Final squad for Oceania U20 tournament named

Apr 18 • General News, International • 1428 Views • Comments Off on Final squad for Oceania U20 tournament named

The final squad for the Oceania Under 20 tournament on the Gold Coast starting on 28 May has been confirmed with former New Zealand Secondary Schools representatives Thomas Umaga-Jensen and Ciarahn Matoe joining the squad.

All Black’s apprentice Jordie Barrett will be unavailable due to Investec Super Rugby commitments and Blues first-five-eight Stephen Perofeta has been ruled out due to his ongoing recovery from an ankle injury.

Media opportunity:
Media are invited to the team outfitting and assembly this Saturday, April 22. Note; this will be the only media opportunity with the team prior to departure due to their pre-tournament camp being held in Australia rather than New Zealand.

When: Saturday 22 April, 10am-11.30am.
Where: Paataka Room, Novotel Auckland Airport, International Terminal Ray Emery Dr, Auckland Airport.
Who: Head Coach Craig Philpott, Captain Luke Jacobson, Vice-Captain Ereatara Enari, Thomas Umaga-Jensen and Asafo Aumua. Please advise if you have any specific requests for players in addition to those being provided.
RSVP: Please advise media manager Andrew Campbell if you will be attending this media session at either andrew.campbell@nzrugby.co.nz or 021 243 8573.

The final squad is:

Forwards:
Harrison-Allan	Canterbury
Asafo Aumua	Wellington
Sam Caird	Waikato
Adrian Choat	Auckland
Tom Christie	Canterbury
Ryan Coxon	Waikato
Tim Farrell	Hawkes Bay
Alex Fidow	Wellington
Luke Jacobson (C)	Waikato
Ezekiel Lindenmuth	Auckland
Marino Mikaele-Tuu	Hawkes Bay
Dalton Papalii	Auckland
Jacob Pierce	Auckland
John (JP) Sauni	Auckland
Samuel Slade	Auckland
Pouri Rakete-Stones	Hawkes Bay
Isaia Walker-Leawere	Wellington

Backs:
Caleb Clarke	Auckland
Ereatara Enari (VC)	Canterbury
Braydon Ennor	Canterbury
Tima Faingaanuku	Tasman
Tiaan Falcon	Hawkes Bay
Will Jordan	Tasman
Kemara Hauiti-Parapara	Wellington
Orbyn Leger	Counties Manukau
Ciarahn Matoe	Taranaki
Josh McKay	Canterbury
Jona Nareki	Otago
Carlos Price	Wellington
Tamati Tua	Northland
Thomas Umaga-Jensen	Wellington

Not considered due to Investec Super Rugby commitments:
Jordie Barrett Taranaki

Players not considered due to injury:
Stephen Perofeta Taranaki
Peter Umaga-Jensen Wellington

New Zealand Under 20 Head Coach Craig Philpott said he was pleased with the depth of the squad.

“We have been following Thomas’s return to rugby following his hip surgery in October last year with a view to inclusion in the squad. He’s had three weeks of club rugby and is tracking well. We know what he is capable of after his time in the Secondary Schools team and he is a welcome addition now that he is injury-free.

“With Stephen and Jordie not available we needed extra cover at first-five-eight. Ciarahn’s time with the Chiefs U20 squad has gone well and he proved himself with the New Zealand Secondary Schools team last year. This is a good opportunity for him and one I am sure he will make the most of.

“We had hoped that Stephen would be available for selection. However, it’s become clear he won’t be ready in time for the tournament due to his ankle injury.

“As has been the case in previous years’ players have been deemed unavailable for the Oceania tournament due to their Super Rugby commitments. No final decision on their availability for the World Championship in Georgia in May and June has been made.

The squad will travel to the Gold Coast for matches against Fiji on 28 April, Samoa on 2 May and Australia on 6 May. All matches will be played at Bond University, Gold Coast Rugby Fields.