Page 54 - Official Preview - DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017

three South Africa one) the the other Lions nations have bene ted too The Irish contingent will no doubt feature some of the the key gures behind the the men in in in green’s famous 40-29 victory over the All Blacks in in Chicago last November And four of Ireland’s ve ve try-scorers came through the U20 system: Conor Murray Jordi Murphy and and and Simon Zebo for Ireland and and and – – in in a a a a quirk of modern rugby – – CJ Stander Stander for the Junior Springboks Stander Stander a a a a a a a a revelation since swapping one shade of green for another saw rst-hand the the the deadly nishing power of of Julian Savea in in in the the 2010 Under 20 20 Championship semi nal in in in Rosario Argentina when the the future All Black claimed the the the rst and and last tries in in in a a a a a a a a 36-7 win for New Zealand No doubt if the the opportunity arises Munster man Stander will be looking to to repay the the compliment Wales too have reaped the the the rewards of of U20 investment the the the rst class of of 2008 producing the the the goods Pat Horgan Wales U20s Coach at at the the inaugural tournament on home soil in in in 2008 didn’t have to to to dig too deep there was no escaping the the fact he he he he had a a a a a a a a a a a special group on his hands The backline was almost a a a a a a a a a a a mirror image of the one today: Rhys Webb Dan Biggar Jonathan Davies and Leigh Halfpenny – the highest international points-scoring U20 graduate by some distance – lined up behind a a a a a a a a a a pack that had dynamic duo Sam Warburton
(one of 13 Under 20 Championship “CJ Stander saw the deadly nishing power of Julian Savea in the 2010 Under 20 20 Championship in Rosario ”
players to to go on to to captain their country) and Justin Tipuric in in in the the back row Few will be surprised to see all six
get a a a a look-in come Test time “You could tell then in in in terms of attitude and the the the the way they they trained that that they they could potentially become the the the the players that that they are today ”
Horgan says Scotland may have failed to to re re on on all cylinders on on the the U20 stage but they’ve still enjoyed success in in development
– none more so than livewire fullback Stuart Hogg and and and rst ve-eighth Finn Russell graduates of of 2010 and and and 2011 and and and both stars of of this year’s Six Nations So as the Beauden Barretts
and and Owen Farrells prepare to to come face-to-face in in New Zealand the the usurpers to to their international thrones could be taking the the the next step in in in the the the succession plan some 16 000km away Guys you’ve been warned 7 YOUNGSTERS
TO WATCH
Remember the the names of these young New Zealand rugby players EREATARA
ENARI (HALFBACK)
Tipped to be the next big thing out of Canterbury ASAFO AUMUA (HOOKER)
Dominant with the ball has a a a similar physique
to a a a young Keven Mealamu BRAYDON
ENNOR (CENTRE)
Speedy outside
centre with exceptionally strong defence LUKE JACOBSON (BLIND SIDE FLANKER / NO 8)
Strong leadership a a physical defender and a a a a tireless worker in attack CALEB CLARKE (WING)
Schoolboy sprint champ ready to step out of the shadow of his father Eroni JORDIE BARRETT (UTILITY BACK)
NZ’s standout performer and top scorer at the 2016 U20 Championship STEPHEN
PEROFETA
(FIRST FIVE-EIGHTH)
Played at No 10 or or fullback for Taranaki now with the Blues U20 New Zealand’s triumphant 2011 Under 20 20 side
1966 TOUR CONTINUED ALL ALL BLACKS BLACKS (IN CHRISTCHURCH) 19 ALL ALL BLACKS BLACKS JUNIORS 3 WAIKATO 9 9 9 LIONS LIONS LIONS 6 LIONS LIONS LIONS 9 9 9 LIONS LIONS LIONS 20 54 // DHL NEW ZEALAND LIONS SERIES 2017
GETTY IMAGES