NZ Schools Rugby 2025
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Some interesting calls across the teams. I’m guessing Marco Miln from King’s is selected as a halfback? I know he’s played first five this year but I don’t see any other 9 in the NZS team apart from Liston Vaka’uta. Like in previous years, I don’t think there’s a massive gap in quality between the 3 rep sides so the camp matches should be pretty tightly contested.
There’s again a sizable contingent of club rugby players across the NZ Barbarian U18s and Māori Under 18 Ngā Whatukura Boys, 8 with the Barbarians and 6 for the Māori U18s. There’s been a slow but steady rise in club rugby representation for NZR U18 rugby, since the eligibility criteria were changed in 2021 to include these players.
I don’t think the quality of this year’s U18 club players is as high as last year – when Micah Fale, Frazer Brown and Raharuhi Palmer would’ve easily made the NZS side in my opinion, if eligible – but a player like Jericho Wharehinga would be very close to making a combined NZ U18 side. He was very impressive for the Māori U18s last year.
As far as unlucky players are concerned, I’d say Tokoaitua Owen can probably be put into that category. Then again, there are a lot of quality 15s this year, with Etuale, Kennedy, Havea and Tofiga selected and you’d also have to say deservedly so.
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Maybe Jamie Viljoen is an option at halfback as well?
As usual, the backline is full of midfield backs, some of who will play on the wing (again).
Here is a breakdown by competition:
North Harbour 0 players
1A 10
Super 8 8
CNI 3
Wellington 0
Miles Toyota ( Crusaders) 3 - none from the two schools that played in the final
Otago/Southland Schools 2Not being too familiar with some of the 1A players, I see that both of the Liston College players are loose forwards.
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The lineups for the games between the Māori U18s and Chiefs U18s, and the NZ Barbarian U18s and NZ Schools.
The backline experiments from last year (Stanley at 13, Guerin and Pahulu on the wings) seem set to be continued, with Miln being named at halfback despite mostly playing first five this year. Flynn Morey also seems to be included with the NZ Schools squad so perhaps an injury replacement? Triumph Voice looks like the only name missing from the group.
I can't say that I have a great feeling about the side but I guess we'll see.
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Both games shouldn't have been as close as they ended up. A glorious day for afternoon rugby.
The NZS named two CCs - Siale Pahulu and Jake Hutchings.
A few comments about the NZS squad looking ahead to the games against Aust U18.
- Still have problems in the scrum despite new props.
- Both hookers struggled to throw straight at times.
- Neither starting lock is that tall, nor the 6 and 7. The reserve lock (Jacob Carter) is the tallest of their locks. Both NZ Barbarian locks are taller.
- So set piece could be an issue, which will have flow-on effects for possession.
- Plenty of speed in the outside backs.
But hey, at least Tito finally won a game at this level.
spoiler -
Both games shouldn't have been as close as they ended up. A glorious day for afternoon rugby.
The NZS named two CCs - Siale Pahulu and Jake Hutchings.
A few comments about the NZS squad looking ahead to the games against Aust U18.
- Still have problems in the scrum despite new props.
- Both hookers struggled to throw straight at times.
- Neither starting lock is that tall, nor the 6 and 7. The reserve lock (Jacob Carter) is the tallest of their locks. Both NZ Barbarian locks are taller.
- So set piece could be an issue, which will have flow-on effects for possession.
- Plenty of speed in the outside backs.
But hey, at least Tito finally won a game at this level.
spoiler@Bovidae said in NZ Schools Rugby 2025:
Still have problems in the scrum despite new props.
Cody Renata isn't a loosehead prop and the issues really started when Qaranivalu went off early in the second half. Hunter didn"t fare much better there either - though Tulimanu, the Barbarian reserve tighthead, is very solid in the scrum - so I'm not sure what the play is, as far as reserve loosehead is concerned.
I thought Marco Miln was the standout player of the game, some good snipes around the ruck and clever decision-making. Jimmy Taylor was also tidy in his execution at first five, although goal-kicking will be a worry. The NZS backline still doesn't work for me: I would put Stanley at 12 and either Guerin, Pahulu or Morey at 13.
The lineout will probably be the biggest work-on. Platt and Weaver worked hard around the field but lack height. Similarly with Katoa and Lawrence, although I was impressed with the physicality and game-breaking abilities of both players.
For the Barbarians, I thought Nathan Stephens looked very threatening throughout the game, while the bench players really lifted the quality. You can easily make the argument that all of Coulthard, Solomona, Hill, Kamana and Kennedy should've started, on the basis of their play in the second half. The game might've been a bit closer throughout, if that were the case.
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Also, Louie Treacy must be the younger brother of Xavier as they look alike. He had a bad foot injury so I don't think he will be playing the Māori. I still reckon Alex Arnold should have been in either the NZS or Barbarians team.
Flynn Morey was added to the NZS squad from the Barbarians U18s, and fellow St Peter's player Izzy Kamana from the Māori to Barbarians.
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You can watch this game live on Rugby.com.au's YouTube channel. Aust U18s play NZ Schools next Monday.
Australia U18 v Australian Schoolboys
12pm AEST Thursday September 25
Viking Park, Canberra -
Not the 2nd half I was expecting when the Māori U18 only trailed by one point at HT playing into a strong wind. Too many mistakes and turnovers meant they never spent much time in the Barbarians 22 m zone in the 2nd half.
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@hikastags said in NZ Schools Rugby 2025:
Is Siale Pahulu signed to the Warriors?
Did you read that somewhere? It would be strange to make him one of the co-captains if he was committed to RL.
