On the eve of World Rugby U20 Trophy 2016, we take a look a look at some of the key facts and figures surrounding this year’s eight participants.
We take a look at the eight sides who will compete in World Rugby U20 Trophy 2016, starting with Pool A which features the hosts Zimbabwe, Fiji and two former winners in Samoa and Uruguay.
POOL A
ZIMBABWE
Best finish: 7th
Worst finish: 8th
U20 Trophy match record: Played 12 / Won 2 / Draw 1 / Lost 9
U20 Trophy points/tries scored: 296 / 16
U20 graduates: 15
Most capped U20 graduate: Charles Jiji, 11
Did you know …? Zimbabwe hold the record for most points scored in a losing cause with 45 v Canada in 2012 (L 66-45)
Coach: Brendon Brider
Captain: Connor Pritchard
One to Watch: Lebogang Ngwenya
A hooker/flanker who could make a name for himself over the next fortnight, and not just because he shares the same surname as the unrelated USA Eagles speedster, Takudzwa. Once clocked at 11.3 seconds for the 100 metres, West Virginia-based Ngwenya fits the modern-day mould of the mobile hooker who is comfortable with ball in hand.
FIJI
Best finish: 5th
Worst finish: –
U20 Trophy match record: Played 4 / Won 2 / Lost 2
U20 Trophy points/tries scored: 109 / 16
U20 graduates: 0 (14 through the U20 Championship)
Most capped U20 graduate: –
Did you know …? Last year’s World Rugby U20 Trophy in Portugal was the first time Fiji had competed outside of the top tier of U20 competition.
Coach: Salimoni Ravouvou
Captain: Filimoni Savou
One to Watch: Lorenzo Mario
A powerfully-built Australian-based front-row forward with maternal links to Fiji. Can play hooker or prop and was recently selected by Western Force U20s.
SAMOA
Best finish: Winners (2011)
Worst finish: –
U20 Trophy match record: Played 4 / Won 4
U20 Trophy points/tries scored: 166 / 26
U20 graduates: 4 (plus 23 from U20 Championship)
Most capped U20 graduate: Viliamu Afatia (14)
Did you know … ? Samoan winger Robert Lilomaiava is the tournament’s all-time top try-scorer with nine – all at World Rugby U20 Trophy 2011. Lilomaiava went on to play twice for the senior Samoan team, scoring four tries on debut against Canada.
Coach: Ramsey Tomokino
Captain: Jarred Adams
One to Watch: Uini Fetalaiga
Tenacious New Zealand-based flanker who represented Samoa at the World Rugby U20 Championship and the Oceania Rugby U20 Championship in 2015. Voted Counties Manakau U19 Player of the Year in October last year.
URUGUAY
Best finish: Winners (2008)
Worse finish: 7th (2013)
U20 Trophy match record: Played 24 / Won 14 / Draw 1 / Lost 9
U20 Trophy points / tries scored: 663 / 76
U20 graduates: 44 (+5 from the U20 Championship)
Most capped U20 graduate: Diego Magno, 55 tests
Did you know … ? Uruguay have scored more points in the Trophy through kicks (333) than tries (330), although the 15 tries they managed in last year’s event was their best return since winning the inaugural competition in 2008.
Coach: Guillermo Storace
Captain: Augustin Ortas
One to Watch: Iñaki Ormaechea
Third of the Ormaechea brothers to play in the U20 Trophy after flanker Juan Diego (14 tests) was in the title-winning side of 2008 and scrum-half Agustín (28 tests, including four at RWC 2015) played in Tbilisi in 2011. Regular in midfield during the triumphant South American U19 Championship-winning campaign.
POOL B
HONG KONG
Best finish: N/A
Worst finish: 8th (2014 & 2015)
U20 Trophy match record: Played 8 / Won 0 / Lost 8
U20 Trophy points / tries scored: 119 / 12
U20 graduates: 0
Most capped U20 graduate: N/A
Did you know … ? Head coach Pete Drewett coached England U21s to two Six Nations Grand Slams in 2004 & 2006
Coach: Pete Drewett
Captain: Pierce West
One to Watch: Hugo Stiles
A sure-footed, goal-kicking scrum-half who slotted 23 of his 26 attempts at goal in last year’s Asia U19 title-winning campaign. Appearing in his third World Rugby U20 Trophy tournament.
NAMIBIA
Best finish: 5th
Worst finish: 8th
U20 Trophy match record: Played 20 / Won 7 / Lost 13
U20 Trophy points / tries scored: 551 / 71
U20 graduates: 16
Most capped U20 graduate: Chrysander Botha, 38
Did you know … ? With 77 tries to their name Namibia are the highest try scorers in the Trophy amongst this year’s participants. Georgia hold the all-time record with 90.
Coach: Roger Thompson
Captain: Cameron Langenhoven
One to Watch: Henrique Olivier
Provides a running threat as well as points from the tee with his trusty left boot. Trained with the Welwitschias in the build-up to RWC 2015 and has Vodacom Cup experience. Started three games at last year’s tournament.
SPAIN (debut tournament)
Best finish: –
Worst finish: –
U20 Trophy match record: –
U20 Trophy points / tries scored: –
U20 graduates: –
Most capped U20 graduate: –
Did you know … ? Pere Fernandez of Valladolid Rugby Association Club is the only player to be selected from the top two teams in Spain’s domestic league, División de Honor.
Coach: Santiago Santos
Captain: Jon Zabala
One to Watch: Jordi Jorba Jorge
Lively winger who can also play centre. Was an ever-present for Spain in last year’s Rugby Europe U19 Championship win. Not yet turned 19, Jorba Jorge plays his club rugby for Perpignan U22s.
USA
Best finish: Winners (2012)
Worst finish: 7th ((2011)
U20 Trophy match record: Played 16 / Won 10 / Lost 6
U20 Trophy points / tries scored: 467 points / 57
U20 graduates: 11 (+ 10 from the Championship)
Most capped U20 graduate: Cam Dolan, 20
Did you know … ? USA Men’s Eagles Sevens captain Madison Hughes is third highest points scorer in the history of the Trophy with 82, putting him behind Revaz Jinchvelashvili of Georgia and Japan’s Rikiya Matsuda OFJAP
Coach: JD Stephenson
Captain: Hanco Germishuys
One to Watch: Lorenzo Thomas
Strong-running centre who was capped twice by the US Eagles during the inaugural Americas Rugby Championship, scoring a try on debut against Chile at Fort Lauderdale.
