2017 New Zealand U20s

[Stargazer]

The NZU20 squad for the World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Georgia has been named.

This is the squad:

FORWARDS
Asafo Aumua - Wellington
Sam Caird - Waikato
Adrian Choat - Auckland
Tom Christie - Canterbury
Ryan Coxon - Waikato
Tim Farrell - Hawke’s Bay
Alex Fidow - Wellington
Luke Jacobson (C) - Waikato
Ezekiel Lindenmuth - Auckland
Marino Mikaele-Tuu - Hawke’s Bay
Dalton Papalii - Auckland
Jacob Pierce - Auckland
John (JP) Sauni - Auckland
Samuel Slade - Auckland
Pouri Rakete-Stones - Hawke’s Bay
Isaia Walker-Leawere - Wellington

BACKS
Caleb Clarke - Auckland
Ereatara Enari (VC) - Canterbury
Braydon Ennor - Canterbury
Tima Faingaanuku - Ta$man
Tiaan Falcon - Hawke’s Bay
Will Jordan - Ta$man
Kemara Hauiti-Parapara - Wellington
Orbyn Leger - Counties Manukau
Josh McKay - Canterbury
Jona Nareki - Otago
Tamati Tua - Northland
Thomas Umaga-Jensen - Wellington
​
Players unavailable for selection:
Jordie Barrett - Taranaki
Stephen Perofeta - Taranaki
Peter Umaga-Jensen - Wellington

(will add the link to the official media release later)

[Stargazer]

I've written down the same list by playing position:

Forwards:

Hookers:
Asafo Aumua - Wellington
John (JP) Sauni - Auckland

LH prop:
Tim Farrell - Hawke’s Bay
Ezekiel Lindenmuth - Auckland

TH prop:
Ryan Coxon - Waikato
Alex Fidow - Wellington
Pouri Rakete-Stones - Hawke’s Bay

Locks:
Sam Caird - Waikato
Jacob Pierce - Auckland
Samuel Slade - Auckland
Isaia Walker-Leawere - Wellington

Loose forwards:
Adrian Choat - Auckland
Tom Christie - Canterbury
Luke Jacobson (C) - Waikato
Marino Mikaele-Tuu - Hawke’s Bay (No. 8 )
Dalton Papalii - Auckland

Backs

Halfbacks:
Ereatara Enari (VC) - Canterbury
Kemara Hauiti-Parapara - Wellington

First-five eight:
Tiaan Falcon - Hawke’s Bay

Midfielders:
Braydon Ennor - Canterbury
Orbyn Leger - Counties Manukau (to cover 10?)
Tamati Tua - Northland
Thomas Umaga-Jensen - Wellington

Outside backs:
Caleb Clarke - Auckland
Tima Faingaanuku - Ta$man
Will Jordan - Ta$man
Josh McKay - Canterbury
Jona Nareki - Otago

Are there more players covering 10? I assume one of those TH props can cover LH?

[Rapido]

McKay is a 10/15.

No Price? He was getting good reviews on the thread, I didnt see any of his minutes.

[Stargazer]

@Rapido I'm surprised about Price not being named, too. He suffered an ankle injury in the game v Samoa but is not listed as unavailable (due to injury). Enari was always going to be named, so it was between Price and Hauiti-Parapara for that second halfback spot.

[Kiwidom]

@Stargazer Rakete Stones was a loose head prop last year I thought, so can now cover both sides I guess

[cgrant]

Yes, he played on the TH side against Australia U20.

[KiwiMurph]

Perofeta is not joining the NZ U20s but will instead stay with the Blues. I think and hope that means he is in line for some Blues gametime.

Falcon really looks the goods so NZ U20s will be well served at 10.

[cgrant]

@Stargazer said in 2017 New Zealand U20s:

@Rapido I'm surprised about Price not being named, too. He suffered an ankle injury in the game v Samoa but is not listed as unavailable (due to injury). Enari was always going to be named, so it was between Price and Hauiti-Parapara for that second halfback spot.

Hauiti-Parapara was everywhere against Australia. But his passing is a concern while Carlos Price's pass was a joy to watch. It's a bit like Perenara vs A. Smith ...

[Stargazer]

NZ Under 20 squad to face Scotland:

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 ( Ta$man)
12 Orbyn Leger (Counties Manukau)
13 Braydon Ennor (Canterbury)
14 Josh McKay (Canterbury)
15 Will Jordan ( Ta$man)

Reserves:
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)

http://www.allblacks.com/News/30851/nz-under-20s-named-to-face-scotland

[Rapido]

Surprised at McKay at 14 again. I really thought he just played there in the Oceania tournament simply to get game time. Thought of him as a 10/15 rather than a wing/15. Not that I've actually seen him play yet ......

[Chris B.]

Forwards from the North Island, backs from the South Island (mainly).

That seems very wrong!

[Stargazer]

Really looking forward to watching the NZU20s play. I've been following a few of these players for a few years and it's great to see them progress. Some of these lads will be All Blacks in a few years!

[Stargazer]

Fantastic first try from Tima Faingaanuku, who had to fend off several defenders, after a great pass from Falcon, who also converted the try. Good start of the game.

[Stargazer]

The Scots have strong pack. Try from a driving maul.

[Tim]

That maul smashed our pack.

[SammyC]

Pathetic maul defence

Too many north island forwards obviously

[Tim]

Some damned slick passing for that try.

[KiwiMurph]

Wheres the 13 Tua from? Those 2 passes were gun.

[Tim]

@KiwiMurph Northland?

[Tim]

@KiwiMurph Braydon Ennor (Canterbury) was listed at 13.