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New Zealand side named for opening U20 Championship match


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New Zealand Under 20 coach Craig Philpott has named the team set to face Tonga in the opening match of the 2018 Under 20 Oceania Championship on the Gold Coast.

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Philpott said the team has been preparing well this week and are looking forward to getting on the field.

“We are still very much in selection mode if we’re looking at the World Champs. We’ve got 29 players over here and we want all of them to get game time.

Tom Christie, returning from the 2017 campaign, will captain the side, with Harry Plummer vice-captain.

Philpott said while they don’t know too much about their opposition teams at the Oceania Championship, they are expecting tough battles.

“First up we have Tonga and we have come to expect they will have a physical team that looks to play an expansive style of rugby.

“Our challenge will be keeping to our structures and systems, if we can implement our game plans and everyone gets a chance to stretch their legs we’ll be happy,” said Philpott.

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The opening match against Tonga kicks off at 7pm Friday night (NZT), and will be followed by the fixture between Fiji and Australia at 9pm.

NEW ZEALAND UNDER 20

1. Rob Cobb, 2. Ricky Jackson, 3. Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, 4. Laghlan McWhannell, 5. John Akau’ola-Laula, 6. Tom Florence, 7. Tom Christie (C), 8. Devan Flanders, 9. Carlos Price, 10. Harry Plummer, 11. Leicester Faingaanuku, 12. Tanielu Tele’a, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Bailyn Sullivan, 15. Kaleb Trask.
Reserves: 16. Flynn Thomas, 17. Sione Asi, 18. Tevita Mafileo, 19. Waimana Riedlinger-Kapea, 20. William Tremain, 21. Hoskins Sotutu, 22. Xavier Roe, 23. Ciarahn Matoe.

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Phantom 45 minutes ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



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