Wales Under 20s at the JRWC

by maestegmafia Tue 04 Jun 2019, 12:37 pm

First topic message reminder :

Wales U20 Junior World Championship squad
Forwards:
Rhys Davies (Ospreys), Tom Devine (Dragons)
Dewi Lake (Ospreys – Capt), Will Griffiths (Dragons), Garin Lloyd (Ospreys)
Ben Warren (Cardiff Blues), Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets), Nick English (Bristol Bears)
Jac Price (Scarlets), Morgan Jones (Scarlets), Teddy Williams (Cardiff Blues), Ed Scragg (Dragons)
Lennon Greggains (Dragons), Jac Morgan (Scarlets/Aberavon), Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers), Iestyn Rees (Scarlets)

Backs
Harri Morgan (Ospreys), Dafydd Buckland (Dragons)
Cai Evans (Ospreys), Sam Costelow (Leicester Tigers)
Aneurin Owen (Dragons), Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler (Ospreys), Max Llewellyn (Cardiff Blues)
Ryan Conbeer (Scarlets), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Deon Smith (Dragons), Ioan Davies (Cardiff Blues), Tomi Lewis (Scarlets)

Wales U20 fixtures
June 4: Wales U20s v Argentina U20s (KO 5pm BST)
June 8: Wales U20s v France U20s (KO 5pm BST)
June 12: Wales U20s v Fiji U20s (5pm BST)
Knockout stages on Monday, 17 June and finals day on Saturday, 22 June, live on ITV.

by Taylorman Fri 14 Jun 2019, 2:58 am

My point being without the distraction of signings in a World Cup year sides become focussed. The in between years are far different from World Cup years. Argie sucked for three years? Yet it just so happens their under 20 and super rugby side is peaking? As did the pumas last World Cup.
No obvious link I agree but no doubting the quality lift of the non test SH sides this year. I don’t think it’s coincidence alone.

by **LondonTiger** Fri 14 Jun 2019, 7:13 am

Taylorman wrote:My point being without the distraction of signings in a World Cup year sides become focussed. The in between years are far different from World Cup years. Argie sucked for three years? Yet it just so happens their under 20 and super rugby side is peaking? As did the pumas last World Cup.
No obvious link I agree but no doubting the quality lift of the non test SH sides this year. I don’t think it’s coincidence alone.

Sorry but a complete Love sacks argument. U20 performance has bugger all to do with what the senior teams are doing. It is driven primarily by the quality of players born in a 12 month window.

Yes 3 SH sides made a he 1-4 games, but two of those lost games to NH opposition. This tournament is always interesting as it gives glimpses of future stars. It does not however tell us anything about the global game. After all NZ are still the best team in the world despite their U20S potentially coming 8th.

by **Rugby Fan** Fri 14 Jun 2019, 10:10 am

England haven't lost to a Southern Hemisphere side yet. They have only played Australia so far, and dispatched them 56-33. That pool was a real oddity, since there were red cards in three matches - all deserved - which had big impacts on the results.

by **LondonTiger** Fri 14 Jun 2019, 10:24 am

The YCs in England/Ireland probably had more effect than the RC did.

by **profitius** Fri 14 Jun 2019, 10:27 am

Rugby Fan wrote:England haven't lost to a Southern Hemisphere side yet. They have only played Australia so far, and dispatched them 56-33. That pool was a real oddity, since there were red cards in three matches - all deserved - which had big impacts on the results.

Ryan Baird's red card was rescinded. It was shown to have hit the shoulder first.

by Cyril Fri 14 Jun 2019, 2:39 pm

Baird’s was the worst of the lot!

by Collapse2005 Fri 14 Jun 2019, 2:48 pm

Not according to the citing panel. I think he made it worse by being so apologetic afterwards.

All top sides got a red except NZ. Hmmm. There was a shoulder to head hit by a Kiwi on the SA scrum half that was fairly dubiously downgraded to a penalty only.

by mikey_dragon Fri 14 Jun 2019, 3:47 pm

Taylorman wrote:My point being without the distraction of signings in a World Cup year sides become focussed. The in between years are far different from World Cup years. Argie sucked for three years? Yet it just so happens their under 20 and super rugby side is peaking? As did the pumas last World Cup.
No obvious link I agree but no doubting the quality lift of the non test SH sides this year. I don’t think it’s coincidence alone.

You’re still not making any sense. The U20s pathway is a development tool and I’m still unsure as to what it has to do with the teams competing at the upcoming rugby World Cup. Argentina have had bad results for more than 3 years so I was being kind. If they promoted their U20s all of a sudden (which they won’t) that wouldn’t make a difference - which seems to be what you’re getting at. U20s rugby usually goes in cycles anyway and it’s important to remember that NH teams like England and France have mostly beaten SH opposition in the last few cycles; Wales also beating Aus and Arg the last time they played.

Wales U20 have a poor team this year yet we have a few individuals who will step up to pro rugby like every year, the same as any other U20s team so I’m also not sure what your point was with all the talent being in the SH.

by Taylorman Fri 14 Jun 2019, 11:40 pm

You’re trying to make sense out of a ‘feeling’ I have? All I’m saying is the stars are aligning in World Cup year for the SH sides at all levels.
Call it serendipity. I think we could have another 2015 and that would be soooo embarrassing.

by **Rugby Fan** Sat 15 Jun 2019, 12:33 am

Taylorman wrote:Call it serendipity. I think we could have another 2015 and that would be soooo embarrassing.

In 2015, NZ won the U20 but the other semi-finalists were South Africa, France, and England. I'm can't see connection.

by Taylorman Sat 15 Jun 2019, 12:40 am

Hmmm, another trying to connect ‘the stars’ Laugh

by mikey_dragon Sat 15 Jun 2019, 5:32 am

Well anyway I wanted to talk a little about Wales U20s too. I haven’t really been impressed with the backs but it looks like we have a solid set piece again. I think Dewi Lake might get picked up by Ospreys here, bit of a big lump for a hooker and carries and tackles well - there’s good potential there. Both Scarlets locks (Price and Morgan) look good and already bigger than Josh Helps who is probably 5th or 6th choice out west, so both could come in and replace him. Tommy Reffell looks good and seems to be held in high regard at Leicester - he is likely to have a pro contract there next year. If Ospreys require a third open-side then a Reffell could be an option for them, whilst none of the others can fit in another open-side in their squads, with another 3 also in the English Premiership and playing fairly well (Young, Thomas, Lewis).

by mikey_dragon Sat 15 Jun 2019, 5:34 am

Also there’s a few guys who were formerly picked up by the exiles programme so that’s proving to be somewhat useful.

by maestegmafia Mon 17 Jun 2019, 6:05 am

Play off for fifth place today

by maestegmafia Mon 17 Jun 2019, 2:44 pm

Good start in a scrappy game so far

by **LondonTiger** Mon 17 Jun 2019, 2:49 pm

World Rugby website is not allowing me to watch it.

by maestegmafia Mon 17 Jun 2019, 2:51 pm

Try wales

Kiwis fumble from the back of the scrum and Tiaan Thomas-wheeler chips through to the corner flag and beats the kiwi defenders to the ball and line

by **LondonTiger** Mon 17 Jun 2019, 2:56 pm

I do hope the Welsh boys can win this.

by maestegmafia Mon 17 Jun 2019, 2:59 pm

Raining hard lots of dropped balls.

by maestegmafia Mon 17 Jun 2019, 3:03 pm

Play postponed due to adverse weather conditions

by **Rugby Fan** Mon 17 Jun 2019, 3:05 pm

maestegmafia wrote:Play postponed due to adverse weather conditions

Didn't hear commentary. Is there lightning? That's usually one reason to get off the pitch.

Shame, because Wales were handling the conditions better up to that point.

by Collapse2005 Mon 17 Jun 2019, 3:08 pm

This isnt a vintage NZ side, they seem easy enough to push around. I fancy a Wales win.

by maestegmafia Mon 17 Jun 2019, 3:13 pm

Rugby Fan wrote:
maestegmafia wrote:Play postponed due to adverse weather conditions
Didn't hear commentary. Is there lightning? That's usually one reason to get off the pitch.

Shame, because Wales were handling the conditions better up to that point.

The commentators said it is due to a thunderstorm. The crowds were asked to file out of the stands too. The rain was getting worse as the game continued.

by **Rugby Fan** Mon 17 Jun 2019, 3:15 pm

Just reading this old link:

https://rugby365.com/laws-referees/law-discussions/law-discussion-stay-away-from-lightning-boys

by maestegmafia Mon 17 Jun 2019, 3:16 pm

Looks intense

https://www.accuweather.com/en/ar/rosario/11222/satellite/11222

by maestegmafia Mon 17 Jun 2019, 3:20 pm

Rugby Fan wrote:Just reading this old link:

https://rugby365.com/laws-referees/law-discussions/law-discussion-stay-away-from-lightning-boys

In 1991 referee Albert Adams, a South African. called off a Test match between the USA and France three minutes into the second half when lightning struck the electronic scoreboard at the ground in Colorado Springs where lightning is a frequent danger.

by **Rugby Fan** Mon 17 Jun 2019, 4:02 pm

I've read that, if the match is abandoned, Wales will be declared winners, and progress to the 5th place play-off. (I suppose that means Scotland will lose to Italy, since they stopped playing when down 7-14)

by maestegmafia Mon 17 Jun 2019, 4:10 pm

walesonline wrote:Here's what has to happen for match to restart

The storm has to move six miles away from the Racecourse Stadium before officials can consider restarting the match.

But, even then, it would still not resume for another 30 minutes.

The latest hourly forecast for Rosario is for thunder showers to be followed by prolonged rain for the next 3-4 hours

Wales set to go through to final if match is abandoned

If the match is abandoned, even with 62 minutes remaining, it seems Wales will progress to the fifth-place final as they are beating New Zealand 5-0.

Officials hope match will resume at 4.15pm

The storm has passed and officials hope the match will resume at 4.15pm BST.

Scotland’s ninth-place semi-final with Italy at Rosario’s Club Old Resian ground was also halted with the Azzurri leading 14-7.

Wales hold-up could have impact on top-four semi-finals

The top-four semi-finals are due to follow Wales’ match with New Zealand.

Hosts Argentina are scheduled to kick-off against Australia at 5pm BST with South Africa facing France at 7.30pm.

It's the 2nd unusual event to hit Argentina in less than 30 hours

Most of the country and neighbouring Uruguay were affected by a massive electrical failure which left tens of millions of people in the dark yesterday.

The blackout was prompted by a failure in an electrical grid that serves both Argentina and Uruguay. Parts of Paraguay and Chile were also affected.

Officials today said power has been restored to about 80% of customers in Argentina and 88% in Uruguay.

The combined population of Argentina and Uruguay is about 48 million.

by maestegmafia Mon 17 Jun 2019, 4:15 pm

Play has resumed

by **Rugby Fan** Mon 17 Jun 2019, 4:15 pm

I should be more concerned about the populations of Argentina and Uruguay but I would have enjoyed the idea of Wales beating NZ in a shortened match.

by maestegmafia Mon 17 Jun 2019, 4:19 pm

Rugby Fan wrote:I should be more concerned about the populations of Argentina and Uruguay but I would have enjoyed the idea of Wales beating NZ in a shortened match.

I know a number wouldn’t... apparently that is the largest black out in history. Didn’t make the bbc news due to their obsession with the impending implosion of the government

Regarding the game It seems to have cleared up. Pitch is soaking wet and the rain is very heavy. Lots of dropped balls by both teams.

by maestegmafia Mon 17 Jun 2019, 4:22 pm

Cai Evans hasn’t inherited his fathers finishing skills unfortunately

by **Rugby Fan** Mon 17 Jun 2019, 4:30 pm

I wondered why Wales would go for the posts there but they haven't been winning their lineouts, and points might be scarce in weather like this.

by **LondonTiger** Mon 17 Jun 2019, 4:39 pm

Scotland getting humped by Italy now.

by maestegmafia Mon 17 Jun 2019, 4:43 pm

Unfortunately this is not great weather for fast handling rugby... but when we met the ABs in the same conditions few years back we managed to do it...!

by **LondonTiger** Mon 17 Jun 2019, 4:47 pm

maestegmafia wrote:Unfortunately this is not great weather for fast handling rugby... but when we met the ABs in the same conditions few years back we managed to do it...!

Was that the year you played them in the group and the semi? (Possibly when Sam Davies won Junior Player of the Year?)

by Collapse2005 Mon 17 Jun 2019, 4:48 pm

Astonishing that NZ have escaped a red once again. Do different rules aply to them. What a joke.

by maestegmafia Mon 17 Jun 2019, 4:54 pm

LondonTiger wrote:
maestegmafia wrote:Unfortunately this is not great weather for fast handling rugby... but when we met the ABs in the same conditions few years back we managed to do it...!

Was that the year you played them in the group and the semi? (Possibly when Sam Davies won Junior Player of the Year?)

I think it was earlier, Matthew Morgan was flyhalf.

by **LondonTiger** Mon 17 Jun 2019, 4:55 pm

At our age time flies far too quickly. Things that feel like last year turn out to be almost a decade ago.

by maestegmafia Mon 17 Jun 2019, 4:58 pm

Third missed kick at goal, good kicking in the centres putting wales down on their Try line.

by maestegmafia Mon 17 Jun 2019, 5:15 pm

The umbrellas in the crowd are slightly disappearing and the key wis are improving

5-0 wales ten minutes to go

by maestegmafia Mon 17 Jun 2019, 5:15 pm

Try nz

by maestegmafia Mon 17 Jun 2019, 5:25 pm

Penalty wales can Cai Kick it?

by maestegmafia Mon 17 Jun 2019, 5:25 pm

Penalty wales can Cai Kick it?

by maestegmafia Mon 17 Jun 2019, 5:27 pm

Penalty wales can Cai Kick it?

by maestegmafia Mon 17 Jun 2019, 5:27 pm

Yes he can

NZ 7 - 8 Wales

by **Rugby Fan** Mon 17 Jun 2019, 5:36 pm

Well done Wales.

Thought you'd lost it, then got it back, then lost it again but you stayed in front.

by **RiscaGame** Mon 17 Jun 2019, 5:38 pm

The non red card was a horrendous decision.

What irks me, is it is two consecutive games now that Wales have been on the receiving end of two head shots and they were both given as yellow. This one was way worse, but they are either clamping down on them or not. Referees are too afraid of giving out reds and trying to make up mitigation. Absolute joke.

by Collapse2005 Mon 17 Jun 2019, 5:43 pm

RiscaGame wrote:The non red card was a horrendous decision.

What irks me, is it is two consecutive games now that Wales have been on the receiving end of two head shots and they were both given as yellow. This one was way worse, but they are either clamping down on them or not. Referees are too afraid of giving out reds and trying to make up mitigation. Absolute joke.

Its two games in a row that NZ have gotten off reds that are very similar to incidents that other teams saw red over. NZ are definitely held to a lower standard to everyone else.

by maestegmafia Mon 17 Jun 2019, 6:01 pm

Collapse2005 wrote:
RiscaGame wrote:The non red card was a horrendous decision.

What irks me, is it is two consecutive games now that Wales have been on the receiving end of two head shots and they were both given as yellow. This one was way worse, but they are either clamping down on them or not. Referees are too afraid of giving out reds and trying to make up mitigation. Absolute joke.

Its two games in a row that NZ have gotten off reds that are very similar to incidents that other teams saw red over. NZ are definitely held to a lower standard to everyone else.

Aussies scrumhalf just got away with a bad tackle too, yellow card only

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