Press Release
Thursday, 4 November 2004
TALENTED YOUNG JUNIOR MEN'S TEAM
NAMED TO MEET AUSTRALIA
Thursday, 4 November 2004
TALENTED YOUNG JUNIOR MEN'S TEAM
NAMED TO MEET AUSTRALIA
The young side will take on Australia in a three match series in Wellington from December 7 to 11, as part of the Oceania Junior World Cup Qualifier.
The three youngest players are 18-year-olds Hamish Baron (Auckland) and Daniel Juno (Wellington), along with Auckland Simon Child who at 16 is the youngest in the side.
Two of the players in the side were also named last month in the 2005 New Zealand Men's Squad. They are North Harbour's Shaun Barnett and Canterbury's Shea McAleese.
Five were named in the 2005 New Zealand Men's Development Squads: They are Richard Petherick (Waikato), Tim Gyles (Wellington) Simon Child, Hamish Baron (Auckland) and Ben Collier (North Harbour).
National Junior Coach Anthony Thornton says a feature of the side is a particularly strong midfield with the likes of Barnett, Collier, Hugh Copland and McAleese.
The team also has a strong drag flick weapon in Richard Petherick (Waikato), who has worked hard on developing his role.
Thornton's goal for the series to win two of the three games.
He says the series will provide a fantastic opportunity for the young players to gain international experience.
“The Australians take their Junior team very seriously. For both countries it is the next step to the national senior team,” he says. “For us the Under 18 National teams are important, but this is a big step up.”