NZ U20 side named for World Championship opener

New Zealand Under 20 Head Coach Craig Philpott has named his side to face Scotland in their opening game of the World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Georgia, starting Wednesday evening NZT.
The team is:

1. Ezekiel Lindenmuth - Auckland
2. Asafo Aumua - Wellington
3. Ryan Coxon - Waikato
4. Isaia Walker Leawere - Wellington
5. Samuel Slade - Auckland
6. Dalton Papalii - Auckland
7. Tom Christie - Canterbury
8. Luke Jacobson – Captain - Waikato
9. Ereatara Enari – Vice captain - Canterbury
10. Tiaan Falcon - Hawke's Bay
11. Tima Faingaanuku - Tasman
12. Orbyn Leger - Counties Manukau
13. Braydon Ennor - Canterbury
14. Josh McKay - Canterbury
15. Will Jordan - Tasman

16. John (JP) Sauni - Auckland
17. Tim Farrell - Hawke's Bay
18. Alex Fidow - Wellington
19. Sam Caird - Waikato
20. Marino Mikaele -Tuu - Hawke's Bay
21. Kemara Hauiti Parapara - Wellington
22. Thomas Umaga Jensen - Wellington
23. Caleb Clarke - Auckland

New Zealand Under 20 Head Coach Craig Philpott said it was a tough task selecting his first 23 to take on Scotland.

“All 28 guys in our squad have earned the right to wear the black jersey, so there was a lot of discussion around our selection. We have chosen an experienced team to kick off the tournament.

“We expect Scotland to be direct, physical and passionate on both attack and defence, so we have picked our team accordingly.

“Obviously, we want to make a good start to the tournament. It’s been the best part of three weeks since the Oceania Championships, so we want to get back up to where we were at that tournament in terms of our attack and defence.”


Under 20 World Championship Pool: 
Wednesday 31 May, 9.00pm NZT v Scotland 
Sunday 4 June 11.30pm NZT v Italy
Thursday 8 June 11.30pm NZT v Ireland

Information on World Rugby Under 20 Championship 
http://www.worldrugby.org/u20

Watch the World Rugby Under 20 Championship on SKY Sport (NZT) 
Wednesday 31 May, 9.00pm NZT v Scotland on SKY Sport 3
Sunday 4 June 11.30pm NZT v Italy on SKY Sport 1
Thursday 8 June 11.30pm NZT v Ireland SKY Sport 1

---