New Zealand Under 20 squad named for Oceania tournament

Mar 27 • General News, International • 1271 Views • Comments Off on New Zealand Under 20 squad named for Oceania tournament

The New Zealand Under 20 squad to travel to the Gold Coast, Australia next month for the Oceania Under 20 tournament, has been named.

The 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
Jordie Barrett (VC) Taranaki
Caleb Clarke Auckland
Ereatara Enari Canterbury
Braydon Ennor Canterbury
Tima Faingaanuku Tasman
Tiaan Falcon Hawkes Bay
Will Jordan Canterbury
Kemara Hauiti-Parapara Wellington
Orbyn Leger Counties
Josh McKay Canterbury
Jona Nareki Otago
Carlos Price Wellington
Tamati Tua Northland

Note: Two further players will be named prior to the tournament

Players not considered due to injury:
Stephen Perofeta               Auckland

New Zealand Under 20 Head Coach Craig Philpott said that he was pleased with the talent available for the tournament which will see them play Test matches against Australia, Fiji and Samoa in an expanded Oceania Tournament starting on April 28.

“This is a very experienced squad we are taking to the Oceania under the 20s. 13 players have been in the Under 20 environment before and nine played in last year’s World Championship in Manchester. That previous experience of an international competition will come in valuable on the Gold Coast.

“Up to this point we have had 50 odd players at our previous training camps and we had to make some tough calls to whittle the squad down to 30. The camps highlighted we have good depth at most positions, and selections were particularly competitive in the loose forwards and outside backs, where a number of players will feel rightfully disappointed that they didn’t make the squad.

“Oceania provides us with a great opportunity to prepare for the Under 20 World Championship in Georgia in June, especially because both tournaments follow the same format. We will play three test matches in the space of 12 days, which is something many of the players won’t be used to. It is also an opportunity to get together as a team and get to know each other better, play and train together in a tournament environment and develop our team culture.

“We have selected Luke Jacobson as Captain and Jordie Barrett as Vice-Captain. Luke is a leader who leads by his deeds. He is a very good player who will be on the field for most of the Tests and can play at either number eights or number six. He also brings experience from last year’s World Championship campaign and has featured in the in Chiefs’ programme this year including the Brisbane 10s where he had an excellent tournament.”

The New Zealand Under 20 squad to compete in the World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Georgia in June will be named in May after the Oceania squad returns to New Zealand.

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

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