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NZ Under 21 Trial Match at MURFC |
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Written by Site Admin
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Tuesday, 23 May 2006 |
New Zealand under-21 side should be a potent attacking force at the world championships in France next month judging by its final trial game at Massey University's Rugby Institute yesterday.
On the eve of coach Greg Cooper naming his final squad of 26 players today, the Probables side clocked up eight tries on the way to a comfortable 56-19 win against a Possible XV.
One of the players in the beaten Possibles side was Varsity lock Leon Power, who came on at halftime when his side was already 21-5 down.
Power claimed several good line-out takes during his 40-minute run and played a part in his side's revival in the final quarter when they matched the Probables two tries apiece.
But the game was already over as a contest after a third 20-minute quarter in which the Probables stretched out to a 42-5 lead.
 This was courtesy of two tries in quick succession to Probables left wing James Somerset after he was put in space and out-paced the Possibles' covering defence.It completed Somerset's hat-trick after he opened the scoring in the 12th minute when given a clear run down the touchline.
Dotting down for a further two tries either side of halftime was Chiefs development squad member and Probables right win Lelia Masaga.
The majority of the Probables' eight converted tries were either the result of midfield breaks or from around the fringes of rucks close to the Possibles' line.
Splitting the Possibles defence wide open on numerous occasions was Probables second five-eighth Aaron Bancroft, while centre Richard Kahui proved just as elusive.
Kahui's Highlanders team-mate Willie Ripia also had a strong game at first five-eighth, choosing the right times to kick or set free his outside backs.
Amongst the standouts in the Probables forwards was Hurricanes squad member Serge Lilo, who found good support in his other loose-forwards Solomon King (Bay of Plenty) and Kieran Read (Counties-Manukau).
Of the other Possibles players, Blues squad member Onosai'i Tololima-Auva'a was industrious at openside, while replacement halfback Albey Mathewson capped off a good second half with a late consolation try.
A total of 46 players took part a five-day camp at the Institue before yesterday's match.
New Zealand is seeded third for the under-21 world champs in France from June 9-25 behind South Africa and Australia.
Probables 56 (James Somerset 3, Lelia Masaga 2, Michael Paterson, Matt Holloway, Kieran Read tries; Miah Nikora 4, Willie Ripia 4 cons)
Possibles 19 (Robbie Flynn, Phillip Burleigh, Albey Mathewson tries; Luke Devcich, Mathewson cons) HT 21-5.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 25 May 2006 )
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