WR U20 Championship 2026

@Steven-Harris said in WR U20 Championship 2026:

@KiwiMurph bi product of the NZ pathway system?

Was interesting to hear a comment recently that the 20s program will be changing now that Don Tricker is back

If they put as much practice into basic skills and rugby know how as they do for haka practice they might actually be able to compete with the big boys…

@Stag said in WR U20 Championship 2026:

If they put as much practice into basic skills and rugby know how as they do for haka practice they might actually be able to compete with the big boys…

They spend all of thirty minutes learning the haka, but sure that's the problem.

@KiwiMurph said in WR U20 Championship 2026:

Was interesting to hear a comment recently that the 20s program will be changing now that Don Tricker is back

In what way? Is Kane Jury's role changing?

@Daffy-Jaffy said in WR U20 Championship 2026:

View embedded content

So did the result stand?

@Nepia said in WR U20 Championship 2026:

@Daffy-Jaffy said in WR U20 Championship 2026:

View embedded content

So did the result stand?

It did.

I watched the 1st half of the NZ-Japan match and noticed a few times that the Scottish commentators were talking up the influence of Brock James for the Japanese attack. The only problem is that he is a NZ assistant coach.

Staggering from one of the Blues HP lads i wont name him just in case there’s repercussions from NZ Rugby
This particular HP manager informed me if the Blues and Chiefs Under 20s try to run an unsanctioned game again in the near future it will be blocked by NZ Rugby.
It beggars belief that pathways are being pulled at all levels and you wonder why we are getting the quality dished in its poorest form at World U20 level
Is there any other sport thats administering its own death sentence atm ?
Patients running the asylum at NZ Rugby

So that would be Matt Sexton's directive. Muppets.

A couple of injured players are back. And a 6:2 bench.

Max Fale is listed as 2.03m and 122kg as a 19 year old. Good to see some younger units coming through.

Frost looks even bigger.

@cgrant said in WR U20 Championship 2026:

Frost looks even bigger.

Bit of a difference
Frost 1.98m 116 kg
Fale 2.03m. 122 kg

I am surprised Frost isn't the heavier of the two. He definitely looks shorter but more muscular.

So I just looked up Max Fale and was expecting to see an Islander but instead he's a ginga white dude.

@Nepia said in WR U20 Championship 2026:

So I just looked up Max Fale and was expecting to see an Islander but instead he's a ginga white dude.

Thought the same when I first saw him listed in the U20 squad, particularly with Micah Fale in the team.

At halftime the score is 17 to NZ U20s, 7 to Scotland U20s. Positives: the additions of Tocker and Lasaqa to the squad, the attacking maul, the defensive lineout, all-round defensive work rate.

The negatives: the offensive lineout, the defensive maul, the complete lack of any sort of backline cohesion, generally losing the collision contest.

The too-negative-to-put-into-words: the scrum. I find this to be unbelievably frustrating, mostly because I’ve also spent an ungodly amount of time watching eligible props, and this was always going to happen with the props they’ve selected. If some schmuck like me can tell what’s going to happen before a ball was kicked this U20 season, what is the high-performance unit at NZR actually doing?

The NZ U20s could easily lose this game because they don’t have any way of fixing either their scrum or their maul defence inside the 22. Good stuff.

Maul defense needs alot of work. A few handling errors creeping in now when we are on attack

Pleased to see them turn down 3 there

Ref penalized us alot at scrum time..Hard to known if he was just pedantic or we were poor

@Kiwidom said in WR U20 Championship 2026:

Ref penalized us alot at scrum time..Hard to known if he was just pedantic or we were poor

There were one or two debatable ones (one in the beginning with the Scottish pack walking around and one near the end where there was a clear early engage from the Scots) but I'd say most of them were pretty clear cut.

The Scottish pack clearly showed dominance. You could even say the ref gave the Kiwi scrum the benefit of the doubt throughout the first half but once he started penalizing the NZ U20 scrum, he didn't stop. And you'd have to say, rightly so.

It's hard to see this side amounting to much in this tournament with such a wonky set piece. They might make it to the Championship bracket simply due to the (low) quality of the group but that should be about as far as it goes.

@Mauss I thought with Jason Ryan and Dane Coles spending time in camp we would see improvements in this area.
Its concerning the Scottish scrum giving us trouble as the opposition will only get better as we move forward in the tournament

@Nepia said in WR U20 Championship 2026:

So I just looked up Max Fale and was expecting to see an Islander but instead he's a ginga white dude.

Is his name supposed to be pronounced the island way (Fah-leh) or is it actually like Fail?

@Fale009 said in WR U20 Championship 2026:

@Nepia said in WR U20 Championship 2026:

So I just looked up Max Fale and was expecting to see an Islander but instead he's a ginga white dude.

Is his name supposed to be pronounced the island way (Fah-leh) or is it actually like Fail?

Clearly I'm the wrong person to ask this question.

@Mauss said in WR U20 Championship 2026:

It's hard to see this side amounting to much in this tournament with such a wonky set piece. They might make it to the Championship bracket simply due to the (low) quality of the group but that should be about as far as it goes.

I've just finished watching the game. Nothing changes eh? The TH side of the scrum seems to be more of the problem but it is a collective effort. It doesn't take a genius to work out that teams will attack the NZ scrum and look to drive from 5 m lineouts.

The much-mentioned Max Fale had a poor game. He botched a couple of kick-off receptions and was ineffectual in the maul.

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

Finn McLeod has turned up in the squad. Maybe Jake Hutchings is the injured player?

So Triumph Voice will be the only player yet to have a game.
Wonder whose captain with Wiseman out

@Kiwidom look a little harder. C and VC are there.

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.

Norrie starting at 1st 5, Williams to fullback and Taylor on the bench.

Logan Williams with some costly errors in the first 20 mins.

Jesus christ the Italian no. 8 is an absolute refrigerator of a man.