Rugby: Falcon to start for Baby Blacks in opener

Starting Pivot: Tiaan Falcon (front) with Baby Blacks head coach Craig Philpott and prop Pouri Rakete-Stones. Photo/File

Before the Baby Blacks left for Georgia head coach Craig Philpott labelled Magpies rugby pivot Tiaan Falcon the best 10 in the country in his age group.

That was on the back of Falcon's commanding form as the New Zealanders won the Oceania under-20 tournament with convincing wins against Fiji, Samoa and Australia during late April and earlier this month. Falcon, 19, will have the ideal opportunity to enhance that label when he starts for the Baby Blacks against Scotland in their World Championship opener in Georgia tonight.

There's no doubt Scotland have the potential to be a step up from the level of competition the Aussies, Fiji and Samoa provided for the Baby Blacks. But Philpott is confident Clive's Falcon will handle the assignment.

"Tiaan has had a season in the Mitre 10 Cup ... he is used to pressure," Philpott said.

Philpott's decision to play Falcon at second five-eighth for the Magpies last year was beneficial to Falcon as it helped improve his defensive play. This aspect of his repertoire is now almost as sharp as his tactical kicking and goalkicking which was top shelf on the Gold Coast.

Falcon is the only one of four Bay players in the Baby Blacks who will start tonight. Magpies loosie Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, who was a member of the 2016 team which finished fifth in Manchester, and prop Tim Farrell are on the subs bench while Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports prop Pouri Rakete-Stones missed out on the 23.

Farrell will be eligible for the Baby Blacks again next year and his selection for tonight's game is an indication he is continuing to exceed expectations during trainings as he did on the Gold Coast. Mikaele-Tu'u injured one of his big toes during the buildup to the Oceania tournament final against the Aussies and missed the game.

Expect him to make up for lost time when Philpott gives him the nod for a shift tonight. If Philpott needs to give Mikaele-Tu'u some motivation he only needs to remind him about how well his rivals for a Magpies berth, Joseph Penitito and Kaleb Sweet are playing for their respective Napier Old Boys Marist and Napier Technical clubs.

Philpott, who had an assistant coach role with the team last year, said it was a tough task selecting his first 23 to take on Scotland.

"All 28 guys in our squad have earned the right to wear the black jersey, so there was a lot of discussion around our selection. We have chosen an experienced team to kick off the tournament.

"We expect Scotland to be direct, physical and passionate on both attack and defence, so we have picked our team accordingly.

"Obviously, we want to make a good start to the tournament. It's been the best part of three weeks since the Oceania Championships, so we want to get back up to where we were at that tournament in terms of our attack and defence."

The Baby Blacks should have too much class for the Scottish team. Fullback Will Jordan and second five-eighth Orbyn Leger were full of authority in Aussie and if they can repeat that form the Scottish defensive systems will be stretched.

Captain and No 8 Luke Jacobson and openside flanker Tom Christie only need slight pieces of freedom to cause havoc. The Baby Blacks' depth is phenomenal.

Farrell and fellow prop Alex Fidow won't allow the dominance levels to slip and the likes of halfback Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, midfield back Thomas Umaga-Jensen and outside back Caleb Clarke, a son of former All Black Eroni Clarke, will provide plenty of spark off the pine.

The New Zealand team for tonight is:
Will Jordan, Josh McKay, Braydon Ennor, Orbyn Leger, Tima Faingaanuku, Tiaan Falcon, Ereatara Enari (vice-captain), Luke Jacobson (captain), Tom Christie, Dalton Papalii, Samuel Slade, Isaia Walker Leawere, Ryan Coxon, Asafo Aumua, Ezekiel Lindenmuth. Substitutes: Forwards, John Sauni, Tim Farrell, Alex Fidow, Sam Caird, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u. Backs, Kemara Hauiti- Parapara, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Caleb Clarke.