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Cinq grandes équipes U20 qui ont révélé les grands noms du rugby
Le Championnat du Monde des Moins de 20 ans reviendra pour la première fois depuis 2019, en Afrique du Sud du 23 juin au 14 juillet.
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Le premier tournoi mondial jeunes est souvent un révélateur de ce que nous réserve l’avenir. La France est championne en titre depuis quatre ans et le XV de France est favori pour soulever le trophée William Webb Ellis dans quelques mois. L’histoire du tournoi est jalonnée de grandes équipes. En voici cinq.
2008 : Blackout lors de la première édition
Les précédentes éditions du Championnat du Monde des Moins de 20 ans comprenaient les catégories jeunes des moins de 17, 19 et 21 ans. En 2008, le tournoi a adopté son format actuel.
Les Baby Blacks n’ont encaissé qu’un seul essai lors de leurs cinq victoires contre les Tonga (48-9), l’Irlande (65-10), l’Argentine (60-0) et le Pays de Galles (31-6 en demi-finale) avant de s’imposer 38-3 en finale face à l’Angleterre au Liberty Stadium de Swansea.
L’équipe qui a remporté le tournoi était dirigée par les co-entraîneurs Dave Rennie et Russell Hilton-Jones. Daniel Kirkpatrick a été nommé joueur de la finale. Il a ensuite joué en Super Rugby pour les Hurricanes et les Blues avant de faire un long séjour en France (Castres et Albi entre 2012 et 2017). Ryan Crotty (qui a marqué un essai en finale), Zac Guildford, Sam Whitelock et Aaron Smith sont devenus All Blacks. Luke Braid a été nommé meilleur jeune joueur de l’année.
2011 : Les plus grandes équipes de tous les temps ?
L’équipe néo-zélandaise de 2011 était fantastique. Codie Taylor, Dominic Bird, Luke Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, Steven Luatua, Beauden Barrett, Brad Weber, Charles Piutau, Lima Sopoaga, Francis Saili, TJ Perenara et Waisake Naholo sont tous devenus des All Blacks par la suite.
Whitelock était le capitaine de l’équipe qui a battu l’Angleterre 33-22 en finale.
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À titre de comparaison, l’Angleterre comptait George Ford, Owen Farrell et Elliot Daly parmi ses arrières, ainsi que Mako Vunipola, Christian Wade, Marland Yarde, Joe Launchbury, Sam Kvesic et Sam Jones dans son effectif.
Curieusement, Brad Shields, membre de l’équipe néo-zélandaise, a ensuite joué pour l’Angleterre. Ben Tameifuna (Tonga) et Gareth Anscombe (Pays de Galles) étaient également internationaux.
La Nouvelle-Zélande a remporté sa plus large victoire du tournoi 92-0 contre le Pays de Galles et a battu l’Australie 37-7 en demi-finale.
Ce grand écart a fait de l’ombre au 62-17 infligé à l’Australie lors de la finale de 2010. Lors de ce match, Tyler Bleyendaal avait marqué 28 points et Telusa Veainu trois essais.
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2012 : L’Afrique du Sud stoppe l’élan néo-zélandais
Il y avait déjà des signes avant-coureurs que la domination de la Nouvelle-Zélande pouvait toucher à sa fin lorsque le Pays de Galles a mis un terme à leur série de 21 victoires consécutives en phase de poule. Cependant, l’Afrique du Sud, pays hôte, a également été bousculée par l’Irlande en match de poule et devait battre l’Angleterre pour s’assurer une place en demi-finale, ce qu’elle a fait 28-15.
Les Junior Springboks ont trouvé leur rythme de croisière en demi-finale en écrasant l’Argentine 35 à 7, mais la Nouvelle-Zélande s’est ressaisie en se vengeant de sa défaite contre le Pays de Galles 30 à 6.
Un public de 33 210 personnes s’est rendu à Newlands pour assister à une rencontre tendue et agressive qui a vu le futur international français Paul Willemse et le All Black Ofa Tu’ungafasi se faire expulser à la 58e minute, l’un tirant les cheveux, l’autre répondant avec ses poings.
L’Afrique du Sud s’est montrée plus sereine et les essais du demi de mêlée Vian van der Watt et du centre Jan Serfontein, ajoutés à la douzaine de points marqués par Handre Pollard, ont permis aux Junior Springboks de remporter le titre. Serfontein a été élu joueur du tournoi et a ensuite participé à 35 tests.
Dillyn Leyds, Raymond Rhule, Steven Kitshoff et Pieter-Steph du Toit ont ensuite été sélectionnés par les Springboks. Kitshoff et du Toit rejoindront Pollard en tant que champions du monde en 2019.
2014 : L’Angleterre conquiert l’Eden Park
L’Angleterre était sans conteste la meilleure équipe chez les moins de 20 au monde entre 2013 et 2016, remportant trois titres mondiaux avec un bilan de 17 victoires pour 3 défaites et remportant le Tournoi des Six Nations en 2013 et 2015.
L’Angleterre a été imbattable sur le chemin de la finale de 2014 en Nouvelle-Zélande en battant l’Italie (63-3), l’Australie (38-24), l’Argentine (17-16) et l’Irlande (42-15). Lors des matchs contre les Pumitas, l’Angleterre n’a jamais été menée au score.
Puis, l’Afrique du Sud a représenté un formidable défi lors de la finale à l’Eden Park. Avec un pack musclé et Handre Pollard, elle avait déjà battu la Nouvelle-Zélande à deux reprises. L’Angleterre a pris le contrôle du match avec 18 points en 15 minutes de part et d’autre de la pause, mais elle s’est accrochée dans le dernier quart d’heure. Pour la deuxième fois du match, Pollard a tapé trop loin des poteaux lors de sa tentative de drop.
L’Angleterre jouait un jeu attrayant mais pouvait s’appuyer sur sa mêlée, sa défense et son maul lorsque c’était nécessaire. L’Angleterre a été superbement menée par le deuxième-ligne Maro Itoje, deux fois sélectionné par les British and Irish Lions. Le trois-quarts centre Nick Tompkins et le troisième-ligne aile Ross Moriarty ont ensuite joué pour le Pays Galles, et Callum Braley a joué pour l’Italie.
2018 : La France se prépare à un avenir prometteur
Lorsque Fabien Galthié a nommé son groupe pour le Tournoi des Six Nations 2020, il a inclus sept joueurs des équipes de France championnes du monde U20 en 2018 et 2019. En 2021, neuf joueurs de ces équipes avaient été capés au niveau senior – Demba Bamba, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Louis Carbonel, Kilian Geraci, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Romain Ntamack, Arthur Vincent, Cameron Woki et Hassane Kolingar.
Le Championnat U20 World Rugby 2018 s’est déroulé en France et les Bleuets ont terminé en tête de leur poule après une courte victoire 26-24 contre l’Irlande, grâce à deux essais de Maxime Marty (Carcassonne) qui ont fait la différence. La France a été impitoyable contre une Nouvelle-Zélande en manque d’inspiration en demi-finale menant 16-0 avant de concéder un essai transformé en fin de match. La finale contre l’Angleterre a été marquée par des pénalités, mais 23 points de la botte de Carbonel et des essais de Woki et Adrien Seguret (Castres) ont permis de sceller le score 33-25.
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2024 Rugby Championship: Sat, 10 Aug 2024 – Sat, 28 Sept 2024. Looking forward to watching the All Blacks coached by Scott Robertson, with or without the ‘dynamic’ qualities of Shannon Michael Frizell - see his display against South Africa at Go Media Mount Smart Stadium on July 15.
1 Go to commentsI agree about 8 being too many The English premiership has top four only Top 14 has six URC has 8 I think 6 would be fine It gives those other two teams an incentive But rewarding a team in perhaps 8th with three wins is atrocious If they get in they know they only need one big game
7 Go to commentsInteresting article. I think the answer lies in a comment Kwagga Smith made during the World Cup. Asked whether it bothers him that the Bok team doesn’t get more credit he said: “We don’t play for people to respect us: we play for each other and we play for South Africa.” The Springbok team is a brotherhood - an incredibly tight unit, most of whom are good friends off the pitch as well. Not only do they not want to let South Africa down, but they fight like crazy not to let their teammates down. Not saying they don’t care about their club teammates, but I think the bond shared in the Boks is just much, much deeper. Tough to forge the same sort of bond at a club over a handful of years. That must translate into superior performances for country over club.
27 Go to commentsThere is very little creativity in the 9-10 axis for SA. 10 needs to be solid, put the work in and kick the points. the SA counter is almost always via the edge or a kick through for a winger. When was the last offensive backline score from SA against a top team? Perhaps the ultra physical nature of the SA teams means players they get to hit more stats in those games. Maybe the SA pleyers are perfectly suited to the SA system. In other Words they are not club players gathered to play SA Internationals. They are SA International players adapting to play club.
27 Go to commentsJust what you want your prop doing 😂
1 Go to commentsEveryone needs to have a bit of ball player in them Nick and second phase but forwards and backs are still different coz of where you stick your head most of the time. Pocock and tizzano were 12s right up to the edge of seniors. Pocock was 12 to quades 10 then pocock was at the force At 17 year’s old or so. Hamish Stewart was apparently was a junior 7. Don’t know when he switched but apparently he was crons 10 in the Oz 20s. A mistake too often made is playing a guy like taquele nairavuro at wing instead of as a power 8. On rugby tours we often had a spare 7 playing crash 12 coz the regular 12 stayed home. Often had a spare 7 playing on a wing too.
2 Go to commentsyikes - what a load of crap Gallan. Interesting until after your 1st paragraph, but then again not worth anyone’s time responding to such pointless analysis and of course your dumbass opinions.
27 Go to commentsOutside of their national camp, club teams seem to take a tighter stance on doping. Think that explains it really.
27 Go to commentsThanks Nick Ive always thought that there should be a few more innovative attempts at players moving from backs to forwards and vice versa. Samu was one, as was Jim Williams last century. Cole certainly could run like a back, as can Lonergan from the Brumbies. I think that it’s going to become hard again for hookers though as front rowers seem to be getting bigger and bigger, and the guys have to look after their spines as well as (in Australia) their achilles! I always thought that Folau should have been tried in the lineout…. I think the same for Vunavalu…if he lasts any longer. Movement between positions is much more common in League, mainly because the size requirements between backs and forwards are not as pronounced. Hookers and halfbacks interchanging and second rowers and centres as well. The great Cameron Smith was effectively a hybrid hooker/halfback, being able to play both positions…sometimes it seemed simultaneously! For now, it seems like McReith and before him Hooper are the standouts, though Cale could be anything. John Eals did a few “back” type things mind you, including running and kicking. As for Jones, I don't credit him as anything (in an Australian context) other than a speaker of a million throw away lines, with the occasional one being picked up! Sorry
2 Go to commentsHe's Big in Japan
2 Go to comments“England are set to lose some of their best ever players at the end of the season with the mass departure to France”… Really? Best ever? What a joke of an opening line. The england players leaving for France are… Sinckler, Ludlum, Tuilagi… that’s the list of players England are losing at the end of this season to France. All 3 are fringe players at best these days. Manu is the only one you could fathom debating being one of “their best ever players” and even that debate would be shut down pretty quickly. Pathetic excuse for journalism this. Not grounded in reality.
2 Go to commentsYep. The insanity of the decision of trying to outspend RL for outside backs just looks more and more stupid as time goes on and talented players either bully us into paying overs to keep them (Jorgensen) or simply leave as Uncle Nick comes calling (Nawaqanitawase).
20 Go to commentsInteresting that you pick Amatosero, John. I would agree with your choice. He could well be capped this year at some point. At only 21 years of age, he has a lot of experience at a high level from his time at Clermont. I’m surprised he did not remain there for longer, as last year he was really starting to move, with 14 games, six starts, well up from the previous year, 7 games, only 2 starts. Have liked what is doing with the Waratahs this year. Not an easy situation for any player there, with the poor results.
3 Go to commentsNed me old shinwah, it’s probably not a bad idea to learn how to spell the last names of great All Blacks wingers. (Otherwise we will demean our memories of Grant Bitty, Jonah Lima, Joe Rococo and Doug Howler.)
4 Go to commentsNo longer able to except the excuses offered up for Rob. The red jersey has lost it’s mana and become a joke. I do not wish Mr Penny any wrong but it is time to go. Do the right thing Rob and retire, PLEASE.
31 Go to commentsIt is a travesty that 8/12 teams play in the finals, and that 4 wins out of 14 might be enough to get you there, but every competition has this to some degree. If it was only the top 4 going through, then this season would have been over for 6 of the teams 4 weeks ago. Super Rugby is simply a feeder competition for the All Blacks and Wallabies. There are low stakes and no consequences because so few people care who wins Super Rugby. In football, winning the Champions League is the pinnacle for any player or fan. The fate of national teams in the world cup or Euros is a complete second fiddle to The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Bundelsliga etc… Same with the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB. Players and fans care deeply about their team winning NBA title, but don’t care at all about USA winning gold at the Olympics. Or more locally with Rugby League, the Hierarchy is probably NRL > State of Origin > International. For some maybe State of Origin is the top. Super Rugby is low consequence and low stakes because no one cares enough about the outcome. Players ultimately want to play for the ABs, not the Hurricanes or Blues. Casual fans aren’t talking about SR selections but everyone has an opinion on Sam Cane or Ian Foster. Super Rugby is a means to an end. The only context it has is how it effects who is selected for the ABs.
7 Go to commentsPlayoffs featuring 4 or 6 teams would mean the other teams playing meaningless games for longer and a further drop of interest in Australia. But yes a 12 team competition with 8 teams making finals is ridiculous.
7 Go to commentsJoe's picks will be more interesting than Razors. The dumping of Dave Rennie for Jones has to be one of the worst exec decisions of all time. Joe and Dave have similar styles and personalities, the players should like that. Predicting some success for Aus this year. Well more than last year!
3 Go to commentsHey Ben, Thanks for your opinion article. As a die hard rugby tragic and loyal supporter of the game can I say your article seems a touch negative so I would like to offer a slightly different spin on it. I am assuming that the sole purpose of the Super Rugby competition is not just to be a training camp for the International teams but an independent event and competition in its own right with sponsors, media companies and teams that need a financial return. Now, from this rugby fans perspective, I am enjoying the last few weeks of the competition and enjoying the fact that most teams can still make the play offs and nobody wants the wooden spoon. Most rugby followers would agree to it being a travesty if the Crusaders or the Waratahs now made it to the final but history tells us it is very unlikely with the importance of home ground advantage. Playing each team once and a four team final would give the competition integrity and a level playing field for all teams but I would be surprised if it could satisfy the financial demands of the TV rights. Maybe a six team finals series might be a possible compromise.
7 Go to commentsAll good choices John, even the Tah players ha ha. Others that might be worth a look would be ; Cale, Tom Lynagh, Uru, Keunzle, Anstee and maybe Rory Scott because we need a backup to McReight and he has improved a lot from last year and Tim Ryan.
3 Go to comments