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German-born teenager and Super Rugby stars headline 2021 New Zealand U20 squad
German-born teenage sensation Anton Segner and a host of rising Super Rugby Aotearoa stars have been named in a 30-man New Zealand U20 squad.
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New Zealand U20 head coach Tabai Matson announced his squad on Tuesday and has included five players with Super Rugby Aotearoa experience.
Ruben Love (Hurricanes), Chay Fihaki (Crusaders), Gideon Wrampling (Chiefs), Josh Lord (Chiefs) and Soane Vikena (Blues) have all featured for their respective franchises this year.
Furthermore, Taranaki wing Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, who is under contract with the Blues, has also been named in the squad, as has Otago loose forward Sean Withy, who was called into the Highlanders squad as injury cover earlier this year.
Withy was a standout for the Highlanders U20 side in the inaugural edition of Super Rugby Aotearoa U20 last month, claiming competition’s MVP award.
His inclusion in the squad helps form a strong loose forward contingent that also boasts Segner, the German-born flanker who has previously represented New Zealand Schools and made his provincial debut for Tasman last year.
The Frankfurt-born 19-year-old has spoken openly of his All Blacks aspirations and is held in high regard by many throughout New Zealand.
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Other notable names in the national youth side include Hurricanes U20 trio Aidan Morgan, Riley Higgins and Harry Godfrey, all of whom combined spectacularly from first-five, second-five and fullback, respectively, at the national U2o tournament in Taupo.
Crusaders U20 hooker George Bell was another who caught the eye during the week-long event at Owen Delaney Park, as did Highlanders U20 halfback Nathan Hastie.
Matson said he was impressed by the talent on show during last month’s showcase and was excited by the quality on offer throughout his squad.
“The talent we saw in Taupo was outstanding,” he said.
“We have a real range of players; for some guys this will be their first black jersey and the culmination of a lot of years of hard work and then there’s guys like Ruben Love who has been starting at first-five for the Hurricanes.
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“There are also some very good rugby players that went close but have missed out and I have no doubt will go on to be very good rugby players.”
The Under 20 schedule for 2021 is yet to be confirmed, but Matson said they are hopeful for matches against Australia.
“The aim is two-fold, I have a clear remit to develop professional rugby players and our group of coaches need to provide a platform for these players to go to the next level, but also whenever you put on a black jersey there is expectation that you perform well so we really want to do that.”
2021 New Zealand U20 squad
Sione Ahio (Auckland)
Vaiolini Ekuasi (Auckland)
Corey Evans (Auckland)
Josh Fusitua (Auckland)
Meihana Grindlay (Auckland)
Manu Paea (Auckland)
Soane Vikena (Auckland)
George Bell (Canterbury)
Chay Fihaki (Canterbury)
Zach Gallagher (Canterbury)
Dom Gardiner (Canterbury)
Jack Sexton (Canterbury)
Harry Godfrey (Hawke’s Bay)
Joseph Gavigan (Manawatu)
TK Howden (Manawatu)
Nathan Hastie (Otago)
Fabian Holland (Otago)
Sean Withy (Otago)
Josh Lord (Taranaki)
Nathaniel Peters (Taranaki)
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Taranaki)
Luca Inch (Tasman)
Anton Segner (Tasman)
Tepaea Cook-Savage (Waikato)
Cortez Lee-Ratima (Waikato)
Gideon Wrampling (Waikato)
Riley Higgins (Wellington)
Peter Lakai (Wellington)
Ruben Love (Wellington)
Aidan Morgan (Wellington)
Listen to the latest episode of the Aotearoa Rugby Pod below:
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
16 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
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