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
