NZ Under 20 team named for Oceania final match against Australia

May 5 • General News, International • 1159 Views • Comments Off on NZ Under 20 team named for Oceania final match against Australia

New Zealand will be looking to retain their Oceania Under 20 title when they play Australia in the final match of the tournament on Saturday, May 6 at 9 pm NZT. Both teams enter the final unbeaten, with New Zealand ushering in 11 changes to the team that beat Samoa 80-23 on Tuesday. Four players will get their first start in the tournament.

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 Caird	Waikato
6.	Dalton Papalii	Auckland
7.	Tom Christie	Canterbury
8.	Luke Jacobson (C)	Waikato
9.	Ereatara Enari (VC)	Canterbury
10.	Tiaan Falcon	Hawke’s Bay
11.	Tima Faingaanuku	Tasman
12.	Orbyn Leger	Counties Manukau
13.	Tamati Tua	Northland
14.	Josh McKay	Canterbury
15.	Will Jordan	Tasman

16.	JP Sauni	Auckland
17.	Harrison-Allan	Canterbury
18.	Alex Fidow	Wellington
19.	Jacob Pierce	Auckland
20.	Marino Mikaele-Tu’u	Hawke’s Bay
21.	Kemara Hauiti-Parapara	Wellington
22.	Thomas Umaga-Jensen	Wellington
23.	Caleb Clarke	Auckland

Carlos Price (ankle) and Brayden Ennor (knee) were not considered due to injury.

Head Coach Craig Philpott said the outcome of the match will determine the winner of the tournament.

“Both sides enter the final unbeaten and we always have a lot of respect for Australian teams. Australia has been impressive at set piece time, scoring plenty of tries through their lineout drives and off the back of a powerful scrum. Our boys are particularly looking forward to the challenge up front.”

The game is also the last opportunity for players to impress selectors prior to the naming of the squad for the World Rugby Under 20 World Championship in Georgia next week.

“After two solid performances against Fiji and Samoa, we have selected a side to play Australia that in some cases is based on form, and in others on giving those returning from injury a final opportunity to press their claim for selection.

“Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Isaia Walker-Leawere and Ereatara Enari earn their first starts of the Oceania tournament and will no doubt be keen to make an impact.

“Captain Luke Jacobson will be joined in the loose trio by Dalton Papalii and Tom Christie. All three players have big engines and are smart rugby players, both on attack and in defence.

“The back three combination of Will Jordan, Josh McKay and Tima Faingaanuku brings a good mix of speed and power, with Caleb Clarke adding punch from the bench in the second half.

“We are looking forward to a great encounter against our traditional rival. It promises to be a great game of rugby with both the tournament outcome and World Championship selections on the line.”

Schedule for Oceania Under 20 Tournament:
Saturday 6 May v Australia, 9.00pm NZT

Watch the Oceania Under 20 Tournament:
All games will be live-streamed on www.rugby.com.au and www.oceaniarugby.com