The New Zealand Under 20 Rugby squad to travel to the Gold Coast, Australia this month for the Oceania Under 20 tournament, has been named.
The team is as follows:
Forwards:
Ayden Johnstone
Mason Kean
Shaun Stodart
Sean Paranihi
Alex Fidow
Pouri Rakete-Stones
Leni Apisai, captain
Asafo Aumua
Hamish Dalzell
Quinten Strange
Sam Caird
Isaia Walker-Leawere
Fin Hoeata
Mitchell Jacobson
Luke Jacobson
Dalton Papali'i
Hapakuki Moala- Liava'a
Marino Mikaele Tu'u
Backs:
Jonathan Taumateine
Sam Nock
TJ Va'a
Stephen Perofeta
Jordie Barrett
Patelesio Tomkinson
Orbyn Leger
Jonah Lowe
Malo Tuitama
Peter Umaga Jensen
Mason Emerson
Jordan Trainor
Caleb Makene
Head Coach Scott Robertson says he is happy with the level of talent in the team who will play two test matches against Australia next month.
"The trial matches that we held last month were incredibly valuable for us as selectors and we got to see the players in that intense game environment, and we got to see how they responded to the pressure of playing and competing for places.
"While there are only the two countries, we have two tough test matches against a strong Australian team in this Oceania tournament. These will also provide us with a valuable sense of how they cope with playing intense matches in a compact window," he said.
Leni Apisai who is the hooker for the Hurricanes has been named captain of the side.