New Zealand squad named for World Rugby Under 20 Championship

Thirty players have been named in the New Zealand Men’s Under 20 squad to contest the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy from 29 June to 19 July.

Having retained The Rugby Championship U20 trophy played in South Africa in May, the team will be looking to better last year’s third place finish at this year’s showpiece event.

Unavailable for the Rugby Championship in South Africa, All Blacks Sevens players Oli Mathis and Frank Vaenuku will return to the squad, with Jayden Sa, Aisake Vakasiuola and Logan Wallace also making the 30-player squad after stints on the sidelines due to injury.

The 2025 New Zealand Under 20 squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship is:

Hookers

Shaun Kempton, Highlanders/Southland

Manumaua Letiu, Crusaders/Canterbury

Eli Oudenryn, Crusaders/Tasman

Props

Tamiano Ahloo, Blues/Auckland

Robson Faleafa, Blues/Auckland

Dane Johnston, Chiefs/Taranaki

Sika Pole, Blues/Auckland

Logan Wallace, Hurricanes/Manawatu

Locks

Jayden Sa, Chiefs/Taranaki

Josh Tengblad, Highlanders/Otago

Aisake Vakasiuola, Chiefs/Bay of Plenty

Loose Forwards

Mosese Bason, Hurricanes/Manawatū

Micah Fale, Chiefs/Waikato

Oli Mathis, Chiefs/Waikato

Xavier Treacy, Crusaders/Canterbury

Caleb Woodley, Blues/Auckland

Finn McLeod, Crusaders/Canterbury

Halfbacks

Dylan Pledger, Highlanders/Otago

Charlie Sinton, Chiefs/Bay of Plenty

Jai Tamati, Hurricanes/Manawatū

First five-eighth

Will Cole, Hurricanes/Hawke’s Bay

Rico Simpson, Blues/Auckland

Midfield

James Cameron, Crusaders/Canterbury

Tayne Harvey, Highlanders/Southland

Cooper Roberts, Crusaders/Tasman

Jack Wiseman, Chiefs/Taranaki

Outside Backs

Maloni Kunawave, Crusaders/Tasman

Harlyn Saunoa, Blues/Auckland

Stanley Solomon, Hurricanes/Wellington

Frank Vaenuku, Chiefs/Bay of Plenty

Non-travelling reserves

Dylan Eti, Harry Irving, Raharuhi Palmer, Aio Keith, Mika Muliaina, Taniela Maisiri, Riley Tofilau, Ollie Burra, David Lewai, Randall Baker, Israel Time

New Zealand Under 20s match schedule

Monday 30 June, 6:30am NZT

New Zealand v Italy – Stadio San Michele, Calvisano

Saturday 5 July, 4:00am NZT

New Zealand v Georgia – Stadia Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana

Thursday 10 July, 4:00am NZT

New Zealand v Ireland – Stadio San Michele, Calvisano

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