The New Zealand under 20 rugby side opens their World Championship campaign against Scotland in the morning without a couple of key players.
The New Zealanders are third seeds for the tournament in Italy and will be keen to improve on their fourth place finish last year.
World under-20 Rugby Championship captains 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Captain Anton Lienert-Brown has stayed with the injury-ravaged Chiefs, while first five Otere Black has been released by the Hurricanes in time for their second game, now that All Black pivot Beauden Barrett has been declared fit to return to action.
Waikato prop Atunaisa Moli will captain the side.
New Zealand last won the tournament in 2011.
Coach Scott Robertson believes that his team's experience is one of their strengths.
Robertson says his side contains several players who were in the team last year, while a number have ITM Cup and Super Rugby experience.
England beat South Africa in last year's final in New Zealand.
New Zealand plays Argentina and Ireland in their other pool matches.
New Zealand:
1 Ricky Riccitelli - Hawke's Bay
2 Liam Polwart - Auckland
3 Atunaisa Moli (c) - Waikato
4 Joshua Goodhue - Canterbury
5 James Blackwell - Wellington
6 Akira Ioane - Auckland
7 Mitchell Karpik - Auckland
8 Blake Gibson - Auckland
9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi - Taranaki
10 Mitchell Hunt - Auckland
11 Tevita Li - North Harbour
12 Tinoai (TJ) Faiane - Auckland
13 Jack Goodhue (vc) - Canterbury
14 Nathaniel Apa - Canterbury
15 George Bridge - Canterbury
Reserves:
16 Steven Misa - Waikato
17 Aidan Ross - Bay of Plenty
18 Isileli Tu'ungafasi - Auckland
19 Geoffrey Cridge - Hawke's Bay
20 Henry Stowers - Wellington
21 Harrison Levien - Waikato
22 Luteru Laulala - Canterbury
23 Sean Wainui - Taranaki
