New Zealand Under 20 programme casts wide net

New Zealand Under 20 programme casts wide net

The search for New Zealand’s top, young and emerging, talent will kick off with a refreshed New Zealand Under 20 programme.

More than 100 players will be tested over the next two weeks as the New Zealand Under 20 programme begins a new cycle.

New Zealand Under 20 Head Coach Craig Philpott said changes to the World Rugby Under 20 Championship dates to align with the International Window have allowed a re-think of the age-group programme.

The changes will see more than 100 contenders – almost double the number from previous years – attend regional testing, creating a larger pool of talent to monitor and develop. The first development camp will take place in March, creating a short five-month campaign leading to the World Championships in June/July.

Traditionally 50 players would attend a December camp, with those players then going through the selection process with subsequent camps and trials.

Philpott said the opportunity to increase the number of players in their system while also condensing the programme was enthusiastically received.

“The opportunity to test and monitor this number of players will have long term benefits. A number of these players aren’t necessarily in the mix for selection next year, but meeting with them now gives us the chance to gauge where they are at and create targeted development plans for them.

“After testing, players can go back to their provinces and focus on any potential Invetsec Super Rugby commitments with age group or development teams before reassembling for our first camp,” said Philpott.

Players from provincial Under 19 teams, New Zealand Secondary Schools teams along with players nominated by provincial unions will join the testing programme.

Provincial Union High Performance representatives and New Zealand Under 20 coaching staff will work with each player to create personalised development plans.

Players selected for testing are; (grouped in regional centres where testing will take place)