For the first time since 2009, Otago will not have a representative in the New Zealand Colts side, although it will have some players wearing the blue jersey of Samoa.
The New Zealand side to play in the World Junior Championships in Italy was named yesterday and no players from Otago were picked.
University players Dillon Hunt (flanker) and Fletcher Smith (first five-eighth) played for the New Zealand team at the Oceania championships on the Gold Coast last week but they failed to make the final cut.
Ricky Riccitelli, who plays his club rugby for Southern and captained Otago under-19 last year, was selected for the squad as a prop/hooker. Although he plays his club rugby in Dunedin, he will not be representing Otago in the ITM Cup.
Riccitelli has been signed by Hawkes Bay and will play for the Magpies in the domestic competition this year.
He was offered a contract with Otago but elected to go north. His chances of playing for Otago as a hooker in the ITM Cup appear slim, with Liam Coltman and Sam Anderson-Heather in front of him.
Otago has had a fair sprinkling of players in the under-20 sides over the years since junior rugby went to that age group in 2008.
The highest representation from Otago was four players in 2013, when backs Michael Collins, Fa'asiu Fuatai, Tei Walden and loose forward Hadleigh May were selected. Lock Jackson Hemopo was picked for this team but had to pull out because of injury.
Three players from Otago were selected for the national under-20 team last year: halfback Josh Renton, lock Josh Dickson and loose forward Kyle Harris.
The New Zealand side has not won the world tournament since 2011. The squad named yesterday includes eight players from last year's squad and 10 players who have played at either ITM Cup or Super rugby level.
The team will be coached by Scott Robertson, assisted by Leon MacDonald and Tana Umaga.
Three members of last year's Otago under-19 side were picked for the Samoan under-20 team that played on the Gold Coast last week and is expected to head to Italy for the championships.
Southern inside back Josh Ioane was in the side, along with Alhambra-Union lock Ben Tuiomanufili and Green Island halfback Sam Baker-Leota.
New Zealand Colts
Squad
Asileli Tu'ungafasi (Auckland), Tau Koloamatangi (Waikato), Aidan Ross (Bay of Plenty), Atunaisa Moli (Waikato, captain), Liam Polwart (Auckland), Steven Misa (Waikato), Ricky Riccitelli (Hawkes Bay), Mitchell Dunshea (Canterbury), Geoffrey Cridge (Hawkes Bay), Joshua Goodhue (Canterbury), James Blackwell (Wellington), Mitchell Jacobson (Waikato), Blake Gibson (Auckland), Mitchell Karpik (Auckland), Akira Ioane (Auckland), Henry Stowers (Wellington), Harrison Levien (Waikato), Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Taranaki), Otere Black (Manawatu), Mitchell Hunt (Auckland), TJ Faiane (Auckland), Jack Goodhue (Canterbury), Anton Lienert-Brown (Waikato), Nathaniel Apa (Canterbury), Tevita Li (North Harbour), Vincent Tavae-Aso (Auckland), George Bridge (Canterbury), Luteru Laulala (Canterbury)
