New Zealand Under 20 side named to face France in World Championship semi-final

Jun 12 • General News, International • 2016 Views • Comments Off on New Zealand Under 20 side named to face France in World Championship semi-final

New Zealand Under 20 Head Coach Craig Philpott has named his side to face France in their semi-final at the World Rugby Under 20 World Championships in Georgia, on Wednesday 4.30am NZT.

England take on South Africa in the other semi-final.

The team is:

1.	Ezekiel Lindenmuth	Auckland
2.	Asafo Aumua	Wellington
3.	Pouri Rakete-Stones	Hawke’s Bay
4.	Isaia Walker-Leawere	Wellington
5.	Sam Slade	Auckland
6.	Luke Jacobson (C)	Waikato
7.	Dalton Papalii	Auckland
8.	Marino Mikaele-Tuu	Hawke’s Bay
9.	Ereatara Enari (VC)	Canterbury
10.	Tiaan Falcon	Hawke’s Bay
11.	Caleb Clarke	Auckland
12.	Orbyn Leger	Counties Manukau
13.	Braydon Ennor	Canterbury
14.	Tima Faingaanuku	Tasman
15.	Will Jordan	Tasman

16.	JP Sauni	Auckland
17.	Harrison Allan	Canterbury
18.	Alex Fidow	Wellington
19.	Sam Caird	Waikato
20.	Tom Christie	Canterbury
21.	Kemara Hauiti-Parapara	Wellington
22.	Tamati Tua	Northland
23.	Josh McKay	Canterbury

New Zealand Under 20 Head Coach Craig Philpott said they have selected their strongest team to take on France.

“From what we have seen of France they are big and powerful, plus they have a very good 9 and 10 combination which we will have to shut down.

“It’s our first game in Tbilisi and we hope to replicate the exciting brand of footy we played in Kutaisi during the pool stages, in the playoff matches.

“We look forward to seeing Dalton Papalii return from injury to take his place on the side of the scrum. He played well in the first match and we expect him to do so again in this match.”