By CHRIS RATTUE
For some in the New Zealand Colts, tomorrow's international under-21 rugby final against South Africa will have elements of a grudge match.
While for many in the New Zealand side it will be the biggest match so far in young careers, five of this year's squad will be looking for revenge after losing to the South Africans in the final in Argentina last year.
Captain and first five-eighths Aaron Mauger, plus Orene Ai'i, Ben Blair, Josh Blackie and Carl Hayman are the survivors from the squad who played in the final in front of a few thousand people at a 10,000-capacity stadium in Buenos Aires.
The Tony Gilbert-coached New Zealand side squandered a 12-point lead, with South Africa scoring the match-winning try and conversion at the end of extra time to win 27-25.
"For a few of us I suppose there's a bit of a grudge - we'd like to turn the tables," said Mauger yesterday.
"It was quite a long injury time, about eight minutes, although there were a few stoppages and I suppose the referee had a fair idea of what the correct time was."
South Africa also have a couple of survivors from that match but in terms of the make-up of the two sides, New Zealand have a distinct advantage in experience.
While the home side have a liberal sprinkling of players from the Super 12 and NPC championship, the South African side have just a few players with experience in the third-level Vodacom Cup.
Both sides watched videotapes of their final opponents yesterday and were also buoyed by the news that the game is still scheduled to be held at Eden Park.
The heavy rain in Auckland yesterday meant there was a possibility the game would be shifted to preserve the playing surface for the test between the All Blacks and Scotland.
Organisers said that unless there were "monsoon conditions," the game would still be the curtainraiser to the test.
But the weather has forced the other under-21 playoff games to be moved to the Marist grounds next to North Harbour Stadium, where the tournament has been staged.
The grand final certainly deserves a stage like Eden Park.
As South African coach Eric Sauls said yesterday: "When any game is between New Zealand and South Africa, the players lift one or two levels.
"It is about tradition and what is in your heart."
Curtainraisers were, of course, an integral part of great rugby occasions in the past. They have been replaced by all manner of alleged pre-match entertainment in recent years.
On the evidence of the Scottish senior tour so far, it may well be that the curtainraiser will provide a more thrilling contest than the main game tomorrow.
Rugby: Revenge is on minds of five U-21 survivors
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.