Hurricanes players Leni Apisai and TJ Va'a have been selected in the New Zealand Under 20s squad to contest the World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Manchester, England next month.

Hooker Apisai will have the honour of captaining the New Zealand team, while Va'a has been selected as one of the side's two first five eighths in a squad that includes eight players from the Hurricanes region.

There Hurricanes duo are two of seven Wellington players including prop Alex Fidow, hooker Asafo Aumua, centre Malo Tuitama, lock Isaia Walker-Leawere, while there are two Hawke's Bay representatives in wing Jonah Lowe and loose forward Marino Mikaele Tu'u.

Fidow was a nominee for 2015 New Zealand Age Grade Player of the Year and last year won the New Zealand Schools Bronze Boot award.

Apisai has made a smooth transition into Investec Super Rugby this season after starting the Hurricanes first three matches of the season, while Va'a represented the club twice during the preseason as well as making a number of appearances for the development team.

There is another Hurricanes link in the side with the selection of Jordie Barrett, the younger brother of current Hurricanes first five Beauden.

Jordie Barrett is one of two All Blacks siblings with Fin Hoeata, brother of former All Black and Maori All Black Jarrad Hoeata, also set to travel to Manchester.

New Zealand under 20s coach Scott Roberston said the squad was a good mix of youth and experience.

"We've got six players from Super Rugby teams, two guys returning from last year's team, and we have nine players young enough to be eligible to play again next year.  It's a good balance - a little bit of experience, youth and exuberance from the young fellas, and the professionalism from the Super players."

The exciting team also includes Heartland Player of the Year nominee, first five Stephen Perofeta who, while still at Wanganui Collegiate as a Year 13 student last year, was a key weapon in Wanganui's road to Meads Cup victory in the Heartland Championship last year.  Perofeta was selected for the New Zealand Heartland XV squad and went on to run up 58 points in just three matches.

Robertson expects competition to be fierce at the World Championship with England likely to again be strong with their Premiership players available, and Australia also providing stiff competition with the availability of Super Rugby players.

"We're in a tough pool.  We've got Wales who won the Six Nations and Ireland who performed really well.  We've also got Georgia - they're new to the competition, after they won the tier two competition to come up and we know they love to scrum and maul and they are big men as well.

"We're excited by the challenge of going back on the world stage, and we've got an attitude that we've got to go and win the title, not just defend it.  We're really pleased with the squad we have named today, and we have faith that they can step up to the challenge," Robertson said.

The New Zealand Under 20 squad assembles in Mt Maunganui on 27 May ahead of a game against the Chiefs Development side on Monday 30 May.

The World Rugby Under 20 Championship kicks off on 7 June with the Final to be played on 25 June 2016.

The New Zealand Under 20 squad is:
      
FORWARDS        
Props:

Ayden Johnstone        Waikato   
Shaun Stodart              Otago    
Sean Paranihi               Canterbury    
Alex Fidow                   Wellington    
Sosefo Kautai               Waikato

Hookers   
Leni Apisai, captain      Wellington/Hurricanes    
Asafo Aumua                Wellington

Locks
Quinten Strange           Tasman    
Hamish Dalzell             Canterbury

Lock /Loose Forward
Isaia Walker-Leawere   Wellington    
Fin Hoeata                   Taranaki

Loose Forwards
Mitchell Jacobson         Waikato    
Luke Jacobson              Waikato    
Dalton Papali'i              Auckland    
Marino Mikaele Tu'u       Hawke's Bay
Hapakuki Moala-Liava'a  North Harbour
        
BACKS
Halfbacks
Jonathan Taumateine     Counties Manukau
Sam Nock                       Northland/Blues

First five-eighth
Stephen Perofeta           Taranaki    
TJ Va'a                          Wellington/Hurricanes

Midfield    
Orbyn Leger                   Counties Manukau
Jordie Barrett                Canterbury    
Patelesio Tomkinson       Otago/Highlanders

Midfield/wing
Jonah Lowe                    Hawke's Bay
Malo Tuitama                  Wellington

Outside backs
Caleb Makene                Canterbury    
Shaun Stevenson            Waikato/Chiefs
Jordan Trainor               Waikato/Blues