Auckland Rugby is proud to congratulate the 12 Auckland players selected in the New Zealand Under 20 training squad.

This highlights the progress made by Auckland Rugby in the high performance space over the past two years. Rewarding the time, effort and hard work put in by our young academy players.

Auckland Rugby CEO Jarrod Bear commended the work of the selected players and the support that they have received from Auckland Rugby high performance Manager Ben Meyer and his team.

“The union identified that we needed to support and maintain our player's a result we have seen some great work done in that space to retain and develop our best school boy talent,” said Bear.

Dalton Papali’i returns after being involved in the 2015 campaign and is joined by six fellow forwards. 

Mt Albert Grammar's  Caleb Clarke continues his impressive year, after winning the National 1st XV title with his school, donning the black jersey in the New Zealand Secondary School campaign, and securing a playing contract with Auckland Rugby. The son of former Auckland centre Eroni Clarke is one of the only school boys named in the team.

The full Auckland selection is 

John (JP) Sauni
Jerry Samania
Ezekiel Lindenmuth
Afioga Lelemia
Jacob Pierce
Samuel Slade
Adrian Choat
Nikolai Foliaki
Caleb Clarke
To’o Vaega

Otumaka Mausia (Not considered due to injury)
Dalton Papalii (Not considered due to injury)

These players will be invited in to a  development camp that will take place on the 2nd to the 7th of December in Palmerston North.  This will be one of two camps with the selection camp taking place in March. 

The selected players will then go onto play in the Oceania Tournament before progressing onto the World Championship in Georgia taking place in May- June 2017.

Auckland Rugby is confident that these young talented players will represent themselves and the Union with pride and we look forward to seeing them meeting their goals.