Six Wellington players make New Zealand Under 20s squad

Six Wellington players have been selected in the final New Zealand Under 20s squad to play at the Oceania Under 20 tournament on the Gold Coast kicking off on May 28. 

Wellington's representatives are forwards, Asafo Aumua (Avalon), Alex Fidow (Oriental Rongotai), and Isaia Walker-Leawere (Poneke), and backs, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara (Tawa), Carlos Price (Petone) and Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Wainuiomata). 

Former New Zealand Secondary Schools representatives Umaga-Jensen has been called into the squad after a recent run of impressive performances for his club Wainui during the 2017 Swindale Shield club competition.

New Zealand Under 20 Head Coach Craig Philpott said he was pleased with the depth of the squad and glad to have Umaga-Jensen back in the mix.

"We have been following Thomas's return to rugby following his hip surgery in October last year with a view to inclusion in the squad. He's had three weeks of club rugby and is tracking well. We know what he is capable of after his time in the Secondary Schools team and he is a welcome addition now that he is injury-free."

A seventh Wellington player, Hurricanes utility back Peter Umaga-Jensen, was not considered due to injury.

The New Zealand Under 20s squad named today will travel to the Gold Coast for matches against Fiji on 28 April, Samoa on 2 May and Australia on 6 May. All matches will be played at Bond University, Gold Coast Rugby Fields.            

The final New Zealand Under 20s squad is:

Forwards:

Harrison Allan (Canterbury)

Asafo Aumua (Wellington)            

Sam Caird (Waikato)

Adrian Choat (Auckland)       

Tom Christie (Canterbury)       

Ryan Coxon (Waikato)       

Tim Farrell (Hawkes Bay)

Alex Fidow (Wellington)

Luke Jacobson (C) (Waikato)

Ezekiel Lindenmuth (Auckland)        

Marino Mikaele-Tuu  (Hawkes Bay)

Dalton Papalii  (Auckland)       

Jacob Pierce (Auckland)                   

John (JP) Sauni (Auckland)       

Samuel Slade (Auckland)

Pouri Rakete-Stones (Hawkes Bay)

Isaia Walker-Leawere  (Wellington)                        

Backs:  

Caleb Clarke (Auckland)    

Ereatara Enari (VC) (Canterbury)           

Braydon Ennor (Canterbury)        

Tima Faingaanuku (Tasman)        

Tiaan Falcon (Hawkes Bay)

Will Jordan (Tasman)

Kemara Hauiti-Parapara (Wellington)

Orbyn Leger (Counties)       

Ciarahn Matoe (Taranaki)

Josh McKay (Canterbury)

Jona Nareki (Otago)

Carlos Price (Wellington)        

Tamati Tua (Northland)

Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Wellington)

Not considered due to Investec Super Rugby commitments:  Jordie Barrett (Taranaki)
Players not considered due to injury: Stephen Perofeta (Taranaki), Peter Umaga Jensen (Wellington)