LIVE SCORES | ||
|---|---|---|
| International rugby league | ||
| Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong | ||
| Match time: Fulltime | ||
| Junior Kangaroos | vs | France |
| 62 | Score | 4 |
| 12 | Tries | 1 |
| 7 | Conversions | 0 |
| 0 | Penalty goals | 0 |
| 0 | Field goals | 0 |
A changed format for the Junior Kangaroos will come into force on Friday to kick-off a huge triple-header of international rugby league as they take on France in Wollongong. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 3:10pm (AEDT).
The Junior Kangaroos have traditionally been an under-20s set-up, however, they have shifted to under-23s this year, creating a virtual Australia A team.
Instead of fringe first grade players leading a side of reserve grade and youth competition talent, it’s proven first graders everywhere you look, and as a result, it’s hardly a surprise to learn the Junior Kangaroos are heavy favourites to beat a French side without some of their big names.
The Junior Kangaroos will be led by Kalyn Ponga and Brodie Croft in the halves, while the spine is rounded out by the exciting Ryan Papenhuyzen and Reed Mahoney.
The second row is fearsome, with Angus Crichton and David Fifita both having Origin experience already under their respective belts,and Victor Radley lining up in an exciting middle third with Thomas Flegler and Corey Horsburgh in the front row.
The outside backs also have plenty of talent, with this year’s new big winger Reuben Garrick included, while the bench is a look at some of the brightest up and coming talent, including Melbourne’s Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Canberra’s Emre Guler, while AJ Brimson could bully tired French defenders as the utility at the back end.
The Junior Aussies will be confident, but can’t afford to take the French lightly, despite the fact captain Jason Baiteri has pulled out of the game over a ‘lack of professionalism’ and others, like the rumoured to be NRL bound Tony Gigot, have pulled out.
Still, they are led by Lucas Albert and Hakim Miloudi in the halves, while Gavin Marguerite is an exciting winger who could give Garrick nightmares, and the combination of Vincent Albert and Paul Marcon on the other side of the park will be dangerous as well.
The big problem for France will be having an even share of possession and territory to get the ball out wide and let their wingers have a chance to make things happen.
For that tobe a possibility, Charles Bouzinac must match the game of Reed Mahoney at hooker, and Romain Navarrete has to put in a huge performance in leading an undermanned pack.
Prediction
The Junior Kangaroos have class all over the park, and no matter which way you spin it, they should emerge with a heavy victory here.
Junior Kangaroos by 22.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the Junior Kangaroos and France from 3:10pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Kick-off: 3:10pm (AEDT)
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
TV: N/A
Online: Live, NRL.com
Referee: Grant Atkins
Junior Kangaroos
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. Campbell Graham, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. Zac Lomax, 5. Reuben Garrick, 6. Kalyn Ponga, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Corey Horsburgh, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Thomas Flegler, 11. David Fifita, 12. Angus Crichton, 13. Victor Radley
Interchange: 14. AJ Brimson, 15. Nat Butcher, 16. Emre Guler, 17. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 18. Gehamat Shibasaki
France
1. Thomas Lasvenes, 2. Gavin Marguerite, 3. Arthur Romano, 4. Vincent Albert, 5. Paul Marcon, 6. Hakim Miloudi, 7. Lucas Albert, 8. Maxime Puech, 9. Charles Bouzinac, 10. Lambert Belmas, 11. Paul Seguier, 12. Jordan Dezaria, 13. Romain Navarrete
Interchange: 14. Mathieu Jussaume, 15. Bastien Canet, 16. Arnaud Bartes, 17. Justin Sangare, 18. Joan Guasch, 19. Arthur Mourgues, 20. Louis Jouffret, 21. Matthieu Khedimi
Craig Feild
Guest
Oh dear! ???????? God Love International Rugby League
Big Daddy
Guest
Couldn't agree more. While these matches are great for the international calendar it shows the huge gap between Australia,England, New Zealand and the rest of the world. Maybe playing against a Canterbury Cup side or Ron Massey the result will probably be the same. How demoralizing for the French.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, thanks for joining me here on The Roar for the first game of this international rugby league triple-header as the Junior Kangaroos smoked France. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. I'll be back in about half an hour ahead of the 5:40pm (AEDT) kick-off in the Jillaroos vs Kiwi Ferns match, so be sure to join me again then. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
A dominant performance in the end from the Junior Kangaroos, but probably not one which wasn't expected. The forwads laid the platform, with Corey Horsburgh and Thomas Flegler laying the platform for the Aussies to go big, and the likes of Brodie Croft and Ryan Papenhuyzen making the most of their opportunities. A 42-0 scoreline at halftime had the game already over, and while the Kangaroos weren't as good in the second half, there are still plenty of players running around today who can expect to be in the senior Kangaroos side in the years to come. Junior Kangaroos 62 France 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME This should be the final set of the game now as Graham brings it away for the Aussies, then they swing it to Fifita who is hit solidly by the defence. Flegler now across to the right, then a long ball finds Lomax and his pass for Garrick ends up in touch. That'll be that in Wollongong. Junior Kangaroos 62 France 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
79' - France now plugging it out of their own end again, and a couple of offloads here as they try to play expansive footy, Marguerite finding some space for a moment, before Levanes is tackled. Back across to the right now, and a grubber goes through, but Brimson comes up with it. Junior Kangaroos 62 France 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
78' - France with a last chance for points, starting this set 30 out. They start through Seguier, then take it through Jussaume. Ball to ground on the left now, and Garrick runs onto it, going flying up the sideline, but it's a great chase from Marguerite who forces a kick ahead which ends up over the sideline. Junior Kangaroos 62 France 4
Hippy
Roar Rookie
Would have enjoyed watching, but , no TV coverage.
Scott Pryde
Expert
77' - Good speed here from Miloudi as he goes running sideways, then back the other, but can't get out of the red zone in the end. Back to the middle through Romano and Marcon, before there is a penalty in the ruck on halfway. Junior Kangaroos 62 France 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
76' - Good set each way, and France now have to bring it off their own line again. Junior Kangaroos 62 France 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
74' - The Aussies bring it back through Crichton and Guler, then it's Flegler back out there as well as he pushed to halfway. Inside ball now for Ponga and he was almost away, before they swing it left and Brimson puts an early grubber away, not played at by France, and they will have the scrum feed. Junior Kangaroos 62 France 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
73' - CONVERSION MISSED by REUBEN GARRICK Junior Kangaroos 62 France 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
71' - TRY AUSTRALIA, CAMPBELL GRAHAM Into the final ten minutes here. Brian Kelly almost breaks through for the Aussies, then it's Mahoney up to halfway as he goes from dummy half. Croft now to the right and he passes inside to Crichton who is tackled. Back to the left now and it's Graham over for a hat-trick. Lovely run from the inside to break the line from Brimson, and Graham scores. Junior Kangaroos 62 France 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
70' - Ponga goes for a short drop out, but puts it into useless territory, about 30 metres out as France bring it back onto the attack through Albert. Miloudi now almost through the line, then a ball finds the ground and they have to go backwards to recover. Left now as Canet sets the radar, before a forward pass is thrown. Junior Kangaroos 58 France 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
69' - France now with a good set, and a kick at the end will force a drop out. Junior Kangaroos 58 France 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
68' - The Aussies bringing it away through their outside backs, then it's off to the left and David Fifita is up and over halfway. Forward pass out of dummy half to Horsburgh now. Junior Kangaroos 58 France 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
67' - And France now with a turnover as they approach the 20-metre line. Junior Kangaroos 58 France 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
66' - David Fifita is back out there as well, so that's good to see. Junior Kangaroos 58 France 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
66' - The French now working it out of their own end, but struggling for metres here, going side to side as Miloudi takes tackle four and wins a penalty. Junior Kangaroos 58 France 4