New Zealand U20 v England U20 - JWC Semi Final Preview

U20 Six Nations Champions England Face the Baby Blacks Tonight

England's junior side face the Baby Black's at 7:45 tonight in a match which is sure to be the biggest game of many of these young players lives. England have played two and a half good games of rugby, losing their second game in their group against South Africa having surrendered a 16 point lead in the first half. If they play to their potential, they are sure to give the Baby Black's a real test. The All Black's like their senior side really are the runaway favourites for this game. Having defeated Australia, Ireland and a physical Fiji side New Zealand play with the fluid offloading game seen in the dominating senior side. Look out for openisde Ardie Savea, brother of Hurricanes player and full international Julien, who is both a try scorer and amazing at the break down.

Key Players

England

At fly half the Exeter Chief Henry Slade needs a big game, against South Africa he played too deep and kicked to the impressive South African back three, doing this against New Zealand will allow Savea to steal ball and runners in the back three such as Fa'asiu Fuatai to really motor. England's danger men will also need to have a big game, Bath wing Anthony Watson and Exeter full back Jack Nowell are fast strong runners and with ball in hand could be a real challenge for the Baby Blacks. Finally Jack Clifford returns from a rest on the bench following England's 109-0 win over the USA. Captain Clifford is England's prime ball carrier and has shown against France when he finds himself in space has the ability to get over the whitewash.

New Zealand

To be brutally honest, the whole Kiwi team is dangerous, the back three is strong and the forward pack can be dominant and subtle. But this side revives around Ardie Savea the already Super Rugby capped flanker who score against Fiji with New Zealand's first touch in the tournament. If England can stop this talismanic openside the New Zealand game may begin to falter and reference points could be lost. Even if Savea is stopped the Kiwi's are filled with quality with Jason Emery at outside centre another to watch.

Prediction

This game will be close, but the Baby Blacks have already proven themselves to win games at the toughest level. Finalists in every year and having won the trophy every year except the last, England will need a monumental performance to displace the Baby Black's from their dominant position.

Baby Blacks by 10-12

Betting (Paddy Power) - New Zealand 1/3 England 9/4

Teams

England 15 Jack Nowell, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Harry Sloan, 12 Sam Hill, 11 Ben Howard, 10 Henry Slade, 9 Alex Day, 8 Jack Clifford (c), 7 Matt Hankin, 6 Ross Moriarty, 5 Dominic Barrow, 4 Elliot Stooke, 3 Scott Wilson, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Danny Hobbes-Awoyemi

Replacements 16 Scott Spurling, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Tom Smallbone, 19 Tom Price, 20 David Sisi, 21 Callum Braley, 22 Ollie Devoto, 23 Henry Purdy 

New Zealand 15 Joseph Webber, 14 Lolagi Visinia, 13 Jason Emery, 12 Michael Collins, 11 Fa'asiu Fautai, 10 Simon Hickey, 9 Tayler Adams, 8 Adam Burn, 7 Ardie Savea (c), 6 Joseph Edwards, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 Epalahame Faivaikato, 1 Donald Brighthouse

Replacements: 16 Nick Grogan, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18-Christopher Vui, 19 Jordan Manihera, 20 Teihorangi Walden, 21 Sheridan Rangihuna, 22 Jade Te Rure, 23 Boyd Wiggins