IMAGE: NZ RUGBY

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has officially revealed the 2024 squads for the New Zealand Schools, New Zealand Barbarians Under 18, and New Zealand Māori Under 18 Ngā Whatukura Boys teams. A total of 75 talented players have been selected based on their standout performances in school and club rugby this season, representing 29 schools and 12 clubs across the country—from Māruawai College in Gore to the reigning Top Four champions and Rathkeale College in Heartland’s Wairarapa-Bush.

For the first time since 2019, New Zealand will host the Australia Under 18 team as part of an exciting international series, featuring seven teams competing over three days. Joining the action will be Samoa Under 18, New Zealand Heartland Under 20, Chiefs Under 18, and the three homegrown squads.

Ben Fisher, New Zealand Rugby’s High Performance Pathways Manager, expressed enthusiasm for the return of this program, particularly with the addition of international teams. “This program plays a key role in our player development pathway,” Fisher stated. “The chance to face off against our Australian and Samoan counterparts is critical for these young men as they prepare for future opportunities with the New Zealand Under 20s and beyond.”

Fisher also extended congratulations to the selected players and their families, emphasizing the importance of these fixtures in their development. He thanked The Barbarians Club, NZ Schools Rugby Union, Heartland Unions, and Chiefs Rugby for their support in making the matches possible.

All three New Zealand squads will take the field at FMG Stadium in Hamilton on Sunday, 6th October. The New Zealand Schools team will be coached by Paul Tito (Blues), with assistance from Willie Rickhards (Auckland Grammar) and Kieran Coll (St Thomas of Canterbury). The Barbarians squad will be led by Darren Larsen (Hurricanes), supported by Tasesa Lavea (Saint Kentigern’s College) and Greg Feek (Blues). Kahu Carey (Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Te Ātiawa, Kāi Tahu/Ngāi Tahu) will helm the Māori Under 18 team, with Willie Brown (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Porou), Jeremy Wara (Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Pikiao), and Simon Kneebone (Ngāti Porou) completing the coaching team.

Key Fixtures:

Wednesday, 2nd October (St Paul’s Collegiate, Hamilton)

• NZ Barbarians U18 vs Australia U18 – 2pm
• NZ Schools vs Samoa U18 – 4pm

Sunday, 6th October (FMG Stadium Waikato)

• NZ Māori U18 vs NZ Heartland U20 – 12pm
• NZ Barbarians U18 vs Samoa U18 – 2pm
• NZ Schools vs Australia U18 – 4pm

Thursday, 10th October (St Paul’s Collegiate, Hamilton)

• Chiefs U18 vs Samoa U18 – 12pm
• NZ Schools vs NZ Māori U18 – 2pm

Mark your calendars for these thrilling matchups, where the future stars of New Zealand rugby will showcase their skills!

NEW ZEALAND SCHOOLS SQUAD

• Oliver Gibbons (Nelson College)
• Bede Giera (St Bede’s College)
• Oliver Guerin (Hamilton Boys’ High School)
• Jake Hutchings (Rotorua Boys’ High School)
• Harry Inch (Nelson College)
• Thomas Jennings (Southland Boys’ High School)
• Aio Keith (Kelston Boys’ High School)
• Finn McLeod (Christchurch Boys’ High School)
• James Moore (Christchurch Boys’ High School)
• Cohen Norrie (Sacred Heart College)
• Siale Pahulu (Saint Kentigern College)
• Charlie Sinton (Tauranga Boys’ College)
• Nico Stanley (Auckland Grammar)
• Aidan Spratley (Tauranga Boys’ College)
• Saumaki Saumaki (Nelson College)
• Tevita Tatafu (St Peter’s College)
• Bradley Tocker (Palmerston North Boys’ High School)
• Jarrel Tuaimalo Vaega (Kelston Boys’ High School)
• Mason Verster (Tauranga Boys’ College)
• JD Van Der Westhuizen (Westlake Boys High School)
• Liam Van Der Heyden (Hamilton Boys’ High School)
• Charlie Wallis (Auckland Grammar)
• Josh Findlay (Christchurch Boys’ High School)

NEW ZEALAND BARBARIANS SQUAD

• Tamiano Ahloo (College Rifles RFC)
• Reimana Saunderson-Rurawhe (Northcote RFC)
• Frazer Brown (Ponsonby RFC)
• Pyrenees Boyle-Tiatia (University of Waikato)
• Jake Frost (University of Canterbury)
• Lautasi Etuale (St Thomas of Canterbury)
• Max Fale (St Thomas of Canterbury)
• Micah Fale (Hamilton Old Boys)
• Alani Fakava (Feilding High School)
• Johnny Falloon (Rathkeale College)
• Fanua Fa’avae (Nelson College)
• Peni Havea (Feilding High School)
• Dane Johnston (Feilding High School)
• Benji Nation (Christ’s College)
• Presley McHugh (Southland Boys’ High School)
• Mika Muliaina (Southland Boys’ High School)
• Raharui Palmer (Hautapu Sports Club)
• Rios Tasmania (Auckland Grammar)
• Drew Berg-McLean (St Pats Silverstream)
• Samuela Takapu (Nelson College)
• Rupeni Raviyawa (Feilding High School)
• Gregor Rutledge (Kaikorai RFC)
• Mitchell Swann (Hamilton Boys’ High School)
• Tom Martin (Hamilton Boys’ High School)
• Jack Wiseman (New Plymouth Boys High School)

NEW ZEALAND MAORI SQUAD

• Arnold Alex (Hamilton Boys’ High School)
• Wiremu Brailey (Rotorua Boys’ High School)
• Mako Blackman (Uawa Sports Club)
• Jayden Broome (Māruawai College, Gore)
• Kobe Brownlee (Nelson College)
• Charlie Carroll (Wairarapa College)
• Oliver Church (Wellington College)
• Ryder Crosswell (Palmerston North Boys’ High School)
• Noah Gregory (Mount Albert Grammar School)
• Alex Hewitt (Upper Hutt Rams Rugby Football Club)
• Kaden Makea (St John’s College, Hamilton)
• Jack McCarthy (University of Canterbury Rugby Football Club)
• Ethan Mcmanemin (Tauranga Boys’ High School)
• Brayden Neilson (New Plymouth Boys’ High School)
• Kah’nal Ngawati (Rangiora High School)
• Kane Paranihi (Linwood Rugby Football Club)
• Isireli Qaranivalu (Hastings Boys’ High School)
• Dallas Rata-Makene (Hamilton Boys’ High School)
• Le’Sharn Reiri-Paku (Wairarapa College)
• Cruiz Simpson (Sacred Heart College, Auckland)
• Clark Sutcliffe (Palmerston North Boys’ High School)
• Isaac Turoa (Otago Boys’ High School)
• Hiraka Waitai-Haenga (Hamilton Boys’ High School)
• Jericho Wharehinga (Saint Patrick’s College Silverstream)
• Caleb Woodley (Grammar Tech Rugby Football Club)