Three Waikato players named in NZ under 20s
29th April 2011 09:30AM
By Hamish Forsman
Three Waikato players have been named in the New Zealand under 20 team for the June International Rugby Board junior world championship in Italy.
Hooker Sefo Setefano (Hamilton Marist), first five Nathan George (Te Awamutu Sports) and wing Glen Robertson (Fraser-Tech) have been included in the 26-man squad that will be aiming for New Zealand’s fourth junior world championship title in a row.
Waikato Rugby Union high performance manager Mike Crawford said seven Waikato players in total were selected to trial in the wider squad of 47 players. They were invited to three camps over the past five months with some of New Zealand’s top coaches.
Daniel Ross (Hautapu) and Chauncey Edwardson (Fraser-Tech) were unable to trial because of injuries, while Whetu Douglas (University) and Navi Sikivou (Fraser-Tech) missed selection when the squad was trimmed to the final 26.
Robertson is one of only two returning members from the 2010 squad, but New Zealand under 20 coach Marc Anscombe said there is plenty of experience within the group.
“A feature of the team is that we have three players with experience in Super Rugby environments and a number of players who have played in the ITM Cup. There is no doubt that the team will benefit from their experience.”
New Zealand has been pooled with Wales, Argentina and hosts Italy. The tournament begins on June 10 with the final set for June 26.
“One of the biggest challenges for us was to get the balance right throughout the team as the format of the competition is such that we play five games in 17 days. It is also vital that we have versatile players that allow us to spread the workload throughout the team,” Anscombe said.
The squad will assemble for a pre-departure camp at the Millennium Institute in North Harbour on May 31 before leaving for Italy on June 4.
New Zealand Under 20 squad for the IRB Junior World Championship in Italy from June 10-26:
Forwards: Carl Axtens (Bay of Plenty), Dominic Bird (Canterbury), Heiden Bedwell-Curtis (Taranaki), Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty), Michael Kainga (Wellington), Steven Luatua (Auckland), Greg Pleasants-Tate (North Harbour), Brodie Rettalick (Hawke's Bay), Solomona Sakalia (Wellington), Sefo Setefano (Waikato), Brad Shields (Wellington), Ben Tameifuna (Hawke's Bay), Codie Taylor (Canterbury), Luke Whitelock (Canterbury).
Backs: Gareth Anscombe (Auckland), Beauden Barrett (Taranaki), Nathan George (Waikato), Rhys Llewellyn (Canterbury), Waisake Naholo (Taranaki), TJ Perenara (Wellington), Charles Piutau (Auckland), Glen Robertson (Waikato), Francis Saili (Auckland), Mitchell Scott (Tasman), Lima Sopoaga (Wellington), Brad Weber (Otago).
