Ra Palmer was back from injury for his second start of the club season. Based on what I saw he would be very useful in Georgia at the moment. Strong ball carries leading to him scoring the first try and dominated in the scrum. It has been unfortunate for him to get injured before last year's and this year's JWC.
@Bovidae said in WR U20 Championship 2026:
Ra Palmer was back from injury for his second start of the club season. Based on what I saw he would be very useful in Georgia at the moment. Strong ball carries leading to him scoring the first try and dominated in the scrum. It has been unfortunate for him to get injured before last year's and this year's JWC.
probably was the best game to judge him on unfortunately
Junior Bok team tweaked for crucial pool battle with Wales
05 Jul 2026
Junior Bok team tweaked for crucial pool battle with Wales
Junior Springboks
Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote has made six changes to the starting XV and two more on the bench for Tuesday’s crucial Junior World Championship Pool A clash against Wales in Tbilisi.
The match at the Avchala Stadium kicks off at 16h00 (SA time) and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
Four of the changes to the run-on side that defeated Georgia at the same venue last Thursday are in the backline. Alzeadon Felix moves from the bench to start at fullback in place of Akahluwa Boqwana, while Ethan Adams returns from injury to take over at inside centre from Markus Muller.
Muller is set to enter the action off the bench as one of the three back replacements, while at left wing, Jack Benade makes way for Khuthadzo Rasivhaga.
Yaqeen Ahmed is also back in the fold after serving his suspension and will start at flyhalf in place of Luan Giliomee, who suffered a concussion against Georgia and is currently completing the graduated return-to-play protocols, making him unavailable for selection.
The two changes among the forwards see Risima Khosa come into the starting lineup at loose forward, with Gert Kemp providing impact from the bench. Vuyo Gwiji got the nod over Kebotile Maake at No 8.
Tuesday's late afternoon encounter is effectively a decider between the two unbeaten teams in Pool A. Wales followed up their close-fought opening-round victory over Georgia with a win against Uruguay and trail South Africa by just one log point. The winner of the clash will top the pool and secure a place in the semi-finals.
In announcing his match-23, Foote said they are prepared for the challenge that awaits: “We want to continue building on our work ethic and battle-rate areas because we’re going to need that against a tough Welsh side that keeps fighting until the very end.”
The Welsh underlined their resilience with a one-point victory over the tournament hosts in their opening fixture, demonstrating the character and determination Foote expects to see from their opponents on Tuesday.
“Wales never go away,” Foote cautioned.
“They are a gritty outfit and will provide a stern test. We've selected what we believe is a very competitive squad, and the players are fully focused and excited for what will be a decisive match for both teams. There is everything to play for.”
Reflecting on his side's 33-5 win over Georgia, Foote praised the way his players adapted after their dominant opening-round performance against Uruguay: “Georgia is a tough team to beat at home. They are extremely physical and place a strong emphasis on their set piece. I thought we did exceptionally well to absorb the early pressure before imposing ourselves on the game, which ultimately led to a deserved victory.”
The Junior Boks will complete their preparations with the customary captain’s run on Monday morning.
Junior Bok team to face Wales in Tbilisi:
15 Alzeadon Felix (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
14 Cheswill Jooste (Vodacom Bulls)
13 Samuel Badenhorst (DHL Stormers)
12 Ethan Adams (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
11 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
10 Yaqeen Ahmed (DHL Stormers)
9 Hendré Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls)
8 Vuyo Gwiji (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
7 Luke Cannon (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
6 Risima Khosa (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
5 JD Hattingh (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
4 Heinrich Theron (Vodacom Bulls)
3 Danie Kruger (DHL Stormers)
2 Siphosethu Mnebelele (captain, Vodacom Bulls)
1 Oliver Reid (DHL Stormers)
Replacements:
16 Liam van Wyk (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
17 Rambo Kubheka (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
18 Luan van der Berg (Vodacom Bulls)
19 Jaythen Orange (Fidelity Securedrive Lions)
20 Gert Kemp (DHL Stormers)
21 Jayden Brits (DHL Stormers)
22 Markus Muller (DHL Stormers)
23 Jordan Steenkamp (DHL Stormers)
Match information:
Date: Tuesday, 7 July 2026
Venue: Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi (Georgia)
Kick-off: 16h00 (SA time)
Referee: Reuben Keane (RA)
Broadcast: SuperSport
Jimmy Taylor was pulled from his Dunedin club side over the weekend and has joined the NZ squad as injury cover.
Yes, some players are returning home due to injury:
Unavailable for selection: Haki Wiseman (concussion). Johnny Falloon and Kele Lasaqa have returned to New Zealand due to injury. Now available for selection, Finn McLeod (Crusaders / Canterbury) has joined the squad alongside Jimmy Taylor (Highlanders / Southland) as injury cover.
It means Tocker or McLeod have to cover lock. Not ideal.
Two players in the original squad (Jake Hutchings, Triumph Voice) have yet to play a game.
The scrum looks more solid but the overall play is not that convincing so far.
Italy has made a few line breaks but the final pass has let them down.
@Fale009 said in WR U20 Championship 2026:
@Chris Logan Williams looks to have a decent boot though.
Yeah he seems to have some power in his clearances.
Logan Williams after a couple of early errors has played well.
Norrie apart from his kicking game is very impressive.
@Chris said in WR U20 Championship 2026:
Logan Williams after a couple of early errors has played well.
Norrie apart from his kicking game is very impressive.
Yeah, very good running the ball, alot of very poor kicks.
@Fale009 said in WR U20 Championship 2026:
Norrie has elite acceleration and agility. Quite similar in size and skillset to Harry Godfrey imo.
He reminds me more of Finn Hurley.
The SFs are determined by PD, and it looks like NZ will be either 3rd or 4th seed.
World Rugby Junior World Championship semi-finals schedule
Championship semi-finals
France U20 vs New Zealand U20 – Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi, Monday, July 13, 18:00 local time / 15:00 BST
South Africa U20 vs England U20 – Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi, Monday, July 13, 20:30 local time / 17:30 BST
Fifth-place semi-finals
Argentina U20 vs Scotland U20 – Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi, Sunday, July 12, 18:00 local time / 15:00 BST
Australia U20 vs Wales U20 – Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi, Sunday, July 12, 20:30 local time / 17:30 BST
Ninth-place semi-finals
Georgia U20 vs Italy U20 – AIA Arena, Kutaisi, Monday, July 13, 18:00 local time / 15:00 BST
Ireland U20 vs Fiji U20 – AIA Arena, Kutaisi, Monday, July 13, 20:30 local time / 17:30 BST
13th-place semi-finals
Japan U20 vs USA U20 – AIA Arena, Kutaisi, Sunday, July 12, 18:00 local time / 15:00 BST
Spain U20 vs Uruguay U20 – AIA Arena, Kutaisi, Sunday, July 12, 20:30 local time / 17:30 BST
@Steven-Harris His Wiki stats -
Height 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
Weight 148 kg (326 lb)
He has already played twice for Bath prems.
An article about him in the Telegraph says he is 23 stone (146kg).
@Steven-Harris said in WR U20 Championship 2026:
@Fale009 just watched the highlights the NZ v Italy game not wrong about the Italian no 8 ..6’4 120kgs plus at a guess .? What do you reckon ?
Have never seen a no 8 that big at any level.
@Daffy-Jaffy Good god he’s gonna terrify a few tacklers in his career
@Steven-Harris said in WR U20 Championship 2026:
@Fale009 just watched the highlights the NZ v Italy game not wrong about the Italian no 8 ..6’4 120kgs plus at a guess .? What do you reckon ?
Watching him for the first NZ try was hilarious, just jogged from breakdown to breakdown doing absolutely nothing apart from positioning himself on the opposite side of where defence was required and/or leaning on the maul/breakdown with the impact of a fluffy pillow.
Made young Skelton look like Buck Shelford.
@Daffy-Jaffy said in WR U20 Championship 2026:
Those Southern Italians are a bit darker than I remember.
That second try for the BBs shouldn’t have counted. The Italian halfback knocked it on and then played the ball again. I thought play by the same team after an infringement stopped the play?
@ACT-Crusader said in WR U20 Championship 2026:
That second try for the BBs shouldn’t have counted. The Italian halfback knocked it on and then played the ball again. I thought play by the same team after an infringement stopped the play?
No reason why the ref can't keep playing advantage - as long as he hasn't already blown his whistle.
@Fale009 said in WR U20 Championship 2026:
This should be a winnable game. This French side doesn't seem to have the same quality of the past couple of years. The Aussies should have beaten them.
Firstly, the on-screen clock stopped midway through the 2nd half while play continued for a few minutes. Even with that added time why the hell were Aust kicking the ball away at the end?
For NZ, we will need to survive their scrum, defend the inevitable lineout drives and match their physicality in the forwards.
@akan004 said in WR U20 Championship 2026:
@Steven-Harris said in WR U20 Championship 2026:
@Fale009 just watched the highlights the NZ v Italy game not wrong about the Italian no 8 ..6’4 120kgs plus at a guess .? What do you reckon ?
Have never seen a no 8 that big at any level.
Henry Tuilagi would like a word!
Those bloody kiwis at it again.
