Lone Aucklander picked for under-19 squad

Only one Aucklander has been named today in the 26-strong squad for the under-19 rugby world championships at Dubai in April.

The name of the De La Salle college captain Piula Faasalele looks very lonely amid a squad that contains eight Cantabrians, seven from Wellington and - to really rub it in to the Auks - no less than four from their immediate crosstown neighbour, North Harbour.

The squad, named this morning by New Zealand coach Kieran Crowley, includes several members of the New Zealand secondary schools side of 2005 and players who were part of last year's under-19 squad.

Crowley oversaw two trial camps in December and this month before finalising the squad from a wider group of 47.

"These players are all outstanding individuals who have the balance right with their focus on rugby but also in other aspects of their life off the field," Crowley said.

He said Dubai would be a new experience for the players but he was confident that they would adapt to the conditions.

"The heat factor is something that we will be looking to use to our advantage because some countries will come into the tournament from their winters."

The squad will assemble in Christchurch on March 18 and play warm-up matches against a Highlanders under-21 selection and a Crusaders under-21 selection.

New Zealand under-19 squad:

Ben Afeaki (North Harbour), Carl Anderson (Otago), Adrian Barone (Wellington), Timothy Bateman (Canterbury), James Broadhurst (Canterbury), Shane Cleaver (Canterbury), Michael Coman (Canterbury), Daniel Devereaux (North Harbour), Jonathan Direen (Canterbury), Piula Faasalele (Auckland), Nathan Fotuali'i (Wellington), Scott Fuglistaller (Wellington), Gareth Goodin (Taranaki), Michael Hobbs (Wellington), John Legg (Canterbury), Hoani Matenga (Otago), Chris Middleton (Wellington), Mason Pomare (Canterbury), Tane Puki (Southland), Tua Saseve (North Harbour), Male Sa'u (Counties Manukau), Armyn Sanders (Waikato), Colin Slade (Canterbury), Chris Smith (North Harbour), Greg Tweddle (Wellington), Victor Vito (Wellington)

New Zealand schedule:

April 5: v Wales
April 9: v Japan
April 13: v Australia
April 17: semifinals
April 21: final

- NZPA