Six Tasman players named for camp
Six Tasman players have been selected to attend the New Zealand under-20 development camp as coach Craig Philpott begins preparations for the 2018 World Rugby under-20 championship.
Forwards Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta and Sam Moli and backs Jack Grooby, Leicester Faingaanuku, Rupena Parkinson and Jamie Spowart are among the 52 players selected for the weeklong camp in Palmerston North from December 3-9.
Former Nelson College First XV fullback Faingaanuku was part of this year’s New Zealand Schools team, while Cirikidaveta, Moli and Parkinson all made their first class Mitre 10 Cup debuts for the Tasman Makos this season.
Tasman Makos Tima Faingaanuku and Will Jordan were part of this year’s champion New Zealand Under-20 side in Georgia.
Philpott said it was always an exciting part of the process to get the players in for the first development camp.
‘‘There is a lot done to get to this point. We have selectors across the country looking at several levels of rugby – First XV, Jock Hobbs, Mitre 10 Cup - this is a chance to get them in and see where they are at,’’ he said.
‘‘We are particularly pleased with the depth we have in this group compared to previous years. Especially in the front row – we have five hookers and nine props coming in because they have all put their hands up.’’
The squad features 10 players who had been involved in the 2016 wider squad, while four players have been recognised for their performances in the New Zealand Schools’ team earlier this month.
‘‘We’ll assess the boys on strength and conditioning, body composition, skill set and technical knowledge of the game.
‘‘From there we can put together a clear plan with specific goals and guidelines for each player so they know what is expected from them.’’
Most players will be involved with Super Rugby development or age group programmes at the start of 2018 before assembling as a group again in March.
A squad will be selected from the development group to play in the Oceania tournament in April in Australia.
Philpott will once again be joined by assistant coach Willie Rickards and scrum coach Dave Hewett, with David Hill (Bay of Plenty) also joining the coaching team in an assistant’s role.
‘‘It’s great to have continuity in coaching with three of the four returning for another campaign. And David is familiar with our programme as he’s worked as a skills coach in the past so has a clear understanding of what we are trying to achieve.’’
The 2018 under-20 championship schedule (dates and venue) has yet to be confirmed.