All Blacks Sevens duo named in New Zealand U20 team for Japan opener

A pair of All Blacks Sevens players have made their way into the starting XV for New Zealand U20’s opening game of the Junior World Championship.

Bradley Tocker has been named to start at blindside flanker, while Kele Lasaqa will come in on the right wing for the Kiwis against Japan.

The Pool B matchup will see Haki Wiseman resume the captaincy duties he held during the U20 Rugby Championship, with Caleb Woodley and Charlie Sinton alongside as vice captains.

Henry Stuart and Dane Johnston have been named as the starting props, joined by Josh Findlay to complete the front row. Max Fale and Jake Frost will line up in the second row, while Tocker and Woodley are joined by Micah Fale at No.8 to complete the starting forward pack. Patrick Mauga, who started two of three Rugby Championship games at No.8, will miss the opening clash through injury.

In the backline, Sinton continues his partnership with Mika Muliaina, with Wiseman partnering Siale Pahulu in the midfield. Out wide, David Lewai and Logan Williams will run out alongside Lasaqa in the back three.

“We’ve had a strong preparation here in Georgia and are feeling positive ahead of the first match. Haki and the other leaders in the team have been great and are looking forward to getting the campaign underway,” New Zealand U20 coach Kane Jury said.

“We’ve had a week to adapt to the heat, and the facilities here in Georgia have been excellent. We expect a tough first-up match against Japan, who we expect to be very well drilled and play a fast-paced game, so we’ll need to be at our best.”

New Zealand U20 team to play Japan U20

1. Henry Stuart (Highlanders/Otago) (Hurricanes/Hawke’s Bay)
2. Josh Findlay (Crusaders/Canterbury)
3. Dane Johnston (Chiefs/Taranaki)
4. Max Fale (Crusaders/Canterbury)
5. Jake Frost (Crusaders/Canterbury)
6. Bradley Tocker (Chiefs/Taranaki)
7. Caleb Woodley (VC) (Blues/Auckland)
8. Micah Fale (Chiefs/Waikato)
9. Charlie Sinton (VC) (Chiefs/Bay of Plenty)
10. Mika Muliaina (Highlanders/Southland)
11. David Lewai (Chiefs/Waikato
12. Haki Wiseman (C) (Chiefs/Taranaki)
13. Siale Pahulu (Blues/Auckland)
14. Kele Lasaqa (Chiefs/Bay of Plenty)
15. Logan Williams (Crusaders/Canterbury)

Reserves

16. Alani Fakava (Hurricanes/Manawat?)
17. Ethan Webber (Highlanders/Otago)
18. Alex Hewitt (Hurricanes/Wellington)
19. Johnny Falloon (Hurricanes/Wellington)
20. Kobe Brownlee (Crusaders/Tasman)
21. Jackson Hughan (Highlanders/Southland)
22. Cohen Norrie (Blues/Auckland)
23. Ollie Guerin (Chiefs/Waikato)

Not considered due to injury: Patrick Mauga (Hurricanes/Hawke’s Bay)