Source: The New Zealand Herald
Selectors have drawn broadly from all over the country in selecting their 2026 New Zealand Schools rugby squad – though not so much from Auckland or the First XVs who made the National Top Four.
The 26-strong New Zealand Schools squad, which with the concurrently selected New Zealand Barbarians Under-18 and New Zealand Māori U18 Ngā Whatukura teams will contest an enlarged National U18 Pathways Programme in Hamilton from September 22-October 5 and play Australia Schools and Australia U18 on the final two of three match days, looks well balanced.
But it contains just three players from Auckland’s 1A competition in St Kentigern’s nimble second five-eighths Cruz Kea Cameron, Auckland Grammar centre Nico Stanley (in his third year of selection for this team) and Mount Albert Grammar fullback Kobe Narruhn.
That’s just a fraction of previous years and down from 10 in 2025. North Harbour is represented by two standouts in Westlake Boys’ High School centre Matt Fleming and Rosmini College No 8 Luchian Opperman.
However, it’s hard to fault the selectors on that count, with the best talent increasingly being found beyond a diminished Auckland 1A competition which is these days more renowned for shielding its best players from the spotlight than having any competitive edge.
While Auckland has the highest population and biggest rugby-playing base in the country, geography is never a factor in selection and much work has gone this year into scouting and talent identification nationally, with all positions having their own specialist selectors.
Perhaps more curious is that only three players from the First XVs who qualified for the National Top Four have done enough to make the New Zealand Schools squad.
Seven players have been drawn from the Super 8 competition and a further seven from the South Island.
And after having not had a single player selected for the past two years, Wellington has four players in this year’s squad, headed by Silverstream’s genius first five-eighths Fletcher Cooper.
Also on board is his tighthead schoolmate Donncha McNamara-Taele – looking to follow in the footsteps of old boys Xavier Numua and Siale Lauaki, who are All Blacks – and the Wellington College pair of loose forward Laifone Kamoto and prop Julius Toimata.
But to have more players selected from a Wellington Premiership, where 27 of 46 competition games were decided by 20 or more points, than Auckland, will be quite a topic of conversation.
You have to go back to 2015 for the last time more than two Wellington players were selected. That year there were a record eight players: Asafo Aumua and Losi Filipo (St Patrick’s College Silverstream), Alex Fidow and Thomas and Peter Umaga-Jensen (Scots College), Ben Power (Hutt International Boys’ School), Kemara Hauiti-Parapara (Wellington College) and Xavier Numia (St Patrick’s College). All of these players were on to play first-class rugby, with Aumua, Peter Umaga-Jensen and Numia becoming All Blacks. Filipo represented Samoa.
Three players from the Central North Island competition have made the cut, with two of them – front-rowers Lucas Goodman and Tevita Fakava – out of Feilding and joined by eye-catching St John’s College (Hamilton) Year 12 lock Jay-Morris Rawiri.
There’s no place, however, for Whanganui Collegiate openside flanker James Olds, who won the Jordie Barrett Medal as the best and fairest player in the competition as voted by rival coaches.
There will be a real battle for some starting positions within the Schools squad, particularly at centre, where the incumbent Stanley has the defensive edge, while Year 12 student Fleming is an exciting untapped reservoir of attacking potential.
It’s a similar story at No 8, where Opperman, Te Ariki Rogers (Rotorua Boys’ High) and Carter Pirie (Napier Boys’ High School) all have a strong case.
In any New Zealand Schools team announcement, there will always be some unlucky to miss selection.
On this occasion, Ollie Jackways (St Andrew’s, Christchurch) and Keanu Graham (St Kentigern College) fall into that category, with Carlos Nordstrom (Hamilton Boys’ High School) and Nikora Mata’afa (St Thomas of Canterbury College) getting the nod as halfbacks.
Jackways was outstanding for the National Top Four champions, while Graham was impressive all season, topping the try count in Auckland 1A rugby in 2026 with 11 tries in nine matches.
Nor was there any spot for prolific Southland Boys’ High School winger Charlie Byrne, who scored 20 tries in 14 games.
Elsewhere, Christchurch Boys’ High School captain and flanker Jonty Leary was not required, despite having been inspirational for his side in a remarkable season. And ditto for Tauranga Boy’s College’s Khan “Little Lurch” Charlton, though he may have suffered on the size front among other locking options.
The 26-strong U18 Barbarian team – who will play the Tonga, Samoa and Australia U18 teams – contain just 10 schoolboys this year, with the balance drawn from club ranks. Top talent identification personnel believe players generally develop faster in a club environment as opposed to a First XV.
The most interesting call is selectors going offshore to grab Brisbane Boys’ College’s physical No 8 Kane Shedlock, who has Kiwi heritage and has since been signed by the Chiefs.
Petone halfback Axel Daken was part of a Colts- and Jubilee Cup-winning side. He struggled to crack the starting line-up of the St Pats Silverstream First XV last year, but has now surged into the elite group of U18 talent in New Zealand.
There are also three club players in New Zealand Māori U18 Ngā Whatukura side in Carlo Isaac (Havelock North), Malachi Emmett (Mount Maunganui) and Synton Bowden (Hamilton Old Boys).
This Māori squad look well resourced to continue the team’s attacking heritage, being full of backline game-breakers such as St Peter’s Cambridge powerhouse centre Cruz Marra, who has been playing First XV rugby since Year 10, halfback Eli Wharepouri (Rosmini), second five-eighths Taowaru Waititi (Rotorua) and fleet-footed fullback Tommy “Ethereal” McQuoid (Tauranga).
There is also quite the choice of metronomic goalkicking first five-eighths in Campbell Bibbie (Rosmini), Keanu Simpson (Sacred Heart College, Auckland) and Lafa Tofiga (King’s High School, Dunedin).
And the inclusion of Hamilton Boys’ No 8 Isaiah Edwards as a Year 11 is quite a statement.
Collectively, the three national squads represent 51 different schools and clubs across New Zealand, with 14 schools having players in more than one squad.
Two schools, Hamilton Boys’ and Southland Boys’, have at least one player in all three squads, while the 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.
New Zealand Rugby national pathways head coach Kane Jury congratulated all selected players.
“With the introduction of our new talent identification scouting app and robust selection process, these were difficult squads to select,” Jury said.
“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 last year’s squads, 13 progressed to the 2026 New Zealand U20s, 10 have debuted in the NPC and nine remain eligible for the U18 pathways camp.
Jury said having both the Australia U18 and Australia Schools teams – as well as squads from Samoa and Tonga – in this year’s U18 programme for the first time was a positive for all 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 spokesman on the New Zealand Schools Rugby board, Richard Hall, said the goal of wearing a black jersey was 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,” Hall said.
“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.”
Kahu Carey is back as Ngā Whatukura Māori head coach.
“We’re proud to continue the E tū Toa kaupapa and represent whānau, iwi and hapū against international opposition in a national Māori jersey,” Carey said. “Opening the pathway for these players to go further, while playing under a Māori kaupapa [programme], is something we’re all extremely excited about.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand Barbarians club captain Craig Carter wished all teams the best for the tournament.
“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,” Carter said. “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.”
Since their inception in 2012, the New Zealand Barbarians have won 15 of their 21 matches.
The Māori U18 side were conceived in 2016 and have won 10 of their 13 matches.
The New Zealand Schools side have won 141 of their 164 matches since 1978 with a “Schools Test” record of 67 wins and 18 defeats. Australia have won the last three in a row.
New Zealand 2026 National U18 pathway programme squads
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 U18 (name, school/club)
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, Pakūranga 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 U18 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
U18 high-performance camp 2026 match schedule, St Paul’s Hamilton
Game Day 1, September 26
NZ Schools v Waikato U19, kickoff 3.30pm
NZ Barbarians U18 v Tonga U18, kickoff 2pm
NZ Māori U18 v Samoa U18, kickoff 12.30pm
Australia U18 v Australia Schools (to be played in Australia)
Game Day 2, September 30
NZ Schools v Australia Schools, kickoff 3.30pm
NZ Barbarians U18 v Australia U18, kickoff 2pm
NZ Māori v Waikato U19, kickoff 12.30pm
Tonga U18 v Samoa U18, kickoff 11am
Game Day 3, October 4
NZ Schools v Australia U18, kickoff 3.30pm
NZ Barbarians U18 v Samoa, kickoff U18 2pm
NZ Māori v Australia Schools, kickoff 12.30pm
Tonga U18 v Taranaki U18, kickoff 11am