Oceania is a 'valuable' tournament
New Zealand U20 has two matches lined up against Australia, and the coach sees this as a great opportnity for the player.
"The players are pretty excited and so are we. This is a hugely important part of preparing our side for the World Championship. We’ve had a good preparation on and off the field, and it was good to be able to focus on getting our processes right, and getting the boys tight," Robertson stated.
He also confirmed late injury replacements to the squad. Josh McKay from Canterbury has been called in as injury cover for fellow Cantabrian Caleb Makene, and Taranaki’s Finn Hoeata was ruled out with a knee injury meaning a late travel call up for replacement Caleb Aperahama of Canterbury.
New Zealand U20s: 15 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 14 Jonah Lowe, 13 Patelesio Tomkinson, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Mason Emerson, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 9 Sam Nock, 8 Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, 7 Mitch Jacobson, 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Sam Caird, 4 Quinten Strange, 3 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2 Leni Apisai (captain), 1 Ayden Johnstone.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Shaun Stodart, 18 Alex Fidow, 19 Lui Luamanu, 20 Dalton Papali’i, 21 Ereatara Enari, 22 Orbyn Leger, 23 Josh Mckay.