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Alex Shaw's team of the tournament from the 2019 Under-20 World Championship
The 2019 World Rugby Under-20s Championship promised pre-tournament to be one of the most competitive we have seen and it has duly delivered over the last three weeks.
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From perennial powerhouses England and New Zealand duking it out in the fifth to eighth bracket and Fiji sensationally dumping tier one side Scotland into next season’s Under-20 Trophy, to France lifting their second title and Australia playing some of the best rugby we have seen from them at this level, the tournament was compelling from beginning to end.
We have rounded up an XV of the tournament littered with stars of the future, as well as identifying a few potential bolters for the Rugby World Cup later this year.
- Ignacio Mendy (Argentina)
Perhaps the strongest position on show at the Championship, the 15 jerseys were heavily filled with impressive performers. Fiji’s Osea Waqa was superb throughout the tournament and finalists Isaac Lucas and Matthis Lebel both have extremely bright futures.
At their best, the Mendy-spearheaded Argentine back line had the high-octane ceiling of Fiji and Waqa, while they showed a variety in their play that was akin to Lucas and Australia.
Mendy was as incisive as any player in Argentina over the last month and should have the likes of Emiliano Boffelli and Bautista Delguy watching their backs over the next couple of years.
https://twitter.com/WorldRugby/status/1137393930251788289?s=20
- Donovan Taofifenua (France)
We have shifted Taofifenua over from the left wing due to his showings for France, as well as a solid, albeit unspectacular, set of performances from a number of the right wings. The Fijian pair of Epeli Momo and Kaminieli Rasaku were particularly dangerous, although neither could match the impact Taofifenua brought to France.
He capitalised on the front-foot ball that the French pack delivered and he was repeatedly able to turn that into big gains in territory, not to mention his proclivity to keep possessions alive through his honed off-loading game.
- Fraser Dingwall (England)
France’s Arthur Vincent and Fiji’s Ilaisa Droasese were also impactful, but the England captain stood out in a team that had its fair share of defensive lapses and moments lacking in cohesion, particularly earlier in the tournament.
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Dingwall’s defensive excellence will show up more positively in the senior game, too, rather than the much more open age-grade contests, although he was still the glue for England in Argentina this month. He deserves credit for turning around the opening loss and narrow win over Italy and leading England to fifth overall, with three much-improved performances.
https://twitter.com/WorldRugby/status/1142451623094116352?s=20
- Rikus Pretorius (South Africa)
Pretorius looked like a man that had evolved his game this year. Last year, he was a raw brute of a carrier, excelling almost solely through the physicality he brought as a direct runner. In 2019, there was an added subtlety to his game. The inside centre was a more willing distributor at second receiver, as well as a player that looked comfortable finding support and playing with composure beyond the gain line.
Wales’ Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler, New Zealand’s Quinn Tupaea and Australia’s Noah Lolesio also had good tournaments, as did Ireland’s Stewart Moore, before injury ended his tournament in the pool stage.
https://twitter.com/WorldRugby/status/1142491527647768576?s=20
- Mateo Carreras (Argentina)
It’s impossible not to be impressed by the raft of silky smooth back three players that Argentina are currently producing, and Carreras lit up the tournament on home soil.
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His low centre of gravity made his shifts in direction at full speed so seamless and there were very few situations in the Championship where a defender was able to stop him in a one-on-one situation. The footwork and the speed of Carreras will inevitably draw comparisons to Santiago Cordero.
Left wing wasn’t short of stand-outs over the last few weeks, with Scotland’s Jack Blain and England’s Josh Hodge also among the players to put their hands up.
- Louis Carbonel (France)
A case could be made for any one of Tedo Abzhandadze, Joaquin De La Vega Mendia or Will Harrison, but Carbonel’s senior experience and maturity shone through in Argentina.
The Frenchman’s composed and varied game was at the heart of France’s campaign, with the fly-half regularly making those around him look better with his play. Les Bleus have a few young 10s pushing through at the moment and Carbonel could yet throw his hat into the mix in 2020.
- Jaden Hendrikse (South Africa)
It was a tough call trying to separate Hendrikse and France’s Leo Coly, as both had strong claims on this spot. Ultimately, it was Hendrikse’s goal-kicking ability, a particularly French trait among nines, that swung it his way, with both players excelling with their delivery, carrying and game-management.
There are very few rough edges to Hendrikse’s game, despite his tender age, and that bodes well for him as there is no shortage of talented scrum-halves available to the Springboks at present.
https://twitter.com/WorldRugby/status/1142185930448658437?s=20
- Angus Bell (Australia)
There’s more than a shade of Kyle Sinckler about the way Bell plays his rugby. Physically, they are built quite similarly, with a lumbering strength and power, although both can quickly move through the gears and eat up space with their acceleration.
He also shares Sinckler’s comfort with the ball in hand and is a natural stepping in at first receiver, whether carrying or looking to pass. His soft hands allow him to shift the point of contact on the gain line, too.
There was no shortage of impressive looseheads this year, either, with the Georgian pair of Luka Azariashvili and Nika Gvaladze going well, as did Josh Wycherley, Thomas Gallo and Olly Adkins.
- Lachlan Lonergan (Australia)
Lonergan joins his Australian team-mate in the front row, although there are very honourable mentions due for the Celtic trio of Ewan Ashman, Dewi Lake and Dylan Tierney-Martin, all of whom contributed significantly to their sides’ efforts.
The Junior Wallaby gets the nod, though, due to his livewire impact in the loose where he excelled as a ball-carrier and a support-runner.
His speed and footwork set him apart in the position and providing he can become more consistent at the set-piece as his career moves forward, he could be a valuable addition for the Wallabies in the years to come.
https://twitter.com/WorldRugby/status/1135934400972173314?s=20
- Asenathi Ntlabakanye (South Africa)
After looking susceptible to pressure in the warm-up games that South Africa played against England and Georgia, the Junior Springbok scrum, with Ntlabakanye anchoring it, was a much more formidable prospect in Argentina.
In addition to helping his side improve their set-piece fortunes, Ntlabakanye was also very effective as a carrier at the tournament, playing a key role in a South African pack that physically outmatched every opponent, bar France, that they met over the last few weeks.
- JJ van der Mescht (South Africa)
The lock deserves inclusion based on his game against New Zealand, let alone his other impressive outings throughout the tournament.
He played with all the physicality we expect of South African second rows, while he mixed it up with mobility and comfort with the ball in hand that makes it unfair to simply label him an ‘enforcer’.
Whether he was putting his head down as a one-out runner or helping launch Junior Springbok counter-attacks with his ball-handling, the lock was pivotal to his side.
https://twitter.com/WorldRugby/status/1138893390840520706?s=20
- Joel Kpoku (England)
It was not a particularly successful tournament for England by their standards, although that didn’t mean that individuals such as Kpoku didn’t stand out. In his second year with the group, Kpoku built on a strong showing at the Under-20 Six Nations and was once again one of the most consistent players in his side.
His obvious physical attributes and strengths aside, Kpoku’s ball-handling, as both a passer and an off-loader, was impressive, as was his ability to break the gain line and keep England moving forward.
Nods, too, for Fiji’s Chris Minimbi and Italy’s Thomas Parolo, both of whom were very effective for their sides.
- Matthias Haddad (France)
Technically an openside, the French numbering quirk happily allows us to fit Haddad in alongside an indisputable pick at seven. The 18-year-old has two more seasons at this level if the seniors don’t come calling for him sooner
Given how balanced and refined his game already is, that should be a worrying prospect for rival nations. From his mobility and ball-handling to his breakdown work and option as a lineout target, Haddad is just a very impressive rugby player.
Mentions also for the solid tournaments turned in by Ted Hill, Harry Wilson and Ryan Baird, with Hill in particular set to go on to bigger and better things next season.
- Fraser McReight (Australia)
Other opensides had their moments, such as Connor Boyle and Aaron Hinkley, but there was only one man who was going to take this spot based on their performances over the last few weeks.
McReight was dominant throughout the Championship, tormenting all sides he faced at the breakdown.
Beyond his work at the contact area, McReight also stood out as a ball-carrier, support runner and captain in the kind of campaign that could help catapult him into senior contention at the Reds in 2020.
https://twitter.com/WorldRugby/status/1142536456575115267?s=20
- Ioane Iashagashvili (Georgia)
Jordan Joseph, Bautista Pedemonte and Phendulani Buthelezi are not only promising players, they are all likely to become household names over the next few years.
They all had good tournaments, but for consistency throughout and his ability to lift his team around him, you would be hard-pressed to go for someone other than Iashagashvili.
His mobility will be highly valued in the senior team in a year or so’s time and he could well be the heir apparent to Mamuka Gorgodze as a bullocking back row who can keep the Lelos moving forward.
THREE 2019 RUGBY WORLD CUP BOLTERS
- Tedo Abzhandadze (Georgia)
The Georgian fly-half is not really a ‘bolter’ in the truest sense of the word, as he already has a number of full senior caps to his name.
He has already established himself as one of Milton Haig’s go-to men and to have done that at the age of 20 – which he only turned last week – is quite some achievement.
His performances out in Argentina will have only boosted his confidence ahead of Georgia’s RWC warm-up games.
- Jordan Joseph (France)
Joseph is still a long way off being the finished article, but he has a propensity for taking over games at this level.
He has already had a number of tastes of senior rugby and has done well in the opportunities he has been given, albeit understandably not dominating physically as easily as he does in the under-20s, where he is eligible for another year.
Given France’s deep player pool, his call-up is unlikely, but injuries to either Gregory Alldritt or Louis Picamoles could prompt a surprise call despite Charles Ollivon being among the listed reserves.
- Josh Vuta (Fiji)
Fiji head coach John McKee recently stated that the door was open for on-island and age-grade players to play their way into his RWC plans and Vuta’s work in the nine jersey could give him an outside chance of making the squad as the third scrum-half.
Droasese and Waqa have both impressed, too, although Fiji are not short of senior options in their back line. The tournament is also probably coming a year or two too early for Minimbi and Alivereti Loaloa.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Jake White talks more sense than anything I've read in the last 5 years. Hope someone's listening.
9 Go to commentsThe Springboks tried going down the road of only picking home-based players and it was an unmitigated disaster in 2016 and 2017. Picking overseas-based players has been one of the main reason the Boks have done so well since 2018, not only because of the quality Rassie could call on, but because of the knowledge and experience those players brought into camp from England, France and Japan. With some of the big names playing abroad it also gave younger players in SA the chance to break through at franchise level. Would we have seen the emergence of a Ruan Nortje if RG and Lood were still at the Bulls? Not so sure. I understand why Jake would want to block players leaving since his job depends on good results but it’s an approach that would take Bok rugby back to the bad old days and no South African wants to see that.
9 Go to commentsExeter were thumped by 38 points. And they only had to hop on a train.
34 Go to commentsI am De Groot.
1 Go to commentsHad hoped you might write an article on this game, Nick. It’s a good one. Things have not gone as smoothly for ROG since beating Leinster last year at the Aviva in the CC final. LAR had the Top 14 Final won till Raymond Rhule missed a simple tackle on the excellent Ntamack, and Toulouse reaped the rewards of just staying in the fight till the death. Then the disruption of the RWC this season. LAR have not handled that well, but they were not alone, and we saw Pau heading the Top 14 table at one stage early season. I would think one of the reasons for the poor showing would have to be that the younger players coming through, and the more mature amongst the group outside the top 25/30, are not as strong as would be hoped for. I note that Romain Sazy retired at the end of last season. He had been with LAR since 2010, and was thus one of their foundation players when they were promoted to Top 14. Records show he ended up with 336 games played with LAR. That is some experience, some rock in the team. He has been replaced for the most part by Ultan Dillane. At 30, Dillane is not young, but given the chances, he may be a fair enough replacement for Sazy. But that won’be for more than a few years. I honestly know little of the pathways into the LAR setup from within France. I did read somewhere a couple of years ago that on the way up to Top 14, the club very successfully picked up players from the academies of other French teams who were not offered places by those teams. These guys were often great signings…can’t find the article right now, so can’t name any….but the Tadgh Beirne type players. So all in all, it will be interesting to see where the replacements for all the older players come from. Only Lleyd’s and Rhule from SA currently, both backs. So maybe a few SA forwards ?? By contrast, Leinster have a pretty clear line of good players coming through in the majority of positions. Props maybe a weak spot ? And they are very fleet footed and shrewd in appointing very good coaches. Or maybe it is also true that very good coaches do very well in the Leinster setup. So, Nick, I would fully concurr that “On the evidence of Saturday’s semi-final between the two clubs, the rebuild in the Bay of Biscay is going to take longer than it is on the east coast of Ireland”
11 Go to commentsWhat was the excuse for the other knockout blowouts then? Does the result not prove the Saints were just so much better? Wise call to put your eggs in one basket when you’ve got 2 comps simultaneously finishing.
34 Go to commentsReally hope Kuruvoli and his partner rock the Canes.
1 Go to commentsI wonder what impact Samson has had on their attack, as the team seems less prone to trundle it up the middle, take the tackle and then trundle it up again. I lost faith in the coach last year as the Rebelss looked like a 2nd/3rd rate South African team. I also disliked Gordon standing back, often ignored as the forward battle went on and on. Maybe its our Aussie way of not getting off our A***’s until the enemy is at the gate.
86 Go to commentsThanks for the write up. Great to see the Rebs winning, I am a little interested in how they will go against the remaining kiwi teams, I think they’ve only played Hurricanes and Highlanders but how great to see these players performing!! I also see Parling has a job beyond June 30! A good move by RA? Also how do you fix the Rebels previously scratchy defence?
86 Go to commentsbe smart - go black
13 Go to commentsNext week the Crusaders hopefully have Scott Barrett back. Will be great to have the captain back. Hopefully he will be the All Black captain as well.
12 Go to commentsExciting place to be for the young fella. I expected he was French Polynesian when I saw him included in the France 6N squad (after seeing him in NZs), and therefor be strong grounds we might loose him to rugby down here. Good, in that he is good enough to warrant such a profile, and from a journalism’s fan interaction aspect, to finally get a back ground story on the fella. Hope he has settled into NZ OK and that at least one rugby country will fit with him to help his development, which, if so, he should surely continue for a few years, and then that he can experience France to it’s fullest with a bit more maturity and less reliance on family than you would have at his current age. A good 3 or 4 years before he would be ready for International duty if he wanted to wait. Of course he already sounds good enough to accept a call up, and to cap himself, in the more immediate future (he’d have to be very very good in the case of the ABs), and he’ll get a great taste of that being with the Canes who have a bunch who are just a few years further into their career and looking likely Internationals themselves.
13 Go to commentsI remember towards the end of the original broadcasting deal for Super rugby with Newscorp that there was talk about the competition expanding to improve negotiations for more money - more content, more cash. Professional rugby was still in its infancy then and I held an opposing view that if Super rugby was a truly valuable competition then it should attract more broadcasters to bid for the rights, thereby increasing the value without needing to add more teams and games. Unfortunately since the game turned professional, the tension between club, talent and country has only grown further. I would argue we’re already at a point in time where the present is the future. The only international competitions that matter are 6N, RC and RWC. The inter-hemisphere tours are only developmental for those competitions. The games that increasingly matter more to fans, sponsors and broadcasters are between the clubs. Particularly for European fans, there are multiple competitions to follow your teams fortunes every week. SA is not Europe but competes in a single continental competition, so the travel component will always be an impediment. It was worse in the bloated days of Super rugby when teams traversed between four continents - Africa, America, Asia and Australia. The percentage of players who represent their country is less than 5% of the professional player base, so the sense of sacrifice isn’t as strong a motivation for the rest who are more focused on playing professional rugby and earning as much from their body as they can. Rugby like cricket created the conundrum it’s constantly fighting a losing battle with.
9 Go to commentsOh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
34 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
9 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
9 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
13 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
11 Go to comments