NZ Schools Rugby 2025
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It's hard to know who is in the frame for the NZS squad because a lot of games aren't seen, particularly 1A games.
This 1st 5 seems to be a man (boy) for the big occasion.
https://www.thepress.co.nz/sport/360782768/taylor-boots-southland-boys-south-island-final
@Bovidae said in NZ Schools Rugby 2025:
This 1st 5 seems to be a man (boy) for the big occasion.
I thought both first fives were good in this game. Taylor obviously has an appetite for the big moments but Jake Hill, the King’s HS 10, is a fantastic runner of the ball, breaking the SBHS defence nearly every time he attacked the line.
This was the first game I’ve seen from King’s HS but their attack was very interesting to watch. They played almost exclusively off 9, which isn’t something you see that often in NZ Rugby, with the halfback distributing directly to different forward pods. Their use of pods was interesting as well: instead of having preformed sets of 3 ready to receive the ball, you had multiple individual runners in motion. It was only after the ball carrier had received the ball, that support players would flock to the carrier. This approach has a few advantages: first of all, you have players in motion rather than standing ready, waiting for the ball to come. And secondly, it’s much harder for a defence to anticipate where the brunt of offensive impact is going to occur, making the attack more unpredictable.
At the same time, this unpredictability is also the fatal flaw of the system, as the support players themselves weren’t always ready to form a pod on the fly. As a result, King’s HS carriers would often get isolated, leading to easy turnovers for SBHS. It’s a very ambitious and demanding attack – only apt for a school which has both Tony Brown and Ben Smith among its old boys – but with such young and inexperienced players, it’s perhaps no surprise that the wheels occasionally fell off slightly.
Still, you’d have to say that the King’s HS attack worked well, most of the time. It allowed the team to move effectively up the field, and then you’d have Hill injecting himself into the line at pace from 1st or 2nd receiver, exposing the retreating SBHS defenders and cutting them open. The passage around the 50 minute-mark is a good example of this system, with Hill making multiple devastating runs in the same sequence of play.
youtube.co/watch?v=6jtKkpj9MZc&t=4296
It's hard to know who is in the frame for the NZS squad because a lot of games aren't seen, particularly 1A games.
I’ve honestly been surprised by how many games are available online. I think I’ve watched First XV games from all of the competitions, apart from the 1A (which, admittedly, is a considerable blind spot). Still, I wouldn’t really have a clue who’s in the frame for NZ Schools selection. If anything, watching those games emphasized for me what a difficult selection process NZ Schools must be. So many different programs and so many players on different places in their development curve. Seems like a stab in the dark.
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@Bovidae said in NZ Schools Rugby 2025:
This 1st 5 seems to be a man (boy) for the big occasion.
I thought both first fives were good in this game. Taylor obviously has an appetite for the big moments but Jake Hill, the King’s HS 10, is a fantastic runner of the ball, breaking the SBHS defence nearly every time he attacked the line.
This was the first game I’ve seen from King’s HS but their attack was very interesting to watch. They played almost exclusively off 9, which isn’t something you see that often in NZ Rugby, with the halfback distributing directly to different forward pods. Their use of pods was interesting as well: instead of having preformed sets of 3 ready to receive the ball, you had multiple individual runners in motion. It was only after the ball carrier had received the ball, that support players would flock to the carrier. This approach has a few advantages: first of all, you have players in motion rather than standing ready, waiting for the ball to come. And secondly, it’s much harder for a defence to anticipate where the brunt of offensive impact is going to occur, making the attack more unpredictable.
At the same time, this unpredictability is also the fatal flaw of the system, as the support players themselves weren’t always ready to form a pod on the fly. As a result, King’s HS carriers would often get isolated, leading to easy turnovers for SBHS. It’s a very ambitious and demanding attack – only apt for a school which has both Tony Brown and Ben Smith among its old boys – but with such young and inexperienced players, it’s perhaps no surprise that the wheels occasionally fell off slightly.
Still, you’d have to say that the King’s HS attack worked well, most of the time. It allowed the team to move effectively up the field, and then you’d have Hill injecting himself into the line at pace from 1st or 2nd receiver, exposing the retreating SBHS defenders and cutting them open. The passage around the 50 minute-mark is a good example of this system, with Hill making multiple devastating runs in the same sequence of play.
youtube.co/watch?v=6jtKkpj9MZc&t=4296
It's hard to know who is in the frame for the NZS squad because a lot of games aren't seen, particularly 1A games.
I’ve honestly been surprised by how many games are available online. I think I’ve watched First XV games from all of the competitions, apart from the 1A (which, admittedly, is a considerable blind spot). Still, I wouldn’t really have a clue who’s in the frame for NZ Schools selection. If anything, watching those games emphasized for me what a difficult selection process NZ Schools must be. So many different programs and so many players on different places in their development curve. Seems like a stab in the dark.
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I went along to the King's St Kent's rugby final at EP today, the game was enjoyable, flowing, a clash of two styles, and thoroughly unmolested by the ref and the officials. St K came out hot with a forward dominated game and a huge pack, rumbled over for three first half tries almost at will. King's has the superior backline, more mobile pack and seemed more fit, and once they got to grips fronting up in the collision area physically, and as St K started to tire, King's got on top and pulled out convincing winners. I enjoyed the game more than the ref dominated pro game slop we are fed most of the time
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Westlake beat Whangarei Boys 39-18 in the NH final, although it was only 25-18 inside the last 5 with both sides trading tries most of the game.
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I went along to the King's St Kent's rugby final at EP today, the game was enjoyable, flowing, a clash of two styles, and thoroughly unmolested by the ref and the officials. St K came out hot with a forward dominated game and a huge pack, rumbled over for three first half tries almost at will. King's has the superior backline, more mobile pack and seemed more fit, and once they got to grips fronting up in the collision area physically, and as St K started to tire, King's got on top and pulled out convincing winners. I enjoyed the game more than the ref dominated pro game slop we are fed most of the time
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@ploughboy said in NZ Schools Rugby 2025:
southland boys beat christchurch boys? 32 29?
close but southland wonYep, full game here:
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Westlake beat Whangarei Boys 39-18 in the NH final, although it was only 25-18 inside the last 5 with both sides trading tries most of the game.
@taniwharugby was privileged enough to call this game for Sportsway on Saturday your right on the money Whangarei Boys were right in the contest until the last 10 minutes or so
For me it came down West Lake having a stronger bench Whangarei had lost their very good winger Kauri Flay Alker who broke is jaw in the semi against Rosmini the week before but unfortunately apart from a couple of bench players who were into every thing there was nothing to counter punch with
Whilst not the result Whangarei were looking for they did have 1 of the 2 best players on the paddock no 8 and skipper Brock Reid who was sensational in a beaten team
Others to impress was open side flanker Jordon Young who has some engine has a bit of Kara Pryor about him
Skipper Henare Parangi who has awesome footwork finished off a brilliant individual try
Fullback Tametai Whihongi is very elusive and knows how to find the line as he did in the final
Casey Wright in the midfield is a very good player but I did think he was under utilised Josh McRae is a very heady 1st five and it would not surprise me if he turns in a Blues age group team.Both locks Hugh Manson & Ashton Williams worked really hard
Both are very tall , Williams is the son of former Auckland & Northland lock Bryce Williams and at 17 is almost as tall as his dad
Great shift also from prop Jacques Miller there was a noticeable shift at scrum time when he left the fieldFor Westlake one name stands out above several other outstanding performers Matthew (Matt ) Flemming
The centre for WL is tall and rangy and quick finished off a brilliant individual try he’s an absolute freak of an athlete who holds the record for the Auckland secondary schools 400 metres 50.01s was the time
He also won the long jump title as well.
Being heavily pursued by the Crusaders academy at the minute.Solomona Tuitupou a tall rangy 6 is a nephew of Sam , and like is uncle hits hard and is a handful with ball in hand
Ollie Davies is very tidy fullback with an accurate boot ,Nico Jena’s the 12 a very intelligent player.Skipper Arlo Leith led by example and was everywhere
Harry Cornelius is very tall already over 2 metres just gobbles up everything that comes his way including opposition line out ball.Gotta say I was real impressed with giant tighthead prop kaiva Tulimanu went the entire 80 minutes and was a constant menace on the carry.
WL were great off the bench as well every none more so than halfback lee Hanru Greyvensteyn ..man this kid is lightening if given space he caused WBH all sorts of issues with his pace
All in all a deserved win to Westlake which gives them 6 titles in a row -
Match Details for Schools/Under 18 sides in 2025
Saturday 20th September (St Paul’s Collegiate, Hamilton)
NZ Schools vs NZ Barbarians U18 – 2pmSaturday 20th September (St Paul’s Collegiate, Hamilton)
NZ Māori U18 v Chiefs Selection – 12pmThursday 25th September (St Paul’s Collegiate, Hamilton)
NZ Māori U18 v NZ Barbarians U18 – 2pmMonday 29th September (Viking Rugby Club, Canberra)
NZ Schools vs Australia U18 – 4:05pmSaturday 4th October (Viking Rugby Club, Canberra)
NZ Schools vs Australia U18 – 4:05pm -
@taniwharugby was privileged enough to call this game for Sportsway on Saturday your right on the money Whangarei Boys were right in the contest until the last 10 minutes or so
For me it came down West Lake having a stronger bench Whangarei had lost their very good winger Kauri Flay Alker who broke is jaw in the semi against Rosmini the week before but unfortunately apart from a couple of bench players who were into every thing there was nothing to counter punch with
Whilst not the result Whangarei were looking for they did have 1 of the 2 best players on the paddock no 8 and skipper Brock Reid who was sensational in a beaten team
Others to impress was open side flanker Jordon Young who has some engine has a bit of Kara Pryor about him
Skipper Henare Parangi who has awesome footwork finished off a brilliant individual try
Fullback Tametai Whihongi is very elusive and knows how to find the line as he did in the final
Casey Wright in the midfield is a very good player but I did think he was under utilised Josh McRae is a very heady 1st five and it would not surprise me if he turns in a Blues age group team.Both locks Hugh Manson & Ashton Williams worked really hard
Both are very tall , Williams is the son of former Auckland & Northland lock Bryce Williams and at 17 is almost as tall as his dad
Great shift also from prop Jacques Miller there was a noticeable shift at scrum time when he left the fieldFor Westlake one name stands out above several other outstanding performers Matthew (Matt ) Flemming
The centre for WL is tall and rangy and quick finished off a brilliant individual try he’s an absolute freak of an athlete who holds the record for the Auckland secondary schools 400 metres 50.01s was the time
He also won the long jump title as well.
Being heavily pursued by the Crusaders academy at the minute.Solomona Tuitupou a tall rangy 6 is a nephew of Sam , and like is uncle hits hard and is a handful with ball in hand
Ollie Davies is very tidy fullback with an accurate boot ,Nico Jena’s the 12 a very intelligent player.Skipper Arlo Leith led by example and was everywhere
Harry Cornelius is very tall already over 2 metres just gobbles up everything that comes his way including opposition line out ball.Gotta say I was real impressed with giant tighthead prop kaiva Tulimanu went the entire 80 minutes and was a constant menace on the carry.
WL were great off the bench as well every none more so than halfback lee Hanru Greyvensteyn ..man this kid is lightening if given space he caused WBH all sorts of issues with his pace
All in all a deserved win to Westlake which gives them 6 titles in a row@Steven-Harris said in NZ Schools Rugby 2025:
Whilst not the result Whangarei were looking for they did have 1 of the 2 best players on the paddock no 8 and skipper Brock Reid who was sensational in a beaten team
I watched this game last night. I agree, Reid was very good in a beaten team but doesn't look to be the tallest for a no.8.
For Westlake one name stands out above several other outstanding performers Matthew (Matt ) Flemming
Very quick. With that speed he would be a good chance to make the NZ Schools or Barbarians, probably as a winger for the former. Two of the NZS wingers last year are actually centres, and Y13s this year.
Being heavily pursued by the Crusaders academy at the minute.
Seems to be the case with Westlake players.
Solomona Tuitupou a tall rangy 6 is a nephew of Sam , and like is uncle hits hard and is a handful with ball in hand
Another who must be a chance to make one of the teams.
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The Australian squads have been announced.
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Looks like a very strong side, with several returnees from last year such as Angus Grover, Kingsley Uys, Isaac Fonua, Will Ross, Jonty Fowler, TJ Talaileva and Heinz Lemoto. The latter, I’ve read, will only move to Toulouse in December.
There’s also several of last year’s Australia U16s which were seemingly very highly rated in Australian rugby circles, such as Justice Taumoepau (back row), Talen Risati (first five), Hasani Bloomfield (tighthead), Taione Taka (centre), Tahj Smith (lock) and Jarryd King (fullback). For those interested, their game against the Waratahs U17s – the AU U16s coming out as victors 43 to 5 – is available on YouTube:
While certain players like Risati certainly look talented, it’s hard to gauge their level, as the Waratahs U17s didn’t look too well-organized. My main takeaway was that the U16s looked well coached and prepared. Again, it’s another sign that Rugby Australia is taking age grade rugby and the development pathways seriously in the past few years.
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I wonder if they will pick Mika Muliaina in the Barbarians or just leave him to play NPC?
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New Zealand Schools
Alani Fakava, Feilding High School
Christiaan Botha, Nelson College
Cody Renata, Rotorua Boys' High School
Daniel Lawrence, Liston College
Henry Hunter, King's High School
Hunter Weaver, Rotorua Boys' High School
Isireli Qaranivalu, Hastings Boys ' High School
Jacob Carter, King's College
Jake Hutchings, Rotorua Boys' High School
Jamie Viljoen, Palmerston North Boys' High School
Jimmy Taylor, Southland Boys' High School
Lautasi Etuale, St Thomas of Canterbury College
Liston Vaka’uta, Sacred Heart College, Auckland
Logan Platt, Auckland Grammar School
Luka Makata, Saint Kentigern
Marco Miln, King's College
Nehemiah Su'a, Palmerston North Boys' High School
Nico Stanley, Auckland Grammar School
Noah Rogers, Lindisfarne College
Ollie Guerin, Hamilton Boys' High School
Riley Grant-Faiva, Saint Kentigern
Rupeni Raviyawa, Feilding High School
Siale Pahulu, Saint Kentigern
Sione Katoa, Liston College
Tom Perkins, Nelson College
Triumph Voice, Hastings Boys ' High SchoolNew Zealand Barbarian Under 18
Alapati Tusa Soagia, St Peter's Cambridge
Alex Palazzo, Palmerston North Boys High School'
Boston Krone, Pakuranga RFC
Drew Berg -McLean, Napier Pirates Rugby & Sports Club
Brayden Neilson, New Plymouth Old Boys' Rugby Club
Charlie Sullivan, Sydenham Rugby Club
Corban King, Marist St Pats RFC
Elijah Solomona, St Patrick's Silverstream
Flynn Morey, St Peter's Cambridge
Harry Cornelius, Westlake Boys High School
Hunter Kennedy, Palmerston North Boys' High School
Jack Potter, Nelson College
James Tuituba, Fielding High School
Jake Hill, King's High School
Johan Schaumkell, King's College
Josh Findlay, High School Old Boys' Rugby Club, Christchurch
Junior Aukuso-Slade, Saint Kentigern
Kaiva Tulimanu, Westlake Boys’ High School
Louie Treacy, Lincoln University RFC
Mason Coulthard, Southland Boys' High School
Nathan Stephens, Hamilton Boys' High School
Nehemiah Lauvao, Hastings Boys ' High School
Peni Havea, Feilding High School
PJ Palamo, Linwood Rugby Club
Tawhiao Whitam-Tekotua, Nelson CollegeNot considered due to NPC commitments: Mika Muliana, University RFC
New Zealand Māori Under 18 Ngā Whatukura Boys
Alex Arnold, Hamilton Boys' High School (Te Āti Awa)
Ashton Savage, Northcote Rugby Football Club (Ngāti Maru - Hauraki)
Brad Meek, St Peter's Cambridge (Ngāti Porou)
Bronson van der Heyden, Rotorua Boys' High School (Ngāti Maniapoto)
Dylan Giles, Christchurch Boys' High School (Ngāti Ruanui)
Ethan Webber, Taieri Rugby Football Club (Kāi Tahu / Ngāi Tahu)
Inoke Vaingalo, Northcote Rugby Football Club (Ngāpuhi)
Izaiah Kamana, St Peter's Cambridge (Ngāti Maniapoto, Te Rarawa)
Jay Reihana, Timaru Boys' High School (Kāi Tahu / Ngāi Tahu)
Jeremiah Tuhenga-Vaitupu, King's High School (Waikato-Tainui)
Jericho Wharehinga, Napier Pirates Rugby & Sports Club (Ngāti Porou, Te Arawa)
Jesse West, St Peter's Cambridge (Ngāti Apakura, Ngāti Maniapoto)
Koen Rarere, Southland Boys' High School (Rongomāwāhine, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa)
Lafa Tofiga, King's High School (Ngāti Maniapoto)
Leighton Jones, Hamilton Old Boys' Rugby, Netball & Squash Club (Waikato-Tainui)
Liam Van Der Heyden, Hamilton Boys' High School (Ngāti Raukawa)
Malachi Osman, Tawa College (Ngāti Porou, Ngā Rauru)
Neihana Mata'afa, St Thomas of Canterbury College (Kāi Tahu / Ngāi Tahu)
Ngawai Amoamo, Sacred Heart College, Auckland (Te Whakatōhea, Kāi Tahu / Ngāi Tahu)
Presley McHugh, Southland Boys' High School (Ngāti Kahungunu)
Raef Robinson, Hastings Boys' High School (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga)
Riche Stephenson, Aotea Sports Club (Rangitāne, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti)
Rico Nicklin, Marlborough Boys' College (Ngāti Kuia, Rangitāne)
Te Ariki Rogers, Rotorua Boys' High School (Ngāti Whakaue, Te Arawa, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Koro)
Tylerjay Wallace, Palmerston North Boys' High School (Kāi Tahu/Ngāi Tahu)Not considered for selection to the squads above due to injury: Cruiz Simpson, Sacred Heart College, Ethan McManemin, Tauranga Boys College.
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Article on Jimmy Taylor's selection. A lot of belief in Southland he will be a massive talent.
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He's much smaller than his brothers but doesn't lack courage. I assume Marco Miln will be the first-choice 1st 5.
Quite the assortment of schools represented in the squad, and further confirmation that the team is selected well before the Top 4.
@Bovidae said in NZ Schools Rugby 2025:
He's much smaller than his brothers but doesn't lack courage. I assume Marco Miln will be the first-choice 1st 5.
Quite the assortment of schools represented in the squad, and further confirmation that the team is selected well before the Top 4.
Taylor might need to transition to either 12 or 15 with Muliaina likely blocking his long-term path at 10 for both Southland and the Landers. I reckon he is tough enough for 12 and looks quick enough for fullback.
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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.
