@SouthernMann You'll get to see Alex Arnold in action. I mentioned last year that he could be a good chance to make the NZ U20s.
Jericho Wharehinga must be injured as he will be the only player not to have featured in the first two games.
I’ve watched the NZ U20s game against the Junior Wallabies a few times now. I think it’s likely that in most other instances, the Junior Wallabies would win that game: they played 65% of the match in NZ territory, they made 13 line breaks to NZ’s 7, and had 15 entries into the NZ 22 compared to just 8 visits to the Junior Wallabies 22.
Then again, you can also say that the Junior Wallabies managed the game poorly, overplaying against what turned out to be a reasonably robust NZ defence. They kicked just 18 times compared to the 30 kicks from the Baby Blacks, leaving themselves vulnerable to NZ counter-attacks especially when down to 13 men. They’ll be better for the experience. If they can get some reinforcements back for the World Championship, I’d still consider them as one of the main title contenders for that tournament.
So what about the NZ U20s? I honestly can’t really say right now. They were really poor during the first half but showed some glimpses early in the 2nd half. It’s still up in the air, I think, what kind of side they’ll eventually become in 2026. Below are some thoughts that I have, based on this game as well as the upcoming match against Argentina U20.
Looking back: tight five work rate
Before the game I called the NZ U20 tight five workmanlike. It wasn’t meant as a compliment but after this game, perhaps it should’ve been. Both the starters and the replacements put in a lot of effort, both around the field and in the set piece.
Around the field, a special mention should go to Canterbury hooker Josh Findlay. Not only did I count him making 25 tackles (RugbyPass has him at 23 and the match centre stats at springbok.rugby has him making 26), he was also ever present at the attacking breakdown. From my recorded stats, he cleaned 23 attacking rucks while also completing two turnovers at the defensive breakdown, which are some really solid numbers.
Tackles completed, carries and attacking rucks attended by the starting NZ U20 tight five and their bench replacements
The work of the tight five wasn’t limited to defence and the breakdown. Their set piece work was also very solid throughout the game. While the lineout creaked at times – one overthrow and one near steal knocked on by Australia’s Langi – they retained possession from all of their 12 throws, with Max Fale (4 takes), Jake Frost (3 takes), and Finn McLeod (3 takes) all being flawless in the take and transfer. The cohesion-factor is pretty clear: all players, both the thrower and the lineout recipients, play together for Canterbury U19s and Crusaders U20s. In matters of set piece, cohesion can definitely be an added benefit.
Lineout win percentage, lineout steals vs. lost, scrum win percentage, scrum penalties won vs. lost
The scrum wasn’t dominant by any means but similar to the lineout, they retained possession on 100% of their feeds. Even the scrum penalties were in the NZ U20s favour at 2 to 1, although some of the referee calls were a bit peculiar to say the least.
So the tight five is workmanlike indeed, but, on the basis of the previous game, that should be considered a glowing endorsement.
Looking forward: back line X-factor required
Kane Jury has brought forth some changes for the Pumitas game and those changes do make sense. The NZ U20 attack was pretty toothless and one of the reasons for this has to do with what kind of first five Mika Muliaina is.
Muliaina is a pivot in the true sense of the word: he likes the ball in his hands, often and as briefly as possible. What he excels at is creating space for his outsides, giving them the opportunity to break the line. It’s why he’s such a natural combination with Norrie at 15: whereas Muliaina likes to give space to others, Norrie wants to attack this space, using footwork and deception to beat opposition defenders. The results were obvious to see.
Norrie is an excellent attacker from second receiver, running at pace with the ball in his two hands before putting on the footwork. Both times it is Muliaina with the final pass
The problem against the Junior Wallabies was that there were too few X-factor backs for Muliaina to put into space. Both Pahulu and Guerin are more natural centres than wingers: they tend to cut back inside, looking to find gaps between defenders or connect with others, rather than use the space to beat their opposite man. With Guerin in the midfield and Van Der Westhuizen and Reihana on the wings against Argentina, Muliaina might be more effective in further unlocking the NZ U20 attack.
Looking back and forward: improved defence from U18 to U20 level
Speaking of Jay Reihana, his cameo off the bench was, I felt, symbolic of the biggest improvement shown by this group, coming from U18 rep rugby. While the desire to defend has always been there, even during those disastrous U18 encounters from 2025, what was often lacking was defensive insight. When and where to jump out, how to switch between defensive markers, how to stay connected in an aggressive pattern.
With the Junior Wallabies looking for a late winning score, Reihana showed multiple times within the space of a minute that the players had done their homework. Using their typical flat three man shape, with Mackay pulling the strings, Reihana identified the designated receiver correctly twice, smashing the Junior Wallabies ball-and-man behind the gain line.
In the first instance, Reihana correctly spots the pullback-option, jumping past the decoy and cutting down Fenwicke before he can release his outsides. In the second instance, less than a minute later, Reihana anticipates Mackay going flat, smoking Robinson as he gets the ball and forcing the turnover.
The defence can get on top of the attack by getting a read on the opposition first five’s decision making. In both instances, Reihana correctly reads the Junior Wallaby attack, effectively ending their chance for a late win
So where does that leave this year’s team for the rest of the U20 TRC and the upcoming World Championships? While I still don’t think this is a particularly vintage cohort, they do show signs of solid coaching and a resilient team culture, working hard with and without the ball. When the cupboard of talent isn’t perhaps as full as you’d like, the only thing you can really ask for is a team giving it their all. And so far at least, those signs are looking positive.
Samuel Bardenhorst is the grandchild of the late Jan Boland Coetzee, one of the best Springbok fetchers in history, Jan Boland played in the 1976 series against the All Blacks
Rucks in those days we're still rucks. Jan Boland's place.
Craven
When the Stellenbosch under-18 side was formed Jan was the first ever captain. His play improved steadily over the years but after playing one test in 1974 he was on the reserve bench for the Springboks so often he became a bit disheartened. When he was again selected as reserve for the test match against the French in 1975 in Pretoria he told me he didn't want to go.
I told him that he had to accept, that this could turn out to be his big chance. So it happened, and he had to go on as a substitute. The moment he took the field we began to take more than our share of the ball, particularly in the rucks and loose mauls. It was only then that everyone, especially the selectors, realised how stupid they had been not to select him before.
There has never been a better fetcher of the ball than "Jan Boland". A greatly underrated player, who could have been worth even more to the Springboks had he been given a chance earlier. A great human being, also, in my estimation.
@Bovidae said in TRC U20 2026:
I thought that Lewai had a decent game at centre and beat his defender on the left-hand edge in the 2nd half. The problem was that he wasn't used much in attack.
I don’t think he had a poor game necessarily but I find it hard to get a good grasp on Lewai’s game at 13. Whenever I’ve seen him play at 13, he seems to be unable to really impose himself, whether it’s in defence or in attack.
I’m not too sure what lies at the root of that. He does have game-breaking ability, like you refer to when he beat his man early in the 2nd half, but I don’t think that’s enough involvement in itself. According to the match centre stats on springbok.rugby he had just 3 carries and 2 tackles in 57 minutes. (https://springboks.rugby/match-centre/match/the-rugby-championship-under-20/new-zealand-u20-v-australia-u20/e549dbb2-3631-4054-947f-7bc218e29d06). Compare that to Wiseman at 12, 9 carries and 17 tackles. Of course, that doesn’t tell the whole story but it does show that a lot of the game passed him by.
It could be that it’s just unfortunate timing. But it could also be that he needs to be more demanding of the ball. When Guerin shifted to 13 in the second half, he was a lot more visible with ball in hand than Lewai had been.
NZ didn't fire a shot in the first 30 mins. Lucky to be so close at HT with two players in the sin bin.
That performance was a big step backwards by NZ. Dumb not to take the penalty at the end to at least get a BP.
I guess SA win the title for the first time? Really dumb format where a team can win without even playing the defending champs
SA u20s is going to be strong the next two years. Since Covid our schoolboy rugby has turn professional.
Very disappointed with NZ. Braindead decision at the end to waive the bonus point.
Can't figure why Fale not starting. He provide the go forward when we had so little in first half. Wiseman is the other standout. We just did not use those two in first half.
Thought Findlay, Frost, McLeod and Sinton looked useful too.
@ARHS Fale seems to be pigeon-holed as an impact player for the U20s despite playing 80 mins in the other teams he plays for.
McLeod was probably the best ball-carrier of the starting forwards but NZ seemed to lack any go-forward for much of the game. I didn't think Findlay was that good in this game as the lineout misfired. Interesting that Sinton was subbed early compared to game 1. Krone looked useful.
Let's see who their best 23 is for SA. I haven't seen any of their games but based on the scores it could be ugly.
@W32 said in TRC U20 2026:
I guess SA win the title for the first time? Really dumb format where a team can win without even playing the defending champs
Agreed
Could be a blessing in disguise mind given the demolition the Argies had against SA
Thought the ref went well
@MiketheSnow said in TRC U20 2026:
Thought the ref went well
Talk about over officiating!
The officiators formed a committee at the end there.
And they thought well, we look stupid, but if we double down . . .
They were just making work for themselves, F all to see there, move on.
@W32 said in TRC U20 2026:
I guess SA win the title for the first time? Really dumb format where a team can win without even playing the defending champs
I agree - we need a better format like the 2025 under 20 RWC to see who the best team truly is!
@Bovidae said in TRC U20 2026:
Just judging by the highlights some clown has cobbled together, that team looks very poor. Very poor.
@mohikamo said in TRC U20 2026:
@MiketheSnow said in TRC U20 2026:
Thought the ref went well
Talk about over officiating!
The officiators formed a committee at the end there.
And they thought well, we look stupid, but if we double down . . .
They were just making work for themselves, F all to see there, move on.
Which game are you talking about?
@W32 said in TRC U20 2026:
Which game are you talking about?
the disallowed try right at the end of NZ v Arg
was a good no call originally
then someone decided they should convene a committee meeting and have a debate about it
should have stayed a no-call, F all in it
but to justify winding the game back several phases, and the long confabulation, I guess they felt they had to call it
and try and make themselves look less silly
@mohikamo said in TRC U20 2026:
@W32 said in TRC U20 2026:
Which game are you talking about?
the disallowed try right at the end of NZ v Arg
was a good no call originally
then someone decided they should convene a committee meeting and have a debate about it
should have stayed a no-call, F all in it
but to justify winding the game back several phases, and the long confabulation, I guess they felt they had to call it
and try and make themselves look less silly
Oh ok, think @mikethesnow was talking about the SA game.
@PN said in TRC U20 2026:
@W32 said in TRC U20 2026:
I guess SA win the title for the first time? Really dumb format where a team can win without even playing the defending champs
I agree - we need a better format like the 2025 under 20 RWC to see who the best team truly is!
I was trying to be a gracious winner. I know, totally unexpected and out of character. I reserve the right to be a dickhead in future postings
@W32 said in TRC U20 2026:
@mohikamo said in TRC U20 2026:
@W32 said in TRC U20 2026:
Which game are you talking about?
the disallowed try right at the end of NZ v Arg
was a good no call originally
then someone decided they should convene a committee meeting and have a debate about it
should have stayed a no-call, F all in it
but to justify winding the game back several phases, and the long confabulation, I guess they felt they had to call it
and try and make themselves look less sillyOh ok, think @mikethesnow was talking about the SA game.
No I was talking about NZ v Arg
Thought she went ok
@MiketheSnow said in TRC U20 2026:
@W32 said in TRC U20 2026:
@mohikamo said in TRC U20 2026:
@W32 said in TRC U20 2026:
Which game are you talking about?
the disallowed try right at the end of NZ v Arg
was a good no call originally
then someone decided they should convene a committee meeting and have a debate about it
should have stayed a no-call, F all in it
but to justify winding the game back several phases, and the long confabulation, I guess they felt they had to call it
and try and make themselves look less sillyOh ok, think @mikethesnow was talking about the SA game.
No I was talking about NZ v Arg
Thought she went ok
Yeah I thought she went ok as well. Trying to blow the whistle while she was gassed was funny though
@mohikamo said in TRC U20 2026:
the disallowed try right at the end of NZ v Arg
was a good no call originally
then someone decided they should convene a committee meeting and have a debate about it
Aust had a try disallowed against NZ for interference too. The local TMOs seem to be looking out for this. These decisions are always subjective.
@Bovidae said in TRC U20 2026:
Aust had a try disallowed against NZ for interference too. The local TMOs seem to be looking out for this. These decisions are always subjective.
very subjective.
it was a kick, a team can have up to 14 players in front of the ball when they field a kick
so the players were allowed to be in front of the ball
they cannot disappear
there were argentine defenders all around them
the players realised this, and did the correct thing by not moving at all
if they had moved they definitely would have obstructed a defender (there were so several close by)
the argentine defender ran into them (bit of a soccer move), not the other way round
the player in possession of the ball did not alter his line to take advantage of their position
he ran directly down field after catching the ball
the officiators agreed with this
there was no/little discussion about the player in possession
only about the players in front of him
who did absolutely nothing, the correct thing to do in that position
there were other argentine defenders there who could have made the tackle
they missed
bad luck
play on
just a normal rugby play
the only reason it looked a bit different was because there were so many defenders in the vicinity
a good no call by the ref originally
turned into a lets re-write history
@OomPB said in TRC U20 2026:
When the Stellenbosch under-18 side was formed Jan was the first ever captain. His play improved steadily over the years but after playing one test in 1974 he was on the reserve bench for the Springboks so often he became a bit disheartened. When he was again selected as reserve for the test match against the French in 1975 in Pretoria he told me he didn't want to go.
Young guys!
It's rugby, you are always going to get a chance sooner or later.
Had a bit of rethink on that 1974 Lions team.
While they were very good, the 74 bokke were soooo bad.
Brought Marais out of retirement to lead; while he had been great, I think he was mentally done 1974.
Several of the players had not played any rugby at all the previous season (after the NZ tour got called off).
Chopping and changing; 38 players in 4 games!
The Lions in contrast, up to then, were probably the best organised Lions team ever, only used 17 players!
Not the best time to make it into Big rugby for Coetzee.
@cgrant said in TRC U20 2026:
Each year, the All Blacks U20 look weaker than the previous year.
Huh? 2nd at the World Champs last year and lost to the overall winners in the semi (after beating them in pool play) in 2024
@cgrant said in TRC U20 2026:
Each year, the All Blacks U20 look weaker than the previous year. This 2026 team is the weakest AB U20 I have ever seen. Things may change but I don't see any of these players becoming an All Black in a near future.
Haki Wiseman looks the goods to me.
If the goal is to develop future ABs you only need a few from each cohort to make it. It would be no different to the other tier 1 countries. Occasionally you get an exceptional year (e.g., the 2017 U20s) but that isn't the norm.
@Bovidae said in TRC U20 2026:
If the goal is to develop future ABs you only need a few from each cohort to make it. It would be no different to the other tier 1 countries. Occasionally you get an exceptional year (e.g., the 2017 U20s) but that isn't the norm.
I actually think last years U20's was a rather exceptional group, deep in the midfield, outside backs, halves, locks, and backrow, (EDIT: forgot about the hookers) suspect we'll see more trickle through from 2025 than 2024 or 2026.