 New Zealand Under-20: 80 (Braydon Ennor 2, Ryan Coxon, Carlos Price, Caleb Clarke, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Samuel Slade, Asafo Aumua, Jona Nareki, Luke Jacobson, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Dalton Papalii tries; Ciarahn Matoe 6 con, Tiaan Falcon 3 con) Samoa Under-20: 23 (Pupi Ah See, Losi Filipo tries; Riki Pauli Ene 3 pen, 2 con)
New Zealand have thrashed Samoa 80-23 in their second game of the Oceania U20s Rugby Championships at Bond University on the Gold Coast. New Zealand set a new record for the highest score at the tourney, but Samoa didn't disgrace themselves holding New Zealand to 33-17 in the second-half. New Zealand started in a brisk and polished fashion, powering ahead 47-6 at halftime. Prop Ryan Coxon had the first say when he borrowed over in third minute after sustained side to side attack by New Zealand. Small breaks by hooker Asafo Aumua and first-five Ciarahn Matoe had Samoa stretched from the outset. In the 15th minute Braydon Ennor scored the first of his two tries when former St, Kentigern's teammate Carlos Price spotted a hole in Samoa's ruck defence and created space for the Canterbury centre. In the 19th minute another Cantabrian Josh McKay turned provider for halfback Price. The fullback retrieved an errant pass, which had initially sailed over his head at the ten-metre mark, and dashed 40-metres to set up his enthusiastic supporter. Samoa's misery was further compounded when two 'Baby Blacks' of Samoan extraction left their blueprint on the scoreboard. Wing Caleb Clarke turned two Samoan defenders in knots in a blistering 60-metre burst and second-five Thomas Umaga-Jensen pushed aside resigned tacklers from a midfield scrum on the Samoan 22. New Zealand's play only became more spectacular when workhorse lock Samuel Slade profited from two no-look reverse passes by Kemara Hauiti-Parapara and Jona Nareki. Samoa finally ventured inside the Kiwis 22 in the 35th minute and enjoyed a two minute assault on the New Zealand goal line, but some panic resulted in a knock on and try at the opposite end. Clarke chipped ahead and Ennor swopped upon an unfortunate fumble by the retreating Samoan defence. In the 42nd minute the rampant Aumua brought up New Zealand's half-century at which point triple figures seemed like a real possibility. However New Zealand lost shape when they introduced their bench and Samoa showed some genuine sprit. Samoa scored their first try in an unusual fashion. An attacking kick was jabbed towards the corner flag in New Zealand's in goal area. Samoan wing Losi Filipo dragged his opposite Nareki over the sideline. In desperation to keep the ball in play, Nareki threw a hopeful reverse flip with his back turned to his support to Samoan reserve back Pupi Ah See who acrobatically finished in a confined space Nareki atoned for his indiscretion a short while later when he stepped extravagantly off the left foot to open up Samoa from 40-metres out, but Samoa would strike again when centre Oikumene Hunter Paisami chipped for Filipo who snatched the bounce on the fly to score a brilliant try. New Zealand finished with a wet sail as Samoa fatigued. Reserve prop Ezekiel Lindenmuth jogged 40-metres untouched and flankers Luke Jacobson and Dalton Papalii also crossed the chalk. For Samoa Filipo had a fine game as captain making several crushing tackles, including sending McKay into orbit, and scoring a fine try. Fullback Riki Pauli Ene boasts an educated left boot and lock Theodore Solipo dispirited kick-offs and didn't shirk the physical challenge. Clarke and Aumua were dynamic for New Zealand and McKay was often illusive from fullback.  The New Zealand team to play Samoa in their second match of the Under 20 Oceania Tournament on the Gold Coast tomorrow, Tuesday May 2 at 5pm NZT, has been named.
The team is: 1. Tim FarrellHawke’s Bay 2. Asafo AumuaWellington 3. Ryan Coxon Waikato 4. Isaia Walker-Leawere Wellington 5. Sam CairdWaikato 6. Luke Jacobson (C)Waikato 7. Adrian ChoatAuckland 8. Marino Mikaele-TuuHawke’s Bay 9. Carlos Price Wellington 10. Ciarahn MatoeTaranaki 11. Caleb ClarkeAuckland 12. Thomas Umaga JensenWellington 13. Braydon EnnorCanterbury 14. Jona Nareki Otago 15. Josh McKayCanterbury 16. JP Sauni Auckland 17. Ezekiel Lindenmuth Auckland 18. Pouri Rakete-StonesHawke’s Bay 19. Samuel SladeAuckland 20. Dalton Papalii Auckland 21. Kemara Hauiti-Parapara Wellington 22. Orbyn LegerCounties Manukau 23. Tiaan Falcon Hawke’s Bay Note: Alex Fidow, who was selected for the side and then sustained an ankle injury so did not travel last week, has now joined the squad on the Gold Coast with the hope that he will be fit for selection against Australia in their final tournament match on Saturday. New Zealand Under 20 Head Coach Craig Philpott was pleased with the team’s first round 63-3 victory over Fiji. “I was particularly pleased with the defensive effort against Fiji, especially the fact that no tries were conceded. We exerted real pressure at the breakdown, resulting in several turnovers that we were able to capitalise on, with Tom Christie being a standout in that area. It was also a good test of our attacking shape and we were able to create regular scoring opportunities both out wide and in close. “We’re looking forward to playing Samoa. There are a lot of New Zealand-based players in their team so we anticipate they will be motivated to perform well against us. They have dangerous attackers in their backline and are physical defenders so will certainly test our ability to keep our attacking shape. “We wanted to give as many players as possible the opportunity to state their case for selection against Australia later in the week, and have made 13 changes to the starting XV with a few different combinations we are trying out. “We have an exciting back three who have plenty of pace and a big midfield combination, so we will be wanting to give them some space to run. Marino and Asafo get their first starts in the pack and will no doubt be eager to carry the ball given the chance. “We aren’t taking anything for granted. We have a lot of respect for Samoa and felt they put Australia under real pressure for significant parts of their game last Friday.” Schedule for Oceania Under 20 Tournament: Tuesday 2 May v Samoa, 5.00pm NZT Saturday 6 May v Australia, 9.00pm NZT
1/5/2017
Little Lincoln Trump St. Bede's "We were positive in the lead up, you have to be, but if I am being honest St. Bede's is a daunting game and I wasn't sure we could win it, " Liam Robinson captain of the Lincoln High School First XV concedes.
Round One of the UC Championship on Saturday produced a genuine boil over when Lincoln toppled perennial contenders St. Bede's College, 15-10. For the past two years Lincoln hasn't even had a second XV while St. Bede's have won the competition four times and posted a century against Lincoln less than five years ago. "It was a tight game all day. There were hardly any holes or breaks in the defense. I got the impression they thought they would run over the top of us and when that didn't happen they got pretty frustrated." Robinson explains. Lincoln started encouragingly and centre Brett Gillan kicked a 45-meter penalty to put the hosts into the lead. St. Bede's soon warmed to their work and scored a try. For much of the first half, St. Bede's anchored themselves inside the Lincoln 22. Robinson recalls what happened prior to halftime. "St. Bede's kept it tight, despite lots of overlaps. We got a couple of turnover penalties and then Gillan scored a try. That made it 10-5 and we got on a bit of a roll." Lincoln fullback Bradley Morgan beat the St. Bede's fullback one on one to expand the lead to 15-5 early in the second-spell. Predictably St. Bede's rallied and another try pegged the deficit back to five points. Lincoln refused to yield however and they foiled repeated barrages on their goal line. The game ended close to the Lincoln posts. "We were absolutely stocked. It was a huge team effort. I hate to single anybody out, but our openside Ben Kahu and our Year 11 centre Wil Gualter who looked after their big centre were huge for us." Robinson acclaims. Robinson describes himself as a "fairly typical hooker." He is mobile and enjoys "the tough stuff." Robinson has won two under-18 club championships with Waihora, the old home of All Black James Ryan. Many of Lincoln's leading players are forced to play in club competitions because of the lack of teams at the college. "Beating St. Bede's is as good as winning any club final." Robinson enthuses. Despite a shortage of numbers, Robinson believes the culture of rugby at the school is better than ever. "We have a new coach Michael Wilson who coached the Ellesmere seniors last year. He has installed better patterns and more belief." Robinson praises. This Saturday Lincoln hosts Nelson College who surprisingly held the Moascar Cup against Christ's College on Saturday. Christ's were top of the UC Round Robin in 2016 while Nelson missed the semi-finals. In the Moascar Cup match Leicester Faingaanuku scored 17 points two tries, two conversions and a penalty as Nelson won 22-21. Ben Hazlett scored Nelson's other try. For Christ's Isaiah Punivai, Lachie Gunsen and Kaveni Balenacagi scored tries and Ben Dickie (2) and Shun Miyake kicked conversions. |
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