"Wrecking ball" Fidow to Start in Baby Blacks - Game 2

After easing to victory over Australia in the first match of the Oceania Under 20 Championship, New Zealand Under 20 coach Scott Robertson has made seven changes to the side for the second and final match on the Gold Coast tomorrow.

The team is:

1   Shaun Stodart
2   Leni Apisai, captain
3   Alex Fidow
4   Quinten Strange
5   Sam Caird
6   Luke Jacobson
7   Dalton Papali’i
8   Marino Mikaele Tu’u
9   Jonathan Taumateine
10  Orbyn Leger
11  Jonah Lowe
12  Jordie Barrett
13  Patelesio Tomkinson 
14  Malo Tuitama
15  Caleb Makene

Reserves
16  Asafo Aumua
17  Ayden Johnstone
18  Sean Paranihi
19  Lui Luamanu
20  Caleb Aperahama
21  Sam Nock
22  Stephen Perofeta
23  Mason Emerson

“We brought 30 players over so wanted to give everyone a run ahead of the World Championships in June. We have a lot of young players in the side, so it’s a great chance to expose them at this level,” Robertson said.

Robertson said he was impressed by the resolve of his side in the 30-10 win at Bond University on Tuesday.

“I’m really stoked with the young fellas and how they have connected as a group. They’ve bonded on and off the field, and it showed when it got tough that they are willing to dig in for each other.

“It’s something for us to build on. We have six players due to come back from Super Rugby as well so we are building some great depth at this level.”

With the opening game in the balance until just after halftime, Robertson said it was the bench that made a big impact.

“Alex Fidow was a wrecking ball and really opened up some holes in the Australian defence. He gets a crack in the number three jersey this week.”

Southland’s Shaun Stodart also comes in at loosehead prop to join Captain Leni Apisai in a new-look front row.

“We’ve had a few things to work on throughout the week. Our execution really let us down at times during the first match so we want to be more clinical tomorrow,” Apisai said.

Another feature of the side is the talented Jordie Barrett at second-five. The brother of All Blacks utility Beauden Barrett starred in game one with 15 points and will be partnered by Orbyn Leger on his inside.

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