2024 NZ Schools Rugby
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@Bovidae The Australians have a few returnees this year – although the journalist in this article seems to have mixed up Joey Fowler (AU U18 2023) with his brother Jonty Fowler (AU U18 2024) while not mentioning actual returnees like Leo Jaques and Sam Niulala – so any NZSS reps back this year? I don’t really follow First XV rugby, due to lack of access, but I saw Charlie Sinton was still playing for Tauranga Boys this year, so he should be a possibility?
I did notice there are quite a few who were in the NZSS, Barbarians and Māori squads who have left school and are still U18, like Micah Fale, Tamiano Ahloo, Kaleb Tapara, Reimana Saunderson-Rurawhe and Raharuhi Palmer. And there are some other talented U18 players who have left school thus making them ineligible for the NZ Schools’ side, like Pyrenees Boyle-Tiatia and Frazer Brown. If all of these are selected for the Barbarians U18, they could be a good side. It’s unfortunate there won’t be a repeat of the 2023 clash between NZ Schools and the Barbarians u18, it could have been a really interesting game.
Has there been any news on the potential change to the eligibility rules, with the Schoolboys’ side becoming more of an U18 team? I remember Gregor Paul’s article from last year (https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/the-controversial-proposal-to-axe-nz-secondary-schools-rugby-team-collective-surprise-and-disappointment/WCXF4EWLAJD7FMSW7MUTDIJQQA/) but haven’t really seen anything mentioned since. Quietly put to bed by some of the big schools?
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@Mauss Sinton would be one of the few back for NZ Schools, although there maybe a couple more (I'm not familiar with all of the SI players). Most are now playing for the provincial U19s teams, SR U20s, or NPC teams. Fale, Palmer and Boyle-Tiatia are some of the players currently playing for the Waikato U19s.
There are always some younger Y13s who played for the NZS that are selected for either the Barbarians or Māori the following year. I think one of the reasons that the NZ Schools and Barbarians don't play each other is NZR doesn't want the wrong result.
I don't know what the latest is with NZ Schools, and whether it will change to U18.
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I expected Tauranga and Nelson to have a good representation, and CBHS always seems to get a few players in too. Based on the Top 4 footage I saw I am surprised that the Kelston hooker (Xavier Leota) isn't in either the NZS or Barbarians. A few players from the 2023 NZS squad are in the Barbarians U18s.
Hiraka Waitai-Haenga is one of the best 2nd 5s in the country but the fact he is also in the Warriors U19s wouldn't have helped his cause. He makes the Māori U18s again. No love for St John's after winning the CNI.
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Nico Stanley.. only in 5th form.. 192 tall, north of 100kegs fast as fark. Absolute weapon who already has a line out the door of clubs trying to get his signature and nzr having discussions how they can hang onto him.
Long ways off if he made the AB's but would that be the first Grandfather, Father and Son to play for the ABs?
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@WillieTheWaiter The Barry's.
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Looks like a strong Barbarians side. It's a very small sample size (from 2021 to now) so I'm not sure it means a whole lot but the trend seems to suggest a growing inclusion from club and university rugby.
Non-First XV players selected: 2021, 5; 2022, 5; 2023, 6; 2024, 8.
Again, only a small increase but it's interesting to see the purpose of the team develop. The decision to make it an U18 selection in 2021 has certainly strengthened the side.
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More info here:
One more player to be added to the NZ Schools squad. Xavier Leota is listed as injured.
Coaches:
The New Zealand Schools team is headed by the Paul Tito (Blues) with Willie Rickhards (Auckland Grammar School) and Kieran Coll (St Thomas of Canterbury) completing the coaching team.
The New Zealand Barbarians team will be led by Darren Larsen (Hurricanes) with Tasesa Lavea (Saint Kentigern’s College) and Greg Feek (Blues) named as assistants.
Kahu Carey (Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Te Ātiawa, Kāi Tahu/Ngāi Tahu) will head the Māori Under 18 team coaching group. Willie Brown (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Porou), Jeremy Wara (Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Pikiao (Te Arawa)) and Simon Kneebone (Ngāti Porou) will round out the group.
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I've tried to break down the Schools' squad by position. Feel free to correct any mistakes, like I said, I don't follow First XV rugby too closely.
Props: Liam Van Der Heyden; Thomas Jennings; Charlie Wallis; James Moore
Hookers: Josh Findlay; Tyi Sinkinson
Locks: Bede Giera; Tevita Tatafu; Finn McLeod; Bradley Tocker (lock/6)
Loose forwards: Jake Hutchings (6); Saumaki Saumaki (6): Aidan Spratley (8); Aio Keith (6)
Halfbacks: Charlie Sinton; Oliver Gibbons
First Five-Eights: Mason Verster; Harry Inch
Midfield: Nico Stanley; Ollie Guerin; Jarrel Tuaimalo Vaega
Outside backs: JD van der Westhuizen; Siale Pahulu; Cohen Norrie
I've labelled the loose forwards in the positions that I've seen them play, but I could easily see a guy like Hutchings play openside as well. There are four players who I've seen play first five - Inch, Verster, Vaega and Norrie - but in this selection, I would think Vaega and Norrie are selected as a midfield back and fullback respectively.
Edited for correction.
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James Moore is a LH prop according to the CBHS team list I found.
Previously, midfielders end up playing on the wing, e.g. Guerin in this team. Pahulu has also being playing at centre.
It's interesting that the TBC and NC 9/10s have been selected. Inch for the worst mullet in 1st XV rugby.
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@Bovidae That would make sense. Moore's an interesting one, as I also saw several team sheets with him playing number eight. Another loose forward converted to the front row, it seems.
Pahulu and Van Der Westhuizen seem like the obvious candidates for the wing, but you're right about the recent selection policy. I hope they keep Guerin in the midfield. I like his defensive reads in the position.
I was impressed by Inch when I saw him play (hairstyle notwithstanding). He has good variety to his attacking game, maybe just a tad overeager at times. It'll be interesting to see whether the selectors go for cohesion or individual skillset.
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Players grow very quickly at this level so often their position changes. The current Hamilton BHS no.8 was the TH prop the previous year. Ollie Guerin is very quick, which is why he could be a candidate for the wing. He's a Y12 so a good chance to be involved in 2025 too.
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I figured I would do the same positional breakdown of the BaaBaas U18. Again, feel free to point out any mistakes or oversights.
Props: Tamiano Ahloo; Raharuhi Palmer; Presley McHugh; Samuela Takapu; Dane Johnston
Hookers: Alani Fakava; Tom Martin
Locks: Jake Frost; Frazer Brown; Johnny Falloon; Max Fale
Loose forwards: Micah Fale (6/7); Gregor Rutledge (6/7); Rupeni Raviyawa (8); Drew Berg-McLean (6/7)
Halfbacks: Mitchell Swann; Benji Nation
First Five-Eights: Mika Muliaina; Rios Tasmania
Midfield/Outside backs: Fanua Fa'avae; Jack Wiseman; Peni Havea; Reimana Saunderson-Rurawhe; Lautasi Etuale; Pyrenees Boyle-Tiatia
Similar to the Schools' side, lots of positional flexibility. I've listed players where I've seen them play, not necessarily where I think they will play for the Barbarians. I've given up on making clear distinctions between the midfield and outside backs. Boyle-Tiatia has also played a lot at first five, so he might end up playing there as well.
Looking at the side like this, next to the Schools side, I think the Barbarians forward pack is very strong, especially at prop. Ahloo, Johnston, and Takapu especially are big dudes who scrum and maul well while also offering a lot in the carry. I would think Greg Feek had a prominent role at the selection table for this side.
It's in the backline where I think the Schools' side possesses a lot more pedigree and control. Again, looking at the two sides next to each other, you'd think the two teams would go for quite different game plans.
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@Mauss Palmer, Fale and Boyle-Tiatia have been playing for the Waikato U19s. Fale has actually being playing no.8 while at club level he was at 7. Boyle-Tiatia has alternated between centre and fullback in the games I have seen.
I'll go to the games and will copy the match programmes if the teams aren't listed.
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@Bovidae Cheers. Hopefully there's some more consistent information provided by NZR this year, but communication has been sparse for a long time now.
Interesting to hear about Fale, although he does strike me as a player who can be effective across the backrow. Going well at eight, you reckon?
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Micah Fale isn't that tall but is quick and runs hard at weak shoulders. He has got good ball skills too with the ability to offload in contact. The loose forward trio in today's game were all actually sevens (Oli Mathis and Liam Anderson being the others).
NZ Schools, NZ Māori U18 Ngā Whatukura and NZ Barbarians U18 teams named
