All Blacks Sevens pair Tocker and Lasaqa named to start New Zealand U20s' Junior World Championship opener against Japan

Bradley Tocker and Kele Lasaqa have been drafted straight from the All Blacks Sevens programme into New Zealand’s starting lineup for their Junior World Championship Pool B opener against Japan in Georgia. Tocker takes the blindside flanker berth while Lasaqa starts on the right wing as coach Kane Jury names his side for the tournament’s first test of the Kiwis’ campaign.

Haki Wiseman resumes the captaincy he held during the U20 Rugby Championship, with Caleb Woodley and Charlie Sinton serving as vice captains. Henry Stuart and Dane Johnston start at prop alongside hooker Josh Findlay, with Max Fale and Jake Frost forming the second row. Tocker and Woodley are joined by Micah Fale at number eight to complete the forward pack.

One notable absentee is Patrick Mauga, who started two of three Rugby Championship games at number eight but misses the opener through injury.

In the backs, Sinton continues his halfback partnership with Mika Muliaina, while Wiseman partners Siale Pahulu in midfield. David Lewai and Logan Williams complete the back three alongside Lasaqa.

Coach Jury expressed confidence in his squad’s readiness ahead of the match. “We’ve had a strong preparation here in Georgia and are feeling positive ahead of the first match. Haki and the other leaders in the team have been great and are looking forward to getting the campaign underway,” he said.

Jury also acknowledged the challenge posed by the conditions and the opposition. “We’ve had a week to adapt to the heat, and the facilities here in Georgia have been excellent. We expect a tough first-up match against Japan, who we expect to be very well drilled and play a fast-paced game, so we’ll need to be at our best.”