Five players from Otago have been picked for a national under-20 training camp.
Midfield backs Michael Collins (Taieri), Faasiu Fuatai (University), Tei Walden (Southern), loose forward Hadleigh May (Harbour) and lock Jackson Hemopo (Green Island) are part of a 48-strong squad which will train for a week at Palmerston North, starting yesterday.
The squad also includes new Highlanders midfield back Jason Emery, who plays his provincial rugby for Manawatu.
There will be further camps in March and April next year.
The New Zealand side will compete at the under-20 World Junior Championships in France next June.
The New Zealand Maori rugby team will be without three injured players for their match against Canada at Oxford University on Saturday, APNZ reported.
Lock Ross Filipo has a calf strain, loose forward Karl Lowe a hamstring strain and wing Kade Poki a bruised back. All three have left the team camp, with Poki and Lowe already back in New Zealand.
• The match, which kicks off at 8.30am (NZ time), will be broadcast live on Sky TV.
