Simon Hickey
New Zealand Under 20 head coach Chris Boyd has made three changes to the starting line-up to face South Africa on Friday.
Boyd said that the match against Samoa proved a good confidence booster for the start of their JWC campaign but there had been areas of their game with which they were not happy.
“We’ve had a good review of that game, and we know what worked well, and what didn’t work as well as it was supposed to,” said Boyd.
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“I’m really pleased with the way some players really stepped up to the occasion last Friday.
“We know South Africa will again be a tough opposition but if we do the basics well, and focus on our own game plan then it should be a great contest.”
“It is pretty exciting to be part of this tournament, and the boys certainly apprciate how special it is to play at home in front of family and friends.”
“We have had some great support for the team, and we hope that continues through the tournament,” Boyd said.
Loose forward Tom Sanders, Flyhalf Simon Hickey and wing Tevita Li are the changes to the starting line-up with Kylie Harris and Richie Mo’unga shifting to the bench.
Captain Simon Hickey assumes the leadership role in the No 10 jersey while his Blues team mate Tevita Li starts on the wing ahead of TJ Faiane.
Trusty boot Richie Mo’unga will come off the bench this week and Tauasosi Tuimavave will hope to get his first taste of game-time as he rounds out the reserve outside backs.
New Zealand Under 20: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Vincent Tavae Aso, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Jackson Gardon-Bachop, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Simon Hickey, (Captain), 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Mathew Peni, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Tom Sanders, 5 Geoffrey Cridge, 4 James Tucker, 3 Tau Koloamatangi, 2 Epalahame Faiva, 1 Atunaisa Moli
Replacements: 16 James O’Reilly, 17 Scott Mellow, 18 Timothy Cadwallader, 19 Kyle Harris, 20 Joshua Dickson, 21 Joshua Renton, 22 Richie Mo’unga, 23 Tauasosi Tuimavave.
South Africa Under 20: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Lloyd Greeff, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Handré Pollard (Captain), 9 JP Smith, 8 Aidon Davis, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Jean-Luc du Preez, 5 Nico Janse van Rensburg, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Corniel Els, 1 Thomas du Toit
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Pierre Schoeman, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Abongile Nonkontwana, 20 Victor Sekekete, 21 Zee Mkhabela, 22 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 23 Duhan van der Merwe.