Latest news with #DylanPledger
RNZ News
13 hours ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
NZ edge Italy in opening match at World Rugby under-20 Championship
New Zealand's under-20 captain Manumaua Letiu playing against Australia earlier this year. Photo: Photosport New Zealand has hung on to win their opening match at the men's World Rugby under-20 Championship beating hosts Italy 14-5 in stifling heat in Calvisano, northern Italy. In temperatures of 30 degrees plus, New Zealand scored first going up 7-nil inside the opening 10 minutes with a try to skipper and hooker Manumaua Letiu. They extended the lead to 14-nil just before halftime when halfback Dylan Pledger scored, bursting clear from the base of a ruck just outside the 22 metre mark. Italy however bounced back early in the second half with an unconverted try to narrow the gap to 14-5. That was all the scoring for the remainder of the match as both sides made numerous errors and found the going tough in the heat. New Zealand's next pool game is against Georgia on Saturday morning. New Zealand last won the under-20 title in 2017. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Three Landers players named to NZ U20
Three players from the Highlanders development ranks have been named in the New Zealand under-20 game day squad for their opening match against Italy in South Africa on Monday morning New Zealand time. Highlanders and Otago halfback Dylan Pledger has been selected to start in the No 9 jersey, while midfielder Tayne Harvey and Southland hooker Shaun Kempton will start from the bench. Promising lock Josh Tengblad is in the squad but has not been selected for the opening game of New Zealand's campaign to claim the world title for the first time since 2017. The powerful loose forward trio of Finn McLeod, Caleb Woodley, and Mosese Bason remains together following their performances in May, when New Zealand triumphed over South Africa to win the Under-20 Rugby Championship. A refreshed backline sees Stanley Solomon shift from fullback to wing, where he will join forces with sevens standout Frank Vaenuku, adding pace and flair to the outside channels. World Rugby U20 Champs Monday, 6:30am NZT New Zealand under-20s: Rico Simpson, Frank Vaenuku, Cooper Roberts, Jack Wiseman, Stanley Solomon, Will Cole, Dylan Pledger, Mosese Bason, Caleb Woodley, Finn McLeod, Jayden Sa, Xavier Treacy, Logan Wallace, Manumaua Letiu (captain), Sika Pole. Reserves: Shaun Kempton, Dane Johnston, Robson Faleafa, Randall Baker, Micah Fale, Jai Tamati, Tayne Harvey, Harlyn Saunoa. — APL
