2017 World Rugby Under 20 Trophy – Preview

The 10th edition of the World Rugby Under 20 Trophy will be played over the coming weeks. Montevideo and Punta del Este are the host cities for the tournament, a competition involving eight countries from around the world.

Taking place from August 29 to September 10, countries from all of World Rugby’s regions will compete. Africa are represented though Namibia, Asia through both Hong Kong and Japan, Europe has Portugal, Oceania has Fiji and North America’s qualifier is Canada. Lastly, from South America both Chile and Uruguay are to be involved.

Hosts Uruguay qualified automatically while Japan’s participation was via being relegated from the Junior World Championship. The six remaining competitors all secured their places through regional qualifiers.

The format for the competition involves two pools of four. The countries are to all be ranked to then compete in the play-off’s. The pools are as follows:

POOL A	POOL B
Canada	Fiji
Chile	Hong Kong
Japan	Portugal
Namibia	Uruguay

Uruguay
In 2016 Uruguay finished 6th, losing 32-30 against the USA in the 5th place final. In earlier matches Los Teritos had performed well, making their final place finish lower than their potential. With home advantage this year the team may have the means of going all the way. Uruguay’s wins over Fiji and Portugal in the 2015 edition make a compelling case to suggest Uruguay can win Pool B. Wins are plausible over all pool opponents.

Prospects: 2nd

Canada
Back in the mix after missing out in 2016, Canada will be looking to make their presence felt. The North Americans have a group in which they will be aiming to do well in. Wins are expected against both Chile and Namibia with Japan representing the toughest assignment in the pool stage. When the teams met in 2014, Japan powered to a 37-12 victory. Depending on results in Pool B, Canada can expected to face either Fiji or Uruguay in the final place play-off series.

Prospects: 4th

Chile
With the tournament being hosted by a Sudamérica Rugby union, Chile is back competing. Chile’s last appearance was in 2013 when the South Americans did very well to finish 3rd. Chile was also the host nation that year, becoming the first country to host the tournament twice. Chile recorded wins over Namibia and Portugal in the pool stage before downing Japan 38-35 in the Bronze Final. With others having had more opportunities in subsequent years a repeat looms as unlikely for the Chileans.

Prospects: 7th

Fiji
Having finished 3rd in 2016 and 5th in 2015, Fiji will be wanting the trend to continue of finishing two places higher again this year. At u20 level Fiji is not the same force as it is at the senior men’s level. Losses over the past two years have come against Georgia, Samoa, Uruguay and the USA. Fiji exacted revenge over Uruguay for the 2015 result by winning a thriller 38-34 in 2016. Their match on September 02 promises to be one of the highlights of the pool stage.

Prospects: 3rd

Hong Kong
Hong Kong defeated Zimbabwe 44-40 in the 7th play-play-off a year ago to avoid the wooden spoon. Prior to that Hong Kong finished 8th in 2015 and 2014 tournaments. Past performances point to Hong Kong as being a lower table performer in Uruguay. Gaining a win in pool play looms as highly demanding.

Prospects: 8th

Japan
Relegated from the Junior World Championship in 2016, Japan is looking to bounce back and compete at the top. The Asians have a winnable pool and a clear path to the title. The 29-12 win over Samoa in 2015 is a strong indication of Japan’s credentials. Indeed in this year’s Junior World Championship Samoa pushed both Australia and Argentina. Japan also enters the competition with a solid junior program.

Prospects: Champions

Namibia
Namibia has been a regular in the World Rugby Under 20 Trophy but has not stepped up on the podium. In 2016 Namibia was 4th. In prior years the team has finished 5th, 6th and 8th. Achieving a Top 3 or better performance this year will require multiple wins in the pool stage. Opponents Canada, Chile and Japan are all going to ask a lot of the Africans though Namibia ought to come out with one win and go on to compete in the 5th place final.

Prospects: 5th

Portugal
Europe’s one competitor is back after missing out in 2016. Spain took the spot last year and went on to reach the final. Portugal’s participation in previous years included a 47-21 hammering of Hong Kong in 2015 and a 26-17 win over Namibia in 2013. The Europeans have a pool this year in which targeting a win is therefore very plausible. More than one is also a real possibility.

Prospects: 6th

DATE	KICK-OFF	FIXTURE	VENUE
August 29	10am	Canada vs Namibia	Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo
August 29	12pm	Uruguay vs Portugal	Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo
August 29	2pm	Chile vs Japan	Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo
August 29	4pm	Fiji vs Hong Kong	Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo
September 02	10am	Hong Kong vs Portugal	Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo
September 02	12pm	Chile vs Namibia	Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo
September 02	2pm	Canada vs Japan	Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo
September 02	4pm	Uruguay vs Fiji	Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo
September 06	11:30am	Canada vs Chile	Estadio Domingo Burgueño, Punta del Este
September 06	1:30pm	Uruguay vs Hong Kong	Estadio Domingo Burgueño, Punta del Este
September 06	3:30pm	Fiji vs Portugal	Estadio Domingo Burgueño, Punta del Este
September 06	5:30pm	Japan vs Namibia	Estadio Domingo Burgueño, Punta del Este