Fifteen players from the Hurricanes region have been named among a 49 strong squad to attend a New Zealand Under 20 development camp.
Hawkes Bay Magpies coach Craig Philpott has been named to replace Scott Robertson as the Under 20 head coach and has selected the squad to identify and develop the next crop of talent to prepare for the World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Georgia next year.
The group includes ten players from Wellington, three from Hawke's Bay and two from Manawatu, which is where the development camp will take place, in Palmerston North from December 1 to 7.
The Wellington contingent includes 2016 Lions Mitre 10 Cup players Asafo Aumua, Alex Fidow , Sitiveni Paongo and Isaia Walker-Leawere along with Ben Power, Aumua Peseta, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Carlos Price, Lester Maulolo, and Wellington Under 19s captain Josh Brown.
Manawatu's Chris Cairns and Brayden Iose make the squad, while Pouri Rakete -Stones , Marino Mikaele-Tuu, and Tiaan Falcon are from Hawke's Bay.
"I'm excited about this coaching opportunity. Identifying and assisting in the development of the next crop of New Zealand rugby talent is extremely rewarding," said Philpott.
"Playing for New Zealand Under 20 can be the launch pad to a professional rugby career, and this development camp is an integral component of the player development system in this country.
"This programme is a great breeding ground for new talent to put their hand up for higher honours. 10 players from this year's team have been selected for Investec Super Rugby squads in 2017 and 23 of the players on the Vista 2016 All Black Northern Tour have previously been part of the Under 20 programme.
"The message to the boys is clear, if you work hard and show determination you have a real chance of turning rugby into a profession. The development camp introduces them to a high-performance environment and the higher level of expectation, fitness and discipline that goes along with that.
"These players will need to work hard on their individual development plans over the summer if they want to stay in contention for the next two development camps and selection for the World championship squad to go to Georgia in May and June."
Philpott will have two assistant coaches with him for the 2017 campaign. Taranaki's Willie Rickards has been re-appointed along with new assistant coach Cory Brown, head coach of the Otago Mitre 10 Cup team.
"Both Willie and Cory come from excellent provincial rugby environments, and I am excited about what both will bring to our campaign," Philpott said.
"Dave Hewett has also been appointed as scrum coach and brings a wealth of Super Rugby experience as well as good knowledge of this group after coaching many of them in the New Zealand Schools programme."
New Zealand Under 20 will hold further camps in March and April next year, before taking part in the Oceania Tournament on the Gold Coast in April and May. A squad of 28 will be selected to go to the Under 20 World Championship in Georgia from 25 May - 18 June 2017.
The 49 man squad named for the Development Camp is:
Forwards: Asafo Aumua, Ben Power, Alex Fidow, Sitiveni Paongo, Ben Aumua Peseta , Isaia Walker-Leawere, Josh Brown (Wellington), Chris Cairns, Brayden Iose (Manawatu), Pouri Rakete -Stones, Marino Mikaele-Tuu (Hawkes Bay), John (JP) Sauni, Jerry Samania, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Afioga Ielemia, Jacob Pierce, Samuel Slade, Adrian Choat, (Auckland), Harrison Allan, Will Tucker, Tom Christie, (Canterbury), Sam Caird, Shineil Singh, Luke Jacobson, Du'Plessis Kirifi (Waikato), Sione Tuipulotu (Counties Manukau) , Slade McDowall (Otago), Dylan Lam (North Harbour), Isaiah Miller (Tasman).
Backs: Caleb Korteweg, Matt Lansdown, Tyler Campbell (Waikato), Lewis Gjaltema (North Harbour), Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Carlos Price, Lester Maulolo, (Wellington), Tiaan Falcon (Hawkes Bay), Orbyn Leger (Counties Manukau ), Matt McKenzie (Taranaki), Braydon Ennor, Josh McKay, Will Jordan (Canterbury), Tamati Tua (Northland), Nikolai Foliaki, Caleb Clarke, To'o Vaega, (Auckland), Tima Faingaanuku (Tasman), Sheldon Tovio, Josh Buchan (Otago).
Not considered due to Investec Super Rugby Commitments were: Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes) Peter Umaga-Jensen (Hurricanes), Stephen Perofeta (Blues), Eri Enari (Crusaders).
Players not considered due to injury were: Thomas Umaga Jensen (Otago), James Little (North Harbour), Otumaka Mausia (Auckland), Dalton Papalii (Auckland), Ryan Coxan (Waikato).
The full coaching and management team for the New Zealand Under 20 squad is:
Head coach: Craig Philpott
Assistant coach: Willie Rickards
Assistant coach: Cory Brown
Scrum Coach: Dave Hewett
Manager: Martyn Vercoe