New Zealand Rugby has announced its Under-18 Pathways squads for 2026, which will take part in the organisation’s National U18 Pathways Program in Hamilton between 22 September and 5 October.
NZR selected the best 78 under-18 players from three teams for three days of play at St Paul’s Collegiate School.
The teams consist of a total of 51 schools and clubs from all over the country, and will be coached by several high-quality, experienced coaches.
NZR National Pathways and U20 Head Coach Kane Jury said the group was an exciting mix of players.
“Congratulations to the players selected in the three teams. With the introduction of our new talent discovery application and a robust selection process, it was difficult to select the teams,” the jury said in a press release from the NZR.
“The high level of talent across the country is evident, and the quality of rugby we have seen at both the school and the club is testament to the time, knowledge and energy of the people who run them.
“Each player will have the opportunity to grow as a player and person during the program and to experience what it takes to be in a high-performance environment.”
“Having three New Zealand teams broadens our talent base and we saw players from all three teams progress to the New Zealand U20s last year and Hilux NPC teams a year later.”
Otago Headmaster of boys’ high schools and headmasters’ group spokesman, Richard Hall, explained that the motivation for wearing the black jersey was strong.
“For students across New Zealand, the goal of wearing the black jersey is a powerful motivator. To see so many different schools represented from across the country will ensure it remains a dream for those involved in school rugby. For school leaders, the recognition of individual students and coaches in the team is the sum of the parts and the contribution of the community to all those selected. Congratulations are in order.”
Nga Whatukura Maori head coach Kahu Carey, an independent coach, explained that the tournament will open up avenues for players to reach their full potential.
“We are proud to continue E tu Toa kaupapa and represent whanau, iwi and hapu against international opposition in a Maori national kit. Paving the way for these players to go further, playing under a Maori kaupapa, is something we are all extremely excited about.”
Craig Carter, New Zealand Barbarians The club captain said the partnership will continue to help the players grow.
“As the New Zealand Barbarians, we are very pleased that the future stars of New Zealand rugby will be wearing our proud red jersey which has been around for over 90 years. This continues our long-standing focus of developing 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 very best.”
The three New Zealand teams selected for the 2026 National U18 Pathway Program 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 High School
Laifone Kamoto, Wellington College
Lennox Kopelani, St Andrew’s College
Liam Newfield, Christchurch Boys’ High School
Lucas Goodman, Feilding High School
Lucian Opperman, Rosmini College
Matthew Fleming, Westlake Boys’ High School
Max Hammond, Gisborne Boys’ High School
Nico Stanley, Auckland Gymnasium
Nikora Mata’afa, St. Thomas of Canterbury College
Sione Kaufononga, Hastings Boys High School
Solomone Halaufia, Hastings Boys High School
Lord Rogers, Rotorua Boys’ High School
Tevita Fakava, Feilding Gymnasium
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
Gideon 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 Faialia, 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 (Football Club Petone)
Not considered due to injury: Tom Hazeldine (Lincoln University RFC) and Brock Reid (Kaikorai RFC)
Coaching team
- Coach: Greg Feek, Blues
- Assistant Coach: Teresa Lavea, Saint Kentigern College
- Assistant Coach: Matt Howling, Kelston Boys’ High School
New Zealand Maori Under 18 Nga Wetukura; Name, School, Iwi
Amjayden Mauga, Dilworth College, Ngapuhi; Waikato
Campbell Bibbie, Rangitoto College, Ngati Hine (North)
Carlo Isaac, Havelock North Rugby Football Club, Ngati Kahungunu to Wairarapa
Casey Wright, Whangarei Boys High School, Ngapuhi
Cruz Marra, St Peter’s School Cambridge, Tuhoe
Elijah (Eli) Wharepouri, Rosmini College, Te Atiawa (Taranaki); Taranaki
Elliot Wilson, Southland Boys’ High School, Ngati Ruanui
Enzo Kyle, Christchurch Boys High School, Ngati Kahungunu ki Hastaunga
Ethan McSkimming, Otago Boys’ High School, I know/I know
Frano Chaplin, Christchurch Boys High School, Ngati Tama (Taranaki)
George Hemopo, Kelston Boys’ High School, Ngati Kahungunu ki Hastaunga
Isaiah Edwards, Hamilton Boys’ High School, Whakatohea
Jackson Hill-Brown, St Paul’s Collegiate School, Waikato; Blood Tiipa
Keanu Simpson, Sacred Heart College, Auckland, Ngati Rangitihi
Kingston Ngata, Feilding High School, Te Ati Haunui-a-Paparangi
Lafa Tofiga, King’s High School, Ngati Maniapoto
Malachi Emmett, Mount Maunganui Rugby Club, Ngapuhi
Mason Barry, Rotorua Boys’ High School, Ngati Maniapoto; Do it
Paice Mitchell-Hopa, Palmerston North Boys’ High School, Ngati Tuwharetoa (to Taupo); Waikato
Paihia Kaho, Nelson College, Ngati Porou
Ryder Thompson, St Patrick’s College Silverstream, Ngati Porou; Rangitane (Te Tau-a-Maui/Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa); Tainui Awhiro; Ngati Kahungunu to Wairarapa
Sol Anderson, Auckland Grammar School, Ngati Wai
Synton Bowden, Hamilton Old Boys, Za Maniapoto
Taowaru Waititi, Rotorua Boys’ High School, Te Whanau-a-Apanui; Ngati Porou
Tommy McQuoid, Tauranga Boys’ College, Ngapuhi
Tyson Forbes, Wesley College, here
Coaching team
- Coach: Kahu Carey; Rangitane o Wairau, Ngati Apa to Ra To
- Assistant Coach: Ryan Griffiths; Ngai Tahu/Kai Tahu
- Assistant Coach: Brendan Nolan; Ngai Tahu/ Kai Tahu, Te Atiawa of Te Waka-a-Maui
The U18 High Performance Camp 2026 match schedule is:
Matchday 1: September 26:
- NZ Schools v Waikato Under 19, kick off 3.30pm
- NZ Barbarians U18 c Tonga U18, start at 2:00 p.m
- NZ Maori U18s Samoa U18, start at 12:30 p.m
- Australia U18 vs Australian Schools (to be played in Australia)
Matchday 2: September 30
- NZ Schools v Australia Schools, kick off 3.30pm
- NZ Barbarians U18 v Australia U18, kick off 2pm
- NZ Maori v Waikato Under 19, kick off 12.30pm
- Tonga U18 – Samoa U18, start at 11.00
Matchday 3: October 4
- NZ Schools v Australia U18, kick off 3.30pm
- NZ Barbari U18 – Samoa, U18 kick-off at 14:00
- NZ Maori v Australia Schools, kick off 12.30pm
- South U18 c Taranaki Up to 18 years, start at 11.00 am
