New Zealand Under 20 Co-Coaches Dave Rennie and Russell Hilton-Jones have named the New Zealand Under 20 side to play Ireland in Cardiff on Wednesday 11 June at 8.10am (NZ time).

1. Rodney Ah You (Canterbury)
2. Quentin MacDonald (Tasman)
3. Ben Afeaki (North Harbour)
4. Sam Whitelock (Canterbury)
5. Josh Townsend (Otago)
6. Peter Saili (Auckland)
7. Luke Braid (Bay of Plenty)
8. Nasi Manu (Canterbury)
9. Grayson Hart (Auckland)
10. Trent Renata (Waikato)
11. Sean Maitland (Canterbury)
12. Ryan Crotty (Canterbury, captain)
13. Jackson Willison (Waikato)
14. Kade Poki (Tasman)
15. Zac Guildford (Hawke’s Bay)

Reserves
16. Ash Dixon (Hawke’s Bay)
17.  Toby Smith (Waikato)
18. Chris Smith (North Harbour)
19. Hugh Reed (Hawke’s Bay)
20. Aaron Smith (Manawatu)
21. Daniel Kirkpatrick (Wellington)
22. Andre Taylor (Manawatu)

New Zealand will take on Ireland on Wednesday with a new-look team and captain. Canterbury midfielder Ryan Crotty, who was a member of the New Zealand team that won the 2007 IRB Under 19 World Championship last year, will captain the Under 20 side on Wednesday while only three players who started in the game against Tonga last Saturday were today included in the starting XV for the match against Ireland. They are Zac Guildford of Hawke’s Bay, Peter Saili of Auckland and Josh Townsend of Otago.

Co-Coach Russell Hilton-Jones said the changes would not affect the way New Zealand approach the game.

“It is important to manage our players given the quick turnaround between games but we have selected what we believe is the best team to take on Ireland. Looking ahead to this game, we aim to be more accurate in everything we do and continue the momentum.” 

---