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Australia U20

New Zealand U20 make seven changes ahead of decisive Australia U20 clash

By Finn Morton
New Zealand perform the Haka during The Rugby Championship U20 Round 2 match between New Zealand and Argentina at Sunshine Coast Stadium on May 07, 2024 in Sunshine Coast, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Head coach Jono Gibbes has made seven changes to the New Zealand U20 squad that defeated Argentina on Tuesday, with the Baby Blacks turning their focus to a decisive clash this weekend.

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New Zealand will win the inaugural Rugby Championship U20 if they beat traditional rivals Australia on Sunday. It’s the last match of the tournament on the Sunshine Coast in Australia.

While the Junior Wallabies have made some headline-grabbing moves of their own, including the selection of Harry McLaughlin-Phillips at NO 10, the Kiwis have done the very same.

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Jarrad Hoeata analyses the Baby Blacks’ form | TRC U20

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Jarrad Hoeata analyses the Baby Blacks’ form | TRC U20

Following their 13-all draw with South Africa in the tournament opener, and the statement 43-20 win over Argentina, the coaching staff have made a handful of changes to the starting side.

Blues U20 captain Tristyn Cook and Jeremiah Avei-Collins have been named to make their tournament debuts. Cook starts at blindside flanker while Avei-Collins will provide impact off the pine.

Hurricanes and Hawke’s Bay lock Tom Allen comes into the run-on side, with flanker Johnny Lee also earning a promotion as the third and final change to New Zealand’s forward pack.

Wing Stanely Solomona and fullback Isaac Hutchinson, who both impressed in the draw with the Junior Springboks, also returning to the First XV in their usual positions.

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Captain Vernon Bason will captain the side once again when they take on a “pretty sharp” Junior Wallabies outfit.

“I know they’re pretty disappointed with their result against Argentina in the first game but if you look a little bit deeper into their game they’re a sharp outfit,” assistant coach Jarrad Hohepa told RugbyPass earlier this week.

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“They’re really well organised, got some good attacking strikes out wide as well. We’re expecting a pretty big battle.

“I think if they win they can take out the title as well so it’s all to play for.”

New Zealand U20 to take on Australia U20

1. Will Martin

2. Vernon Bason (c)

3. Joshua Smith

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4. Tom Allen

5. Liam Jack

6. Tristyn Cook

7. Johnny Lee

8. Malachi Wrampling

9. Dylan Pledger

10. Rico Simpson

11. Stanley Solomon

12. Tofuka Paongo

13. Xavi Taele

14. King Maxwell

15. Isaac Hutchinson

Replacements:

16. Manumaua Letiu

17. Sika Pole

18. Kurene Luamanuvae

19. Andrew Smith

20. Jeremiah Avei-Collins

21. Ben O’Donovan

22. Sam Coles

23. Aki Tuivailala

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Comments on RugbyPass

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Tinus 1 hours ago
Antoine Dupont is not rugby’s GOAT, it's Portia Woodman-Wickliffe

Dan Carter is the GOAT. Can't argue with stats, as simple as that. I am a South African and we have the world of respect for his world class winning ability.

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Nickers 3 hours ago
What happened to Penney was a breach of trust

I made this exact point on Stuff, and unsurprisingly had my comment removed. The reporter was of the lowest, most amateur quality, asking the same questions over and over again, slightly reworded just to get a reaction. I’m surprised coaches agree to do any media when they are spoken to in a such disrespectful manner. Regardless of how you feel about Penney’s appointment or performance everyone is entitled to be spoken to politely. Imagine if the guy doing the interview spent that time asking genuinely interesting questions that people would be interested in hearing the answers to, maybe even revealing something insightful. It was the lowest journalistic integrity and quality, designed purely to enrage and hopefully catch a soundbite, not even fitting of a tabloid magazine back in the 90s. As this guy got Penney to have a go at him in that manner he will probably get praise from his myopic bosses and encouraged to do more of the same, ignoring the fact they are widely loathed and mistrusted. Make sports journalism great again.

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G
Gavan 4 hours ago
Damian de Allende: South Africa vs Ireland will be 'like a war'

Not sure his comments about Farrells lack of understanding of Ireland were well researched

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D
David 4 hours ago
Chiefs player ratings vs Reds | Super Rugby Pacific quarter-finals

Top effort by the whole team. First 25 min were outstanding, maybe the best by any team this season?

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M
Mitch 6 hours ago
Million-pound man Finn Russell is worth every penny to Bath

With due respect to Saracens and Sale, this is the final I hoped for; Fin vs Finn at flyhalf with both sides at full strength in front of hopefully a sold out Twickenham in the early summer sunshine. It won’t be as drab as the Tigers vs Sarries final from two years ago, let’s hope for something as thrilling and exciting as the Quinns vs Chiefs final in 2021.

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g
gary 7 hours ago
£800m for Nations Championship is tough to turn down – Andy Goode

What an absolute load of tripe!( trying very hard to remain polite!) It may be hard for the overpriced “elite” level ( it must be overpriced as it is obviously struggling financially!) to understand, but grassroots rugby will survive because the miniscule amount of money that drips down from the “elite” level for “development” will not really impact them as they effectively self finance. Instead of taking Quatars bribe( great rugby playing nation that it is!) which is what this is , They ( the”elite”) would be better off supporting lesser nations to develop the World game and economically (if you break it down honestly) the “bribe” is not worth the shame that this brings on the greedy buggers at the top table and on OUR wonderful game and trust me, they are wrong if they think it will not!!

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a
adamdeswardt 7 hours ago
Antoine Dupont is not rugby’s GOAT, it's Portia Woodman-Wickliffe

The best women’s player will never compare to the best men’s player. The whole reason there is women’s rugby is because they are not good enough to play against the best rugby players, so they started a women’s rugby category to give women a chance to play this game, we all love. Any women would be welcome to play against men if they want, there is no limit, but men can’t join the women’s game, for obvious reasons. The fact that the Women’s World cup winners USA football team lost to an u15 boys CLUB team (not even best u15 boys of USA) 5-2. So just imagine in rugby where strength and size are of more importance than football. What would happen to Woodman-Wickliffe just trying to tackle a 2m man that weights 120kg running at full pace - like Eben Etzebeth? Men’s rugby is the ultimate and if you must add a caveat like women’s rugby or blind rugby or deaf rugby behind it, by definition it will be at a lower level, thus you can’t even to start comparing them to the open division (men). People these days are so scared to just say to obvious.

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R
Reuben 8 hours ago
Damian de Allende: South Africa vs Ireland will be 'like a war'

Lol 2017… NZ & IRE: 95 SA: 3 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

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SadersMan 8 hours ago
Chiefs player ratings vs Reds | Super Rugby Pacific quarter-finals

Well done Chiefs!!!!!

2 Go to comments
J
Johann 9 hours ago
Antoine Dupont is not rugby’s GOAT, it's Portia Woodman-Wickliffe

She may be the greatest female to play to date. In the same manner as the Serena Williams vs. Margaret Court debate is entertained, despite their stats refuting the need for debate. But like Mac said, and Serena herself affirmed, she would get blown off the court by Andy Murray in 15 minutes. Actually Johnny Mac said the world’s 300th male would beat Serena… So no, Portia is not the GOAT because Bryan Habbana, BG Williams, and J Kirwan are all better wingers let alone all round players. Zinzan was a more complete footballer as was the Iceman. These are just Kiwis and if we were to cast the net wider we would complicate the matter more. The best way to settle it is to play against each other. I guess that would offend some people but hey, then you can call yourself the best and mean it without race, sex, religion and politics as suedo arguments.

27 Go to comments
E
Ed the Duck 10 hours ago
Million-pound man Finn Russell is worth every penny to Bath

Have watched his pro career from the beginning with Glasgow and he has further developed and enhanced his skills through his time in France, without doubt. One of his biggest attributes though is his attitude and personality. JVG and the bath players refer to it when they talk about how calm he is and how this disseminates confidence throughout the squad. He has always shrugged off any misses/mishaps with a smile and occasionally this was badly misinterpreted as a laissez faire couldn’t care less outlook. But that always said more about those making the misinformed comments than about FR’s abilities in my book. He is also a ferociously competitive winner and you don’t need to look any further than the fabled half time talk he gave to both Townsend and the team at Twickenham in 2019 to find evidence for that! That said, much as I would like to see FR and the Bath team win on Saturday, I have a nagging feeling that saints will prevail…

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SadersMan 10 hours ago
The ‘try from the end of the world’ that embarrassed All Black debutant Lomu

What a horrible header. What is this? Disrespect Jonah Day?

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M
Mzilikazi 11 hours ago
Million-pound man Finn Russell is worth every penny to Bath

I watched both semis, the N’Hampton Saracens game live, the Bath Sale game on replay. I thought both games had so much superb rugby played, but would put the first a cut above. The intensity and accuracy of both Nh and Sarc. was unbelievable, both looking to attack, ball in hand, over kicking. Thought Sarc. just made those few mistakes more, that cost them in the end. I saw the second game as one where both Bath and Sale looked to kick a lot more, and there were spells of confused play from both. I feel N’hampton should win the final. But never write anyone off in a decider. Really fascinated by what you write about Russell and van Graan, Nick. Finn has for sure lifted Bath’s game to new levels this year, given van Graan “fresh legs”….and full credit to him and his coaching team for getting so much out of Finn. I would think, though have not spoken of this directly to any Irish contacts, that van Graan probably jumped before he was pushed at Munster. I posted after the game last weekend that I thought both Nh. and Saracens would beat the best of our Au Super teams, and probably the best of the NZ teams too. The rugby being played by the top NH teams this year, and for a few years back, really is a dream to watch.

14 Go to comments
H
Hamish 12 hours ago
What happened to Penney was a breach of trust

Bit weird not to link to “what happened to Penney”, TBH.

8 Go to comments
T
The Late News 12 hours ago
Brumbies and Reds have confidence but distracted Rebels require major upset

Yes Brett fully agree. Reds have a chance, Blues and Canes should do it easy and the Brumbies at home.might be a bit tough for the Highlanders.

6 Go to comments
S
Shaylen 12 hours ago
£800m for Nations Championship is tough to turn down – Andy Goode

Most unions would right now say they need the money. Its a good commercial deal and it is lucrative as well. I would hope they could get the crowds in and create a rugby atmosphere. It wont wash away their human rights records or their blood stadiums which were built on the backs of what can only be described as slave labour. That is something Qatar will never live down and rightfully so. The question Rugby needs to answer is if they are comfortable accepting the money and playing in tainted stadia given the human rights record of Qatar and the abuse it took to get these stadiums constructed.

12 Go to comments
G
Graham 14 hours ago
New Zealand Rugby re-sign Crusaders' pair until next World Cup

Great to see Crusader and All Black greats Scott Barrett and Codie Taylor re-signing with NZR. Both leaders and fantastic players. We saw what Codie Taylor was like upon his return this year with the Crusaders.

3 Go to comments
J
John 16 hours ago
Gatland playing the long game but Wales must start moving forwards

The squad is baffling but the excuses by Gatland are even more so. As you point out, Morris is the second highest tackler behind Belcher, yet Gats implies that he needs to do more work in defence. It doesn’t add up. Small players are constantly ignored, yet Aaron Smith, Faf de Klerk and Cheslin Kolbe light up the game. Ospreys players don’t play well against fully loaded teams according to Gats, yet the won in Jo’burg against the Lions and Cape Town against the Stormers. In fact, they have 4 wins out of 5 against the South African teams this season. Then he takes a player from the 4th tier of the Japanese league. Are they fully loaded in the 4th tier in Japan? Hardly! Nothing makes any sense.

2 Go to comments
J
Jon 16 hours ago
Mick Cleary: 'The All Blacks in New Zealand give you nowt without sweat and toil.'

There have only ever been two test wins over the All Blacks in New Zealand? Seems strange to have more back threes than flankers.

1 Go to comments
J
Jon 17 hours ago
£800m for Nations Championship is tough to turn down – Andy Goode

I’m not really one to believe in sports washing being a thing by having fancy looking people on TV. If they want to entice people into their country so that they see first hand what these people are like, I’m all for that. Each person, the host as well as the tourist will see how they behave in a new light. That’s how culture works. So normally I’d say take the money. In this case however it is not enough. I don’t want to be paid to look at the royals parading around, and I certainly don’t want a 8 team finals series for a 6 week robin tournament. If they want to pay 800m for 4 finals, as has been proposed for this tournament, I would say that would be a fair deal.

12 Go to comments
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