New Zealand U20 squad named for the 2026 Under 20 Rugby Championship

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) National Pathways Head Coach Kane Jury has named 30 players to contest the 2026 Under 20 Rugby Championship in South Africa.

The New Zealand U20s will play three matches at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, Port Elizabeth against Australia, Argentina and South Africa at the annual Sanzaar tournament from 28 April to 10 May (NZT).

Under 20 TRC 2026 match schedule:

·    Tuesday 28 April: New Zealand v Australia, kick-off, 12.00am NZT

·    Monday 4 May: New Zealand v Argentina, kick-off, 12.00am NZT

·    Sunday 10 May: New Zealand v South Africa, kick-off, 2.10am NZT

The squad includes six returning players from the team that narrowly lost to South Africa in last year’s Under 20 Rugby Championship, while five have playing experience in the NPC.

Jury said the selected players had earned their places through their efforts during the recent Under 20 Development Programme in Taupō.

“The week was a standout success, both on and off the field. One hundred of our most promising players arrived eager to learn, compete, and showcase their talent - and they delivered in spades.”

“As we head into The Rugby Championship, there’s genuine excitement about this group around who they are, who they can become, and how we can contribute to the legacy of this team."

The squad was selected by Jury and his Assistant Coaches Brock James, James Lentjes, and Will Henry with NZR High Performance Talent Identification Manager PJ Williams providing detailed insights and data during the selection process.

One additional player will be added to the squad before they fly out to South Africa on 20 April, while nine non-traveling reserves will attend a pre departure camp at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation & Sport in Wellington from 12-19 April, which will include a warm-up match against the Hurricanes Hunters development team on Saturday 18 April 12pm. 

The 2026 New Zealand U20 squad for The Rugby Championship Under 20 tournament is: 

Name, Super Rugby Club , Provincial Union

Hookers
Josh Findlay, Crusaders, Canterbury
Luka Patumaka Makata, Blues, Auckland
Jericho Wharehinga, Hurricanes , Hawke’s Bay

Props
Alexander Hewitt, Hurricanes, Wellington
Dane Johnston, Chiefs, Taranaki
Henry Stuart, Highlanders , Otago
Ethan Webber, Highlanders , Otago

Locks
Jake Frost, Crusaders, Canterbury
John Falloon, Hurricanes , Wellington
Max Fale, Crusaders, Canterbury

Loose Forwards
Alex Arnold, Highlanders, Otago
Kobe Brownlee, Crusaders, Tasman
Micah Fale, Chiefs, Waikato
Patrick Mauga, Hurricanes , Hawke’s Bay
Finn McLeod, Crusaders, Canterbury
Logan Platt, Blues, Auckland
Caleb Woodley, Blues, Auckland

Halfbacks
Jackson Hughan, Highlanders , Southland
Boston Krone, Blues, Auckland
Charlie Sinton, Chiefs, Bay of Plenty

First five-eighth’s
Cohen Norrie, Blues, Auckland
Mika Muliaina, Highlanders, Southland

Midfielders
David Lewai, Chiefs, Waikato
Siale Pahulu, Blues, Auckland
Angus Revell, Blues, Auckland
Haki Wiseman, Chiefs, Taranaki

Outside backs
Oliver Guerin, Chiefs, Waikato
Jay Reihana, Highlanders , Southland
JD Van Der Westhuizen, Blues, North Harbour
Logan Williams, Crusaders, Canterbury

The following players have been named as non-traveling reserves and will attend the pre-departure camp at the NZCIS in Wellington 12-19 April:

Hooker
Xavier Leota, Blues, Auckland

Props
Corban King, Hurricanes , Wellington
Charlie Wallis, Blues, Auckland

Lock
Zacherye Taulapapa, Hurricanes , Hawke’s Bay

Loose Forwards
Drew Berg-McLean, Hurricanes, Hawke’s Bay
Bradley Tocker, Chiefs, Taranaki

Halfback
Charlie Sullivan, Crusaders, Canterbury

First five-eighth
Jimmy Taylor, Highlanders , Southland

Outside back
Dallas Rata-Makene, Chiefs, Waikato

The following seven players are on standby for the wider group:
Nate, Bodle, Crusaders, Canterbury (Prop); Jake Hutchings, Blues, Auckland (Loose Forward); Suli, Pahulu, Chiefs, Taranaki (Loose Forward); Luke, Atikinson, Crusaders, Canterbury (Midfield); Jacob, McKinnon, Blues, Auckland (Outside Back); Leo, Marfell, Crusaders, Tasman (Outside Back); Noah, Rogers, Chiefs, Taranaki (Outside Back).