New Zealand Under 20 team named for match against Ireland

Jun 21 • General News • 1345 Views • Comments Off on New Zealand Under 20 team named for match against Ireland

The New Zealand Under 20 side to face Ireland in their seventh place play-off match at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Argentina has been named.

The team is:

1. Oliver Norris
2. Shilo Klein
3. Fletcher Newell
4. Cullen Grace
5. Tupo Vaa’i
6. Kaylum Boshier (C)
7. Jeriah Mua
8. Simon Parker
9. Taufa Funaki
10. Rivez Reihana
11. Leicester Fainga’anuku
12. Quinn Tupaea
13. Billy Proctor
14. Etene Nanai Seturo
15. Cole Forbes
16. Kianu Kereru-Symes
17. Robert Cobb
18. Kaliopasi Uluilakepa
19. Tamaiti Williams
20. Taine Plumtree
22. James Thompson23. Kohan Herbert
24. Leroy Carter
25. Fergus Burke
26. Dallas McLeod
27. Chay Fihaki

Coach Craig Philpott said the Championship had been a near run thing and the players were as disappointed as anyone over not finishing higher.

“We’re all very disappointed in the results, but we’re also acutely aware that we were only two points away from playing in the top four,” he said.

“Our focus for this last game is if we can nail our skill execution we know we are a very good team and we want to show people that.”

Having looked over all four of Ireland’s games, Philpott said they would best be described as a cross between Wales and Scotland.

“They have the best kicking percentage in the competition in terms of goalkicking and they kick the ball a lot so that’s leaning towards Wales but they’re also quite happy to use the ball as well so they’ll play a bit more like Scotland and try and use width. We’re expecting a bit of both.

They had also demonstrated the Irish rugby characteristic of determined defence.

“Our defensive record has been very good so it will be a very good battle,” he said.

Six players were not considered for the game due to injury and the suspension of Samipeni Finau, who was ruled out when his yellow card against Wales was upgraded to a red card. Three players have been flown from New Zealand to join the squad: Rob Cobb, Chay Fihaki and James Thompson.

Keanu Kereru Symes (neck injury), Devan Flanders, Lalomilo Lalomilo (concussion), New Zealand Sevens representative Scott Gregory has a heel injury and has returned to New Zealand while George Dyer has a torn ligament in a toe and will require surgery and will be out for four to six months.

“We’ve still picked a very strong team and we still want to go out and win this Test match,” he said.New Zealand Under 20 schedule (matches will be broadcast live on Spark Sport, times listed in NZT)

New Zealand v Ireland
Sunday 23 June, 6.30am