Thirty-three emerging players from the Hurricanes region have been selected for the Hurricanes Under 20s Wider Squad.
With representatives from four Hurricanes region provincial unions – the current group have come through the Hurricanes Development pathway via provincial union academies and development teams.
Headlining the squad are NZ U20 and Hurricanes National Development Contracted players Harry Godfrey, Riley Higgins and Peter Lakai. Currently training with the Hurricanes, the talented teens will look to impose themselves on the competition.
2021 NZ Secondary Schools representatives Chicago Doyle, Cooper Flanders, Siale Lauaki, Matt Monaghan and Jordi Viljoen are selected alongside 11 returnees, hoping to make their second tournament side.
Hurricanes Heartland U20 Captain – Ezra Malo is the lone heartland representative in the side, with the Whanganui product having made three appearances for the Whanganui Heartland side in 2021.
The tournament, initially scheduled for march was postponed due to the on-going impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic which will see an overlap with club rugby. As a result – the side will play, just one preseason game before the tournament proper.
Hurricanes Recruitment & Development Manager, Darren Larsen acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic had caused some challenges with the tournament structure.
“It’s great that the tournament is going ahead, albeit delayed. The delay overlaps with club rugby, to minimise the disruption to club competitions, the decision was made to have just one preseason game.”
“It was acknowledged from all sides that it is important for the players to have the opportunity to play in this competition to forward themselves into New Zealand Under-20s.”
"It's always fantastic to see new young talent come through, and it's always great to see who's willing to work hard and take this opportunity.”
"These boys will know they have a very real chance of turning rugby into a profession if they have a relentless approach to keep working hard.”
The players will assemble in Palmerston North at the end of April for a connection camp – before the squad is narrowed to 28 for the second Super Rugby Aotearoa U20s tournament from May 22-28.
2022 Hurricanes U20 Wider Squad:
Whanganui
Ezra Malo
Hawkes Bay
Tino Savea
Josiah Sakaria
Matt Monaghan
Cooper Flanders
Harry Godfrey
Bethel Malasia
Amos Roddick
Manawatū
Raymond Tuputupu
Sase Va'a
Feleti Sae Ta'ufo'ou
Joshua Taula
Malakai Ngatai
Elyjah Crosswell
Hunter Morrison
Jordan Viljoen
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula
Kyle Brown
Tavita Henare-Schuster
Logan Henry
Wellington
Joyner Gaualofa
Siale Lauaki
Bradley Crichton
Nonu Tuia
Maea Tema-Schmidt
Dominic Ropeti
Sione Halalilo
Peter Lakai
Chicago Doyle
Sam Howling
Logan Love
Riley Higgins
Isi Saumaki
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 (Hawkes Bay/Taupo)
Physiotherapist: Emma Lattey (Resource)
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Jack Kovacs (Wellington)
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Ayrton Yarrell (Hurricanes)
Performance Analyst: Ryan Runciman (Hurricanes)