New Zealand Under 20 team named for final #JWC2014 pool match against Scotland
New Zealand fighting to stay in tournament
The New Zealand Under 20 side to play Scotland in their third and final pool match of the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship tomorrow night at ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe, has been named.
The team is:
1 Scott Mellow
2 James O’Reilly
3 Tim Cadwallader
4 Troy Callander
5 Josh Dickson
6 Kyle Harris
7 Mitchell Jacobson
8 Tom Sanders
9 Josh Renton
10 Simon Hickey, captain
11 Tevita Li
12 Kavinga Finau
13 TJ Faiane
14 Tauasosi Tuimavave
15 Richard Moúnga
Reserves:
16 Epalahame Faiva
17 Tau Koloamatangi
18 Atunaisa Moli
19 James Tucker
20 Mathew Peni
21 Leon Fukofuka
22 Vince Tavae Aso
23 Damian McKenzie
With only loose forward Tom Sanders, captain Simon Hickey and last week’s hat-trick try scorer Tevita Li retaining their starting spots, the run-on XV features 12 changes.
New Zealand Under 20 Head Coach Chris Boyd said the group had worked to pick themselves up after last Friday’s disappointing loss to South Africa.
Walking away from that fixture without a bonus point has left New Zealand relying on other tournament results to go their way, to give them a sniff at a playoff position. And a sniff is all they need.
“We trained really well and the boys are raring to go – we’ve got a group that is quite focussed on the task – and we have a point to prove.
“We were really disappointed with ourselves against South Africa, but as I’ve said to the boys it’s like boxing and getting knocked down to the canvas – you have to pick yourself up and keep fighting,” Boyd said.
New Zealand plays the last of the matches at ECOLight Stadium tomorrow night – and by then, they will know where their playoff chances lie.
“Our focus is now on tomorrow, and we will go into that game knowing other results and we can only control what we control. But the lads are fired up and they are up for it.
“With this team, we’re looking for a lot of energy, accuracy, for them to play as a team and not as individuals and to stick to our processes,” he said.
New Zealand v Scotland
ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe
Tuesday 10 June
Kickoff: 7.35pm
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