Uys must be a Saffer
Kai Pratt is from my neighbour town Stilbaai. His dad is a well known surfer instructor. Kai will probably surf in PE in between practises. SA team spare him and Oliver Reid for the Kiwis and Aussies
@Mauss said in TRC U20 2026:
Junior Wallabies are missing quite a few key players:
A long list:
Unavailable for selection
Dylan Bretton - (Brumbies, injury)
Oscar Cleary - (Brumbies, injury)
Felix Cooper - (Force, injury)
Manaia Te Tana (Force, injury)
Bennett Armistead (Reds, injury)
John Grenfell - (Reds, injury)
Kingsley Uys - (Reds, injury)
Nicholas Conway - (Reds, injury)
Treyvon Pritchard - (Reds, SRP commitments)
Dylan Simmons (Waratahs, injury)
Ed Kasprowicz (Waratahs, injury)
Tom Farr-Jones (Waratahs, injury)
Wallace Charlie (AU Sevens)
Looking at the Australian and NZ teams named, I'd say the Junior Wallabies are still (relatively comfortable) favourites. There's good players in the NZ U20 team but I remain unconvinced about the tight 5 (very workmanlike but that's about it) and the backline combinations (I'm yet to see the 'midfielders on the wing'-experiment work).
I mentioned previously that the Wiseman-Lewai combo looked very good in the Chiefs trial, but they didn't play against the Blues U20s. Yeah, like the NZ Schools teams the coaches stack the backline with midfield backs on the wing. Pahulu and Guerin will still be eligible for at least 2027 so could both be two years in the NZS and U20s.
I haven't seen any mention on who the extra player in the squad is.
@Mamuka said in TRC U20 2026:
Hello, does anyone have a link to watch the match live?
It's on Stan Sport in Aus
This is up there with the worst NZ U20 side i've ever seen. They are small, weak and poorly disciplined in defence.
@Tanifulla said in TRC U20 2026:
The aus first five just stopped a maul. What is going on?
This is men against boys is what is going on.
@Fale009 said in TRC U20 2026:
NZ blindside has been the pick of the NZ forwards for me.
Agreed. Has a bit of presence.