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[Article]Where are they now?

  • 07-07-2005 8:28am
    #1
    RuggieBear
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,958 ✭✭✭✭


    Apologies if this has been posted before (I have a very bad memory)

    It's a very interesting comparison of the carreer path of the 2 u/21 teams (NZ and Ireland) which contested the final at last years worldcup and also mentions a few other countries players who have come through.

    Tbh, there are a couple of reasons why kiwi's come thru quicker....the maori and islander blooded youngster tend to be physically fully developed at 18 compared to 23 for the anglosaxon/celtic/white blooded young'uns.


    Anyway tis a good read:

    http://www.uafc.co.uk/where.htm


Comments

  • #2
    Snickers Man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,301 ✭✭✭Snickers Man


    Perennial problem with Irish sport. Back in 1997 the Irish under 20 soccer team came third in the World Cup, losing out in the semi finals to Argentina who went on to win it. As far as I know, only two of that team went on to become full Irish internationals.

    One was Damien Duff, the other was Glenn Crowe.

    Most of that team now play, if they're playing at all, in the League of Ireland. There was a full back who played for Millwall and a guy called Neal Fenn who played for Spurs before they sold him to Peterborough or somewone like that.

    Rugby has done a little better, but with only three proper professional teams it's hard to make room for all the bright young things coming through. Still, with the number of players leaving Leinster, there's bound to be a few vacancies coming through.

    One other thing though: is the NPC in New Zealand professional? Most of their team were playing in the NPC but only a few had Super 12 contracts. Maybe we're not that far behind.


  • #3
    zAbbo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,987 ✭✭✭✭zAbbo


    Read it a while back, was very interesting


  • #4
    MG
    Closed Accounts Posts: 823 ✭✭✭MG


    Snickers Man wrote:

    One other thing though: is the NPC in New Zealand professional? Most of their team were playing in the NPC but only a few had Super 12 contracts. Maybe we're not that far behind.

    This is where I'd like to see a super 10 or 12 AIL equivilent to the NPC and let the younger players develop here at a more competitive level than AIL Div 2.

    Unfortunately, there are two many club tie men in the IRFU to see this happen. Ever read the IRFU strategic plan? What a crock. Full of targets and no mention of how to achieve them.


  • #5
    KnowItAll
    Closed Accounts Posts: 348 ✭✭KnowItAll


    Interesting. That should be a wake up call to the IRFU. The IRFU need to blood players younger at the top level.

    I think though in fairness to the IRFU, rugby is developing and changing all the time in terms of how its run in this country. They have just signed an Aussie (Steve Anderson) to see the development of young players so that is a good step.


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