The three Otago youngsters in the New Zealand under-20 team will need to be patient tonight.
All three have been named on the bench for the Baby Blacks’ opening game against South Africa in the Rugby Championship under-20 tournament at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Hooker A-One Lolofie, halfback Dylan Pledger and centre Josh Whaanga are bound to get plenty of minutes to impress head coach Jono Gibbes.
All five New Zealand Super Rugby clubs, and 10 provinces, are represented in the 23-man squad.
Hurricanes hooker Vernon Bason, who might have been making his Super Rugby debut this weekend as the Canes are desperately short-handed in the position, will captain the young New Zealanders.
His brother, loose forward Mosese Bason, who was named best player at the Super Rugby under-20 tournament, is on the bench.
Liam Jack, nephew of former All Black Chris Jack, starts at lock beside the highly rated Tom Allen.
Rising Auckland midfielder Xavi Taele will lead the backs.
After tonight’s game, the young New Zealanders play Argentina on Tuesday and Australia on May 12. The new tournament aims to help the southern hemisphere sides prepare for the junior world championship.
NZ under-20
The team
Isaac Hutchinson, Frank Vaenuku, Aki Tuivailala, Xavi Taele, Stanley Solomon, Cooper Grant, Ben O’Donovan, Malachi Wrampling, Johnny Lee, Andrew Smith, Liam Jack, Tom Allen, Joshua Smith, Vernon Bason (captain), Will Martin. Reserves: A-One Lolofie, Senio Sanele, Kurene Luamanuvae, Cam Christie, Mosese Bason, Dylan Pledger, Rico Simpson, Josh Whaanga.
