The coaches have named their teams for Round #2 that kicks-off on Tuesday May 6 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha.
The Pumitas, coached by Nicolás Fernández Miranda, will face New Zealand, who drew 29-29 with Australia in their first match. Los Pumitas lost to the hosts 25-36 in their debut match.
The last meeting between the two teams took place last year, in the first edition of the international tournament, where Los Pumitas lost to New Zealand 43-20. The New Zealanders were crowned champions.
Carlos Mohapp, one of the U20 national team coaches, spoke about how the team is approaching the upcoming match: “We're approaching it by looking at and analyzing what we were able to do against South Africa, trying to improve on all the shortcomings we had in the match. In terms of intensity, we're trying to sustain the intensity we were playing at times for much longer, continuing to do the things that went well, the back play, the wide play, the attacking play, it was really good. We're trying to improve the maul, which is a strength of this team and we want it to be present in this match, but the most important thing will be to sustain the intensity for the full 80 minutes and be much more present in our footwork, being able to get out of our own half more easily to put pressure on New Zealand.”
He also highlighted the team's objectives: " Our objective is to have a little more possession against this team. We know they can do a lot of damage with possession, so we're very comfortable with the ball, with our attacking play, with our attacking system, and we want to put it on the field much more. Also, apart from improving on what we did against South Africa, we want to continue to show the good things in attack, like the wide play and the pace of the game that we were able to bring at times."
Regarding the team's condition, he commented: "The team is doing very well, they're really eager. They realized they were in the match against South Africa for a long time and needed a little more time, a few more minutes on the pitch to be able to win the match. They're really looking forward to getting revenge, to showing they're competitive, that they're up to the task of this tournament, and to be able to have something a little better than last match."
Pumitas versus New Zealand U20
1 RODRIGUEZ, Juan Ignacio (RC High School – Cuyo)
2 CAMBIASSO , Nicolás (Buenos Aires – URBA)
3 GALVÁN, Gael (Pucará – URBA)
4 DUCLOS, Tomás (Los Tordos RC – Cuyo)
5 GARCÍA IANDOLINO, Álvaro (Los Tordos RC – Cuyo)
6 DANDE, Tomás (Huirapuca – Tucumán)
7 STOREY, Pampa (ALMOST URBAN)
8 GARCÍA CAMPOS, Agustín (BV Regattas – URBA)
9 CORLETO , Félix (CUBA – URBA)
10 FERNANDEZ MIRANDA, Ramón (Hindú – URBA)
11 ARRIETA, Martiniano (Universitario – Tucumán)
12 LEDESMA, Felipe (C) (SIC – URBA)
13 MALDONADO, Valentín (Universitario – Córdoba)
14 Races, Juan Ignacio (CUBA – URBA)
15 DUBUC, Sebastián (Hurling – URBA)
Replacements:
16 LEDESMA AROCENA, Tadeo (SIC- URBA)
17 CORREA, Diego (CAE – Entrerriana)
18 ORSETTI, Ignacio (Jockey Club – Rosario)
19 ANNAND, Jeremy (Belgrano Athletic – URBA)
20 BENÍTEZ, Franco (Club Tilcara – Entrerriana)
21 REGGIARDO, Valentino
22 SENILLOSA , Pascal (Hindu – URBA)
23 COLL, Pedro (Tigres RC – Salta)
Following a 29-29 draw with trans-Tasman rivals Australia, New Zealand U20 Head Coach Milton Haig has named a new-look team to take on Argentina (Tuesday 6 May – 2:00pm SAST | Wednesday 7 May – 12:00am NZT).
Super Rugby U20 Player of the Tournament Eli Oudenryn has been named in the match-day 23. He is joined by Charlie Sinton, a standout during the Chiefs’ senior squad pre-season, who recorded the fastest time in the team’s bronco fitness test.
Manawatū’s Mosese Bason will assume the captaincy for this match, following in the footsteps of his brother Vernon, who led the side in 2024.
New Zealand U20 versus Pumitas
1 Sika Pole
2 Eli Oudenryn
3 Riley Tofilau
4 Xavier Treacy
5 Josh Tengblad
6 Finn McLeod
7 Caleb Woodley
8 Mosese Bason (c)
9 Charlie Sinton
10 Will Cole
11 David Lewai
12 Tayne Harvey
13 Cooper Roberts
14 Maloni Kunawave
15 Stanley Solomon (vc)
Replacements:
16 Shaun Kempton
17 Tamiano Ahloo
18 Robson Faleafā
19 Harry Irving
20 Micah Fale
21 Jai Tamati
22 Rico Simpson
23 Taniela Maisiri
