2023 NZ Schools

[Bovidae]

Here is the breakdown of the squad:

Hookers
Manumaua Letiu
Shaun Kempton

Props
Logan Wallace
Raharuhi Palmer
Robson Faleafa
Sione Mafi
Tonga Helu

Locks
Aisake Vakasiuola
Jake Frost
Josh Tengblad
Quinten Holland (also no.8)

Loose forwards
Marshall Blakely
Micah Fale
Mosese Bason
Oli Mathis

Halfbacks
Charlie Sinton
Dylan Pledger

1st 5s/Fullbacks
Rangiwai Lunjevich
Rico Simpson

Midfield/Wingers
Caelys Putoko
Frank Vaenuku
James Cameron
Kiseki Fifita
Tayne Harvey
Tevita Naufahu

Fullback
Isaac Murray-McGregor

As usual the wingers are often centres for their 1st XV.

[Bovidae]

They've released the teams early for tomorrow's games.

[Stargazer]

Reminder:

Saturday 23 September - St Pauls Collegiate, Hamilton
New Zealand Māori U18 v Northland U19, 12.00pm kick-off
New Zealand Schools v NZ Barbarian U18, 2.00pm kick-off

I haven't seen any info about a livestream.

[Bovidae]

Rain is in the forecast when these games are scheduled, but hopefully it won't be too bad.

[Stargazer]

New Zealand Māori U18 v Northland U19 livestream

[Stargazer]

New Zealand Schools v NZ Barbarian U18 livestream

[Bovidae]

Thankfully the rain stayed away until the final whistle of the second game.

Results:

Spoiler

NZ Māori U18s 62 - 0 Northland U19s (HT: 24-0)
NZ Schools 57 - 22 NZ Barbarians U18s (HT: 36-12)

[Bovidae]

For those interested here are the coaches and staff.

NZ Schools

NZ Barbarians U18

[Stargazer]

https://www.nzrugby.co.nz/news-and-events/latest-news/new-zealand-schools-and-u18s-match-wrap/

[Bovidae]

This photo shows the size of Pledger, the starting halfback, compared to the two locks.

[SouthernMann]

Another Otago midget coming through. Good to see

[Bovidae]

Teams for tomorrow's games. Based on what I saw last Sat, I would not be surprised if the Māori U18s beat the NZ Barbarians U18s.

Hopefully the game in Aust is streamed.

[Stargazer]

Thursday 28 September - St Pauls Collegiate, Hamilton - 12.00pm kick-off
New Zealand Māori U18 v New Zealand Barbarian U18

Livestream:

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae said in 2023 NZ Schools:

Hopefully the game in Aust is streamed.

In Australia it will be shown on Stan Sport, so hopefully Sky will either broadcast it on one of their channels or livstream it on Sky Sport Next (YouTube).

[Bovidae]

Some rotation in the Māori and Barbarians. Jai Taimati missing at halfback, replaced by Halen King. Pretty much the same NZ Schools team, although James Cameron was a late withdrawal.

Also, the starting 1st 5 for the Māori is from Te Kuiti HS, so good to see a smaller school represented.

[Stargazer]

NZR have edited their post on FB and it now says that the Australia U18 v NZ Schools game will be live on Sky Sport.

[Dolamite]

If Randall Baker went to a 1A school, he would have made one of the teams. I think he’s the best loose forward in Auckland

[Bovidae]

@Dolamite said in 2023 NZ Schools:

If Randall Baker went to a 1A school, he would have made one of the teams. I think he’s the best loose forward in Auckland

I see he was playing no.8 for the Divisional XV, so not even selected for the Gulls. What school?

[Bovidae]

https://www.allblacks.com/news/new-zealand-schools-named-for-first-australia-u18-match/

[nostrildamus]

@Bovidae said in 2023 NZ Schools:

This photo shows the size of Pledger, the starting halfback, compared to the two locks.

Pledger looks like a good sized lock for the Hurricanes!