Three Otago players have been picked for the New Zealand Colts to play at the Junior World Championships in Argentina in June.
Taieri first five-eighth Hayden Parker, Southern lock Tom Franklin and Alhambra-Union front-rower Liam Coltman have all been named in the 26-strong New Zealand squad.
New Zealand has won the championship both times it has been played, in 2008 and last year, and will be going for the hat trick in Argentina.
The three Otago players have been through a lengthy selection process, which started in November last year.
All three players were members of the Otago Under-19 team in 2009 and coach Brett McCormack said he was thrilled to see the trio selected.
He said all three had a great work ethic, and had the potential to play at the next level.
Coltman hails from Taranaki and has been selected as a hooker, although he is capable of playing any position in the front row.
Franklin comes from the Bay of Plenty, although he attended Hamilton Boys' High School.
He played colts grade last year, where he was a member of the successful Southern side.
Parker is originally from Kurow and went to Otago Boys' High School.
He was a flanker until halfway through high school, where he was switched to the backs.
Otago Rugby Football Union player development manager Tim Colling said it was great for the union to get three players into the national age group side.
Lock Josh Townsend made the Colts in 2008 but no-one from Otago was selected for the team last year.
Colling said the players had worked hard in what was an incredibly tough process.
Initially 90 players had been picked and that had been narrowed down to 45 late last year before the final cut was announced yesterday.
Loose forward Sam Gavagan, wing Tumua Ioane and halfback Jarid Bradley all made the initial squad but missed the cut when the team was reduced to 45.
The team is in a training camp in Palmerston North this week.
It will be coached by Dave Rennie and Mark Anscombe, and managed by Otago team manager Paul McLaughlan.
