Quinten Strange selected for NZ to play the World Under 20 Championship
Never take anything for granted where New Zealand rugby team selections are concerned.
So it was with a mixture of obvious excitement and relief that Tasman's Quinten Strange finally got the seal of approval from the New Zealand Under-20 selectors for next month's world championship in Manchester, England.
The 19-year-old 1.95m-tall lock has just returned with the New Zealand Under-20 side from it's two-match tour to Australia's Gold Coast where they recorded a win and a shock loss to their Australian counterparts in the shared Oceania tournament series.
Strange started both matches, but with four players due to be culled from that squad, he still wasn't prepared to read too much into his selection prospects.
He found out like everyone else via the internet on Tuesday morning that he'd made the final 28-player cut as one of two specialist locks alongside Canterbury's Hamish Dalzell for the world tournament which kicks off on June 7.
"It was up in the air, there was a huge amount of competition for the lock spot and there's some great players out there," Strange said.
"I just did what I could and was just happy to get there. I'm pretty chuffed."
A former New Zealand Schoolboys representative, Strange enjoyed being back in a national team environment.
"There's a really good culture in that team and I enjoyed being in the environment," Strange said. "I'm still learning lots, and the coaching's great."
Strange said the team had been feeling good heading into the first match against the Aussies, which New Zealand won 30-10. But Australia stunned them in the second match with a penalty after the final hooter by first five-eighth Mack Mason giving the Aussies a 25-24 win.
"There was plenty of motivation to beat them [in game one]. There was just expectation from the boys, we didn't want to let each other down."
However, Australia had clearly done their homework for game two.
"Credit to them, they bounced back really well. They started very well and they just held the ball. We couldn't play."
Australia got off to a flier and led 17-3 at the break before New Zealand steadily clawed their way back into the contest to lead 24-22 with time up.
"It was quite a shock and I think some of the boys weren't really expecting them to step up that much. But the [New Zealand] team showed good character to pull it back."
Strange was satisfied with his own contribution, particularly in game one.
"The first game I was pretty happy," he said, including being credited with a try that he never actually scored.
"The second game it took me a while to get into it, but I'm happy with where I'm going and how I'm tracking. I'm still building and I just want to peak when I get to that World Cup."
The New Zealand team assembles in Mt Maunganui on May 27 ahead of a game against the Chiefs Development side on Monday May 30.
New Zealand will open their campaign against Georgia at the AJ Bel Stadium in Salford on June 7, followed by their second pool A match against Ireland at the Manchester City Academy Stadium on June 11. Their final pool match is against Wales in Salford on June 15.
New Zealand are the defending world champions following their 21-16 win over England in last year's final in Italy.
