New Zealand Under 20s named for French re-match
Head Coach Jono Gibbes has named a strong side for the match.
The New Zealand Under 20 team is:
Will Martin
Vernon Bason – captain
Josh Smith
Tom Allen
Liam Jack
Andrew Smith
Johnny Lee
Mosese Bason
Dylan Pledger
Rico Simpson
Stan Solomon
Xavi Taele
Aki Tuivailala
Xavier Tito-Harris
Sam Coles
Manumaua Letiu
Sika Pole
Gus Brown
Cam Christie
Matt Lowe
Riley Williams
Isaac Hutichinson
King Maxwell
*Gus Brown has replaced Logan Wallace in the squad. Wallace was withdrawn from the squad due to a foot injury.
New Zealand beat France in a one-point thriller in their second pool match and Gibbes has made just two changes to the starting 15 that took the field that day.
With Logan Wallace’s withdrawal from the squad Josh Smith will start at prop and Gus Brown comes onto the bench. Brown, a Canterbury and Crusaders prop, joined the squad in South Africa last week.
Sam Coles starts at fullback while Gibbes has opted for consistency with the remainder of the backline all earning their fourth starts of the tournament.
Monday will be the sixth time New Zealand and France have met at the Under 20 level, with New Zealand winning three of those matches. France three-time defending champions.
Watch:
The World U20 Championship matches will all be broadcast live on Sky Sport.
The World U20 Championship schedule (times in NZT):
New Zealand 41 v Wales 34
Sunday 30 June
New Zealand 27 v France 26
Friday 5 July
New Zealand 45 v Spain 13*
Wednesday 10 July
*match was called off at halftime due to weather conditions
