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Super Rugby and 7s talent on show as NZ U20s name team for opener
By Finn Morton
The New Zealand U20s have named a star-studded side for their World Rugby U20 Championship opener against Wales which includes some talented players with Super Rugby experience.
Crusaders halfback Noah Hotham will captain the side against Wales U20, and will partner another member of the champion franchise in the halves – that being Baby Blacks vice-captain Taha Kemara.
Fullback Harry Godfrey is another member of the backline who starred in Super Rugby Pacific this season, having impressed for the Hurricanes against Moana Pasifika in round 12.
Godfrey actually played eight matches for the Canes this season, and started two of those games in the No. 15 jersey.
Fellow Hurricanes star Peter Lakai will pack down at No. 8 for the Baby Blacks, and joins All Blacks Sevens representative Che Clarke in the back row.
Going through the team, coach Clark Laidlaw has named the menacing front row trio of loosehead Ben Ake, Highlanders hooker Jack Taylor, and tighthead Siale Lauaki.
Taylor Cahill, who won the AFL New Zealand Rising star award for round one in the 2021 season, joins Otago talent Will Stodart in the second row.
Along with Che Clark and vice-captain Peter Lakai, Sam Hainsworth-Fa’aofo will pack down in the backrow – starting at openside flanker.
Outside the extremely exciting halves duo of Hotham and Kemara is Ajay Faleafaga and Aki Tuivailala in the midfield.
Crusaders winger Macca Springer will start on the left, while Auckland’s Caleb Tangitau has been named on the right.
Another All Blacks Sevens player in Codemeru Vai will look to provide some impact off the bench.
The match between the Baby Blacks and Wales U20 will kick-off at 2.00 am (NZST) on Sunday (4pm SAT on Saturday) at Paarl Gymnasium.
New Zealanders can watch the match live and exclusive on Sky Sport.
New Zealand U20s to take on Wales U20s
- Ben Ake
- Jack Taylor
- Siale Lauaki
- Tahlor Cahill
- Will Stodart
- Che Clark
- Sam Hainsworth-Fa’aofo
- Peter Lakai (vc)
- Noah Hotham (c)
- Taha Kemara (vc)
- Macca Springer
- Ajay Faleafaga
- Aki Tuivailala
- Caleb Tangitau
- Harry Godfrey
Replacements:
- Raymond Tuputupu
- Malakai Hala
- Gabe Robinson
- Tom Allen
- Malachi Wrampling-Alec
- Jordi Viljoen
- Leo Gordon
- Codemeru Vai
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