The Hurricanes have named their final squad to head to the Bunnings Warehouse Super Rugby U20 competition in Taupō later this week.
The squad – assembled from players within the Hurricanes catchment area – features a wide range of talent and players who have progressed through the Hurricanes development pathway.
Eight players from the 2021 team return, including recent Hurricanes debutants Raymond Tuputupu and Riley Higgins, national development contracted players Peter Lakai and Harry Godfrey, as well as Wellington’s Sione Halalilo, Bradley Crichton, Dominic Ropeti and Manawatu’s Kyle Brown.
Hurricanes Recruitment and Development Manager and U20 Head Coach Darren Larsen said, “It’s great to have players returning to the side with added experience and with more senior rugby under their belt to compliment the younger players.”
The side features 11 players from the 2021 Hurricanes U18 programme, with some returning to the region after completing their schooling.
After two matches in the lead up to the delayed tournament, the side heads to Taupō on Thursday to begin their preparation for Sunday’s opener against the Blues at 11am.
The Tournament is into its second year and includes the Under 20 teams from the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders, Highlanders and the NZ Barbarians U21 side. From the tournament – the NZ Under 20 team will be selected for their matches later in the season.
Matches:
Sunday 22 May: 11:00am Blues v Hurricanes
Wednesday 25 May: 1:00pm Chiefs v Hurricanes
Saturday 28 May: 1:00pm Barbarians v Hurricanes
All games will be played at Owen Delany Park and will be live on Sky Sport.
2022 Hurricanes U20 Squad:
Hawkes Bay
Matt Monaghan
Cooper Flanders
Tino Savea
Harry Godfrey
Ezra Malo
Manawatū
Feleti Sae Ta’ufo’ou
Raymond Tuputupu
Sase Va’a
Jordi Viljoen
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula
Kyle Brown
Logan Henry
Tutangiora Mafi
Malakai Hala-Ngatai
Epeli Waqa-Nalaga
Lawrence Leung Wai
Wellington
Bradley Crichton
Siale Lauaki
Dominic Ropeti
Peter Lakai
Sione Halalilo
Sam Howling
Logan Love
Riley Higgins
Isileli Saumaki
Chicago Doyle
Jack Riley
Unavailable due to injury:
Maea Tema-Schmidt (Wellington)
Josh Taula (Manawatū)
Hunter Morrison (Manawatū)
Joyner Gaualofa (Wellington)
Management:
Head Coach: Darren Larsen (Hurricanes)
Assistant Coach: Ellery Wilson (Hawkes Bay)
Assistant Coach: Eugene Smith (Wellington)
Team Manager: Chris Back (Whanganui)
Team Liaison: Dion Cooper (Taupo)
Physiotherapist: Emma Lattey (Hawkes Bay)
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Jack Kovacs (Wellington)
Performance Analyst: Ryan Runciman (Hurricanes)
Content and Media: Johnny Schmitt (Hurricanes)
GM Rugby: Tony Philp (Hurricanes)