U20 Rugby Championship 2025
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This article states that the tournament will be held in South Africa this year. I haven't seen any dates but the U20 WC is in June and July in Italy so presumably in May or early June. The article from SA suggests it is yet to be confirmed by SANZAAR.
Both Australia and SA are well advanced as they have already named wider squads, with SA having held training camps already.
Chris Whitaker is the new Aust U20 coach while another familiar name is now the SA U20 coach - Kevin Foote.
As far as the NZ U20s, there were some people in their Adidas kit watching from the sidelines in Taupō, presumably part of this years coaching group.
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/new-coach-whitaker-names-first-australia-u20s-of-2025-2025320
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Be good to get an indication from people with no affiliation to a team who they feel stood out for each U20 Super team and could be in line for an NZ U20 invite.
I will rule myself out for the Chiefs but some players that really impressed me from other franchises were:
Blues - Finau, Tatafu, Tuitupou, Woodley, Simpson, Norrie
Hurricanes - Falloon, Irving, Berg-Mclean, Bason, Tamati, Oconnor, Denyer, Solomon
Crusaders - Oudenryn, Mafi, Powell, Mcleod, Kalouda, Cameron, Roberts, Kunawave
Highlanders - Tengblad, Rutledge, Pledger, Muliaina, Harvey, Rangituia
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Interested to see who backs up Simpson at 10.
Personally I'd go with either one of Muliana, O'Connor or the young Chiefs 10 but it'll probably end up being Cole.
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Be good to get an indication from people with no affiliation to a team who they feel stood out for each U20 Super team and could be in line for an NZ U20 invite.
I will rule myself out for the Chiefs but some players that really impressed me from other franchises were:
Blues - Finau, Tatafu, Tuitupou, Woodley, Simpson, Norrie
Hurricanes - Falloon, Irving, Berg-Mclean, Bason, Tamati, Oconnor, Denyer, Solomon
Crusaders - Oudenryn, Mafi, Powell, Mcleod, Kalouda, Cameron, Roberts, Kunawave
Highlanders - Tengblad, Rutledge, Pledger, Muliaina, Harvey, Rangituia
@Left-Right-Out-0 Id agree with all of those mentioned above
For the Chiefs :
Boyle Tiatia, Sinton, Fale, both locks Eti and Tocker, and the props Palmer and Johnson -
There's only a few players from the 2024 NZ U20 squad they are eligible again this year. Of those that played in Taupō that was:
Dylan Pledger
Mosese Bason
Rico Simpson
Sika Pole
Stanley SolomonLogan Wallace, Manumaua Letiu, Xavier Tito-Harris and Frank Vaenuku were the others that are either injured or with other commitments.
The first two above are a good chance to be the captain and vice-captain (either order). The question will be if many of the players in their first year out of school make the cut, or they focus on players with a year of club rugby and S&C behind them. Those that have played some NPC are even more valuable, particularly in the forwards. There is also a long list of other players that must also be injured, as well as Oli Mathis and Joey Taumateine (AB7s).
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Be hard for those just out of school to make it i would think. Theres too many who are playing NPC or Premier level already and doing so very well.
What positions in the 20s are up for grabs?
Forwards werent too flash last year so i would expect some change there. Bason will likely captain and played very well for the Hurricanes. Front row looks solid with good depth. Second row could be a push with some solid starters but i worry about who is in behind them. Loose trio will be fine.
For me the backs look likely to change a little.
At halfback, Pledger and maybe Tamati would be my two must haves. 1st 5 will be Simpson buylt after him is a toss up. I dont like the defensive qualities of any 10s i watched in Taupo. Very average to say the least.
Midfield will be stacked, especially with Tito Harris back. One of those Canterbury lads or Oconnor perhaps to partner him?
Solomon will play fullback. Hes got a great allround game. Wings is a toss up between a number of quality players, including the fijian boys from canterbury, chiefs have solid wings, denyer from hurricanes and the otago young guy who has already played NPC.
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Article in the ODT saying the U20s have been selected. They will be assembling in mid-April. That they wont be back to their provinces/clubs until July. So we should be seeing the national squad publicly named within the next few days?
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NZ U20 named
@Left-Right-Out-0 no Kyan Rangitutua has me stumped.
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That's a weaker squad than I thought it would be. Milton Haig is the new coach.
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has announced Haig will lead the Under 20 coaching group alongside returning assistant coaches Jarrad Hoeata and Craig Dunlea with the addition of Alex Robertson.
More importantly:
Unavailable due to injury
Logan Wallace, Aisake Vakasiuola, Jayden Sa.Unavailable due to All Blacks Sevens duties
Oli Mathis, Joey Taumateine, Xavier Tito-Harris, Frank Vaenuku. -
Hookers
Shaun Kempton, Highlanders/Southland
Manumaua Letiu, Crusaders/Canterbury
Eli Oudenryn, Crusaders/ Ta$manProps
Tamiano Ahloo, Blues/Auckland
Robson Faleafa, Blues/Auckland
Dane Johnston, Chiefs/Taranaki
Riley Tofilau, Blues/North Harbour
Sika Pole, Blues/AucklandLocks
Dylan Eti, Chiefs/Waikato
Joshua Tengblad, Highlanders/Otago
Randall Baker, Blues/AucklandLoose Forwards
Mosese Bason, Hurricanes/Manawatū
Micah Fale, Chiefs/Waikato
Harry Irving, Hurricanes/Wellington
Aio Keith, Blues/Auckland
Xavier Treacy, Crusaders/Canterbury
Caleb Woodley, Blues/Auckland
Finn McLeod, Crusaders/CanterburyHalfbacks
Dylan Pledger, Highlanders/Otago
Charlie Sinton, Chiefs/Bay of Plenty
Jai Tamati, Hurricanes/ ManawatūFirst five-eighth
Will Cole, Hurricanes/Hawke’s Bay
Rico Simpson, Blues/AucklandMidfielders
James Cameron, Crusaders/Canterbury
Tayne Harvey, Highlanders/Southland
Cooper Roberts, Crusaders/ Ta$man
Jack Wiseman, Chiefs/TaranakiOutside backs
Maloni Kunawave, Crusaders/ Ta$man
Taniela Maisiri, Chiefs/Bay of Plenty
Harlyn Saunoa, Blues/Auckland
Stanley Solomon, Hurricanes/Wellington -
Slightly off topic - With the Crusaders having Manumaua Letiu and SR20’s player of the tournament Eli Oudenryn in the system, along with a 23 year old George Bell on the books, there will be a talented young hooker or 2 available to a needy NPC/super rugby side in the near future I think.
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Strong halfbacks. Agree 100% with these 3 selections. Midfield as well looks fairly spot on for me.
I think we are weak at 10. Simpson is good but not great and we all know my feelings on Cole. Tiatia could have been a better option.
Outside backs a little perplexed. Maisiri and Saunoa werent even the best outside backs for their teams letalone making this squad. Rangitutua, Denyer, Norrie, Salmon would have been ahead of these two in my books.
