Tough tasks expected at youth world cup
TWO Southlanders departed on Saturday for the Youth Touch World Cup, the first youth world cup to be staged since 2005.
Brad Kooman will line up for the New Zealand under20 mixed team, which will be coached by longserving Southland touch coach Dennis Thompson.
Kooman has represented Southland for many years in both the youth and open grades before collecting his first international cap as a member of the New Zealand under18 mixed team.
The tournament will be played in Kuala Lumpur and Kooman expected it would provide some challenges.
He expected temperatures of at least 35degC and stressed the importance of hydration.
Thompson was pleased where his team was at but was aware of the battles it would face.
It will play 12 games over four days and will face stiff competition from its transtasman rival, Australia, in trying to bring home the gold.
International newbies such as Hong Kong, China and India will bring an unknown component.
Seasoned competitor South Africa will again take part.
‘‘We’ve gathered a very good group of players and got through a lot work and prep at the camp but we’ll need to be at our best,’’ Thompson said.
‘‘We can expect Australia to really play well and we just have to be better.’’
The team also features New Zealand open mixed players Atawhai Hotene and Keegan Harris, who, along with Kooman, will be key to the team’s success.
The Youth Touch World Cup begins on Wednesday.