No Super stars for Baby Blacks
The New Zealand Under-20 coach Rob Penney has named a 28-man squad without any Super Rugby players to defend their IRB Junior World Championship in South Africa in June.
Hurricanes scrumhalf TJ Perenara and Chiefs flank Sam Cane will not be available due to Spuer Rugby commitments even though the tournament, to be held in the Western Cape, falls in the international June Test window and their will be no Super Rugby matches on.
This is in contrast to the hosts South Africa, who have named a number of Super Rugby players in their squad.
The Baby Blacks have never lost a match at the Junior World Championships in its four years of existence, although this team is unique in that there are no players back to have a second go at winning the title.
Penney held a trial in Palmerston North, where he took a look at 46 players before whittling his travelling squad down to 28.
The Baby Blacks coach said that he was impressed with the quality of the players, and expressed confidence that they would retain the trophy that they have raised four years in a row.
“All the boys put in a really good effort, and the trial game held yesterday gave us a lot to think about. I’m really happy with the squad we have selected with a lot of young men putting their hands up for national team honours.
“We’re really excited about heading to South Africa now to defend our title,” he said.
New Zealand U20: Pita Ahki, Fraser Armstrong, Hugh Blake, Ambrose Curtis, Scott Eade, Jason Emery, Bryn Hall, Marnus Hanley, Nathan Harris, Jake Heenan, Milford Keresoma, Jonathon Kitto, Joe Latta, Christian Lloyd, Taniela Manu, Rhys Marshall, Martin McKenzie, Ope Peleseuma, Glenn Preston, Matt Proctor, Tuki Raimona, Nick Ross, Eric Sione, Junior Tafa Va’a, Jordan Taufua, Jimmy Tupou, Ofa Tuungafasi, Ihaia West.
