New Zealand Under 20s named for French re-match

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After finishing top qualifiers from round robin play, the New Zealand Under 20s will face defending champions, France, in the semi finals of the World Rugby Under 20 Championship in South Africa on Monday (kick off 5am NZT).

Head Coach Jono Gibbes has named a strong side for the match.

The New Zealand Under 20 team is:

1.    Will Martin
2.    Vernon Bason – captain
3.    Josh Smith
4.    Tom Allen
5.    Liam Jack
6.    Andrew Smith
7.    Johnny Lee
8.    Mosese Bason
9.    Dylan Pledger
10.    Rico Simpson
11.    Stan Solomon
12.    Xavi Taele
13.    Aki Tuivailala
14.    Xavier Tito-Harris
15.    Sam Coles

16.    Manumaua Letiu
17.    Sika Pole
18.    Gus Brown
19.    Cam Christie
20.    Matt Lowe
21.    Riley Williams
22.    Isaac Hutichinson
23.    King Maxwell

*Gus Brown has replaced Logan Wallace in the squad. Wallace was withdrawn from the squad due to a foot injury.

New Zealand beat France in a one-point thriller in their second pool match and Gibbes has made just two changes to the starting 15 that took the field that day.

With Logan Wallace’s withdrawal from the squad Josh Smith will start at prop and Gus Brown comes onto the bench. Brown, a Canterbury and Crusaders prop, joined the squad in South Africa last week.

Sam Coles starts at fullback while Gibbes has opted for consistency with the remainder of the backline all earning their fourth starts of the tournament.

Monday will be the sixth time New Zealand and France have met at the Under 20 level, with New Zealand winning three of those matches. France three-time defending champions.    

 
Watch:
The World U20 Championship matches will all be broadcast live on Sky Sport.

The World U20 Championship schedule (times in NZT): 
New Zealand 41 v Wales 34
Sunday 30 June

New Zealand 27 v France 26
Friday 5 July

New Zealand 45 v Spain 13*
Wednesday 10 July
*match was called off at halftime due to weather conditions

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