Auckland - Coach Rob Penney has selected his New Zealand Under-20 squad to travel to South Africa next month for the IRB Junior World Championship.
According to the allblacks.com website, the squad was announced by New Zealand Rugby Union president Bryan Williams at the Under-20 trial camp in Palmerston North.
Penney said the trial saw 46 in camp, vying for a spot in the travelling squad of 28.
"All the boys put in a really good effort, and the trial game gave us a lot to think about.
"I'm really happy with the squad we have selected with a lot of young men putting their hands up for national team honours.
"We're really excited about heading to South Africa now to defend our title," he said.
The New Zealand Under-20 team is:
Pita Ahki
Fraser Armstrong
Hugh Blake
Ambrose Curtis
Scott Eade
Jason Emery
Bryn Hall
Marnus Hanley
Nathan Harris
Jake Heenan
Milford Keresoma
Jonathon Kitto
Joe Latta
Christian Lloyd
Taniela Manu
Rhys Marshall
Martin McKenzie
Ope Peleseuma
Glenn Preston
Matt Proctor
Tuki Raimona
Nick Ross
Eric Sione
Junior Tafa Va'a
Jordan Taufua
Jimmy Tupou
Ofa Tuungafasi
Ihaia West
Those unavailable for selection are Auckland's Gnafatasi Sua (injury) and TJ Perenara (Wellington) and Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty) due to Super Rugby commitments.
The team will assemble again in Auckland on Friday, May 24 ahead of travelling to South Africa on Wednesday, May 30.
The New Zealand Under-20 team open their tournament against Samoa on June 4 at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.
According to the allblacks.com website, the squad was announced by New Zealand Rugby Union president Bryan Williams at the Under-20 trial camp in Palmerston North.
Penney said the trial saw 46 in camp, vying for a spot in the travelling squad of 28.
"All the boys put in a really good effort, and the trial game gave us a lot to think about.
"I'm really happy with the squad we have selected with a lot of young men putting their hands up for national team honours.
"We're really excited about heading to South Africa now to defend our title," he said.
The New Zealand Under-20 team is:
Pita Ahki
Fraser Armstrong
Hugh Blake
Ambrose Curtis
Scott Eade
Jason Emery
Bryn Hall
Marnus Hanley
Nathan Harris
Jake Heenan
Milford Keresoma
Jonathon Kitto
Joe Latta
Christian Lloyd
Taniela Manu
Rhys Marshall
Martin McKenzie
Ope Peleseuma
Glenn Preston
Matt Proctor
Tuki Raimona
Nick Ross
Eric Sione
Junior Tafa Va'a
Jordan Taufua
Jimmy Tupou
Ofa Tuungafasi
Ihaia West
Those unavailable for selection are Auckland's Gnafatasi Sua (injury) and TJ Perenara (Wellington) and Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty) due to Super Rugby commitments.
The team will assemble again in Auckland on Friday, May 24 ahead of travelling to South Africa on Wednesday, May 30.
The New Zealand Under-20 team open their tournament against Samoa on June 4 at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.