New Zealand Rugby announces 2026 National U18 men’s Pathways Squads

The top 78 under 18 players in New Zealand will assemble in Hamilton from 22 September to 5 October for an enhanced National Pathways Programme including nine teams and three match days at St Paul’s Collegiate School.

The squads collectively represent a total of 51 different schools and clubs across New Zealand, with 14 schools appearing in more than one squad. Two schools, Hamilton Boys’ High School and Southland Boys’ High School have at least one player in each of the three squads, while Hautapu Sports Club is the most represented club with three players.

All 11 matches will be livestreamed across either the New Zealand Rugby or All Blacks YouTube channels.

NZR National Pathways Head Coach Kane Jury said:

“Congratulations to the players selected across the three squads. With the introduction of our new talent identification scouting app and robust selection process, these were difficult squads to select. It is evident of the high level of talent across the country and the quality of rugby we’ve seen both at school and club is a testament to the time, knowledge and energy of the people guiding them.

“Every player will have an opportunity to grow as a player and a person over the course of the programme and experience what it will take within a high-performance environment.

“Having three New Zealand squads broadens our base of talent and we saw players from all three of these squads last year progress to the New Zealand U20s and the Hilux NPC squads a year later.”

Of the 78 players in the 2025 NZ Schools, NZ Barbarians and Whakatura Māori squads, 13 progressed to the 2026 New Zealand U20s, 10 have debuted in the Hilux NPC and nine remain eligible for the U18s pathways camp.

Jury noted the presence of both Australia’s U18 and Secondary Schools teams, as well as squads from Samoa and Tonga, in the U18s programme for the first time was a positive for all of the competing unions. Age grade teams from Taranaki and Waikato have been brought in for three fixtures after the recent withdrawal of Fiji’s U18 team.

“Each country has a unique pathway and players develop at different stages but having the ability to test themselves against their international peers, provides a huge learning opportunity for these young men to set them up for the next two or three years,” Jury said.

Otago Boys’ High School Rector and Principals’ Group spokesperson on the NZ Schools Rugby Board Richard Hall said:

“For students across New Zealand, the goal of wearing a black jersey is a strong motivator. To see so many different schools represented, from across the country will ensure that it remains a dream for those involved with schools’ rugby. For school leaders the recognition of individual students and coaches in the squad is the result of a sum of parts and community contribution. Congratulations to all who have been selected.”

Ngā Whatukura Māori Head Coach Kahu Carey said:

"We're proud to continue the E tū Toa kaupapa and represent whānau, iwi and hapū against international opposition in a national Māori jersey. Opening the pathway for these players to go further, whilst playing under a Māori kaupapa, is something we’re all extremely excited about."

New Zealand Barbarians Club Captain Craig Carter said:

“As New Zealand Barbarians we are very pleased that the future stars of New Zealand rugby will be wearing our proud red jersey that has been around for over 90 years. This continues our long standing focus of growing the game at all levels of rugby across the motu and partnering with our good friends at NZ Rugby. We wish all three teams the best for the tournament.”

The three New Zealand squads selected for the 2026 National U18 Pathway Programme are:

New Zealand Schools squad; Name, School

Carlos Nordstrom, Hamilton Boys' High School
Carter Pirie, Napier Boys’ High School
Cruz Kea Cameron, Saint Kentigern College
Donncha McNamara-Taele, St Patrick’s College, Wellington
Finn Hurley, Southland Boys’ High School
Fletcher Cooper, St Patrick's College Silverstream
Jack Brock, Southland Boys’ High School
Jay-Morris Rawiri, St John’s College, Hamilton
Julius Toimata, Wellington College
Kelekolio Makasini, Otago Boys’ High School
Kobe Narruhn, Mount Albert Grammar School
Laifone Kamoto, Wellington College
Lennox Kopelani, St Andrew’s College
Liam Newfield, Christchurch Boys’ High School
Lucas Goodman, Feilding High School
Luchian Opperman, Rosmini College
Matthew Fleming, Westlake Boys’ High School
Max Hammond, Gisborne Boys’ High School
Nico Stanley, Auckland Grammar School
Nikora Mata'afa, St Thomas of Canterbury College
Sione Kaufononga, Hastings Boys’ High School
Solomone Halaufia, Hastings Boys’ High School
Te Ariki Rogers, Rotorua Boys’ High School
Tevita Fakava, Feilding High School
Will Lovatt, Napier Boys’ High School
Zy Woodham, Timaru Boys’ High School

Coaching team

·    Head Coach: Kane Jury, New Zealand Rugby National Pathways Head Coach

·    Assistant Coach: Scott Manson, Otago Boys’ High School

·    Assistant Coach: Tui Raeli, Marlborough Boys’ College

New Zealand Barbarian Under 18; Name, School

Alapati Soagia, Hautapu Sports Club
Axel Daken, Petone Rugby Football Club
Caleb Collins-Polata, St Andrew’s College, Christchurch
Chanel Filiva’a, Clifton Rugby Football Club
Deon Fifita, Hamilton Boys' High School
Eric Miller, Palmerston North Boys’ High School
Harry Baddington, Wellington College
Jett Timbrell, St Andrew’s College Christchurch
Josh Shore, Lincoln University Rugby Football Club
Junior Slade, Pakuranga United Rugby Club
Kane Shedlock, Brisbane Boys College
Kitiona Talaepa, Petone Rugby Football Club
Luke Goodman, Hautapu Sports Club
Matt Harris, College Rifles Rugby Football Club
Max Talbot, Kelston Boys’ High School
Niko Boylan, Southern Rugby Football Club
Noah Rogers, University of Waikato Rugby Club
Oliver Groenewald, Sacred Heart College, Auckland
Poliko Javaan Faalialia, Southland Boys’ High School
Reuben McIntyre, Stoke Rugby Football Club
Santino Naufahu, Grammar Tech Rugby Club
Sean Burgess, Hautapu Sports Club
Solomone Tuitupou, Takapuna Rugby Football Club
Toni Tuuhoko Pole, Saint Kentigern College
Triumph Voice, Hastings Rugby & Sports Club
Viliami Rongokea Tupou, Kia Toa Rugby Football Club

Not considered due to NPC commitment: Will Davis-Lenz (Petone Football Club)

Not considered due to injury: Tom Hazeldine (Lincoln University RFC) and Brock Reid (Kaikorai RFC)

Coaching team

·    Head Coach: Greg Feek, Blues

·    Assistant Coach: Tasesa Lavea, Saint Kentigern College

·    Assistant Coach: Matt Howling, Kelston Boys’ High School

New Zealand Māori Under 18 Ngā Whatukura; Name, School, Iwi

Amjayden Mauga, Dilworth College, Ngāpuhi; Waikato
Campbell Bibbie, Rangitoto College, Ngāti Hine (Te Tai Tokerau)
Carlo Isaac, Havelock North Rugby Football Club, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa
Casey Wright, Whangārei Boys' High School, Ngāpuhi
Cruz Marra, St Peter's School Cambridge, Tūhoe
Elijah (Eli) Wharepouri, Rosmini College, Te Ātiawa (Taranaki); Taranaki
Elliot Wilson, Southland Boys' High School, Ngāti Ruanui
Enzo Kyle, Christchurch Boys' High School, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga
Ethan McSkimming, Otago Boys' High School, Ngāi Tahu/Kāi Tahu
Frano Chaplin, Christchurch Boys' High School, Ngāti Tama (Taranaki)
George Hemopo, Kelston Boys' High School, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga
Isaiah Edwards, Hamilton Boys' High School, Whakatōhea
Jackson Hill-Brown, St Paul's Collegiate School, Waikato; Ngāti Tiipa
Keanu Simpson, Sacred Heart College, Auckland, Ngāti Rangitihi
Kingston Ngata, Feilding High School, Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi
Lafa Tofiga, King's High School, Ngāti Maniapoto
Malachi Emmett, Mount Maunganui Rugby Club, Ngāpuhi
Mason Barry, Rotorua Boys' High School, Ngāti Maniapoto; Whakatōhea
Paice Mitchell-Hopa, Palmerston North Boys' High School, Ngāti Tūwharetoa (ki Taupō); Waikato
Paihia Kaho, Nelson College, Ngāti Porou
Ryder Thompson, St Patrick's College Silverstream, Ngāti Porou; Rangitāne (Te Matau-a-Māui/Hawke's Bay/Wairarapa); Tainui Awhiro; Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa
Sol Anderson, Auckland Grammar School, Ngāti Wai
Synton Bowden, Hamilton Old Boys, Ngāti Maniapoto
Taowaru Waititi, Rotorua Boys' High School, Te Whānau-a-Apānui; Ngāti Porou
Tommy McQuoid, Tauranga Boys' College, Ngāpuhi
Tyson Forbes, Wesley College, Ngāti Awa

Coaching team

·    Head Coach: Kahu Carey; Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō

·    Assistant Coach: Ryan Griffiths; Ngāi Tahu/Kāi Tahu

·    Assistant Coach: Brendan Nolan; Ngāi Tahu/ Kāi Tahu, Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui

The U18 High Performance Camp 2026 match schedule is:

Game Day 1: 26 September:

·    NZ Schools v Waikato Under 19, kick-off 3.30pm

·    NZ Barbarians U18 v Tonga U18, kick-off 2.00pm

·    NZ Māori U18 v Samoa U18, kick-off 12.30pm

·    Australia U18 v Australia Schools  (to be played in Australia)

Game Day 2: 30 September

·    NZ Schools v Australia Schools, kick-off 3.30pm

·    NZ Barbarians U18 v Australia U18, kick-off 2.00pm

·    NZ Māori v Waikato Under 19, kick-off 12.30pm

·    Tonga U18 v Samoa U18, kick-off 11.00am

Game Day 3: 4 October

·    NZ Schools v Australia U18, kick-off 3.30pm

·    NZ Barbarians U18 v Samoa, kick-off U18 2.00pm

·    NZ Māori v Australia Schools, kick-off 12.30pm

Tonga U18 v Taranaki Under 18, kick-off 11.00am