Trask named in New Zealand Under 20 development camp

Kaleb Trask. Photo/File

Rotorua's Kaleb Trask has been selected to attend the New Zealand under-20 development camp as preparations begin for the 2018 World Rugby Under 20 Championship.

A former Rotorua Boys' High School student, Trask is contracted to the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union and plays for Tauranga Sports in the Baywide competition.

He was also a member of the Bay of Plenty under-19 team this year.

Bay of Plenty players Joe Johnson, Tevita Mafileo, Ajay Mua and Ricky Van Der Heyden have made the camp.

New Zealand under-20 coach Craig Philpott said it was always an exciting part of the process to get the players in for the first development camp.

"There is a lot done to get to this point. We have selectors across the country looking at several levels of rugby - First XV, Jock Hobbs, Mitre 10 Cup - this is a chance to get them in and see where they are at."

The squad features 10 players who had been involved in the 2016 wider squad, while four players have been recognised for their performances in the New Zealand Schools' team earlier this month.

Most players will be involved with Super Rugby development or age group programmes at the start of 2018 before assembling again in March. A squad will be selected from the development group to play in the Oceania Tournament in April in Australia.

The dates and venue for the 2018 under-20 championship has yet to be confirmed.

Players selected to attend the development camp in Palmerston North from December 3-9 are:

Forwards:

John Akau'ola-Laula-Auckland
Sione Asi-Manawatu
Suetena Asomua-Counties Manukau
Tom Christie-Canterbury
Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta -Tasman
Rob Cobb-Auckland
Jacob Devery-Hawke's Bay
Sosaia Fale-Waikato
Tim Farrell-Hawke's Bay
Devan Flanders-Hawke's Bay
Tom Florence-Taranaki
Brayden Iose-Manawatu
Ricky Jackson-Otago
Joe Johnson-Bay of Plenty
Josh Kaho-Waikato
Tevita Mafileo-Bay of Plenty
Slade McDowall-Otago
Laghlan McWhannell-Waikato
Sam Moli-Tasman
Ajay Mua-Bay of Plenty
Xavier Numia-Wellington
Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa-Auckland
Ben Sa'u-Auckland
Bradley Slater-Taranaki
Hoskins Sotutu-Auckland
Cameron Suafoa-Auckland
Sione Talitui-Auckland
Flynn Thomas-Southland
Will Tucker-Canterbury
Kaliopasi Uluilakepa-Wellington
Tupou Va'ai-Taranaki
Ricky Van Der Heyden-Bay of Plenty

Backs:

Wiseguy Faiane-Auckland
Leicester Faingaanuku-Tasman
Scott Gregory-Northland
Jack Grooby-Tasman
Ciarahn Matoe-Taranaki
Rupena Parkinson-Tasman
Harry Plummer-Auckland
Rameka Poihipi-Canterbury
Carlos Price-Wellington
Billy Proctor-Wellington
Ngane Punivai-Canterbury
Jay Renton-Southland
Xavier Roe-Waikato
Jamie Spowart-Tasman
Bailyn Sullivan-Waikato
Tanielu Tele'a-Auckland
Danny Toala-Hawke's Bay
Salyn Tonu'u-North Harbour
Sheldon Tovio-Waikato
Kaleb Trask-Bay of Plenty