75 players have been rewarded for their performances in school and club rugby across this season. From Māruawai College in Gore to the reigning Top Four School champions and Rathkeale College in Heartland Province Wairarapa-Bush, 29 schools and 12 clubs are represented.
This will be the first year since 2019 the Australia Under 18 team has competed in New Zealand, with seven teams competing across three days, including Australia Under 18, Samoa Under 18, New Zealand Heartland Under 20, Chiefs Under 18 and the three New Zealand teams.
New Zealand Rugby High Performance Pathways Manager Ben Fisher said it is exciting to see the programme return for a second year with the addition of Australia Under 18 and Samoa Under 18 teams competing.
“This programme is an important part of our player development pathway. To be able to continue to build on last year’s success and host international fixtures with our Australian and Samoan counterparts is hugely important for the growth of these young men and will prepare them for future opportunities with the New Zealand Under 20s and beyond.”
“It is an exciting opportunity for those selected, and a huge congratulations to them and their whānau. We are looking forward to seeing the players develop across the campaign”
“Thanks to The Barbarians Club, NZ Schools Rugby Union, Heartland Unions and Chiefs Rugby club, for their support to help to bring these matches to life”
The New Zealand Schools team, New Zealand Barbarians Under 18 and New Zealand Māori Under 18 teams will all be in action at FMG Stadium in Hamilton on Sunday 6th October.
The New Zealand Schools team is headed by the Paul Tito (Blues) with Willie Rickhards (Auckland Grammar School) and Kieran Coll (St Thomas of Canterbury) completing the coaching team.
The New Zealand Barbarians team will be led by Darren Larsen (Hurricanes) with Tasesa Lavea (Saint Kentigern’s College) and Greg Feek (Blues) named as assistants.
Kahu Carey (Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Te Ātiawa, Kāi Tahu/Ngāi Tahu) will head the Māori Under 18 team coaching group. Willie Brown (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Porou), Jeremy Wara (Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Pikiao (Te Arawa)) and Simon Kneebone (Ngāti Porou) will round out the group.
Teams
Click here for the 2024 New Zealand Schools team.
Click here for the 2024 New Zealand Barbarian U18 team.
Click here for the 2024 New Zealand Māori U18 team.
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