New Zealand U20s Development squad selected

Fifty players have been selected to attend the first New Zealand U20 development camp for 2016 as coaches work to identify and develop the players who will defend their World Rugby Under 20 Championship title in England next year.

Head Coach Scott Robertson said he was excited and looking forward to the first major camp for the Under 20 hopefuls.

“It’s always fantastic to see new bunch of guys come through, and it’s always great to see who’s willing to work hard and take this incredible opportunity.

“These boys will know they have a very real chance of turning rugby into a profession for themselves if they have the determination and willpower to keep working hard for it.

“This month’s camp will be about giving the boys a taste of this unique national team environment, we’ll lay out our expectations, and we’ll have a good look what sort of nick they are in."

Robertson will have two new Assistant Coaches with him for the 2016 campaign. Taranaki’s Willie Rickards has been appointed as an assistant alongside Hawke’s Bay Craig Philpott. They replace Tana Umaga who now heads the Blues Super Rugby team and Leon MacDonald who was appointed Head Coach of Tasman.

Players selected to attend the development camp in Palmerston North from 27 November-2 Devember are:

Forwards:
Jonah Aoina (Otago)
Ayden Johnstone (Waikato)
Mason Kean (Hawke's Bay)
Shaun Stoddart (Otago)
Sean Paranihi (Canterbury)
Joe Apikotoa (Wellington)
Joshua Iosefo-Scott (Waikato)
Sosefo Kautai (Waikato)
Sekope Lopeti (Waikato)
Max Fryatt (Hawke's Bay)
Tom Hardy (Otago)
Asafo Aumua (Wellington)
Hamish Dalzell (Canterbury)
Anthony Pettet (Wellington)
Quinten Strange (Tasman)
Sam Caird (Waikato)
Sam Ulufonua (Auckland)
Isaia Walker-Leawere (Poverty Bay)
Paripari Parkinson (Auckland)
Luke Jacobson (Waikato)
Lui Okeamoa-Luamanu (Wellington)
Finn Hoeata (Taranaki)
Caleb Aperahama (Canterbury)
Jahrome Brown (Waikato)
Charlie Gamble (Canterbury)
Mitchell Jacobson (Waikato)
Hapakuki Moala- Liava'a (North Harbour)
Turoa Stephens (Waikato)
Marino Mikaele Tu'u (Hawke's Bay)
Martin Brink (North Harbour)
Romero Tagi (Auckland)

Backs:
Liam Howley (Southland)
Lisati Milo-Harris (Auckland)
Logan Crowley (Canterbury)
Jonathon Taumateine (Counties Manukau)
Brett Cameron (Canterbury)
Matthew Lansdown (Waikato)
Orbyn Leger (Counties Manukau)
Alex Nankivell (Tasman)
Lester Maulolo (Wellington)
Amanaki Savieti (Waikato)
Pepe Patafilo (Wellington)
Gene Te Amo (Counties Manukau)
Jonah Lowe (Hawke's Bay)
Hamish Pomare (Northland)
Shelford Murray (Waikato)
Malo Tuitama (Wellington)
Mason Emerson (Hawke's Bay)
Jesse Rihari (Waikato)
Caleb Makene (Canterbury)

Not considered due to Investec Super Rugby Commitments were:
Leni Apisai (Wellington)
Hugh Renton (Hawke’s Bay)
Sam Nock (Northland)
Sio Tomkinson (Otago)
Jordan Trainor (Waikato)
Shaun Stevenson (Waikato)

Players not considered due to injury were:
Brendan Bond (North Harbour)
Hayden Spencer (Waikato)
Ere Enari (Canterbury)
TJ Va’a (Wellington)
Harrison Levien (Waikato)

Unavailable due to school exams were:
Alex Fidow (Wellington)
Thomas Umaga Jensen (TBA)
Peter Umaga Jensen (Wellington)