NZ U20 team named for opening IRB Junior World Championship match
NZRU Media Release:
New Zealand Under 20 Coach Dave Rennie has named the New Zealand Under 20 side to play Uruguay in Nagoya on Friday 5 June, 10.00pm (NZ time).
1. Latu Talakai (Waikato)
2. Shae Tamati (Hawke’s Bay)
3. Hamish Cochrane (Tasman)
4. Alex Ryan (Southland)
5. Shahn Eru (Wellington)
6. Trent Boswell-Wakefield (Hawke’s Bay)
7. Bernie Hall (Canterbury)
8. Elliot Dixon (Canterbury)
9. Nalu Tuigamala (North Harbour)
10. Aaron Cruden (Manawatu, captain)
11. Zac Guildford (Hawke’s Bay)
12. Shaun Treeby (Wellington)
13. Winston Stanley (Auckland)
14. Teddy Stanaway (Auckland)
15. Codey Rei (Taranaki)
Reserves
16. Brayden Mitchell (Southland)
17. Willie Ioane (Manawatu)
18. Daniel Faleafa (Auckland)
19. Brendon O’Connor (Canterbury)
20. Frae Wilson (Wellington)
21. Tom Taylor (Canterbury)
22. Robbie Robinson (Southland)
The starting line-up includes Hurricanes player Zac Guildford and Blues player Winston Stanley. Guildford is the only player in the team from the inaugural 2008 IRB Junior World Championship winning team. Manawatu Turbos player Aaron Cruden will captain the side which also includes Southland Stags player Robbie Robinson who has been named on the bench.
“We are taking this first game seriously and want to put in a strong performance. This is the premier age-group competition for rugby in the world and an exciting time for the players. They are really looking forward to getting out there and kicking off their campaign,” said Rennie.
SKY TV’s Rugby Channel will be broadcasting live the Under 20s second match against Ireland on Tuesday 9 June at 10.00pm. TVNZ’s TV One will be broadcasting the same match delayed at midnight. Both semi finals and the final will be broadcast on the Rugby Channel with delayed coverage on TV One.
Notes to media:
- The IRB’s website will have extensive coverage of the tournament and will have audio and video material available for download, as well as images from the respective games. Visit www.irb.com and click on the News and Media for all the details.
- Post match: Dave Rennie will be available for interview post-match at 12.15am (NZ time, Saturday morning). Please contact Kate Hutchison if you wish to speak to him.
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For further information contact:
Kate Hutchison
NZRU Communications Administrator
M: +64 (0) 27 591 4673