New Zealand Under 20s named to face Spain
The team have won their first two matches at the World Rugby Under 20 Championship.
Head Coach Jono Gibbes has made several changes to the side that defeated France last week.
The team is;
Senio Sanele
A-One Lolofie
Josh Smith
Tom Allen
Cameron Christie
Andrew Smith
Matt Lowe
Mosese Bason
Ben O’Donovan
Cooper Grant
Frank Vaenuku
Xavi Taele – captain
Xavier Tito-Harris
King Maxwell
Isaac Hutchinson
Manumaua Letiu
Sika Pole
Will Martin
Tai Cribb
Jeremiah Avei-Collins
Riley Williams
Rico Simpson
Aki Tuivailala
Xavi Taele will captain the side from second five-eighths, with Vernon Bason sitting out the final pool match. Taele and lock Tom Allen will be the only two players in the squad to start in all three matches.
Senio Sanele, A-One Lolofie and Joshua Smith all get their first starts in the front row, while Cameron Christie joins Allen in the second row after playing the previous two matches off the bench.
Andrew Smith and Mosese Bason combine again in the back row, with Matt Lowe starting at openside flanker.
Crusaders pair Ben O’Donovan and Cooper Grant will start at halfback and first five-eighths respectively while Xavier Tito-Harris comes in from the wing to start at centre. Isaac Hutchinson retains the fullback jersey, with King Maxwell earning his first start on the wing alongside Frank Vaenuku.
The New Zealand Under 20s currently sit at the top of Pool A with two bonus point wins and face Spain, it will be the first time the teams have met at an Under 20 Championship.
Broadcast:
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, kick off 5am
New Zealand 27 v France 26
Friday 5 July, kick off 2.30am
New Zealand v Spain
Wednesday 10 July, 5am
Playoffs
Monday 15 July
