2014 Junior World Championship - June 2 to 20

[profitius]

^ Yeah I can get behind that. Fellow has mad skills.
It's nice to see a centre from Munster playing well in Goggin too.

Maybe something earth shattering is happening in the world of rugby. Maybe Munster are starting to produce quality centers!! Rory Scannell last year and now Goggin. Goggin had an excellent match also yesterday and showed some nice touches. Ringrose showed his class. He looks a slight lad but strong. Whatever about Munster it looks like theres a load of good centers coming through in Ireland. BOD and D'Arcy have been unchallenged for a decade but thankfully there'll be more options in the future.

The scrums were struggling but that was expected. They did a bit better than that rainy night in the 6 nations. Lineouts improved from the last game. Defense was good and Ross Byrne controlled the game well. Anyone think they should make wholesale changes against Fiji?

For the Welsh, Tyler Morgan looks a quality player for Wales. Played on the wing yesterday but scored a few cracking tries from center for the Dragons a few weeks back. He is big too so one to watch in future.

 

[big ginger 8]

Maybe something earth shattering is happening in the world of rugby. Maybe Munster are starting to produce quality centers!! Rory Scannell last year and now Goggin. Goggin had an excellent match also yesterday and showed some nice touches. Ringrose showed his class. He looks a slight lad but strong. Whatever about Munster it looks like theres a load of good centers coming through in Ireland. BOD and D'Arcy have been unchallenged for a decade but thankfully there'll be more options in the future.

The scrums were struggling but that was expected. They did a bit better than that rainy night in the 6 nations. Lineouts improved from the last game. Defense was good and Ross Byrne controlled the game well. Anyone think they should make wholesale changes against Fiji?

For the Welsh, Tyler Morgan looks a quality player for Wales. Played on the wing yesterday but scored a few cracking tries from center for the Dragons a few weeks back. He is big too so one to watch in future.

I'm not sure if I'm remembering correctly but I remember some selections last year being explained as everyone having to get a start or at least be in the 23? If that's the case then given we only had two changes for the last match I'd expect a lot of changes.

If it's not I'd still rest a few. The likes of McKeon, Dardis, Brewer, Heffernan and Murphy should be good enough to be part of a bonus point win against Fiji especially if the cavalry are ready on the bench.

That Welsh pack are monstrous. I'd say they're the biggest at the comp, even bigger than SA's.

 

[profitius]

I'm not sure if I'm remembering correctly but I remember some selections last year being explained as everyone having to get a start or at least be in the 23? If that's the case then given we only had two changes for the last match I'd expect a lot of changes.

If it's not I'd still rest a few. The likes of McKeon, Dardis, Brewer, Heffernan and Murphy should be good enough to be part of a bonus point win against Fiji especially if the cavalry are ready on the bench.

That Welsh pack are monstrous. I'd say they're the biggest at the comp, even bigger than SA's.

Right on all points there. I'm sure everyone has to start or at least play some part. So I'd imagine there'll be changes for the Fiji game. Its actually an advantage for Ireland having to play Fiji 3rd. They can rest players. The players mentioned shouldn't weaken the team too much.

The Welsh are as big or bigger than that Boks. They seem to be going down the size route rather than their traditional skills based game.

 

[Feicarsinn]

The Fiji game is massive though. A semi final place would be huge, considering the injuries this side has faced.

 

[bobbilycious]

I haven't seen too much of Fukofuka, either. I have heard good things about him, though. Hopefully he gets a fair bit of game time off the bench against Scotland, tomorrow.

It will also be interesting to see how Fa'aso'o goes for Samoa at blindside flanker (he was called in due to an injury). Unfortunately, I may miss both games

 

[Darwin]

The weather forecast isn't looking great for tomorrow's matches. If it is as wet as forecast it may make it difficult for the Irish to get the bonus point win they require to confirm their playoff spot. However it will also be more difficult for the NZ side to get the bonus point they require....

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Springbok starting VX:
15. Jesse Kriel (Blue Bulls), 14. Sergeal Petersen (EP Kings), 13. Dan Kriel (Blue Bulls), 12. Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), 11. Duhan van der Merwe (SA Sevens contracted), 10. Handré Pollard (Blue Bulls, captain), 9. JP Smith (Blue Bulls), 8. Aidon Davis (EP Kings), 7. Jacques Vermeulen (Western Province), 6. Thabo Mabuza (Golden Lions), 5. Nico Janse van Rensburg (Blue Bulls), 4. JD Schickerling (Western Province), 3. Wilco Louw (Blue Bulls), 2. Corniel Els (Blue Bulls), 1. Pierre Schoeman (Blue Bulls)

Substitutes:
16. Joseph Dweba (Free State Cheetahs), 17. Mox Mxoli (Blue Bulls), 18. Dayan van der Westhuizen (Blue Bulls), 19. Victor Sekekete (Golden Lions), 20. Cyle Brink (Golden Lions), 21. Zee Mkhabela (Free State Cheetahs), 22. Jean-Luc du Plessis (Sharks), 23. Warrick Gelant (Blue Bulls)

Some changes from the previous round with a few players coming back rested and others out injured. Mostly I think it is a tad better than the one that beat the Baby Blacks on Friday. Notably an increase in size in the backline with Esterhuizen whom I rate highly and think is more than just a battering ram at 12 returning to the inside center with Dan Kriel shifting one up to outside center and Jesse Kriel moving to fullback. I like Gelant at 15 and suppose this is a move to try and counter the physicality of Samoa possibly? Injuries in the forwards are a concern but it's good to have Vermeulen there..

 

[big ginger 8]

Ireland U20 team to face Fiji tomorrow:
15. Cian Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)
14. Ciaran Gaffney (Galwegians/Connacht)
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)
12. Dan Goggin (Young Munster/Munster)
11. Alex Wootton (Garryowen/Munster)
10. Ross Byrne (UCD/Leinster)
9. Ryan Foley (Cork Constitution/Munster)
1. Peter Dooley (Lansdowne/Leinster)
2. Max Abbott (Cork Constitution/Munster)
3. Rory Burke (Cork Constitution/Munster)
4. Stephen Gardiner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
5. Ross Molony (UCD/Leinster)
6. Josh Murphy (UCD/Leinster)
7. Rory Moloney (Buccaneers/Connacht)
8. Jack O'Donoghue (UL Bohemians/Munster) (capt)
Replacements:
16. Dylan Donnellan (UCD/Leinster)
17. Denis Coulson (Lansdowne/Leinster)
18. Oisin Heffernan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
19. Darragh Moloney (Cork Constitution/Munster)
20. Frankie Taggart (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
21. Nick McCarthy (UCD/Leinster)
22. Conor McKeon (Lansdowne/Leinster)
23. Harrison Brewer (Terenure College/Leinster)

Looks like I was completely wrong about the changes thing. Taggart and Timmins deserve a rest. Murphy and Moloney are certainly good enough especially in a game where we're going for 4. In this case Heffernan and Coulson should have started. Neither are great scrummagers but neither are Fiji and they are good players in the loose. If we end up facing S.A. we'll want our props fully rested. No sign of Dardis which is pretty annoying and I's have said this game was made for him.

 

[nickdnz]

I can't see Fiji stopping four tries to Ireland to be honest. They're one of those teams which seems to get a red card every match..

 

[Darwin]

I can't see Fiji stopping four tries to Ireland to be honest. They're one of those teams which seems to get a red card every match..

Unless the weather is really bad (which it may be) I agree Ireland should score 4 tries vs Fiji. From a NZ perspective our most realistic hope of making the semis is if Wales beat France......go Wales!

 

[Groundhog]

6 Munster players on the starting team. One in the centre and one in the scrum half. Goooooood!!!!
What happened to Dardis anyway? He was good off the bench in the first game and is super hyped.
How bad are this Fiji team by the way? It's a nasty target to have to have to put away four tries.

 

[Maverick1987]

Unless the weather is really bad (which it may be) I agree Ireland should score 4 tries vs Fiji. From a NZ perspective our most realistic hope of making the semis is if Wales beat France......go Wales!

France are off the back of a grand slam in the 6N aren't they ? Wales have been pretty poor so far . I think you might be fooked tbh

 

[Darwin]

France are off the back of a grand slam in the 6N aren't they ? Wales have been pretty poor so far . I think you might be fooked tbh

I think we are certainly up against it, but I think there is hope. France have won both their games so far, but haven't been that convincing in my opinion. They only just beat Ireland, and struggled to score against Fiji when Fiji had 15 men on the field (they found it a bit easier against 14 though!). Of course Wales haven't really impressed this tournament either, so France will obviously start as clear favourites. Though it is a bit of a long-shot, I think Wales beating France is more realistic than Ireland not scoring 4 tries vs Fiji (unless of course the weather is really bad...).

6 Munster players on the starting team. One in the centre and one in the scrum half. Goooooood!!!!
What happened to Dardis anyway? He was good off the bench in the first game and is super hyped.
How bad are this Fiji team by the way? It's a nasty target to have to have to put away four tries.

The Fiji side is average at best from what I've seen. To be honest though they are their own worst enemies - so far (in 2 matches) they have conceded 3 yellow cards and 1 red card. If they manage to keep 15 players on the park they will probably be a bit more competitive!

 

[Darwin]

The Fiji side is average at best from what I've seen. To be honest though they are their own worst enemies - so far (in 2 matches) they have conceded 3 yellow cards and 1 red card. If they manage to keep 15 players on the park they will probably be a bit more competitive!

....and Fiji get their first yellow card of the match (yep I just quoted myself.... that is just how I roll....). Ireland up 10-0 after 32 minutes. The weather conditions are pretty bad, so scoring another 3 tries may prove a challenge for Ireland....

EDIT: Two more yellow cards for Fiji, and another penalty try.... at this rate Fiji will have no players left on the field by the end of the match!

 

[nickdnz]

I can't see Fiji stopping four tries to Ireland to be honest. They're one of those teams which seems to get a red card every match..

Just sayin'...how right am I?

 

[Darwin]

Just sayin'...how right am I?

Approximately 50% right. Ireland scored 4 tries the required (indeed they managed 5), but Fiji didn't get a red card (only 3 yellows...).

Our hopes now rest in the hands of the mighty Welsh.....

 

[nickdnz]

Approximately 50% right. Ireland scored 4 tries the required (indeed they managed 5), but Fiji didn't get a red card (only 3 yellows...).

Our hopes now rest in the hands of the mighty Welsh.....

Pretty sure we're out now anyway. We needed both results to go our way I thought.

 

[Darwin]

Pretty sure we're out now anyway. We needed both results to go our way I thought.

If Wales win (and France don't get two bonus points) we are still in contention.

Assuming they get a bonus point (for a close loss) France will move to 10 points. That is the same number as we will be on if we beat Scotland (and get the bonus point). Wales will probably be left on 9 points (as I can't see them scoring 4 tries in the 2nd half in these conditions). Australia looks like they will win against Italy with a bonus point, leaving them on 10 points, so it would come down to points differential. The first thing we need is Wales to beat France, and they are doing alright at the moment (6-3 at half time).

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Wales are winning at the moment - this rain is very useful from an NZ point of view

11-3 to Wales! Of course it will be harder for NZ to score tries tonight, but Scotland haven't exactly been defensively sound so far.

 

[Darwin]

Looks like a try for Wales - I hope they can keep it up!