Journey to 2018 World Rugby Under 20 Championship begins

Oct 31 • General News, World Rugby Junior Championship • 3599 Views • Comments Off on Journey to 2018 World Rugby Under 20 Championship begins

A total 52 young players have been selected to attend the New Zealand Under 20 Development Camp as coach Craig Philpott begins preparation for the 2018 World Rugby Under 20 Championship.

Players selected to attend the development camp in Palmerston North from 3-9 December 2017 are:

Forwards

John Akau’ola-Laula	Auckland
Sione Asi	Manawatu
Suetena Asomua	Counties Manukau
Tom Christie	Canterbury
Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta	Tasman
Rob Cobb	Auckland
Jacob Devery	Hawkes Bay
Sosaia Fale	Waikato
Tim Farrell	Hawkes Bay
Devan Flanders	Hawkes Bay
Tom Florence	Taranaki
Brayden Iose	Manawatu
Ricky Jackson	Otago
Joe Johnson	Bay of Plenty
Josh Kaho	Waikato
Tevita Mafileo	Bay of Plenty
Slade McDowall	Otago
Laghlan McWhannell	Waikato
Sam Moli	Tasman
Ajay Mua	Bay of Plenty
Xavier Numia	Wellington
Waimana Reidlinger-Kapa	Auckland
Ben Sa’u	Auckland
Bradley Slater	Taranaki
Hoskins Sotutu	Auckland
Cameron Suafoa	Auckland
Sione Talitui	Auckland
Flynn Thomas	Southland
Will Tucker	Canterbury
Kaliopasi Uluilakepa	Wellington
Tupou Va’ai	Taranaki
Ricky Van Der Heyden	Bay of Plenty

Backs

Wiseguy Faiane	Auckland
Leicester Faingaanuku	Tasman
Scott Gregory	Northland
Jack Grooby	Tasman
Ciarahn Matoe	Taranaki
Rupena Parkinson	Tasman
Harry Plummer	Auckland
Rameka Poihipi	Canterbury
Carlos Price	Wellington
Billy Proctor	Wellington
Ngane Punivai	Canterbury
Jay Renton	Southland
Xavier Roe	Waikato
Jamie Spowart	Tasman
Bailyn Sullivan	Waikato
Tanielu Tele’a	Auckland
Danny Toala	Hawkes Bay
Salyn Tonu’u	North Harbour
Sheldon Tovio	Waikato
Kaleb Trask	Bay of Plenty

Not considered due to Super Rugby or Sevens commitments: Caleb Clarke (Auckland), Will Jordan (Tasman), Vilimoni Koroi (Otago). Not considered due to injury: Will Tremain (Hawke’s Bay), Raymond Nu’u (Canterbury). Coach Craig Philpott said it was always an exciting part of the process to get the players in for the first development camp.

“There is a lot done to get to this point. We have selectors across the country looking at several levels of rugby – 1^st XV, Jock Hobbs, Mitre 10 Cup – this is a chance to get them in and see where they are at,” said Philpott.

“We are particularly pleased with the depth we have in this group compared to previous years. Especially in the front row – we have five hookers and nine props coming in because they have all put their hands up.”

The squad features 10 players who had been involved in the 2016 wider squad, while four players have been recognised for their performances in the New Zealand Schools’ team earlier this month.

“We’ll assess the boys on strength and conditioning, body composition, skill set and technical knowledge of the game. From there we can put together a clear plan with specific goals and guidelines for each player so they know what is expected from them.”

Most players will be involved with Super Rugby development or age group programmes at the start of 2018 before assembling again in March. A squad will be selected from the development group to play in the Oceania Tournament in April in Australia.

Philpott will once again be joined by Assistant Coach Willie Rickards and scrum coach Dave Hewett, with David Hill (Bay of Plenty) also joining the coaching team in an assistant’s role.

“It’s great to have continuity in coaching with three of the four returning for another campaign. And David is familiar with our programme as he’s worked as a skills coach in the past so has a clear understanding of what we are trying to achieve.”

The 2018 Under 20 Championship schedule (dates and venue) has yet to be confirmed.