Darwin
AKA Dingo_Darwin
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Only 6 weeks or so to go until the start of the 2013 Junior World Championship in France. I'm excited, as this tournament usually produces some top class rugby, and we get a chance to see some stars of the future. How do people see their teams chances, and who are players we should watch out for?
New Zealand have just recently named their squad for the tournament:
Forwards: Donald Brighouse (Wellington), Epalahame Faiva (Waikato), Nick Grogan (Manawatu), Alexander Hodgman (Canterbury), Sione Mafileo (North Harbour), Kalafi Pongi (Counties Manukau), Boyd Wiggins (North Harbour), Scott Barrett (Canterbury), Jackson Hemopo (Otago), Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland), Christopher Vui (Auckland), Adam Burn (Waikato), Joseph Edwards (Auckland), Jordan Manihera (North Harbour), Hadleigh May (Otago), Ardie Savea (Wellington).
Backs: Tayler Adams (Southland), Sheridan Rangihuna (Hawke's Bay), Simon Hickey (Auckland), Jade Te Rure (Manawatu), Michael Collins (Otago), Jason Emery (Manawatu), Fa'asiu Fuatai (Otago), Teihorangi Walden (Otago), Penikolo Latu (Hawke's Bay), Leroy Van Dam (Auckland), Lolagi Visinia (Auckland), Joseph Webber (Waikato).
It certainly looks a much stronger side than last season on paper, especially considering Ardie Savea and Jason Emery have been released from Super Rugby duties to attend the tournament. I expect both players to be absolute superstars at this level: Savea is a freak, while Emery was probably our only standout player last season, and should only be better for having another season of top level rugby experience.
Others to watch out for in the forwards are locks Jackson Hemopo and Patrick Tuipolotu, who are big physical players who both have some experience at ITM Cup level. The loose-forwards looks strong too, with big Joe Edwards very impressive for Auckland last season (some were calling for him to be given a spot in the Blues this season), Adam Burn is very highly rated, while Hadleigh May has been very impressive in Dunedin club rugby.
Tyler Adams is a good young halfback, and Simon Hickey is a very promising first-five (though is more a kicking 10 than a running 10). I'm not sure about the quality of their backups though. Collins and Emery will form a very strong midfield, while there is plenty of pace and power out-wide. Webber impressed for Waikato last season and has played a bit of 7's for NZ, Latu showed some great speed and power for Hawkes Bay, Visinia impressed in his cameo's for Auckland (and is a big guy!), and while I know nothing about Van Dam he is sure to be good with a name like that
New Zealand have just recently named their squad for the tournament:
Forwards: Donald Brighouse (Wellington), Epalahame Faiva (Waikato), Nick Grogan (Manawatu), Alexander Hodgman (Canterbury), Sione Mafileo (North Harbour), Kalafi Pongi (Counties Manukau), Boyd Wiggins (North Harbour), Scott Barrett (Canterbury), Jackson Hemopo (Otago), Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland), Christopher Vui (Auckland), Adam Burn (Waikato), Joseph Edwards (Auckland), Jordan Manihera (North Harbour), Hadleigh May (Otago), Ardie Savea (Wellington).
Backs: Tayler Adams (Southland), Sheridan Rangihuna (Hawke's Bay), Simon Hickey (Auckland), Jade Te Rure (Manawatu), Michael Collins (Otago), Jason Emery (Manawatu), Fa'asiu Fuatai (Otago), Teihorangi Walden (Otago), Penikolo Latu (Hawke's Bay), Leroy Van Dam (Auckland), Lolagi Visinia (Auckland), Joseph Webber (Waikato).
It certainly looks a much stronger side than last season on paper, especially considering Ardie Savea and Jason Emery have been released from Super Rugby duties to attend the tournament. I expect both players to be absolute superstars at this level: Savea is a freak, while Emery was probably our only standout player last season, and should only be better for having another season of top level rugby experience.
Others to watch out for in the forwards are locks Jackson Hemopo and Patrick Tuipolotu, who are big physical players who both have some experience at ITM Cup level. The loose-forwards looks strong too, with big Joe Edwards very impressive for Auckland last season (some were calling for him to be given a spot in the Blues this season), Adam Burn is very highly rated, while Hadleigh May has been very impressive in Dunedin club rugby.
Tyler Adams is a good young halfback, and Simon Hickey is a very promising first-five (though is more a kicking 10 than a running 10). I'm not sure about the quality of their backups though. Collins and Emery will form a very strong midfield, while there is plenty of pace and power out-wide. Webber impressed for Waikato last season and has played a bit of 7's for NZ, Latu showed some great speed and power for Hawkes Bay, Visinia impressed in his cameo's for Auckland (and is a big guy!), and while I know nothing about Van Dam he is sure to be good with a name like that
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