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All Blacks legend Brad Thorn on the family bond that led to Test coaching debut
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All Blacks Sevens star Oli Mathis headlines New Zealand U20 squad
By Ned Lester
The New Zealand squad has been named for the World Rugby U20 Championship and is headlined by a pair of All Blacks Sevens players.
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After turning heads in his recent NPC season for playing both openside flanker and wing, Oli Mathis is returning to the XV game for the tournament and is named in the loose forwards.
Frank Vaenuku will also transition back from the All Blacks Sevens, making for another tough selection call as David Lewai misses the cut after starring in South Africa.
Having secured back-to-back Rugby Championship U20 titles in May, the team will be looking to better the third-place finish they achieved in the world championship tournament a year ago.
The 30-man squad will travel to Italy for the competition, set to be held from 29 June to 19 July.
New Zealand U20 squad
Hookers
Shaun Kempton, Highlanders/Southland
Manumaua Letiu, Crusaders/Canterbury
Eli Oudenryn, Crusaders/Tasman
Props
Tamiano Ahloo, Blues/Auckland
Robson Faleafa, Blues/Auckland
Dane Johnston, Chiefs/Taranaki
Sika Pole, Blues/Auckland
Logan Wallace, Hurricanes/Manawatu
Locks
Jayden Sa, Chiefs/Taranaki
Josh Tengblad, Highlanders/Otago
Aisake Vakasiuola, Chiefs/Bay of Plenty
Loose Forwards
Mosese Bason, Hurricanes/Manawat?
Micah Fale, Chiefs/Waikato
Oli Mathis, Chiefs/Waikato
Xavier Treacy, Crusaders/Canterbury
Caleb Woodley, Blues/Auckland
Finn McLeod, Crusaders/Canterbury
Halfbacks
Dylan Pledger, Highlanders/Otago
Charlie Sinton, Chiefs/Bay of Plenty
Jai Tamati, Hurricanes/Manawat?
First five-eighth
Will Cole, Hurricanes/Hawke’s Bay
Rico Simpson, Blues/Auckland
Midfield
James Cameron, Crusaders/Canterbury
Tayne Harvey, Highlanders/Southland
Cooper Roberts, Crusaders/Tasman
Jack Wiseman, Chiefs/Taranaki
Outside Backs
Maloni Kunawave, Crusaders/Tasman
Harlyn Saunoa, Blues/Auckland
Stanley Solomon, Hurricanes/Wellington
Frank Vaenuku, Chiefs/Bay of Plenty
Non-travelling reserves
Dylan Eti, Harry Irving, Raharuhi Palmer, Aio Keith, Mika Muliaina, Taniela Maisiri, Riley Tofilau, Ollie Burra, David Lewai, Randall Baker, Israel Time
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