Rugby: Falcon a contender for World Cup award

Tiaan Falcon is one of two Baby Blacks with a chance of winning the Player of the Tournament award. Photo/File

Hawke's Bay and Baby Blacks rugby pivot Tiaan Falcon has been nominated for the Under 20 World Cup Player of the Tournament award.

Should Magpie Falcon win the award it will be the ideal form of consolation for him missing out on the World Cup final which will see the Baby Blacks take on England in Georgia from 2am tomorrow. Falcon has been ruled out of the final with concussion collected from a knock he received during the Baby Blacks semifinal win against France on Wednesday.

Blues first five-eighth Stephen Perofeta, who played for the Blacks last year, arrived in Georgia on Friday and will start in the No 10 jersey tomorrow.

"Unfortunately, we had to rule Tiaan out of the final due to concussion which was really disappointing for both him and our whole squad. Luckily we have an awesome replacement in Stephen who played for the under-20s last year and brings a wealth of experience," Baby Blacks head coach and Magpies mentor Craig Philpott said.

Magpies No 8 Marino Mikaele-Tu'u and Hawke's Bay prop Pouri Rakete-Stones will both start for the Baby Blacks. The fourth Hawke's Bay Baby Black, prop Tim Farrell, returned home with an ankle injury earlier this month and began his comeback in impressive fashion for his Napier Technical club yesterday.

"The forwards selected have been rewarded for their consistent performances. Our scrum and lineout has been operating at close to 100 per dcent during the tournament so we need to reproduce that in the final," Philpott said.

"Our young men are excited to add to the legacy of the black jersey and perform well in the World Cup final," Philpott added.

Taranaki prop Alex Mitchell also joined the Baby Blacks on Friday as a replacement for Ryan Coxon.

Along with Falcon, Tasman fullback Will Jordan, is the other Baby Black who has been nominated for the Player of the Tournament award. The New Zealand team for the final is:
Will Jordan, Tima Faingaanuku, Braydon Ennor, Orbyn Leger, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta, Ereatara Enari, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Dalton Papali'i, Luke Jacobson (captain), Samuel Slade, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Asafo Aumua, Ezekiel Lindenmuth. Reserves: Forwards, JP Sauni, Harrison Allan, Alex Fidow, Sa Caird, Tom Christie; backs, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Tamati Tua, Josh McKay.