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Junior World Cup pool previews
Thu, 05 Jun 2008 20:36
The Junior World Cup kicks off in Wales on Friday, 6 June 2008. The 16 teams are divided into four pools.
We have a look at the four pools as the teams line-up for Friday.
Pool A
Friday 6 June, Cardiff Arms Park
17.00: New Zealand vs Tonga
19.00: Ireland vs Argentina
As the competition kicks-off with the New Zealand against Tonga, New Zealand's coach Dave Rennie has decided against his real heavyweight front-rowers However, with Ash Dixon, Paea Fa'anunu and Toby Smith collectively tipping the scales at a considerable 350 kilos, opponents Tonga can be sure of a physical introduction to the Junior World Cup.
What's more, come Tuesday night, when Ireland come face to face with the pre-tournament favourites, it is highly likely that Rennie will wheel out 137 kilogram tighthead Ben Afeaki and 130 kilogram loosehead Rodney Ah You. And hooker Quentin Macdonald weighs a mere 100 kilograms.
Rennie, who led his side to last year's Under-19 World Championship in Belfast, said: "There are some big guys in the squad, but they are very talented too.
"They have worked hard for their clubs and some of them in the Air New Zealand Cup and even the Super 14s this season. Yet they come here fresh and will be looking to emulate the success of the Under-19s last summer."
Amongst the names to look out for over the coming weeks are Crusaders' trio Sean Maitland, Masi Manu and Kade Poki - all of whom featured in the Super 14 final success against New South Wales Waratahs last weekend - and Zac Guildford, who became the youngest player to pull on a senior Hurricanes jersey when he featured for the Wellington based province last year.
It adds up to a formidable unit and one which will certainly test the other three nations in the pool - Tonga, Argentina and Ireland, who are led by the outstanding young wing from Blackrock College, Paul Ryan.
A Leinsterman with pace to burn and plenty of experience too, Ryan said; "We couldn't have been dealt a much tougher hand in terms of our Pool, but we have prepared well and feel in good shape going into our first game.
"As long as we achieve our potential and perform to the best of our ability, I can't ask for anymore from the boys."
Opening up against the Pumas on Friday, Ireland will hope to go one better than their Under-21 side did at the World Championship in Montferrand two years ago when, despite putting up a brave show and out-thinking their opponents for much of the game, the brute strength of the Pumas earned them a 26-22 victory.
It promises to be another bruising battle this time, although a decent Six Nations campaign in which they might have finished higher than fourth had they have enjoyed the rub of the green against Wales, should hold them in good stead.
Pool B
Friday 6 June, The Racecourse, Wrexham
17.00: South Africa vs USA
19.00: Samoa vs Scotland
Whilst all Welsh eyes might be on South Africa on Saturday afternoon, many South African minds will be fixed on Pool B of the Junior World Championship which kicks off at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham on Friday evening.
After all, having missed out on the Under-21 version of the competition in Montferrand two years ago and having finished as runners up, once again, at the Under-19 World Championship in Belfast last summer, the Bay Boks are determined to make it third time lucky.
The Pool favourites are in good spirit as they prepare for the opening game against the USA.
Gerrit-Jan van Velze, the promising Blue Bulls No. 8, heads up a squad that includes 16 members of the South African side who reached last season's final at Ravenhill. And amongst that group are outstanding centres Stephan Dippenaar and Stefan Watermeyer, full back Wilton Pietersen and flank Johan van Deventer - South Africa's Under-19 Player of the Year in 2007.
Dippenaar and scrumhalf François Hougaard both boast Super 14 experience with the Bulls, while the current Craven Week Player of the Year Pietersen is one of three squad members to have played for the Springbok Sevens on the IRB Sevens World Series this season.
The two others are Juan de Jongh, who impressed in the Wellington leg back in February, and 19-year-old Robert Ebersohn, a try-scorer in the Adelaide Sevens final as South Africa became the first team to beat New Zealand this season.
"South Africa has a proud tradition at junior international level with many current Springboks having made their name first at this level. Our squad includes the core of the SA Under-19 team of last year that performed so admirably before losing to New Zealand in the Cup final," said coach Eric Sauls.
Scotland's challenge will be led by skipper Lewis Calder - son of Jim and nephew of Finlay - who admits that his side are desperate to put behind them the ignominy of finishing with this season's Six Nations wooden spoon.
"We were unfortunate not to win at least two of those games, although the statistics speak for themselves," said Calder.
"We have worked hard over the past month or so and we are certainly looking forward to the challenge."
Samoa and the USA make up the Pool with the most eagerly awaited game coming on Tuesday when Scotland take on South Africa.
Pool C
Friday 6 June, Rodney Parade, Newport
17.00: Australia vs Canada
19.00: England vs Fiji
As Grand Slam champions, England can be justifiably confident of defying their sixth place seeding in the Junior World Championship. However, for their captain Hugo Ellis, the side's success in the Six Nations Championship this season, will count for 'absolutely nothing' when coach Nigel Redman's sixth seeds kick-off their Pool C campaign against Fiji at Rodney Parade on Friday evening.
Add to that the presence in the Pool of the much fancied Australians, who include no fewer than seven Super 14 players in their 26-man squad, and it's easy to see why Ellis speaks with caution when grilled on his side's chance of reaching the semi finals at least.
"Teams have tried to rely on previous achievements before, but we won't be guilty of that," said Ellis, whose form this season at Wasps has installed him as a leading candidate to succeed the recently retired Lawrence Dallaglio.
"You run the risk of stagnating if you rest on your laurels. We know the size of the task that stands between us and qualifying in top place from this pool and it starts tonight against Fiji."
With a typically robust pack and a back division that oozes power and pace, England boast an arsenal heavy enough to gun down the likes of the Australians.
One of their attacking weapons is Worcester Warriors wing Miles Benjamin whose 15 tries last season made him the club's leading scorer. He said, "The transformation from last year has been awesome.
"The guys are much more confident. We're a close-knit team and everyone believes in each other's potential and in each other's ability.
"We've all got full seasons under our belts too, in the Premiership, in the A League or on dual registration with National League clubs, so everyone's come into the tournament feeling good. The Six Nations Grand Slam showed what we're capable of, so we're really excited.
"Also, you don't know how often you'll be in a team that gets the chance to play against a southern hemisphere side. Everyone believes in their ability, but you've got to be aware that it's a massive privilege to be here and you shouldn't take it for granted."
Before the opener against Fiji, supporters at Rodney Parade will get a chance to see the Australians in action against Canada. Quade Cooper, David Pocock, Rob Horne and Blair Connor are the pick of the Australian stars with captain Pocock hoping that his side make the perfect start against the young Canadians.
"A lot of people are looking at our last game against England as being the most important. That's rubbish. If we lose tonight, that game will not matter," said Pocock.
Pool D
Friday 6 June, Liberty Stadium, Swansea
17.00: France vs Japan
19.10: Wales vs Italy
With expectations soaring and pressure mounting, Wales will be glad to get underway their bid to reach the last four, at least, of the Junior World Championship. And for coach Patrick Horgan's side, it all starts against Italy on Friday.
"We are all excited at the prospect of competing in this tournament, especially as host nation," admitted Horgan.
"We have had injury problems during the season, but in the end we have been able to select from a position of relative strength with the returns to fitness and form of some of last season's top performers like Sam Warburton.
"Sam is a talismanic leader both on and off the field and did a fantastic job as Wales Under-19 captain last season. He has been in exceptional form for the Wanderers and, although it is disappointing to lose Nic Cudd through injury, the returns of Sam and Dan Franks will boost our back row efforts."
Whilst Horgan waxes lyrical about his back row strength - Josh Turnbull completes a gifted triumvirate - it is behind the scrum where Wales will look to make hay.
Jonathan Davies and Gareth Owen form a wonderfully dynamic midfield whilst Dan Biggar's presence at outside half will provide Pool D opponents Italy, Japan and France with plenty to think about.
Horgan said, "We were delighted with the way in which we played and competed in the Six Nations and to lose only one game is a record we can be proud of.
"Having said that, we eased off against Italy and were pushed all the way against France. We can't afford to do that again or we are sure to get punished."
Far from being littered with stars, the Azzurri will pose a significant threat at forward where their size and power was a key element of the Championship game at Rodney Parade.
Wales ran out 33-13 winners in the end before making sure of second place behind England with a 20-16 victory, once again in Newport, over France.
Morgan Parra and Yann David are likely to be two of the stand-out players in a French side that also includes giant centre Mathieu Bastareaud. You will never see a centre who looks more like a prop!
Before Wales and Italy get to grips, fans at the Liberty Stadium will get a chance to run the rule over France when they meet Japan in the opening Pool game.
From the Welsh Rugby Union
"Remember lads, rugby is a team game; all 14 of you make sure you pass the ball to ..........." 
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