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New Zealand side named for opening U20 Championship match
By Online Editors
New Zealand Under 20 coach Craig Philpott has named the team set to face Tonga in the opening match of the 2018 Under 20 Oceania Championship on the Gold Coast.
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Philpott said the team has been preparing well this week and are looking forward to getting on the field.
“We are still very much in selection mode if we’re looking at the World Champs. We’ve got 29 players over here and we want all of them to get game time.
Tom Christie, returning from the 2017 campaign, will captain the side, with Harry Plummer vice-captain.
Philpott said while they don’t know too much about their opposition teams at the Oceania Championship, they are expecting tough battles.
“First up we have Tonga and we have come to expect they will have a physical team that looks to play an expansive style of rugby.
“Our challenge will be keeping to our structures and systems, if we can implement our game plans and everyone gets a chance to stretch their legs we’ll be happy,” said Philpott.
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The opening match against Tonga kicks off at 7pm Friday night (NZT), and will be followed by the fixture between Fiji and Australia at 9pm.
NEW ZEALAND UNDER 20
1. Rob Cobb, 2. Ricky Jackson, 3. Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, 4. Laghlan McWhannell, 5. John Akau’ola-Laula, 6. Tom Florence, 7. Tom Christie (C), 8. Devan Flanders, 9. Carlos Price, 10. Harry Plummer, 11. Leicester Faingaanuku, 12. Tanielu Tele’a, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Bailyn Sullivan, 15. Kaleb Trask.
Reserves: 16. Flynn Thomas, 17. Sione Asi, 18. Tevita Mafileo, 19. Waimana Riedlinger-Kapea, 20. William Tremain, 21. Hoskins Sotutu, 22. Xavier Roe, 23. Ciarahn Matoe.
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ignore EJ at your peril.. man hasn't been here long and he's got visions for Wallabies....Go Eddie Jones... one down, more to go
Go to commentsWhat he is saying is true. Why the Fiji is so strong at sevens, and the way to beat them is to get into extra time. They run out of gas. But of his SSI loaded team isn't two scores ahead with fifteen minutes to play they could be in trouble. Also rush defence and resolute tackling stops even the biggest in their tracks. One of the greatest attacking wings ever Jono Lomu never scored against South Africa in four or five tests. Secondly the big islanders are great going forward but not to good turning round as when tiny Breyten Paulse beat Lomu one on one all ends up by chipping over his head running round him collecting and scoring under the posts. As we say in Africa: "Bring on the heat."
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