New Zealand Under 20 hopefuls in trial camp

Forty nine players have assembled for a trial camp in Palmerston North as selectors narrow their search for the next New Zealand Under 20 squad to defend their World Championship title.

New Zealand Under 20 Head Coach Scott Robertson said players have arrived in camp fit and excited at the prospect of trialling in two games tomorrow.

“We’ve already been able to watch a lot of these guys playing for their development teams and that’s been really helpful. This trial camp is a good opportunity for us to see the players in this competitive environment and it gives us a good chance to see what they can do in 80 minutes,” he said.

“We’ve got a lot of young players, some straight out of school, who could qualify to play next year as well, so that’s exciting. Our focus will be to select a squad to play in the Oceania Under 20 tournament in May, before we select our squad for the World Championship.”

The World Rugby Under 20 Championship will this year be held in Manchester, England from 7-25 June. The Oceania Under 20 tournament will be played in Australia from 29 April -8 May.

The players selected for the trial camp are:

Forwards
Jonah Aoina - Otago
Ayden Johnstone - Waikato
Mason Kean - Hawkes Bay
Shaun Stoddart - Otago
Sean Paranihi - Canterbury
Joe Apikotoa - Wellington
Alex Fidow - Wellington
Sosefo Kautai - Waikato
Sekope Lopeti - Waikato
Asafo Aumua - Wellingotn
Max Fryatt - Hawkes Bay
Romero Tagi - Auckland
Hamish Dalzell - Canterbury
Quinten Strange - Tasman
Manaaki Selby-Rickit - Manawatu
Sam Caird - Waikato
Isaia Walker-Leawere - Wellington
Paripari Parkinson - Tasman
Lui Luamanu - Wellington
Finn Hoeata - Taranaki
Charlie Gamble - Canterbury
Mitchell Jacobson - Waikato
Luke Jacobson - Waikato
Dalton Papali’i - Auckland
Nathan Tweedy - Manawatu
Hapakuki Moala-Liava'a - North Harbour
Marino Mikaele Tu'u - Hawkes Bay
Martin Brink - North Harbour

Backs
Liam Howley - Southland
Logan Crowley - Canterbury
Jonathan Taumateine - Counties Manakau
Brett Cameron - Canterbury
Matthew Lansdown - Waikato
TJ Va’a - Wellington
Stephen Perofeta - Taranaki
Orbyn Leger - Counties Manakau
Alex Nankivell - Tasman
Jordie Barrett - Canterbury
Lester Maulolo - Wellington
Amanaki Savieti - Waikato
Pepe Patafilo - Wellington
Gene Te Amo - Counties Manakau
Jonah Lowe - Hawkes Bay
Shelford Murray - Waikato
Mason Emerson - Hawkes Bay
Jordan Trainor - Waikato
Caleb Makene - Canterbury
Peter Umaga-Jensen - Wellington
Josh McKay - Canterbury

Not considered due to Super Rugby Commitments:
Leni Apisai, Wellington
Sio Tomkinson, Otago
Shaun Stevenson, Waikato
Sam Nock, Northland

Players not considered due to injury:
Hayden Spencer, Waikato
Hugh Renton, Hawke’s Bay
Ere Enari, Canterbury
Sam Ulufonua, Auckland
Harrison Levien, Waikato
Lisati Milo-Harris, Auckland
Malo Tuitama, Wellington
Jahrome Brown, Waikato