Otago pair poised to don New Zealand jerseys

TWO Otago players were selected for national teams yesterday.

Exciting AlhambraUnion winger Jona Nareki has been named in the All Black Sevens for this weekend’s Singapore Sevens, and University hooker Ricky Jackson will start for New Zealand in its opening game at the under20 Oceania Championship on the Gold Coast today.

Nareki is one of several changes from the Commonwealth Games winning squad.

Scott Curry (injury), Sam Dickson (injury), Joe Webber (illness), Regan Ware (parental leave) and Vilimoni Koroi (New Zealand under20) are all unavailable.

Talented backs Ngarohi McGarveyBlack and Joe Ravouvou return to the squad, and the hardworking Teddy Stanaway and Tone Ng Shiu bolster the forward park.

Akuila Rokolisoa continues his incredible rise in the game, named to don the black jersey for the third time this month after making his debut in Hong Kong and backing up at the Commonwealth Games.

The All Blacks Sevens will face Wales, Australia and Scotland in pool D.

Meanwhile, New Zealand under20 opens its campaign against Tonga, and coach Craig Philpott said his side had been preparing well.

‘‘We are still very much in selection mode if we’re looking at the world champs. We’ve got 29 players over here and we want all of them to get game time.

Tom Christie, who is returning from the 2017 campaign, will captain the side, with Harry Plummer vicecaptain.

Philpott said while New Zealand did not know too much about its opponents at the Oceania Championship, it was expecting tough battles.

‘‘First up we have Tonga and we have come to expect they will have a physical team that looks to play an expansive style of rugby,’’ he said.

‘‘Our challenge will be keeping to our structures and systems. If we can implement our game plans and everyone gets a chance to stretch their legs we’ll be happy,’’ Philpott said.