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New Zealand Schools

About the team

New Zealand Schools represents the first rung on the high-performance ladder of New Zealand Rugby, introducing young players to the culture and environment of New Zealand’s national teams. Many players who shine at the professional level of the game and attain higher honours, have begun their careers with the New Zealand School’s team.

New Zealand Rugby partners with the NZ Barbarians Club to select a second squad of U18 players to take part in international competition each year. This provides a further group of players to be exposed to this level of competition and experience a high-performance development environment. As an Under 18 team this also provides an opportunity for players who have left school and are registered at clubs to be selected.

The selection process is thorough and with many layers, to ensure that there is opportunity for players to be considered regardless of where they are from within New Zealand. Performances for 1XV, Clubs, Provincial Union under 18 and Super Rugby U18 are all taken into consideration for the selection of this these teams. You can find more detail of the selection process HERE.

Both squads are well supported by experienced managed teams who focus on development first and foremost, across key areas such as technical, tactical, physical preparation & recovery, nutrition, mental skills & wellbeing and personal leadership. The management teams aim to create an environment where players can express themselves, learn and grow as people & players, whilst motivating them to be the best they can be.

Upcoming Fixtures

Schedule (all times listed in New Zealand Time)

Wednesday 2nd October (St Paul’s Collegiate, Hamilton)
NZ Barbarians U18 v Australia U18 – 2pm
NZ Schools v Samoa U18– 4pm
 
Sunday 6th October (FMG Stadium Waikato)
NZ Māori U18 v NZ Heartland U20 – 12pm
NZ Barbarians U18 v Samoa U18 – 2pm
NZ Schools v Australia U18 – 4pm 
 
Thursday 10th October (St Paul’s Collegiate, Hamilton)
Chiefs U18 v Samoa U18 – 12pm 
NZ Schools v NZ Māori U18 – 2pm

  

Any questions relating to this or any of the age grade development programmes within New Zealand, can be directed to High Performance Pathways Manager, Ben Fisher, [email protected]

 

New Zealand Schools news

View all
New Zealand Schools take out series against Australia
The New Zealand Schools have beaten Australia Under 18 in Canberra to win the series 2-0.

New Zealand Schools named for first Australia U18 match
The New Zealand Schools team has been named ahead of the first of two matches against the Australia U18 team on Thursday 28 September, in Canberra, Australia.
New Zealand Schools and U18s Match Wrap
The next generation impressed spectators at St Paul’s Collegiate, Hamilton when the New Zealand Schools team, New Zealand Barbarians Under 18, New Zealand Māori Ngā Mareikura Under 18’s and Northland Under 19’s took to the field.

International competition returns for New Zealand Schools
New Zealand Rugby have announced today the 2023 New Zealand Schools, New Zealand Barbarian Under 18 and New Zealand Māori Under 18 Ngā Whatukura Boys teams.

Changes to New Zealand Schools programmes
New Zealand Rugby has announced today changes to the 2021 Schools programme due to the inability for Auckland based players to train or play under current COVID-19 Alert Levels.

Top schoolboy talent selected in national teams
The top schoolboy players in the country have been found with New Zealand Rugby today announcing the 2021 New Zealand Schools, New Zealand Barbarian Under 18 and New Zealand Māori Under 18 Ngā Whatukura Boys teams.