Seven Super 14 players have been included in the New Zealand team for next month's International Rugby Board under-21 world championships in France.
New Zealand coach Greg Cooper named Stephen Brett (Crusaders), Richard Kahui (Highlanders), Serge Lilo (Hurricanes), Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), George Pisi (Blues), William Ripia (Highlanders) and Onosai Tololima-Auva'a
(Blues) in the 26-man squad.
The team also features 13 players from last year's New Zealand under-21 squad and will again be led by Southland prop Jamie Mackintosh, who captained the team in 2005.
Squad:
Aaron Bancroft (Canterbury), Stephen Brett (Canterbury), Arden David (Wellington), Hikawera Elliot (Hawke's Bay), Robbie Flynn (Tasman), Matt Holloway (Canterbury), Richard Kahui (Waikato), Solomon King (Bay of Plenty), Serge Lilo (Wellington), Lance MacDonald (Bay of Plenty), Jamie Mackintosh (Southland, captain), Lelia Masaga (Counties Manukau), Albey Mathewson (Wellington), Taniela Moa (Auckland), Miah Nikora (Wellington), Michael Paterson (Canterbury), George Pisi (North Harbour), Kieran Read (Canterbury), Michaelw Reid (North Harbour), William Ripia (Waikato), James Somerset (Auckland), Jeremy Thrush (Wellington), Onosa'i Tololima-Auva'a (Auckland), Mikaele Tuu'u (Canterbury), Matt Wallis (Bay of Plenty), Ryan Wilson (North Harbour).
- NZPA
