Rotorua's Kaleb Trask has been selected to attend the New Zealand under-20 development camp as preparations begin for the 2018 World Rugby Under 20 Championship.
A former Rotorua Boys' High School student, Trask is contracted to the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union and plays for Tauranga Sports in the Baywidecompetition.
He was also a member of the Bay of Plenty under-19 team this year.
Bay of Plenty players Joe Johnson, Tevita Mafileo, Ajay Mua and Ricky Van Der Heyden have made the camp.
New Zealand under-20 coach Craig Philpott said it was always an exciting part of the process to get the players in for the first development camp.
"There is a lot done to get to this point. We have selectors across the country looking at several levels of rugby - First XV, Jock Hobbs, Mitre 10 Cup - this is a chance to get them in and see where they are at."
The squad features 10 players who had been involved in the 2016 wider squad, while four players have been recognised for their performances in the New Zealand Schools' team earlier this month.
Most players will be involved with Super Rugby development or age group programmes at the start of 2018 before assembling again in March. A squad will be selected from the development group to play in the Oceania Tournament in April in Australia.
The dates and venue for the 2018 under-20 championship has yet to be confirmed.
Players selected to attend the development camp in Palmerston North from December 3-9 are:
Forwards:
John Akau'ola-Laula-Auckland Sione Asi-Manawatu Suetena Asomua-Counties Manukau Tom Christie-Canterbury Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta -Tasman Rob Cobb-Auckland Jacob Devery-Hawke's Bay Sosaia Fale-Waikato Tim Farrell-Hawke's Bay Devan Flanders-Hawke's Bay Tom Florence-Taranaki Brayden Iose-Manawatu Ricky Jackson-Otago Joe Johnson-Bay of Plenty Josh Kaho-Waikato Tevita Mafileo-Bay of Plenty Slade McDowall-Otago Laghlan McWhannell-Waikato Sam Moli-Tasman Ajay Mua-Bay of Plenty Xavier Numia-Wellington Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa-Auckland Ben Sa'u-Auckland Bradley Slater-Taranaki Hoskins Sotutu-Auckland Cameron Suafoa-Auckland Sione Talitui-Auckland Flynn Thomas-Southland Will Tucker-Canterbury Kaliopasi Uluilakepa-Wellington Tupou Va'ai-Taranaki Ricky Van Der Heyden-Bay of Plenty
Backs:
Wiseguy Faiane-Auckland Leicester Faingaanuku-Tasman Scott Gregory-Northland Jack Grooby-Tasman Ciarahn Matoe-Taranaki Rupena Parkinson-Tasman Harry Plummer-Auckland Rameka Poihipi-Canterbury Carlos Price-Wellington Billy Proctor-Wellington Ngane Punivai-Canterbury Jay Renton-Southland Xavier Roe-Waikato Jamie Spowart-Tasman Bailyn Sullivan-Waikato Tanielu Tele'a-Auckland Danny Toala-Hawke's Bay Salyn Tonu'u-North Harbour Sheldon Tovio-Waikato Kaleb Trask-Bay of Plenty
