SR U20s 2025
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I think that the Barbarians are still U21. The squad looks to be a mixture of recent U20 players, some that missed out this year, and younger players who will feature next year.
@Bovidae said in SR U20s 2025:
I think that the Barbarians are still U21. The squad looks to be a mixture of recent U20 players, some that missed out this year, and younger players who will feature next year.
Good to see Liam McIntosh back for his fourth U20's tournament, he's a great scrummager so hopefully this is a sign he's still on the radar somewhere.
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Crusaders, Chiefs and Blues look very strong on paper. I hope theres a darkhorse in there somewhere (maybe babaas?) that will shake up the comp a little.
Prediction
- Crusaders
- Blues
- Chiefs
- Canes
- Highlanders
- Babaas
- Drua
- Moana
MVP: Oudenryn
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I’ve listed some of the most notable absences/injuries from the different NZ squads, with a lot of these still a decent chance, I think, of making the NZ U20s if fit and available.
Blues: Xavier Tito-Harris, Frazer Brown, Cruiz Simpson, Tamiano Ahloo, Siale Pahulu
Chiefs: Aisake Vakasiuola, Jayden Sa, Apai Ma’u Hinkes, Lenz Morunga-Itunu, Kaleb Tapara, Joey Taumateine, Frank Vaenuku, Oli Mathis, Ollie Guerin
Crusaders: Manumaea Letiu
Highlanders: Quinten Holland, Kiseki Fifita (mission)
Hurricanes: Logan Wallace, Rupeni Raviyawa, Alex Palazzo, Alani Fakava, Isireli Qaranivalu
It’s a considerable list of talent, with the Chiefs U20 especially missing a nearly complete XV of players who would, most likely, be considered for starting positions. The Crusaders, on the other hand, look to have most of their strongest players available, with the notable exception of Letiu. Still, they have Oudenryn as a very capable starting hooker.
For the Hurricanes, players like Palazzo, Fakava and Qaranivalu aren’t likely to make the NZ U20s – at least not, for the likes of Palazzo, this year – but there seems to be a lack of depth for the Hurricanes in the pack, which makes the absence of players like this, not to mention Wallace and Raviyawa, a lot more critical.
The Blues will probably miss Brown’s ballast in the second row the most, having decent depth in other positions, while the Highlanders could’ve definitely used both Holland and Fifita as players with a bit more X-factor.
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I’ve listed some of the most notable absences/injuries from the different NZ squads, with a lot of these still a decent chance, I think, of making the NZ U20s if fit and available.
Blues: Xavier Tito-Harris, Frazer Brown, Cruiz Simpson, Tamiano Ahloo, Siale Pahulu
Chiefs: Aisake Vakasiuola, Jayden Sa, Apai Ma’u Hinkes, Lenz Morunga-Itunu, Kaleb Tapara, Joey Taumateine, Frank Vaenuku, Oli Mathis, Ollie Guerin
Crusaders: Manumaea Letiu
Highlanders: Quinten Holland, Kiseki Fifita (mission)
Hurricanes: Logan Wallace, Rupeni Raviyawa, Alex Palazzo, Alani Fakava, Isireli Qaranivalu
It’s a considerable list of talent, with the Chiefs U20 especially missing a nearly complete XV of players who would, most likely, be considered for starting positions. The Crusaders, on the other hand, look to have most of their strongest players available, with the notable exception of Letiu. Still, they have Oudenryn as a very capable starting hooker.
For the Hurricanes, players like Palazzo, Fakava and Qaranivalu aren’t likely to make the NZ U20s – at least not, for the likes of Palazzo, this year – but there seems to be a lack of depth for the Hurricanes in the pack, which makes the absence of players like this, not to mention Wallace and Raviyawa, a lot more critical.
The Blues will probably miss Brown’s ballast in the second row the most, having decent depth in other positions, while the Highlanders could’ve definitely used both Holland and Fifita as players with a bit more X-factor.
@Mauss chiefs have a ton out but may be ok due to depth.
Blues have the biggest catchment in NZ so i dont feel so sorry for them lol
Whats the go with the Canes boys that arent there?
They injured, havent made the cut, too young or something else? -
@Mauss chiefs have a ton out but may be ok due to depth.
Blues have the biggest catchment in NZ so i dont feel so sorry for them lol
Whats the go with the Canes boys that arent there?
They injured, havent made the cut, too young or something else?@Left-Right-Out-0 said in SR U20s 2025:
Whats the go with the Canes boys that arent there?
They injured, havent made the cut, too young or something else?Wallace is injured, I think. Raviyawa and Palazzo are probably too young, both were Y12s last year.
And I'm not sure about Fakava and Qaranivalu. Both made rep teams last year - Fakava even making NZ Schools after an injury to Findlay - so you'd expect them to be in the mix. So don't know.
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@Left-Right-Out-0 said in SR U20s 2025:
Whats the go with the Canes boys that arent there?
They injured, havent made the cut, too young or something else?Wallace is injured, I think. Raviyawa and Palazzo are probably too young, both were Y12s last year.
And I'm not sure about Fakava and Qaranivalu. Both made rep teams last year - Fakava even making NZ Schools after an injury to Findlay - so you'd expect them to be in the mix. So don't know.
Wallace has a foot injury. I assume Letiu is needed for the Crusaders as their third hooker.
Pahulu and Guerin are still at school. They never select players that young for these teams.
As to the Chiefs, they have never listed who is unavailable due to injury. Vakasiuola and Sa are big loses. Both have NPC experience and along with Vaenuku and Mathis would be certainties to make the NZ U20s. They still can, depending on injury and sevens commitments. Taumateine must also have picked up an injury as he was a late withdrawal from the BOP Wasps game and wasn't involved in the Blues game.
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I’ve listed some of the most notable absences/injuries from the different NZ squads, with a lot of these still a decent chance, I think, of making the NZ U20s if fit and available.
Blues: Xavier Tito-Harris, Frazer Brown, Cruiz Simpson, Tamiano Ahloo, Siale Pahulu
Chiefs: Aisake Vakasiuola, Jayden Sa, Apai Ma’u Hinkes, Lenz Morunga-Itunu, Kaleb Tapara, Joey Taumateine, Frank Vaenuku, Oli Mathis, Ollie Guerin
Crusaders: Manumaea Letiu
Highlanders: Quinten Holland, Kiseki Fifita (mission)
Hurricanes: Logan Wallace, Rupeni Raviyawa, Alex Palazzo, Alani Fakava, Isireli Qaranivalu
It’s a considerable list of talent, with the Chiefs U20 especially missing a nearly complete XV of players who would, most likely, be considered for starting positions. The Crusaders, on the other hand, look to have most of their strongest players available, with the notable exception of Letiu. Still, they have Oudenryn as a very capable starting hooker.
For the Hurricanes, players like Palazzo, Fakava and Qaranivalu aren’t likely to make the NZ U20s – at least not, for the likes of Palazzo, this year – but there seems to be a lack of depth for the Hurricanes in the pack, which makes the absence of players like this, not to mention Wallace and Raviyawa, a lot more critical.
The Blues will probably miss Brown’s ballast in the second row the most, having decent depth in other positions, while the Highlanders could’ve definitely used both Holland and Fifita as players with a bit more X-factor.
Raviyawa and Fakava are still at school. They will be in the FAHS 1st XV this year.
Fakava does not turn 18 until June.Palazzo at PNBHS is a Year 13 student will lead PNBHS again this year.
Wallace has had his foot in a moon boot recently. Seems to have ongoing issues.
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Hi Bovidae,
Can we get a coach list for this competition Super Rugby U20@Sowndariya said in SR U20s 2025:
Hi Bovidae,
Can we get a coach list for this competition Super Rugby U20From the articles posted in this thread:
Blues - Ben Afeaki, Jeff Ierome, Matt Howling and Ian Robinson
Highlanders - Scott Eade, Ash Barron, Danya Cunningham and Marty McKenzieAs to the other teams:
Chiefs - James Porter, Hika Elliot, Jackson Willison, and maybe one other.
Hurricanes - Darren Larsen is usually their coach, no idea on the assistants
Crusaders - @Chris should know -
@Sowndariya said in SR U20s 2025:
Hi Bovidae,
Can we get a coach list for this competition Super Rugby U20From the articles posted in this thread:
Blues - Ben Afeaki, Jeff Ierome, Matt Howling and Ian Robinson
Highlanders - Scott Eade, Ash Barron, Danya Cunningham and Marty McKenzieAs to the other teams:
Chiefs - James Porter, Hika Elliot, Jackson Willison, and maybe one other.
Hurricanes - Darren Larsen is usually their coach, no idea on the assistants
Crusaders - @Chris should know@Bovidae said in SR U20s 2025:
@Sowndariya said in SR U20s 2025:
Hi Bovidae,
Can we get a coach list for this competition Super Rugby U20From the articles posted in this thread:
Blues - Ben Afeaki, Jeff Ierome, Matt Howling and Ian Robinson
Highlanders - Scott Eade, Ash Barron, Danya Cunningham and Marty McKenzieAs to the other teams:
Chiefs - James Porter, Hika Elliot, Jackson Willison, and maybe one other.
Hurricanes - Darren Larsen is usually their coach, no idea on the assistants
Crusaders - @Chris should knowAlex Robertson and Hoani MacDonald are taking the team again I believe Johnny Leo'o is involved as well.
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How many players are allowed to play?
I see Canes have named 30 for tomorrows match -
Keep an eye on Harlyn Saunoa from the Blues attended the Blues senior training camp up in Whangarei late last year and was the talk of the camp
Has rapid top end pace which had many shaking their heads , out of Botany College not one of your more fashionable rugby schools
Saw him play for Auckland U19s last year , had a few at that game shaking heads -
Wallace has a foot injury. I assume Letiu is needed for the Crusaders as their third hooker.
Pahulu and Guerin are still at school. They never select players that young for these teams.
As to the Chiefs, they have never listed who is unavailable due to injury. Vakasiuola and Sa are big loses. Both have NPC experience and along with Vaenuku and Mathis would be certainties to make the NZ U20s. They still can, depending on injury and sevens commitments. Taumateine must also have picked up an injury as he was a late withdrawal from the BOP Wasps game and wasn't involved in the Blues game.
@Bovidae said in SR U20s 2025:
Pahulu and Guerin are still at school. They never select players that young for these teams.
Ha, fair enough. I vaguely remembered Lakai and Godfrey playing in the 2021 U20 tournament and figured it wasn't that uncommon. But looked it up and they seemed to already have left school by then.
