Wellington - New Zealand U20 have left in-form back Jordie Barrett out of their squad for the upcoming Oceania U20 tournament on the Gold Coast.
The tournament, starting on 28 May, sees former New Zealand Secondary Schools representatives Thomas Umaga-Jensen and Ciarahn Matoe named.
All Blacks apprentice Barrett will be unavailable due to Super Rugby commitments with the Hurricanes however and Blues back Stephen Perofeta has been ruled out due to his on-going recovery from an ankle injury.
"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," New Zealand U20 head coach Craig Philpott told the All Blacks' website.
"With Stephen and Jordie not available we needed extra cover at first-five-eight. Ciarahn’s time with the Chiefs U20 squad has gone well and he proved himself with the New Zealand Secondary Schools team last year. This is a good opportunity for him and one I am sure he will make the most of.
"We had hoped that Stephen would be available for selection. However, it’s become clear he won’t be ready in time for the tournament due to his ankle injury.
"As has been the case in previous years’ players have been deemed unavailable for the Oceania tournament due to their Super Rugby commitments. No final decision on their availability for the World Championship in Georgia in May and June has been made."
New Zealand U20 squad
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 (Waikato), Ezekiel Lindenmuth (Auckland), Marino Mikaele-Tuu (Hawke's Bay), Dalton Papalii (Auckland), Jacob Pierce (Auckland), John (JP) Sauni (Auckland), Samuel Slade (Auckland), Pouri Rakete-Stones (Hawke's Bay), Isaia Walker-Leawere (Wellington)
Backs: Caleb Clarke (Auckland), Ereatara Enari (Canterbury), Braydon Ennor (Canterbury), Tima Faingaanuku (Tasman), Tiaan Falcon (Hawke's 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)