NZ Schools Rugby 2025
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Rumours of this move have been discussed previously.
The New Zealand U18 team will be announced following a high-performance camp and a series of matches from September 16 to 21, featuring the New Zealand Secondary Schools (NSSS), New Zealand U18 Māori and New Zealand Barbarians U18 teams, with a fourth team to be confirmed.
“We understand the desire by NZ Rugby to provide a pathway for all under 18 players, including those who have recently left school, and that this is the norm in our competitor countries, including Australia. We also understand that it is a rare occurrence in 2025 that the New Zealand and Australian school holidays align the schedule around the New Zealand Under 18s versus Australia U18s fixtures.
New Zealand U18 team introduced to high-performance pathway
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has announced the introduction of a New Zealand U18 team to the men’s national high performance pathway programme.
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@Bovidae said in NZ Schools Rugby 2025:
I assume it's because the NZ Schools team won't get to play the Australian U18s (the irony).
Yes.
Also here is AI summary of the rest of schools complaints:
Possibly compromises elite students' education.
Undermines volunteer support for First XV rugby.
Downgrades the NZSS team to a trial role.
Reflects poor communication and a takeover of schoolboy rugby by NZR.
Risks scheduling conflicts with academic priorities.
Ignores schools' successful talent development history.
