Pomare in with a shot at World Cup

SELECTED: Hamish Pomare.PHOTO/ TANIA WHYTE

Northland Under-19 centre Hamish Pomare has done enough to impress the New Zealand Under-20s selection panel.

Displaying his talent across several under-19s fixtures this year, Pomare has been named alongside 50 players to attend the first major camp of New Zealand Under-20 hopefuls looking to make the team for the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in England next year.

Once an exciting rugby league prospect, Pomare's gaze has been fixed on rugby this year, and Northland Under-19s' head coach Mark Wells said the Northland Rugby Union will need to hold on to him as he's a player to watch for the future.

"The boy's got a lot of talent," Wells said.

"Northland need to hold on to him, he went from strength to strength this season. He can play either 12 or 13 [but] you can even chuck him on the wing."

Not considered due to Investec Super Rugby commitments, Northland halfback Sam Nock hasn't been named in the initial camp.

Heading into camp from 27 November to 2 December, with further camps planned in March and April, NZ Under-20s' head coach Scott Robertson is looking forward to unleashing the talent on offer.

"It's always fantastic to see a new bunch of guys come through, and it's always great to see who's willing to work hard and take this incredible opportunity," he said.

"These boys will know they have a very real chance of turning rugby into a profession for themselves.

"We saw some really exciting talent at the national under-19 tournament in Taupo this year, which is hugely encouraging as we consider all our options."

Adding the main focus of the first camp will be about giving the "boys a taste of this unique national team environment," Robertson said "we'll lay out our expectations, and we'll have a good look what sort of nick they are in".

"This summer, they'll need to exercise some discipline around nutrition and training if they want to stay in the mix. The fact that next year's tournament is being played in England should be a huge motivator for these guys."

Robertson will have two new assistant coaches with him for the 2016 campaign.

Taranaki's Willie Rickards has been appointed as an assistant alongside Hawke's Bay Craig Philpott. They replace Tana Umaga, who now heads the Blues Super Rugby team, and Leon MacDonald, who was appointed head coach of Tasman.

"Both Willie and Craig come from excellent provincial rugby environments, and I am excited about what both will bring to our campaign," Robertson said.

The New Zealand Under-20s will play in an Oceania tournament in Australia next year before preparing for the World Championship in Manchester.