Group of Wellington players named in New Zealand U20 squad

Representative Rugby | 31 March 2015 | Steven White & NZRU

Three Wellington forwards and one back have been named in the first Junior All Blacks squad of the year.

As part of more thorough preparations for the upcoming U20 World Cup in Italy, the New Zealand U20s are competing in an Oceania Under 20 Championship in Australia next month.

A 31-strong Junior All Blacks squad has been named for that tournament.

The Wellington players are lock James Blackwell (Petone), loose forward Teariki Ben-Nicholas (Old Boys University), hooker Leni Apisai (Northern United) and midfielder Wes Goosen (Old Boys University).

Additionally, loose forward Henry Stowers (Wanuiomata) and prop Morgan Poi (Old Boys University) are unavailable due to injury, the latter out of contention for the Italian campaign as well.

The squad features seven players who played in last year’s Junior World Championship in Auckland, seven contracted Investec Super Rugby players and a strong rugby pedigree.? One more player will be added to the squad before the team’s departure to the Gold Coast.

The squad is (one player to be added):

Forwards

Isileli Tu'ungafasi (Auckland)
Liam Polwart (Auckland)
Mitchell Karpik (Auckland)
Blake Gibson (Auckland
Tom Hill (Canterbury)
Mitchell Dunshea (Canterbury)
Hamish Dalzell* (Canterbury)
Joshua Goodhue (Canterbury)
Geoffrey Cridge (Hawke’s Bay)
Ricky Riccitelli (Otago)
Dillon Hunt (Otago)
Atunaisa Moli (Waikato)
Mitchell Jacobson (Waikato)
Tau Koloamatangi (Waikato)
James Blackwell (Wellington)
Teariki Ben-Nicholas (Wellington)
Leni Apisai (Wellington)

Backs:

Mitchell Hunt (Auckland)
TJ Faiane (Auckland)
Vincent Tavae-Aso (Auckland)
Jonathan Faauli (Canterbury)
Jack Goodhue (Canterbury)
Geoff Bridge (Canterbury)
Luteru Laulala (Canterbury)
Otere Black (Manawatu)
Tevita Li (North Harbour)
Fletcher Smith (Otago)
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Taranaki)
Harrison Levien (Waikato)
Anton Lienert-Brown (Waikato)
Wes Goosen (Wellington)

Unavailable for tournament selection due to injury:
Henry Stowers (Wellington)?? ??

Unavailable for selection for the Oceania tournament and Junior World Championship due to injury:
Morgan Poi??(Wellington)

Unavailable for tournament selection due to Investec Super Rugby duty:
Nathaniel Apa? (Crusaders)
Akira Ioane (Blues
Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)

The squad for the World Rugby Under 20 Championship will be named in early May.