1st XV players selected in NZ U20 development camp

Fifty players have been selected to attend the first development camp as coaches work to identify and develop the players who will defend their World Rugby Under 20 Championship title in England next year.
 
Players selected to attend the development camp in Palmerston North later this month are:

Forwards:
Jonah Aoina  Otago
Ayden Johnstone   Waikato
Mason Kean  Hawke’s Bay
Shaun Stoddart Otago
Sean Paranihi   Canterbury
Joe Apikotoa Wellington
Joshua Iosefo-Scott Waikato
Sosefo Kautai Waikato
Sekope LopetiWaikato
Max Fryatt Hawke’s Bay
Tom Hardy Otago
Asafo Aumua Wellington
Hamish Dalzell Canterbury
Anthony Pettet Wellington
Quinten Strange Tasman
Sam Caird Waikato
Sam Ulufonua Auckland
Isaia Walker-Leawere Poverty Bay
Paripari Parkinson Auckland
Luke Jacobson Waikato
Lui Okeamoa-Luamanu Wellington
Finn Hoeata Taranaki
Caleb Aperahama Canterbury
Jahrome Brown  Waikato
Charlie Gamble Canterbury
Mitchell Jacobson Waikato
Hapakuki Moala- Liava'a North Harbour
Turoa Stephens Waikato
Marino Mikaele Tu'u Hawke’s Bay
Martin Brink North Harbour
Romero Tagi Auckland

Backs:
Liam Howley Southland
Lisati Milo-Harris Auckland
Logan Crowley Canterbury
Jonathon Taumateine Counties Manukau
Brett Cameron Canterbury
Matthew Lansdown Waikato
Orbyn Leger Counties Manukau
Alex Nankivell Tasman
Lester Maulolo Wellington
Amanaki Savieti  Waikato
Pepe Patafilo Wellington
Gene Te Amo Counties Manukau
Jonah Lowe   Hawke’s Bay
Hamish Pomare Northland
Shelford Murray Waikato
Malo Tuitama Wellington
Mason Emerson Hawke’s Bay
Jesse Rihari Waikato
Caleb Makene Canterbury

Not considered due to Investec Super Rugby Commitments were: 
Leni Apisai, Wellington
Hugh Renton, Hawke’s Bay
Sam Nock, Northland
Sio Tomkinson, Otago 
Jordan Trainor, Waikato
Shaun Stevenson, Waikato

Players not considered due to injury were: 
Brendan Bond, North Harbour
Hayden Spencer, Waikato
Ere Enari, Canterbury
TJ Va’a, Wellington
Harrison Levien, Waikato

Unavailable due to school exams were:
Alex Fidow, Wellington
Thomas Umaga Jensen, Wellington
Peter Umaga Jensen, Wellington


The group will be in camp from 27 November to 2 December with further camps planned in March and April. 

Head Coach Scott Robertson said he was excited and looking forward to the first major camp for the Under 20 hopefuls.

“It’s always fantastic to see new bunch of guys come through, and it’s always great to see who’s willing to work hard and take this incredible opportunity.

“These boys will know they have a very real chance of turning rugby into a profession for themselves if they have the determination and willpower to keep working hard for it.

“One of the things I love about this team, is how much talent gets unearthed – the fact that 15 of this year’s championship team have been named in Super Rugby squads or wider training groups, demonstrates the level of talent New Zealand keeps producing.

“We saw some really exciting talent at the national Under 19s tournament in Taupo this year, which is hugely encouraging as we consider all our options.

“This month’s camp will be about giving the boys a taste of this unique national team environment, we’ll lay out our expectations, and we’ll have a good look what sort of nick they are in.

“This summer, they’ll need to exercise some discipline around nutrition and training if they want to stay in the mix.  The fact that next year’s tournament is being played in England should be a huge motivator for these guys.”

Robertson will have two new Assistant Coaches with him for the 2016 campaign.  Taranaki’s Willie Rickards has been appointed as an assistant alongside Hawke’s Bay Craig Philpott.  They replace Tana Umaga who now heads the Blues Super Rugby team and Leon MacDonald who was appointed Head Coach of Tasman.

“Both Willie and Craig come from excellent provincial rugby environments, and I am excited about what both will bring to our campaign,” Robertson said.

The New Zealand Under 20 will play in an Oceania tournament in Australia next year before preparing for the World Championship in Manchester.

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