Pool C: New Zealand U20 lose experience of Lienert-Brown

New Zealand will be without vice-captain Anton Lienert-Brown for the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy after injuries forced the Chiefs to recall the centre for Super Rugby duty.

“Obviously we’re really disappointed to lose a quality player like Anton given he has been a key part of our campaign planning and was a key leader for us at the Oceania tournament,” admitted coach Scott Robertson, who has called up Sean Wainui as his replacement.

“At the same time, this is a fantastic opportunity for Sean who has already joined the squad and we’re excited that he is coming to Italy with us.”

The unavailability of Leinert-Brown, who took over the captaincy part-way through the 2014 tournament on home soil, means that New Zealand will now have seven of the squad that finished third last year returning for another shot at the title in 2015.

Prop Tau Koloamatangi, second-rows Atunaisa Moli and Geoffrey Cridge and back-row Mitchell Jacobson all return from the class of 2014, and they are joined in the 28-strong party by the midfield pairing of TJ Faiane and wingers Tevita Li and Vincent Tavae-Aso.

Henry Stowers, Nathaniel Apa and Luteru Laulala will also return for a second campaign, albeit this time in the black of New Zealand after catching the eye at the 2014 edition when playing for Samoa. 

A total of 10 players in the squad have also had either ITM Cup or Super Rugby experience.

“We’re excited to finally settle on our squad which we believe has the ability to perform at this tournament,” Robertson said when announcing his squad earlier this month. “We think we've got the balance right between experience and talent to give us the best opportunity to do well.

“The World Rugby U20 Championship is a unique opportunity for these boys to perform well on a world stage.”

Natural leader

Moli continues his captaincy duties from the Oceania Rugby Junior Championship, where New Zealand defeated Samoa, Japan and Australia to take the inaugural title and enter the World Rugby U20 Championship in good shape.

“Atu Moli is a big strong 125k prop and it’s his second year. He’s a natural leader who is hugely respected and has a lot of ‘Mana’ (power and prestige) in our group. We know he’ll lead the boys through his actions,” Robertson commented.

With Argentina, who are renowned for their scrummaging ability, Ireland and Scotland joining them in Pool C New Zealand can expect a stiff examination up front when the action gets underway on 2 June.

“Our locks are big, tall and strong with the likes of Geoff Cridge coming out of the Hurricanes - that makes a massive difference for us along with guys who have been really focused on their core roles and aerial skills,” he said.

“Otere Black will lead our backline, he’s a strong leader, he’s played ITM Cup, and he’s in the Hurricanes wider training group. He’ll lead us around the field well alongside a group of other players with great ITM Cup and Super Rugby experience.

“We’ve got a good mix across the backline helped by the power that Nathaniel Apa brings. We’ve got a bit of pace, guys who can play in different positions and we’ve got depth in our squad, which is really exciting for us.”

The New Zealand squad will assemble on 22 May at Mt Maunganui before heading off to Italy where they tasted success the last time the tournament was held there in 2011.

New Zealand squad: Isileli Tu'ungafasi, Tau Koloamatangi, Aidan Ross, Atunaisa Moli, Liam Polwart, Steven Misa, Ricky Riccitelli, Mitchell Dunshea, Geoffrey Cridge, Joshua Goodhue, James Blackwell, Mitchell Jacobson, Blake Gibson, Mitchell Karpik, Akira Ioane, Henry Stowers, Harrison Levien, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Otere Black, Mitchell Hunt, TJ Faiane, Jack Goodhue, Sean Wainui, Nathaniel Apa, Tevita Li, Vincent Tavae-Aso, George Bridge, Luteru Laulala       

Rock solid Ireland 

Eight players who helped Ireland reach a first World Rugby U20 Championship semi-final in 2014 have been named in the 28-man squad for the 2015 edition in Italy from 2-20 June.

Ross Byrne, Billy Dardis, Ciaran Gaffney, Oisin Heffernan, captain Nick McCarthy, Rory Moloney, Josh Murphy and Garry Ringrose all featured in 2014 with the latter one of the nominees for the World Rugby Junior Player of the Year accolade.

Ireland, under new coach Nigel Carolan, finished fifth in the Under-20 Six Nations, starting promisingly with wins over Italy and defending champions France before losing to England, Wales and Scotland.

Only two players who did not feature in the Six Nations have been selected for the World Championship with Sean McNulty having recovered from injury to join the uncapped Charlie Rock on the plane to Italy. 

Ireland will face New Zealand, Argentina and Scotland with only the top Pool C side guaranteed a place in the semi-finals on 15 June.

Ireland squad: Sam Arnold, Ross Byrne, Joey Carbery, Fergal Cleary, Billy Dardis, Lorcan Dow, Jack Dwan, Stephen Fitzgerald, Ciaran Gaffney, Oisin Heffernan, Jeremy Loughman, Zack McCall, Nick McCarthy (captain), Sean McNulty, Stephen McVeigh, Rory Moloney, Josh Murphy, Conán O'Donnell, David O'Connor, Conor Oliver, Jack Owens, Andrew Porter, Garry Ringrose, Charlie Rock, Cian Romaine, Jacob Stockdale, Alex Thompson, Nick Timoney.

Familiar look for Scotland

All bar four of the squad named by Scotland U20 coach Sean Lineen featured at least once in this year’s Under-20 Six Nations, the exceptions being prop Callum Sheldon, wings Richard Galloway and Robbie Nairn and fly-half Blair Kinghorn.

“There’s a good mixture of guys that have been there and done it, and players who haven’t had any experience at under-20 level,” explained Lineen. “After the recent Six Nations, there’s a good buzz surrounding the group, but the World Championships is a whole different ball game – five games in 19 days, in a warm Italy, is going to be very tough.

“We fielded 15 boys over the course of the Six Nations tournament who still have another year at under-20 level, which is a real positive in terms of building their experience early and puts them in good stead for the tournament.”

Scotland recorded their best finish of third in the Six Nations, beating Wales, Italy and their World Rugby U20 Championship opponents Ireland (pictured). The Scots will also face New Zealand and Argentina in Pool C.

Despite that improved Six Nations showing, Lineen knows his charges will need to stay focused on the job at hand if they are to have a chance of bettering their record of appearing in the ninth place play-off each year since the U20 Championship began in 2008.

“We’ve got a tough group, so we’re under no illusion that we’ve got to go over there and give it our all.

“Approaching the tournament in the right frame of mind is key. We need to make sure that we always bring our tenacity and every single member of the squad performs to the very best of their ability, game in, game out – we can’t rely on a select group to go out there and do the job.

“After a really positive Six Nations, we need to remain grounded and continue to knuckle down, keep learning and work hard to improve our game.”

Since the Six Nations, Scotland have continued to train on a weekly basis, meeting as a group every Wednesday for training sessions. They will also have three preparation camps as well as matches against a combined Edinburgh Rugby A and Glasgow Warriors A team, and Wales Under-20, who they defeated 36-34 in the Six Nations.

“There's a lot of preparation been put in place, and we’re hoping this provides the right platform ahead of the tournament. The more we can get these boys training and playing together, the better it is for them both as individuals and as a collective,” added Lineen.

“It’s always an exciting time prior to these big occasions. They’re a really driven and hungry squad, who all want to continue to progress in rugby, and the World Championship will provide a real opportunity for them to prove themselves at a higher level.

“We have a brave and well-drilled forward pack who are complemented by a talented set of backs. We’re looking forward to getting the best out of them.

“It’s going to be competitive – we have 28 players to play five games in 19 days. Yet, with the desire and attitude the players possess, I have no doubt they will relish in what is always a fantastic tournament.”

Photo credit: Scottish Rugby / SNS Group