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