NZ Rugby U20's Squad Named

Preparation for the World Rugby Under 20 Championship kicks into action in Palmerston North this week with 46 players selected for the first trial camp of the year.

The camp begins on Thursday with a tight five clinic led by All Blacks scrum guru Mike Cron, before all players assemble for a five-day programme. Two trial teams will be selected to play Hurricanes Development and a Wellington XV on Saturday 10 March.

Players selected to attend the trial camp are:
Forwards
John Akau'ola-Laula - Auckland
Sione Asi - Manawatu
Suetena Asomua - Counties Manukau
Tom Christie - Canterbury
Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta - Tasman
Rob Cobb - Auckland
Devan Flanders - Hawkes Bay
Tom Florence - Taranaki
Brayden Iose - Manawatu
Ricky Jackson - Otago
Joe Johnson - Bay of Plenty
Josh Kaho - Waikato
Tevita Mafileo - Bay of Plenty
Slade McDowall - Otago
Sam Moli - Tasman
Jeriah Mua - Bay of Plenty
Xavier Numia - Wellington
Taine Plumtree - Wellington
Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa - Auckland
Matene Ruawai - Manawatu
Ben Sa'u - Auckland
Bradley Slater - Taranaki
Flynn Thomas - Southland
Will Tucker - Canterbury
Kaliopasi Uluilakepa - Wellington
Tupou Vaa'i - Taranaki
Stan van den Hoven - Bay of Plenty

Backs:
Leicester Faingaanuku - Tasman
Scott Gregory - Northland
Jack Grooby - Tasman
Ciarahn Matoe - Taranaki
Raymond Nu'u - Canterbury
Rupena Parkinson - Tasman
Harry Plummer - Auckland
Rameka Poihipi - Canterbury
Carlos Price - Wellington
Billy Proctor - Wellington
Ngane Punivai - Canterbury
Jay Renton - Southland
Xavier Roe - Waikato
Jamie Spowart - Tasman
Bailyn Sullivan - Waikato
Tanielu Tele'a - Auckland
Kaleb Trask - Bay of Plenty
Ueta Tufuga - Manawatu
Quinn Tupaea - Waikato 

Not Considered due to Super Rugby or Sevens commitments
Caleb Clarke - Blues
Will Jordan - Crusaders
Vilimoni Koroi - All Blacks Sevens

Not considered due to injury
Jacob Devery - Hawke's Bay
Tim Farrell - Hawke's Bay
Laghlan McWhannell - Waikato
Ajay Mua - Bay of Plenty
Hoskins Sotutu - Auckland
Cameron Suafoa - Auckland
Sione Talitui - Auckland
Sheldon Tovio - Waikato
Will Tremain - Hawke's Bay
​
New Zealand Under 20 Head Coach Craig Philpott has taken a fulltime role with New Zealand Rugby in 2018 which expands his appointment beyond just the World Championship campaign. 

Philpott said this camp is an important component in building the squad.

“We had these players in camp in December for some testing and to set expectations and goals. This week we get to see how they have progressed over the summer months and really start building towards June."

The squad features several players who had been involved in the 2017 wider squad, while six players have been recognised for their performances in the New Zealand Schools’ campaign late last year.

A further camp for the New Zealand Under 20 squad will be held in April, before taking part in the Oceania Tournament on the Gold Coast in April and May. A squad of 28 will be selected to go to the Under 20 World Championship in France from 25 May – 18 June 2017.