SR U20s 2025
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Just heard from my nephew who plays for the Chiefs U20s that there has been significant interest from teams across the ditch to obtain young kiwi players with big money ($200,000 year 1 and increases over 3 years by $50k each year) with a plan in mind to keep them for the wallabies. Coaches and management are all aware but cant do anything about it.
Sad state of affairs.
@Left-Right-Out-0 said in SR U20s 2025:
Just heard from my nephew who plays for the Chiefs U20s that there has been significant interest from teams across the ditch to obtain young kiwi players with big money ($200,000 year 1 and increases over 3 years by $50k each year) with a plan in mind to keep them for the wallabies. Coaches and management are all aware but cant do anything about it.
Sad state of affairs.
Hardly surprising. The Aussies will pissed the French are taking their talent. Same with losing players to RL.
Offering that sort of money. They would be only going after the top half dozen players. Which would need to be in positions they see themselves short in.
It is massive money. Especially when lower end Super deals are only worth what 80 - 100k? Plus match payments and then the NPC deal. The players might scrape to 150k. For a money hungry, I want it now 19-year-old taking 200k seems a sound option.
I can see a bit of mobility between the nations with the young players. Otago/Highlanders have Zac Nichol from the 2024 Aussie Schools squad. I think.
Then there was Joe Brial who did a bit of an apprenticeship here before going back to Australia.
Mobility is fine. It just shouldn't be seen as a long-term solution to bolster senior men's sides.
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How are Moana Pasifika chosen?
Do they trial lads across the country?@Left-Right-Out-0 said in SR U20s 2025:
How are Moana Pasifika chosen?
Do they trial lads across the country?I'm not sure what they are doing this year, but last year the Samoa, Tonga and Fiji U20s played each other at Albany and the MP team was mainly selected from the Samoan and Tongan players in those teams. There will be plenty who have been through the Blues and Chiefs systems (U18s etc). I posted that a couple of Counties Manukau players were amongst them.
I assume that MP have played some games. Otherwise they won't be prepared.
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Welcome.
The NZR+ platform might be used to stream the games. We'll have to wait until later in the week to confirm if this happens.
As to the NZ U20s, they did beat France, Wales and Ireland at the WC last year. From the few 6N U20 games I've watched England look to be much stronger than the other teams. It's hard to know until the squad is selected but there is plenty of talent at this level. There will also be a new NZ coaching group.
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If anyone sees any final team lists id be grateful if you could post here. Ill keep an eye out.
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Highlanders U20s named:
Can't work out where Quinten Holland is. Backs look potentially great. Front row ok. Loosies a bit of a problem.
Highlanders under-20
The squad
Props: JJ Fisher, Thomas Jennings, Ta$man Soani Oeti, Couper Killick, Ethan Webber.Hookers: Shaun Kempton, Tom Martin.
Locks: Josh Tengblad (vice-captain), Christian MacEwan, Lachlan Stevens, Finlay Mather.
Loose forwards: Tom Devery, Gregor Rutledge, Matt Brock, Justin Shaw, Louis Lepionka.
Halfbacks: Dylan Pledger (captain), Oliver Thode.
First fives: Mika Muliaina, Wyndham Patuawa.
Midfielders: Tayne Harvey, Riley Lucas, Sam Mustchin.
Outsides: Kyan Rangitutia, Josh Augustine, Liam Barron, Wiremu Brailey.
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Highlanders U20s named:
Can't work out where Quinten Holland is. Backs look potentially great. Front row ok. Loosies a bit of a problem.
Highlanders under-20
The squad
Props: JJ Fisher, Thomas Jennings, Ta$man Soani Oeti, Couper Killick, Ethan Webber.Hookers: Shaun Kempton, Tom Martin.
Locks: Josh Tengblad (vice-captain), Christian MacEwan, Lachlan Stevens, Finlay Mather.
Loose forwards: Tom Devery, Gregor Rutledge, Matt Brock, Justin Shaw, Louis Lepionka.
Halfbacks: Dylan Pledger (captain), Oliver Thode.
First fives: Mika Muliaina, Wyndham Patuawa.
Midfielders: Tayne Harvey, Riley Lucas, Sam Mustchin.
Outsides: Kyan Rangitutia, Josh Augustine, Liam Barron, Wiremu Brailey.
@SouthernMann strong backline. I look forward to the Pledger/Mika combo.
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It looks like the Landers apart from when we produce a quality player within region, have a long-term focus to the players we bring in and the squads we put together.
Which player is likely to be a senior squad member in two or three years. Which spots do we have open.
While the loosies are a bit light in this squad. The senior side is pretty well set.
Over the next few years there are big needs in a range of positions.
The guys likely to make the senior step up could be Kempton, Jennings, Rutledge, Muliaina, Augistine ,Brailey and Rangitutia.
Pledger, Tengblad, Harvey will likely be full squad members in the next couple of years
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I find that the Barbarians squad is often the most interesting as it usually includes players who didn't make their final SR squad. There are at least two Chiefs wider squad players who will be playing for them. Sometimes they can be the star of the tournament, e.g., Tahlor Cahill in 2023.
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It looks like the Landers apart from when we produce a quality player within region, have a long-term focus to the players we bring in and the squads we put together.
Which player is likely to be a senior squad member in two or three years. Which spots do we have open.
While the loosies are a bit light in this squad. The senior side is pretty well set.
Over the next few years there are big needs in a range of positions.
The guys likely to make the senior step up could be Kempton, Jennings, Rutledge, Muliaina, Augistine ,Brailey and Rangitutia.
Pledger, Tengblad, Harvey will likely be full squad members in the next couple of years
@SouthernMann Pretty fair assessment of our mob. You can tell that we don't have the resources to have a well-rounded squad, but Pledger and Tengbald particularly shape as two of the best in the country. Harvey also very highly rated as you say.
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Baby Blues
Sad that Tito Harris is injured, His pace and experience could have been a difference maker.
Lock Tevita Tatafu is apparently 6'9 tall (according to St Peters Instagram in June last year, so he may be 6'10 plus by now!)
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Highlanders U20s named:
Can't work out where Quinten Holland is. Backs look potentially great. Front row ok. Loosies a bit of a problem.
Highlanders under-20
The squad
Props: JJ Fisher, Thomas Jennings, Ta$man Soani Oeti, Couper Killick, Ethan Webber.Hookers: Shaun Kempton, Tom Martin.
Locks: Josh Tengblad (vice-captain), Christian MacEwan, Lachlan Stevens, Finlay Mather.
Loose forwards: Tom Devery, Gregor Rutledge, Matt Brock, Justin Shaw, Louis Lepionka.
Halfbacks: Dylan Pledger (captain), Oliver Thode.
First fives: Mika Muliaina, Wyndham Patuawa.
Midfielders: Tayne Harvey, Riley Lucas, Sam Mustchin.
Outsides: Kyan Rangitutia, Josh Augustine, Liam Barron, Wiremu Brailey.
@SouthernMann was he involved in the setup at all? Wasn't listed in the hit-out games so I assume he's injured?
I notice Stan Mclurie isn't included in the mix too. Is he too old or missed the cut?
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Hurricanes team is up but i dont no how to share
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Hurricanes team is up but i dont no how to share
@Left-Right-Out-0 said in SR U20s 2025:
Hurricanes team is up but i dont no how to share
I just upload the graphic. Links to FB, Insta often don't work over time.
