Baby Blacks squad for the JWC 2013

The New Zealand Under 20 squad to travel to France in June for the IRB Junior World Championship in France has been named today.

Head Coach Chris Boyd, and his Assistant Coaches Chris Gibbes and Liam Barry have today selected their squad of 28 following a selection camp and trial in Palmerston North this week.

The squad is:
FORWARDS
Front rowers:
Donald Brighouse     Wellington
Epalahame Faiva    Waikato
Nick Grogan         Manawatu
Alexander Hodgman    Canterbury
Sione Mafileo        North Harbour
Kalafi Pongi        Counties Manukau
Boyd Wiggins        North Harbour
Locks:
Scott Barrett         Canterbury
Jackson Hemopo     Otago
Patrick Tuipulotu            Auckland
Christopher Vui                Auckland
Loose Forwards:  
Adam Burn                     Waikato
Joseph Edwards              Auckland
Jordan Manihera             North Harbour
Hadleigh May                  Otago
Ardie Savea                     Wellington
BACKS
Halfbacks:
Tayler Adams                  Southland
Sheridan Rangihuna        Hawke’s Bay
First five-eighths:
Simon Hickey                  Auckland
Jade Te Rure                  Manawatu
Midfield backs:
Michael Collins               Otago
Jason Emery                  Manawatu
Fa’asiu Fuatai                 Otago
Teihorangi Walden          Otago
Outside backs:
Penikolo Latu                 Hawke’s Bay
Leroy Van Dam               Auckland
Lolagi Visinia                  Auckland
Joseph Webber              Waikato

The squad includes Highlanders centre Jason Emery and Hurricanes loose forward Ardie Savea, Chiefs wider training group fullback Joe Webber and Blues wider training group players, loose forward Joe Edwards and outside back Lolagi Visinia.

The squad includes a total 12 players who played ITM Cup last year.  Boyd said the competition for spots in this year’s squad had been fierce with many of 48 contenders demonstrating they had worked hard on their fitness and technique over the summer.

“I think the squad we have selected has been a good balance of hard workers and natural talent.  This is the culmination of a seven-month programme to identify our potential squad, and to develop those players,” Boyd said.

The New Zealand Under 20 squad is assembled in Palmerston North today for continued training until Sunday 28 April.  They will reassemble prior to departure to France, in Auckland on Monday 27 May.