New Zealand Under 20s vie for podium finish at World Rugby Under 20 Championship

The New Zealand Under 20s will play for third place at the World Rugby Under 20 Championship, facing Ireland in their last match on Saturday morning (kick off 2.30am NZT).

Head Coach Jobo Gibbes has made several changes to the playing squad.

The team is;
1. Senio Sanele
2. Vernon Bason – captain
3. Josh Smith
4. Tom Allen
5. Cameron Christie
6. Andrew Smith
7. Matt Lowe
8. Johnny Lee
9. Dylan Pledger
10. Cooper Grant
11. Frank Vaenuku
12. Xavi Taele
13. Aki Tuivailala
14. King Maxwell
15. Sam Coles

16. A-One Lolofie
17. Sika Pole
18. William Martin
19. Tai Cribb
20. Jeremiah Avei-Collins
21. Ben O-Donovan
22. Rico Simpson
23. Xavier Tito-Harris

*Stanley Solomon is unavailable for selection after receiving a red card in the semi-final against France

A podium finish is in the sights of the New Zealand Under 20 team as they finish the World Rugby Under 20 Championship playing in the third place final against Ireland.

After last week’s semi-final loss to France, Head Coach Jono Gibbes has made a number of changes to the playing squad.

Captain Vernon Bason anchors the scrum from hooker and will be joined by Josh Smith and Senio Sanele in the front row, the latter in his second start of the tournament.

Tom Allen starts again at lock, one of only two players to start every match, and he pairs with Cam Christie, while Andrew Smith, Matt Lowe and Johnny Lee round out the forward pack.

Dylan Pledger will link with Cooper Grant in the halves for the first time this tournament, while vice captain Xavi Taele confirms his fifth start at second five-eighths. He pairs with Aki Tuilailala in the midfield with Sam Coles, Frank Veanuku and King Maxwell are the starting back three.

A win against Ireland would see New Zealand’s best result at the Under 20 Championships since winning in 2017.

The teams have met eight times at this level, with New Zealand winning seven of those encounters. It will be the second time they have met in the third place play-off with New Zealand in 2014.

Further information:

Broadcast:
The World U20 Championship matches will all be broadcast live on Sky Sport. Highlights of New Zealand Under 20s v Ireland will be available on NZR+

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 45 v Spain 13
Wednesday 10 July, 5am
*match was called off at halftime due to weather conditions

Semi Final
New Zealand 31 v France 55
DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Monday 15 July, kick off 5am

Third Place play off
New Zealand v Ireland
DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Saturday 20 July, kick off 2.30am