On 02 May 2024 at Sunshine Coast, Australia, New Zealand U20 performs the Haka prior to the Rugby Championship U20 Round 1 match between South Africa and New Zealand at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Argentina defeated Australia handily, setting up a thrilling showdown with a winner-take-all format. Argentina looked impressive in this victory. The trophy will be awarded to the player who finishes first after the three round-robin matches.
Rico Simpson, the starting five, and Dylan Pledger, the halfback, are the main players who have changed. The majority of the second half was spent by the two players playing South Africa, with Simpson’s long throw being crucial in the setup of two tries.
When World Rugby combined the Under 19 and Under 21 systems into a single tier structure in 2008, the New Zealand U20 was officially designated as the senior age grade team in the nation.
New Zealand is one of the most successful teams and is currently regarded as one of the main routes to the Bunnings NPC, Super Rugby, and All Blacks selection.
Before losing in 2012, 2013, and 2014, the New Zealand Under 20s had won the first four World Rugby Under 20 Championships from 2008 to 2011. Wins came back for New Zealand in 2015 and 2017. With three apiece from England and France, New Zealand has won the most titles of any country with six total.
The team play on Tuesday at 7pm NZT.
Wellington’s second 5/8th Originally listed as a non-traveling reserve, Tofuka Paongo enters the midfield and lines up next to vice captain Xavi Taele, who shifts to the centre.
Stanley Solomon will now be on the left, and Frank Vaenuku will take King Maxwell’s place on the right flank. Isaac Hutchinson is replaced at fullback by Sam Coles.
Cam Christie takes the field at lock for the forwards while Tom Allen moves to the bench. Crusader Johnny Lee shifts to the bench in the back row, and Matt Lowe takes over at openside flanker.
Read more about New Zealand U20 score with South Africa U20
New Zealand’s Rugby Championship Under 20 Schedule:
New Zealand vs South Africa, Thursday 2 May, Sunshine Coast Stadium, Australia – Draw: 13-13
New Zealand vs Argentina, Tuesday 7 May, 7.00pm NZT/5.00pm AEST, Sunshine Coast, Australia
New Zealand vs Australia, Sunday 12 May, 5.30pm NZT/3.30pm AEST, Sunshine Coast, Australia
New Zealand U20 team named announced
1. Will Martin (Chiefs, Waikato)
2. Vernon Bason (Hurricanes, Manawat?) (c)
3. Joshua Smith (Hurricanes, Hawke’s Bay)
4. Cam Christie (Blues, North Harbour)
5. Liam Jack (Crusaders, Canterbury)
6. Andrew Smith (Chiefs, Waikato)
7. Matt Lowe (Crusaders, Tasman)
8. Malachi Wrampling (Chiefs, Waikato)
9. Dylan Pledger (Highlanders, Otago)
10. Rico Simpson (Blues, Auckland)
11. Frank Vaenuku (Chiefs, Bay of Plenty)
12. Tofuka Paongo (Hurricanes, Wellington)
13. Xavi Taele (Blues, Auckland) (vc)
14. King Maxwell (Blues, Auckland)
15. Sam Coles (Hurricanes, Manawat?)
Reserves:
16. Manumaua Letiu (Crusaders, Canterbury)
17. Sika Pole (Blues, Auckland)
18. Kurene Luamanuvae (Blues, Auckland)
19. Tom Allen (Hurricanes, Hawke’s Bay)
20. Johnny Lee (Crusaders, Canterbury)
21. Ben O’Donovan (Crusaders, Canterbury)
22. Cooper Grant (Crusaders, Tasman)
23. Josh Whaanga (Highlanders, Otago)
New Zealand U20 opening match results
Two of the team’s five changes to the backline that began in the 13–13 opening draw against South Africa will come on Tuesday, May 7, when Dylan Pledger and Rico Simpson take the pitch as the new halves tandem.
The second five-eighth While King Maxwell moves to the right flank and Sam Coles to fullback, Tofuka Paongo enters the midfield to partner vice captain Xavi Taele, who moves out to centre.
There are just two alterations in the forward line-up: Matt Lowe at openside and Cam Christie at lock. Sika Pole and Manumaua Letiu also make the matchday roster; the two front-row players are placed in the reserves.