New Zealand U20s have put Haki Wiseman at the front of their Junior World Championship campaign, naming the Chiefs/Taranaki midfielder as captain for Saturday’s Pool B opener against Japan in Kutaisi.
The side confirmed by SANZAAR carries clear pace and sevens influence, with All Blacks Sevens pair Bradley Tocker and Kele Lasaqa both included in the starting XV. Caleb Woodley and Charlie Sinton have been named vice-captains.
Wiseman Leads A High-Tempo New Zealand Selection
New Zealand begin at AIA Arena Kutaisi at 11.30pm NZT on Saturday 27 June, with Japan first up before later pool matches against Scotland and Italy. The wider context is important: Pool B already looked one of the tournament’s sharper development tests, and this team sheet gives it a more precise New Zealand shape.
Kane Jury’s side finished runners-up at the Under 20 Rugby Championship in South Africa in May, so the opener is not just a formality. Japan’s speed can stress defensive spacing, while New Zealand’s selection points towards a side built to win collisions, then move the ball quickly into wider channels.
SANZAAR’s official announcement also underlined New Zealand’s age-grade pedigree: six World Rugby U20 titles, more than any other nation, with wins in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015 and 2017.
Embedded media: official New Zealand U20 Instagram match post.
The immediate pressure now sits with Wiseman and the leadership group. New Zealand have the tournament history, but their first job in Georgia is simpler: handle Japan’s tempo early and avoid turning Pool B into a chase.
