is a solid unit in the midfield. I hope we will watch him during the NPC with Waikato. Impressed by Letiu when he came in off the bench. For the first time in years, we saw both hookers throwing with accuracy. Good point.

Is this on Stan in Aus?

@booboo said in NZ U20 v France U20:

Is this on Stan in Aus?

No, but available to stream on the RugbyPass website

@SouthernMann said in NZ U20 v France U20:

I am looking forward to Dylan Pledger being our Highlanders and Otago halfback. So much talent. I know he's only in his first year out of school, I just hope he can get some gametime in the blue and gold this year.

Couldn’t agree more mate. What an absolute talent. I know it’s u20s so a bit different but jeez he looks a lot more composed and talented than Arscott and Hastie already.

@Landers92 said in NZ U20 v France U20:

@SouthernMann said in NZ U20 v France U20:

I am looking forward to Dylan Pledger being our Highlanders and Otago halfback. So much talent. I know he's only in his first year out of school, I just hope he can get some gametime in the blue and gold this year.

Couldn’t agree more mate. What an absolute talent. I know it’s u20s so a bit different but jeez he looks a lot more composed and talented than Arscott and Hastie already.

Don't count your chickens. The Saders will be after another 9 soon, if they aren't already.

@Crazy-Horse said in NZ U20 v France U20:

@Landers92 said in NZ U20 v France U20:

@SouthernMann said in NZ U20 v France U20:

I am looking forward to Dylan Pledger being our Highlanders and Otago halfback. So much talent. I know he's only in his first year out of school, I just hope he can get some gametime in the blue and gold this year.

Couldn’t agree more mate. What an absolute talent. I know it’s u20s so a bit different but jeez he looks a lot more composed and talented than Arscott and Hastie already.

Don't count your chickens. The Saders will be after another 9 soon, if they aren't already.

Foctunately, they have the no2 halfback in the U20s, Ben O'Donovan. That should be sufficient to back up Hotham. Otago and the Highlanders just need to work hard on telling Pledger the story about his future in the region. Which should be long and very sucessful.