All Blacks Sevens pair Lasaqa and Tocker retain starts as New Zealand U20s target Scotland

Kele Lasaqa and Bradley Tocker have retained their starting berths for New Zealand U20s’ second match of the World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia, after the pair helped the Junior All Blacks overcome Japan 38-21 in their tournament opener. Tocker, who lines up at blindside flanker, crossed for a try in the win, while Lasaqa featured on the wing. Their next opponents are Scotland.

The U20 Championship has provided a prominent stage for sevens specialists during the SVNS World Series offseason, with several circuit regulars making their mark in the longer format across the opening weekend.

In Pool A, Junior Springboks flyhalf Luan Giliomee — a Blitzboks regular — was central to South Africa’s 104-7 demolition of Uruguay, kicking three conversions and setting up multiple tries. He has been rewarded with a move to flyhalf for the defending champions’ second match against hosts Georgia.

Uruguay’s Joaquin Fresnedo, a versatile sevens utility back, is set to start at outside centre as his side look to respond against Wales. In Pool D, Australian sevens breakout Wallace Charlie is in line for his first start of the tournament, moving into the fullback jersey for Australia’s clash with Fiji after coming off the bench in their 90-22 opening win over Spain.

Beyond the U20 Championship, the World Rugby Nations Cup has also drawn a significant number of sevens players back into the fifteen-a-side game. Spain have included Jeremy Trevithick and Jaime Manteca in their squad as they prepare to face Canada, Tonga, and the United States. Uruguay have recalled Joaquín Suárez, Juan Gonzalez, and Ignacio Rodriguez, who featured during recent end-of-year test matches ahead of a campaign against Georgia, Romania, and Hong Kong China.

Samoa will be headlined by Taunu’u Niulevaea and Va’a Apelu Maliko as they travel to Chile and Uruguay for matches against Hong Kong China, Georgia, and Romania. Tonga, too, have leaned on their sevens alumni, with former circuit star Fine Inisi among those involved.

With the Nations Championship also set to get underway and domestic competitions continuing worldwide, the coming weeks will offer a clear picture of how the game’s sevens talent is translating to the wider rugby landscape.