Squads & match schedule for 2026 National U18 Pathways Programme
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has named the New Zealand Schools, New Zealand Barbarians Under 18 and New Zealand Māori Under 18 Ngā Whatukura squads for the 2026 National U18 Pathways Programme in Hamilton.
The 78 players will assemble from 22 September to 5 October. The expanded programme features nine teams and three match days at St Paul’s Collegiate School.
The three New Zealand squads include players from 51 schools and clubs. Fourteen schools are represented in more than one squad, while Hamilton Boys’ High School and Southland Boys’ High School have a player in all three. Hautapu Sports Club is the most represented club, with three players.
All 11 matches will be livestreamed on the New Zealand Rugby or All Blacks YouTube channels. Links are included in the schedule below.
NZR National Pathways Head Coach Kane Jury congratulated the selected players and acknowledged the coaches and communities supporting 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,” Jury said.
He said the three squads broaden New Zealand’s talent base. Of the 78 players selected across the equivalent squads in 2025, 13 progressed to the 2026 New Zealand Under 20s, 10 have debuted in the Hilux NPC and nine remain eligible for the U18 pathway.
For the first time, the programme includes both Australia’s Under 18 and Secondary Schools teams, alongside squads from Samoa and Tonga. Taranaki and Waikato age grade teams will play three fixtures following Fiji Under 18’s withdrawal.
“Having the ability to test themselves against their international peers provides a huge learning opportunity for these young men,” Jury said.
Otago Boys’ High School Rector and Principals’ Group spokesperson Richard Hall welcomed the range of schools represented, saying selection recognised the contribution of students, coaches and their communities.
Ngā Whatukura Māori Head Coach Kahu Carey said the squad was proud to continue the E tū Toa kaupapa and represent whānau, iwi and hapū in a national Māori jersey.
New Zealand Barbarians Club Captain Craig Carter said the club was pleased to see emerging players wear its red jersey and continue its longstanding commitment to growing rugby across the motu.
U18 High Performance Camp match schedule including live stream details
Game Day 1: 26 September
- NZ Māori U18 v Samoa U18, kick-off 12.00pm LIVE STREAM
- NZ Barbarians U18 v Tonga U18, kick-off 1:45pm LIVE STREAM
- NZ Schools v Waikato Under 19, kick-off 3.30pm LIVE STREAM
- Australia U18 v Australia Schools (to be played in Australia)
Game Day 2: 30 September
- Tonga U18 v Samoa U18, kick-off 11.00am LIVE STREAM
- NZ Māori v Waikato Under 19, kick-off 12.30pm LIVE STREAM
- NZ Barbarians U18 v Australia U18, kick-off 2.00pm LIVE STREAM
- NZ Schools v Australia Schools, kick-off 3.30pm LIVE STREAM
Game Day 3: 4 October
- Tonga U18 v Taranaki Under 18, kick-off 11.00am LIVE STREAM
- NZ Māori v Australia Schools, kick-off 12.30pm LIVE STREAM
- NZ Barbarians U18 v Samoa, kick-off U18 2.00pm LIVE STREAM
- NZ Schools v Australia U18, kick-off 3.30pm LIVE STREAM
2026 New Zealand Schools Rugby Squad
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, Saint 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
2026 New Zealand Māori Under 18 Ngā Whatukura Rugby Squad
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, Saint 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
2026 New Zealand Barbarians Under 18 Squad
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
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
