The Silver Fern

@SouthernMann Yes, he was a really good prop, already in the Hastings Boys' U15 squad in 2019 and obviously at 1st XV level. Not sure whether he still played at prop in 2022 (Hastings Boys' didn't publish team line-ups, last year), because he played at hooker for NZ Schools.

For Hastings Boys, he was a certain starter. He made the Hurricanes U18s in 2021 and 2022. He also played for the Highlanders U20, this year, but not getting as many minutes, being Jack Taylor's back-up on the bench. So I assume he's in that U19 group as a hooker, but should be able to shift to LH, if needed.

To be honest, I'm pretty gutted that we lost several players to Otago. Aone Lolofie and Gus Brown (lured to Canterbury), would have formed a great combo in our Academy's frontrow. And then, obviously Max Ratcliffe and Cory Berkett are great losses as well.

@SBW1 said in NZ U19s:

Were there any members of this squad in the Under 20 Oceania Cup this year?

The captain Cahill, Nordstrom, Hurley and Lauaki. Tuitupou was also named in the U20 squad but must have been injured.

Some others are still eligible for the U18s.

Taranaki U19s did host BOP U19s yesterday in Inglewood. BOP won 30-21.

@Stargazer was watching a split screen with the Stags v Turbos game..from what I saw ..forward power won the day..congratulations to Canterbury, commiserations to Auckland..

@stargazer yeah I have no idea to be honest. It will be interesting how it all plays out for him in the next 3-4 years. He’s obviously given up playing for Aussie 20s to learn his craft over here. Good kid who works bloody hard , so hopefully whatever way he goes he succeeds.

Watched a litttle bit of the tournament. with that in mind here is a possible squad going into next years under 20 WC. Obviously might be a bit off, also includes any playing in Mitre 10.
Auckland pretty dominant, just too big really. Was disappointed with Wiseguy though.

Props

Sione Asi (Manawatu)
Tim Farrell (Hawkes Bay)
Robb Cobb (Auckland)
Xavier Numia (Wellington)
Ben Aumua-Peseta (Wellington)

Hookers

Flynn Thomas (Southland)
Jacob Devery (Hawkes Bay)
Ricky Jackson (Otago)
Tuipolotou Tapa (Waikato)

Locks
Lachlan Mc Whannell (Waikato)
Waimana Reidlinger-Kapa (Auckland)
Will Tucker (Canterbury)
Cameron Suafoa (Auckland)

Loose Fowards

Tom Florence (Taranaki)
AJ Mua (BOP)
Tom Cristie (Canterbury)
Brayden Iose (Manawatu)
Hoskin Sotutu (Auckland)
Nathan Vaatausili (North Harbour)
Slade McDowall (Otago)
Isiah Miller ( Ta$man)

HalfBack

Carlos Price (Wellington)
Jay Renton (Southland)
Tim Hogan (Otago)

1stV

Cairahn Matoe (Taranaki)
Harry Plummer (Auckland)
Kaleb Trask (BOP)

Midfield

Scott Gregory (Northland)
Bailyn Sullivan (Waikato)
Tanielu Tele'a (Auckland)
Ngane Puinavai (Canterbury)
Billy Proctor (Wellington)

Outside

Caleb Clarke (Auckland)
Will Jordan ( Ta$man)
Bailey Simonsson (BOP)
Siave Togoiu (Auckland)
Viliami Koroi (Otago)
Jamie Spowat ( Ta$man)