New Zealand Under 20 squad named for IRB Junior World Championship 2014
Twenty eight players have today been named in the New Zealand Under 20 squad to compete in the IRB Junior World Championship to be held for the first time in New Zealand this year.
New Zealand Under 20 Coach Chris Boyd today revealed the team exclusively on allblacks.com today.
The 2014 New Zealand Under 20 squad is:
FORWARDS:
Lachlan Boshier
Timothy Cadwallader
Troy Callander
Geoffrey Cridge
Joshua Dickson
Epalahame Faiva
Kyle Harris
Mitchell Jacobson
Tau Koloamatangi
Scott Mellow
Atunaisa Moli
James O’Reilly
Matthew Peni
Tom Sanders
James Tucker
BACKS
Mitchell Drummond
Kaveinga Finau
Leon Fukofuka
Tinoai (TJ) Faiane
Jackson Garden-Bachop
Simon Hickey (captain)
Tevita Li
Anton Lienert-Brown
Damian McKenzie
Richard Mo’unga
Joshua Renton
Vincent Tavae-Aso
Tauasosi Tuimavave
Head Coach Chris Boyd announced Blues first-five-eighth and returning Under 20 player Simon Hickey would captain the squad. He is expected to join the campaign in May.
“We think Simon will provide some great leadership for the team given his experience both on the field and in this team environment,” Boyd said.
As for the other players named in the squad, Boyd said the coaching team had been impressed with the standard of talent on offer, including during Monday’s intense trial match in Palmerston North giving them a strong indication of what players would bring into the team.
“We’re pretty happy with the squad we have selected. We’ve got a very hard working and efficient forward pack supported by a very exciting backline with plenty of talent.
“We expect to play a traditional New Zealand style of rugby – high tempo and expansive style of rugby.
“At the same time, we know that we will need to be strong on defence to off-set other areas of our game.”
On playing for the first time at home, Boyd said the players were well aware that playing the Junior World Championship at home was a rare opportunity.
“The boys are aware that this is a special occasion to be playing a tournament in our own back yard. They are looking forward to the challenge of playing at home, but they are also relishing the opportunity to showcase their style of rugby in front of family and friends.
“We are excited that we’ll be able to play in front of our families and we are looking forward to some fantastic support from them and anyone who’s a New Zealand supporter.”
The New Zealand Under 20 squad is in camp until Saturday 26 April. They will assemble in May for their pre-tournament camp in Mt Maunganui (20 May). They transfer to Auckland on 29 May ahead of their first game against Samoa on Queen’s Birthday Monday 2 June.
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