2023 Super Rugby U20s

[Bovidae]

I have amended the Chiefs U20 squad by position.

[Bovidae]

A few players who could have been in the Blues and Chiefs.

Inaugural Moana Pasifika Under 20s team named to tackle Bunnings Warehouse Super Rugby Under 20s Competition – Moana Pasifika

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae said in 2023 Super Rugby U20s:

Looks strong, the forwards especially.

Hurricanes Named for Bunnings Warehouse Super Rugby U20s in Taupō

Hurricanes U20 by position:

Props
Konradd Newland (Hawke’s Bay)
Malakai Hala-Ngatai (Manawatū)
Senio Sanele (Wellington)
Siale Lauaki (Wellington)
Bradley Crichton (Wellington)

Hookers
Vernon Bason (Manawatū)
Raymond Tuputupu (Manawatū)

Locks
Tom Allen (Hawke’s Bay)
Hunter Morrison (Hawke’s Bay)
Matt Monaghan (Hawke’s Bay)

Loose forwards
Dominic Ropeti (Wellington) (VC)
Kusitino Savea (Hawke’s Bay)
Cooper Flanders (Hawke’s Bay) (C)
Toby Crosby (Wellington)
Matolu Petaia (Wellington), I think he played at lock when he played for Hastings Boys'

Halfback
Jordi Viljoen (Manawatū)
Sam Howling (Wellington)

First five-eighths
Harry Godfrey (Hawke’s Bay) (VC)
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula (Manawatū)

Midfielders
Jack O’Brien (Wellington)
Meni Manase (Hawke’s Bay)
Epeli (Waqa) Waqaicece (Manawatū)

Midfield/wing
Bethel Malasia (Hawke’s Bay)

Outside backs
Josiah Sakaria (Hawke’s Bay)
Sam Coles (Manawatū)
Chicago Doyle (Wellington)
Tofuka Paongo (Wellington)

Of the outside backs, only Sakaria is a specialist wing. The others seem to prefer fullback and able to cover first five-eighth.

[mikedogz]

Anasilini Natoga

Riki Ruben aims to be the first Ni- Van to don the All Blacks jumper

Riki Ruben aims to be the first Ni-Van to wear the All Blacks jersey following his selection to captain the Rugby Boys Centennial 1st XV at Mount Albert Grammar School(MAGS)

[Stargazer]

Inaugural Moana Pasifika Under 20s team named to tackle Bunnings Warehouse Super Rugby Under 20s Competition – Moana Pasifika

[Bovidae]

@mikedogz Ruben is the player I expected to be in the Blues squad.

[Stargazer]

Moana Pasifika U20 by position, school & other info (as far as I could find any):

Props
Brandon Televave – Tonga - Tongan & Auckland school; Hawke's Bay Academy
Israel Otunuku – Tonga - King's College, Auckland U19, 2022 Highlanders U20
Mikaele Vaeau – Samoa - Otago BHS
Salesa Seumanufagai – Samoa - St Pat's Town; in 2022 Wellington Samoa U18 squad
Seuteni Jr Sueteni – Samoa - plays club rugby in Ta$man comp

Hookers
Calvin Fepulea’i – Samoa - St Pat's Silverstream
Manase Mohuanga – Tonga - Aorere College; is or has been in the Waikato Academy

Locks
Maea Tema-Schmidt – Samoa - Scot's College

Lock/loosie
Tevita (Kini) Fonua – Tonga - Rotorua BHS

Loose forwards
Jarius Iosefa – Samoa - King's College
John Samuelu – Samoa - Rongotai College
Riki Ruben – Vanuatu - Mount Albert Grammar
Sam Asotasi – Samoa - played for Samoa U20 in 2022

Halfbacks
Dayton Iobu – Samoa & Cook Island - King's College; played for Blues U20 in 2022

First five-eighths
Afa Moleli – Samoa - Napier BHS
Kobie Scutt – Cook Island & Māori - Kelston Boys'; in 2022 Blues U18 squad; 2023 Future Taniwha squad
Kyren Taumoefolau – Tonga - Marlborough Boys College; played for Tonga 7s in 2023

Midfielders

Outside backs
Bless Perese-Elliot – Samoa & Māori - Rotorua BHS
Bitner Tafili – Samoa - has played for Samoa U20
Fatiauma Moeahu-Leota – Samoa & Māori - from Taranaki, was in Chiefs U20 Development group this year, also in the Warriors frame
Joe Tunumafono-Sale – Samoa - De la Salle College
Wally Tau – Samoa - played for Samoa U20 in 2022

Don't know the position of:
Lazarus Papali’i – Samoa - Botany Downs Sec Coll; 2022 Auckland Divisional 18s; 2023 Blues U20 WTG
Ofa Lea’amanu – Tonga - Tongan School? Saw him on a Tonga Ma'a Tonga Rugby League video
Paulo Junior Paulo – Samoa - played league for Wellington Orcas U18
Sonatane Kaufusi – Tonga - Manurewa High School? I can find more on Google about him being a good singer/musician than a rugby player.
Uluaki Kale – Tonga - Tupou College Toloa

Travelling reserves
Laukau Halatonu – Tonga
Saluni Pala – Tonga - in 2022 North Otago development squad; played 1 Heartland game for North Otago in 2022

[Stargazer]

ALL Super Rugby Under 20 squad lists below:

Blues: Nathaniel Pole, Valentino Taito, JT Pont-Bellamy, Maliu Nuiafe, Kurene Luamanuvae, Ben Ake, Sika Pole, Kobe Walters, Hawkin Toeava, Rory Woods, Che Clark, Gage Jackson, Sam Hainsworth - Fa'aofo, Ofa Topeni, Blair Tagi – Fuimaono, Riley Williams, Chris Vunipola, Byron Smith, Christian Stenhouse, Josiah Unga, Leo Gordon, Xavi Taele, Essendon Tuitupou, PJ Uiese, King Maxwell, Caleb Tangitau, Xavier Tito-Harris.

Chiefs: Gabe Robinson, Perry Lawrence, Manahi Goulton, Keran Van Staden, William Martin, Taine Kolosi, Sean Ralph, Fiti Sa, Peter Te Kahu, Andrew Smith, Tai Cribb, Grady Forbes, Jonty Short, Senita Lauaki, Malachi Wrampling, Marley Murphy, Cohen Brady-Leathem, Josh Penney, Brayden Dew, Aki Tuivailala, Te Hamana Te Aute, Tāmiro Armstrong, Codemeru Vai, Esau Filimoehala, Waisake Salabiau, Cody Nordstrom, Jole Naufahu.

Crusaders: Toby Bell, Riley Brewis, Jae Broomfield, Gus Brown, Tahlor Cahill, Suliasi Faiva, Penisimani Fihaki, Cooper Grant, Liam Jack, Isaac Hutchinson, Dylan Irvine, Joel Lauvale, Johnny Lee, Hunter Leppien, Cody Lokotui, Matt Lowe, Anaru Paenga-Morgan, Moses McGoon, George Reeves, Cooper Roberts, Brodie Robinson, Nic Sauira, Nic Shearer, Dawson Smith, Hendrix Taylor, Wil Thornalley, James White, Timoci Sauira.

Highlanders: Hunter Fahey, Moana Takataka, Liam McIntosh, Thomas Jackson, Fatai Koloi, Jack Taylor, A One Lolofie, Lawrence Leung-wai, Reuben Palmer, Hunter Areaiiti Burgess, Konrad Toleafoa, Will Stodart, Lucas Casey, Max Ratcliffe, Aaron Withy, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Brad Campbell, Fionn McKenna, Ajay Faleafaga, Jeremiah Asi, Cam Burgess, Josh Whaanga, Jack Timu, Caleb Williams, Mefi Tupou, Finn Hurley, Kyan Rangitutia.

Hurricanes: Bradley Crichton, Siale Lauaki, Konradd Newland, Malakai Hala-Ngatai, Senio Sanele, Raymond Tuputupu, Vernon Bason, Hunter Morrison, Matthew Monaghan, Tom Allen, Dominic Ropeti, Jeremiah Collins, Peter Lakai, Kusitino Savea, Tobias Crosby, Matolu Petaia, Jordi Viljoen, Sam Howling, Harry Godfrey, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Jack O’Brien, Meni Manase, Epeli Waqa-Nalaga, Bethel Malasia, Josiah Sakaria, Chicago Doyle, Sam Coles.

Fijian Drua: Bryton Legg, Malakai Mualisikula, Sitiveni Tamani, Tevita Bukaniyava, Josua Kina, Lasaro Tora, Samuela Soqovata, Napolioni Batimala, Tomasi Tuitatava, Ratu Kavaia Tagivetaua, Timoci Nakalevu, Waisea Tudulu, Isikeli Basiyalo, Ponipate Tuberi, Erami Baca, Joeli Niubalavu, Nalani May, Judah Saumaisue, Tavite Kotobalavu, Filimoni Nalawa, Joeli Nainoca, Tevita Sovau, Maciu Senivota, Isikeli Basiyalo, Manieta Navonovono, Eroni Sarasau, Ratu Sireli Masiwini, Ratu Kavaia Tagivetaua, Maika Kamikamica, Mesake Vocevoce, Emosi Natubailagi, Motikiai Murray, Philip Baselala, Maika Kamikamica, Sakiusa Michael Karama.

Moana Pasifika: Afa Moleli, Bitner Tafili, Bless Perese-Elliott, Brandon Televave, Calvin Fepulea'i, Dayton Iobu, Fatiauma Moeahu-Leota, Israel Otunuku, Jarius Iosefa, Joe Tunamafono-Sale, John Samuelu, Kobie Scutt, Kyren Taumoefolau, Lazarus Papalii, Maea Tema-Schmidt, Manase Mohuanga, Mikaele Vaeau, Ofa Lea'amanu, Paulo Junior Paulo, Riki Ruben, Salesa Seumanufagai, Sam Asotasi, Seuteni Jr Seuteni, Sonatane Kaufusi, Tevita (Kini) Fonua, Uluaki Kale, Wally Tau, Laukau Halatonu, Saluni Pala.

New Zealand Barbarians Under 21: Liam Pratt, Tito Tuipolotu, Jordan Hutchings, Tupou Kaufononga, Feleti Sae- Ta'ufo'ou, Te Rama Rueben, Terrence Graham, Kyle Brown, Oly Foote, Logan Love, Jacob Lowe, Joshua Barker, Vaivaihefolau (Mak) Kailahi Kailahi, Siolo Fruean, Zinzan Hansen, Eric Peita, Taeao Pomale-Time, Will Bason, Jack Coulthard, Tylah Blake, Angus Hammett, Jack Harding, Filipo Whitehouse-Opetaia Tovio, Nelesoni Malaulau, Star Sami, Josh Brunger.

---

Super Rugby Under 20 Draw (all games live on Sky Sport):
Location: Owen Delany Park, Taupō

Pool 1: Blues, Crusaders, Fijian Dura, New Zealand Barbarians Under 21
Pool 2: Chiefs, Highlanders, Hurricanes, Moana Pasifika

Match Day 1 | Sunday 19 March
11.05am Fijian Drua v Blues (Match 1)
12.55pm Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika (Match 2)
2.45pm Crusaders v New Zealand Barbarians (Match 3)
4.35pm Highlanders v Chiefs (Match 4)

Match Day 2 | Wednesday 22 March
11.05am Loser Match 1 v Loser Match 3
12.55pm Loser Match 2 v Loser Match 4
2.45pm Winner Match 1 v Winner Match 3 (Semi-Final 1)
4.35pm Winner Match 2 v Winner Match 4 (Semi-Final 2)

Match Day 3 | Saturday 25 March
11.05am 7th/8th Play-off
12.55pm 5th/6th Play-off
2.45pm 3rd/4th Play-off
4.35pm Super Rugby Under 20 Final

https://www.allblacks.com/news/super-rugby-under-20-tournament-set-to-kick-off-in-taupo/

[Bovidae]

@Stargazer

Manase Mohuanga shares the hooking duty at TA Sports with Sean Ralph, one of the Chiefs hookers.

I always liked Kini Fonua, who has been in the Chiefs system and was playing club rugby in the Waikato.

Fatiauma Moeahu-Leota is an outside back.

[Bovidae]

The Barbarians U21s look to be a decent squad. Some players involved in the U20 tournament last year, some that couldn't play because of injury, and others who didn't make the cut in their U20 squad this year. We want the games to be competitive.

[Bovidae]

Here is the Barbarians U21s by province. Good to see some Heartland players in there again.

[Bones]

@Bovidae Coulthard better be a winger.

[Bovidae]

@Bones said in 2023 Super Rugby U20s:

@Bovidae Coulthard better be a winger.

Nah, he's a flanker.

[Chris]

@Bovidae said in 2023 Super Rugby U20s:

@Bones said in 2023 Super Rugby U20s:

@Bovidae Coulthard better be a winger.

Nah, he's a flanker.

Yeah he has a Crusaders WTG development contract.

[Bovidae]

@Chris

I watched him play for the NZ Schools team last year, and the odd game on TV with St Thomas.

[Chris]

@Bovidae said in 2023 Super Rugby U20s:

@Chris

I watched him play for the NZ Schools team last year, and the odd game on TV with St Thomas.

What did you think of him ?.

[Bovidae]

@Chris said in 2023 Super Rugby U20s:

@Bovidae said in 2023 Super Rugby U20s:

@Chris

I watched him play for the NZ Schools team last year, and the odd game on TV with St Thomas.

What did you think of him ?.

He looked like a promising player, and has some size. To be honest, all the no.7s on display for NZS/Barbarians/Māori teams looked to have potential. The other openside in the NZ Schools team was Brooke Mitchell from Rotorua BHS, who looked excellent too. I hope the Chiefs have kept him.

When I think of the players I've seen in those teams over recent years, some have made an immediate impact at the next level while others haven't been so fortunate. The best no.7 was Cam Church, who was in the same NZ Schools loose forward trio as Segner and Ekuasi.

[Bovidae]

Players to watch: Super Rugby Under 20 Tournament

The third annual Super Rugby Under 20 tournament is set to kick off on Sunday at Owen Delany Park in Taupō.

[Canes4life]

@Bovidae said in 2023 Super Rugby U20s:

Players to watch: Super Rugby Under 20 Tournament

The third annual Super Rugby Under 20 tournament is set to kick off on Sunday at Owen Delany Park in Taupō.

It says in here that Peter Lakai is in the Hurricanes 20s squad, is that actually correct?

[Stargazer]

@Canes4life Not according to the Hurricanes' media release. Maybe he has been added later? We'll see it tomorrow, I guess.