NZ Schools Rugby 2025
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The better school players tend to gravitate towards a bigger rugby school nowadays, even if for only Y12 and 13. As the coaches nominate players to be considered for the school national rep teams I doubt they (NZR selectors) will look at someone who isn't playing in one of the major competitions. It's different at U19 level where they are playing club rugby irrespective of what school they went to. There are recent examples of both.
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@NTA don’t think you’re right, RA have tidied up the pipeline. Most of these boys would be signed already, and the 1 or 2 that go to league have probably shown enough interest to give them a crack to develop some good will and get them back later (like sualii). And the. Scrapping the giteau law and keeping them involved (like lemoto) will only increase chances of them playing for wallabies. I have a completely opposite outlook, future looks bright for aus
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Plus the age level super competition has more coverage, so I expect more juniors to remain.
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Thats embarrassing, wonder if that will wake NZR up that they need to do something, player retention and upskilling would seem a big issue.
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@ACT-Crusader said in NZ Schools Rugby 2025:
Plus the age level super competition has more coverage, so I expect more juniors to remain.
At the end of the day they're are still only so many pro contracts in Rugby union here.
I'd love to think that NSW U16 and U19 thrashing everyone bodes well for the Tahs but it simply isn't the case
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@slammer said in NZ Schools Rugby 2025:
How many players who have finished school would be eligible for the NZ U18s?
An u18 tournament is a good idea. Would be similar to Craven Week in SA following which SA Schools and SA Schools A and then SA U18 and SA U18 A teams are selected
Seven players in the Babas U18s plus the unavailable Mika Muliaina. Not sure how much of a difference that cohort would make.
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In the Barbarians, Josh Findlay was one of the NZS hookers last year. Brayden Neilson was in the Chiefs U20 squad this year but wouldn't be any better than the wingers in the NZS squad. Drew Berg-McLean is a good openside. Corban King would probably be better than the TH props with a year of club rugby behind him.
There are a couple of front rowers in the Māori U18s too that might be better options.
I would argue that some of the Barbarian and Māori U18 players still at school are better too. Elijah Solomona would have been one of my NZS opensides.
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Gregor Paul: How a massive NZ schoolboys defeat reveals deep cracks in rugby
New Zealand Schools conceded 81 points in a heavy loss to Australia U18.
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Worst NZ Schools side I've ever seen.
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The 1st half was more of the same shit. The backs looked like they had never met while the forwards were outmuscled for most of the match. Poor skills, passive tackling and a lack of structure.
Paul Tito (Blues)
Willie Rickhards (Auckland Grammar School)
Kieran Coll (St Thomas of Canterbury)Remember their names. They should never coach a NZ rep team again.
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@Bovidae said in NZ Schools Rugby 2025:
The 1st half was more of the same shit. The backs looked like they had never met while the forwards were outmuscled for most of the match. Poor skills, passive tackling and a lack of structure.
Paul Tito (Blues)
Willie Rickhards (Auckland Grammar School)
Kieran Coll (St Thomas of Canterbury)Remember their names. They should never coach a NZ rep team again.
That explains the outrageous Auckland representation. What a joke.
New Zealand Rugby announces squads for National Under 18 Pathway Programme
