SR U20s 2025
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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.
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@Bovidae Unbelievable
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@Bovidae painfully amateur. How can the Canes not have a yellow jersey available. Surely someone is racing back to base as we speak to retrieve the yellow kit.
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Cant coach pace one team clinical the other not so
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Is this the Drua or the Fijian team?
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@Steven-Harris Fiji U20s this year. Their ball retention is poor.
Solomon is much more suited to fullback, so expect him to be there for the NZ U20s instead of on the wing.
@Bovidae said in SR U20s 2025:
@Steven-Harris Fiji U20s this year. Their ball retention is poor.
Solomon is much more suited to fullback, so expect him to be there for the NZ U20s instead of on the wing.
I’m about 39 mins through the replay. Solomon looks bloody sharp at fullback, you can’t beat pace. He’ll be another Hurley type player moving forward.
Really like the look of Will Cole at 10, looks to run the cutter really well and showed some lovely balance and pace in that first try.
Jai Tamati also playing well.
But how the hell are both teams wearing white. Rugby gets this wrong so often.
It’s nice to see some real speed in the outsides with Kennedy and Solomon.
