The New Zealand Under 20 coaches have selected a 31-strong squad for the Oceania Under 20 Championship in Australia next month.
The squad features seven players who played in last year’s Junior World Championship in Auckland, seven contracted Investec Super Rugby players and a strong rugby pedigree. One more player will be added to the squad before the team’s departure to the Gold Coast.
The squad is:
The squad is: | |
Forwards | |
Isileli Tu’ungafasi | Auckland |
Liam Polwart | Auckland |
Mitchell Karpik | Auckland |
Blake Gibson | Auckland & Blues |
Tom Hill | Canterbury |
Mitchell Dunshea | Canterbury |
Hamish Dalzell* | Canterbury |
Joshua Goodhue | Canterbury |
Geoffrey Cridge | Hawke’s Bay & Hurricanes |
Ricky Riccitelli | Otago |
Dillon Hunt | Otago |
Atunaisa Moli | Waikato |
Mitchell Jacobson | Waikato |
Tau Koloamatangi | Waikato |
James Blackwell | Wellington |
Teariki Ben-Nicholas | Wellington |
Leni Apisai* | Wellington & Hurricanes |
Backs | |
Mitchell Hunt | Auckland |
Tinoi (TJ) Faiane | Auckland |
Vincent Tavae-Aso | Auckland & Hurricanes |
Jonathan Faauli | Canterbury |
Jack Goodhue | Canterbury |
George Bridge | Canterbury |
Luteru Laulala | Canterbury |
Otere Black | Manawatu & Hurricanes |
Tevita Li | North Harbour & Blues |
Fletcher Smith | Otago |
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi | Taranaki |
Harrison Levien* | Waikato |
Anton Lienert-Brown | Waikato & Chiefs |
Wes Goosen | Wellington |
Note: One player to be added
* indicates players who would also be available for selection in 2016
Unavailable for tournament selection due to injury
Henry Stowers Wellington
Unavailable for selection for the Oceania tournament and Junior World Championship due to injury
Morgan Poi Wellington
Unavailable for tournament selection due to Investec Super Rugby duty
Nathaniel Apa Crusaders
Akira Ioane Blues
Damian McKenzie Chiefs
New Zealand Under 20 Head Coach Scott Robertson said the talent for this squad was very strong.
“Some very good young players have missed out on this selection but it does show how strong the competition for places has been.
“In the end, with so many good players available to us, we have selected on form, and rewarded those who have worked hard over the past several months.
“We’ve got a good number of players who are ITM Cup experienced, including seven who are contracted to Super Rugby teams. We’re very fortunate that some of those players have been released from their Super Rugby duty for this tournament.
“The Oceania tournament provides much-needed preparation for this squad as we build towards the World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Italy in June.
“We’re definitely looking forward to seeing how the boys cope with the tournament environment,” Robertson said.
“The Gold Coast will give us an opportunity to create and test combinations, to imbed game plans and most importantly to have the guys play under the pressures of a tournament format.
“This is a hugely important opportunity for us. We know that some other teams will head to Italy having already benefitted from playing in the Under 20 Six Nations competition,” Robertson said.
The squad assembles at the Bruce Pulman Complex in Auckland 24-28 April before travel to the Gold Coast to play in the Oceania Under 20 Championship against Japan, Samoa and Australia.
The squad for the World Rugby Under 20 Championship will be named in early May.
Oceania Under 20 Championship – Bond University, Gold Coast – Playing schedule:
Friday 1 May
1pm: New Zealand v Japan
3pm: Australia v Samoa
Tuesday 5 May
1pm: Samoa v New Zealand
3pm: Japan v Australia
Saturday 9 May
1pm: Samoa v Japan
3pm: Australia v New Zealand
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