2024 New Zealand U20s

[Bovidae]

A squad of 30 will be named next month. Interesting to read that Robertson, Ryan and MacDonald will have some involvement, but not with selection. The latter two were in Taupō and will go to Aust.

[Bovidae]

[Bovidae]

Rising stars named in New Zealand Under 20 Rugby Championship squad

Thirty one of New Zealand’s rising stars have been named in the New Zealand squad for the inaugural Rugby Championship Under 20 tournament in Australia next month.

Non-Travelling Reserves:
Logan Wallace (Hurricanes, Manawatū)
Nathaniel Pole (Blues, Auckland)
Riley Williams (Blues, Auckland)
Tai Cribb (Chiefs, Waikato)
Tofuka Paongo (Hurricanes, Wellington)

[taniwharugby]

Bit surprised Salmon hasnt been named, think he has been good when he has played, I do know he carried an injury in the U20s (he probably shouldnt have been played in the Blues last game) and hasnt played much club (was only on bench over last weekend and running water in games before) so maybe carrying an injury?

Guess only consolation is, he is still eligible next year.

[Bovidae]

@taniwharugby Yeah, it would be good to know who wasn't considered due to injury. I would have selected Waisake Salabiau ahead of Frank Vaenuku of the Chiefs wingers but he is injured too.

Patrick Tuifua is obviously ineligible.

[Canes4life]

@Bovidae I think O’Brien is injured aswell. So a few players may come into contention for the WC squad.

[bobily2]

I thought Takataka would've made the squad - it looked like he was pretty dominant against the other scrums he came up against.

[Canes4life]

Anyone care to name the top 23 based on those selections?

[Bovidae]

@Canes4life said in 2024 New Zealand U20s:

Anyone care to name the top 23 based on those selections?

It will be hard to guess as some players could play in a number of positions. There will be some certain starters, e.g., those with SR/NPC experience.

Here is a breakdown by position:

Hooker
A-One Lolofie
Manumaua Letiu
Vernon Bason

Props
Joshua Smith
Konradd Newland
Kurene Luamanuvae
Sika Pole
William Martin

Locks
Liam Jack
Cameron Christie
Tom Allen

Locks/6
Andrew Smith
Tristyn Cook

Loose fowards
Jeremiah Avei-Collins
Jonathan Lee
Malachi Wrampling-Alec
Matt Lowe
Mosese Bason

Halfbacks
Ben O’Donovan
Dylan Pledger

1st 5s
Cooper Grant
Rico Simpson
Stanley Solomon

Midfield
Giancarlo Tuivailala
Josh Whaanga
Toby Bell
Xavi Taele

Outside backs
Frank Vaenuku
Isaac Hutchinson
King Maxwell
Sam Coles

[cgrant]

Mathys is not in the list. Wallace is among the reserves, I guess his injury was too recent so he wasn't considered for the squad.

[Bovidae]

@cgrant I am happy that that they haven't picked that many players straight out of school, especially forwards. Only Letiu and Mosese Bason were forwards who were in the NZ Schools team last year. Trying to fast-track the next big thing hasn't always worked in the U20s as they need a year of S&C to develop.

[Duluth]

'It’s not so much what they’re doing, it’s what we do': New Zealand u20s looking to end title drought

New Zealand U20 are the most successful nation in the World Rugby U20 Championship winning the title six times since its inception in 2008.

[Bovidae]

I assume they will be playing a warm-up game before leaving for Aust.

As to the captain, I think it will either be Vernon Bason, Aki Tuivailala or Tristyn Cook as the third option.

[Bovidae]

Cullen Gray, originally from Northland and schooled at Auckland Grammar, is in the preliminary Aust U20 squad.

[taniwharugby]

@Bovidae seem to be a few kids that head to Aus in their late teens now for rugby (plenty have done so for league for decades) my mate was talking to his dad at golf recently and talking about his rugby plans

Another local kid I know was playing his 1st season of senior rugby last year for Hora Hora (think he went via MAGs) I saw he popped up in the Rebels page as a reserve for thier 'A' team.

[Bovidae]

@taniwharugby The Brumbies seem to be the most aggressive in looking for talent in NZ. They also have the largest representation in the Aust U20 squad. I don't know if others have NZ links.

[Canes4life]

On Friday at 1pm at the NZCIS, there is a match between the New Zealand U20s squad and the Hurricanes Hunters (Development) team.

[Bovidae]

[mikey07]

A little bit off topic but the squad was in force at the dawn service here in Lower Hutt. I thought that was very classy.

[Bovidae]

The U20s, Black Ferns, as well as the Hurricanes and Phoenix have all been at NZCIS.