The New Zealand squad for the upcoming World Rugby Under 20 Championship has been announced today with the "Baby Blacks" looking to defend their title in France.
Head coach Craig Philpott has named his squad to travel to the tournament later this month with 28 players making the final cut.
"We have been impressed with the quality of players that have been with us throughout our camps and at the Oceania Championships which meant it wasn’t easy to narrow this group down," Philpott said.
TVNZ will screen all of the NZ matches live on DUKE and at TVNZ.co.nz
Two players from last year's world cup success return to the side with Canterbury forward Tom Christie set to captain and Blues rookie Caleb Clarke also making the cut.
Eight players in this year's squad will be available for selection again next year.
Of the 28 selected, 12 have already played Mitre 10 Cup rugby.
"Our focus will be very much on nailing our processes game by game and expecting the unexpected," Philpott said.
"Against Fiji at Oceania, we had to play 60 minutes with 14 men and that was a good test of our systems and mindset."
New Zealand is set to face Japan, Wales and Australia in pool play.
Five players were not considered due to injury.
NZ U20s
Forwards: John Akau'ola-Laula, Sione Asi, Tom Christie (Captain), Rob Cobb, Devan Flanders, Tom Florence, Ricky Jackson, Tevita Mafileo, Laghlan McWhannell, Xavier Numia, Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa, Hoskins Sotutu, Flynn Thomas, Will Tremain, Will Tucker, Kaliopasi Uluilakepa
Backs: Caleb Clarke, Leicester Faingaanuku, Scott Gregory, Vilimoni Koroi, Harry Plummer, Billy Proctor, Jay Renton, Xavier Roe, Jamie Spowart, Bailyn Sullivan, Tanielu Tele'a, Kaleb Trask
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